#ash capture

In what feels like months I finally got off my lazy ass to make another entry in the "Ash Capture" series, where I analysis each Pokemon Ash has shoved into a Pokeball in chronological order, and today we look at a rather spry individual.

Ahh Heracross, the sap sucking, Bublasaur aggravating, big ass bug-type. His story is a rather tragic one, being the As first Pokemon caught in Johto you'd think it lead the way to getting a ton of screen time….well….lets take a look.

History: Heracross debut was in "A Sappy Ending", where he was first encountered in a forest where his kind and a swarm of Pinsir were fighting over territory and available tree sap. Wishing to find the source of problem, Ash and co go and search with Heracross trailing close behind. Its notable role during the episode was that it usually was looking for any sap to snack on, which would be mistaken by the others as Heracross doing a heroic deed (much to everyone's chagrin). Of course it's eventually discovered that Team Rocket was up to their usual shenanigans and were attempting to steal the Pinsir's sap with a Pinsir Mech. Heracross finds the strength to step in and hold Team Rocket's Mech off while Ash and the others get the sap back and with a powerful toss towards Team Rocket's way the Mech was destroyed and the day was saved.  But despite the forest returning to normal Heracross didn't want to say goodbye to Ash and friends and had a desire to join him in his journey. Ash of course was happy to oblige and made Heracross a honorary member of the team and his first friend in the Johto Region.

However Heracross stay was not for long as he wasn't sent to Prof Oak in "Tricks of the Trade" in exchange for Tauros, when Ash then wished to trade back at the end of the episode Prof Oak insisted that Heracross stay so he could study it's behavior, to which Ash agreed and Heracross wasn't seen again until the Silver Conference way later, as well as other future battles whenever Ash needed his strength.

Battle Prowess: Oh man, Heracross is a fucking BEAST, its god damn sin that it didn't see any action in any of the Johto gyms. 

Despite being a bug-type Heracross is built like a tank, able to take a ton of punishment before finally going down, on top of that he has decent speed (able to keep up with Nando's Kriketune) and can hit extremely hard, it's most powerful attack is Focus Punch with Horn Attack as a close second, and when it's in a pinch and is put sleep, it can dish out Sleep Talk just in time for a quick retaliation. 

We first get to see his power in the filler episode "Wired for Battle" episode, where he puts up a excellent fight (probably the best filler fights in the series imo) against the COTD's Sizcor and manages to come out on top due to excellent synchronization between him and Ash. After that he didn't see any action until the Johto League where his first match was against Gary's Magmar, and despite the clear type disadvantage Heracross still whopped it's ass with sheer will power. But afterwards he  was soon defeated by Blastoise

He then made a appearance at the Battle Frontier where it went up against Palace Maven Spenser's Venusaur, he managed to land a powerful Megahorn but was taken out by Solar Beam.

Heracross would then participate at the Shinoh League, where it put up an impressive battle against Nando's Kricketune and managed to win with a will timed Horn Attack. He was later seen going toe to toe with Tobias' Darkrai and although he was able to land a critical hit with Sleep Talk, he was knocked out by Dream Eater. He hasn't seen in battle since then.

Personality/Development: Heracross key character trait is that he loves sap and he'll do anything to get it, whenever, wherever he can. From sucking on trees sap, to the sap within poor Bulbasaur's bulb, to just sucking random things in plain affection. Otherwise he's a rather laid back mon who would do anything for it's trainer.

The reason this part of the analysis is so small is because Heracross was unceremoniously booted off the Team extremely early, never got to participate in any Gym Battles, and was pushed from the spotlight to make way from the Johto Starters. It's so aggravating because there was absolutely no reason for it at all and it's one of many faults the Johto Season made with Ash's Team, but we'll get into that later.

Ash's Snorlax was one of Ash's more bigger captures in a number of ways. It had the biggest size, was the biggest sleeper, had the biggest appetite, and had the biggest devastating attacks to match.

History: While sailing through the Orange Islands, Ash and Company had come across a group of islands called the Seven Grapefruit Islands, they arrive to find that most of the grapefruit trees have been destroyed, and the culprit was a ravenous Snorlax. Making it's way across the islands, any attempts to stop the beast failed, until they had the idea to have Jigglypuff put it to sleep. 

They then held a concert so that Jigglypuff could make an appearance, and sure enough it did. So when Jigglypuff started to sing and Snorlax had begun getting drowsy, Ash saw the chance, and with a Thunderbolt from Pikachu and a instant sleeping Snorlax, Ash made his 11th capture…..and then promptly fell asleep.

Battle Prowess: Snorlax is known to be one of Ash's most devastating powerhouses, but like Charizard, he had a bit of trouble getting the hang of using him at first. The first time he was use in a legitimate match was in a Johto Sumo Confrence, where it was to compete against other big boned Pokemon for the prize of a year's supply of Pokemon Food. Naturally with it's incredibly body girth and a hard fought match against a Feraligatr, it managed to win and chow down the year's supply in less than a few seconds

He was finally used in a legitimate battle at the Blackthron Gym, against Claire's Kingdra. Prior t this Ash was having serious trouble finding anyway to get a leg up on Clarie's Dragon Pokemon with the ones he had on hand, so he figured it was time for some true muscle. Throughout most of the match Snorlax spent his time dodging and enduring attacks (which was no problem due to it's amazing stamina) and when a tired Kingrda was left vulnerable, it knocked it out with an Ice Punch. However the battle with Kingrda left Snorlax tired as well and wasn't up to snuff when facing Gyarados.

He had a great showing at the Johto League, where in his first appearance he was able to take out Gary's Arcanine with a Hyper Beam, and cut through Nidoqueen's Hyper Beam with an Ice Punch. However when Gary sent out his Sizcor, it's amazing speed caught a tired Snorlax unawares, and was rumply taken out by a Metal Claw to the face. He then appeared again in the match against Harrison, taking how his Hypno and Steelix, both with Hyper Beam. But third time was not the charm and Harrison's Houndoom was able to pull of a counter and reflect Snoralx's Hyper Beam back at him with double the power.

He was seen again at the Battle Frontier, going up against Greta's Hariyama and Medicham. It was able to easily dispatch with Hariyama after it's previous battle with Grovyle with an Ice Punch. It's match against Medicham was a bit more rough though, taking a direct Focus Punch after it's Protect failed. It was they frozen by Medhicham's own Ice Punch. While frozen Snorlax recovered with Rest, but it was then vulnerable to a barrage of Focus Punches. But with a quick escape via Hyper Beam and a follow up by Body Slam, it was able to win the match, and Ash his latest Symbol.

He was again seen at the Sinnoh League, but only participated in a offscreen battle, the only part we saw was him getting the win with the Body Slam.

Regardless, when Snorlax makes an appearance he's always guaranteed to take out at least two Pokemon before the bastard goes down, a pretty solid representation of his battle skills (or rather his amazing stamina)

Personality/Development: Snorlax started out as an extremely lazy Pokemon that would do nothing but eat and sleep unless forced into fighting (either way it would rarely listen to Ash), but the more Snorlax stayed in Ash's care, and latter Prof Oak's, his ravenous appetite began to mellow out and he would be genuinely happy to see Ash again whenever they're reunited, and listen to him in battles as a result. Either way though he's still a Snorlax and like most Snorlax he spends most of his free time sleeping.

When Ash and co arrived in the Orange Islands, the writers needed to think of a way for them to quickly travel across the Archipelago, and so Ash caught a Lapras and a convent ride across the islands. Not much else to say there.

History: After having left Brock and escaped Team Rocket's latest scheme, Ash and Misty wander a random Island until they come across a beached Lapras getting abused by some rowdy trainers. Rushing to save them they were joined by Tracey Sketchitt, who managed to chase the trainers away and seek out help for the Lapras.

While Lapras was being tended to it was captured by Team Rocket, Ash rushed to save it and after seeing the lengths he would go to protect Lapras, he accepted Ash as his new trainer, at least until he found his old family.

Lapras continued to fairy the gang across the islands until it ran into his old pod, which included his mother, however Lapras was not accepted back. And so Lapras left with it's pod, happy and fulfilled.

It made a single episode comeback in the Johto episode "In the Lapras of Luxury", where it was revealed that Ash's Lapras had grown into a full adult, though despite that it was still happy to see Ash and played with him for awhile, re-living old times. After foiling a Team Rocket plot regarding capture of it's family, it was made the leader of the group and left Ash once again.

Battle Prowess: Due to mostly being a Island hopping mini boat, Lapras wasn't used much for battling, in fact it's only had three major battles overall. It was used in the first Gym Match in a race against Sissy's Blastoise, it managed to win with a quick Ice Beam road and slide. It was used again 

It's last official battle was against Drake's Gengar, which resulted in a Double K.O from a clash of Night Shade and Ice Beam.

Yeah as you can see, it's Ice Beam was pretty much it's de facto move, I don't think any other moves were even used during it's tenure with Ash… not very impressive

Personality/Development: 

When it was first found by Ash, Lapras was closed of and distrusted humans, due to it being abused by some awful individuals near the beach. However when it was rescued by Ash he learned to open up and trust them again.

Later in it's Johto come back, Lapras grew into a full grown adult who's great leadership skills enabled it to be recognized by the old leader as the NEW leader and be the one responsible for taking care of the pod from then on. It's quite an improvement in it's character, going from a scared child to a confident adult, which does Ash proud.

Primeape another one of Ash's famous Pokemon that's probably only remember for the fact that it was released almost immediately after capture. Lets see why.

History: As Ash and company were heading towards Celadon City, he made a call to Prof Oak to brag about his new Marsh Badge, a unimpressed Prof Oak began to lecture Ash on how he was falling behind the rest of the Pallet Town trainers in terms of Badges and Pokemon caught, which left Ash feeling depressed.

When he got back he was greeted by a hungry Manky who was feasting on one of Brock's donuts, Ash saw the opportunity and made an attempt to catch it, however Mankey was on to his plan and threw a donut in retaliation. Mankey then proceeded to use his Thrash attackon Ash and steal his "Official Pokemon League Expo Hat". After trying and failing to to get the hat back a ambush by Team Rocket and a kick by Jessie caused it to angrily evolve into a Primeape. After failed attempts to placate it, Primeape gave chase to Ash and the group, however running could only get them so far and Ash soon caught up to Ash after he fell in a Rocket dugged hole.

Cornered by Primeape and looking straight into it's eyes, Ash decided that he was tired of running and finally challenged it to a Pokemon battle. Bublasaur and Squirtle seemed infective until Charmander stepped in to battle, after prolonged beatings it was finally able to unleash it's rage attack. With this new fire power it was able to overcome Primeape and Ash was able to make a successful capture.

Primeape was notable for the fact that it was the first Pokemon that gave Ash a levitate challenge for it's capture, as he had to throw nearly all his Pokemon at him before finally going down with a rage filled Charmander.

Battle Prowess: The dude was only seen in two battles, in one episode. On the bright side he did win all of his matches and was able to become the P-1 Champion so there's that I guess. And in his debut episode he was able to put about a damn good struggle until finally being captured.

Personality/Development: Before Primeape was caught it was rowdy, violent, and constantly angry at everything all the time, and when it was seen again in "The Punchy Pokemon" that hasn't changed, but when Ash saved it from a nasty fall it finally had respect for Ash and listened to his commands. during it's departure it was sad to say goodbye to Ash but he was proud to be Ash's Pokemon and Ash was proud to have known him.