#ashmay

Being an Advanceshipper since childhood, I wanted to make this post so you all can get an idea on how many hints toward Advanceshipping there will be in my rewrite of the Pokemon Advanced series. And yes, one of my top objectives for rewriting the advanced series is making Advanceshipping more hinted at. And since there’s A LOT of hints in my Advanced series rewrite, I decided to make several posts, one detailing the Advanceshipping hints in one season each, plus a fifth post taking about the Advanced series movies.

So to start this off is the first Advanced series season (and the 6th season overall); Pokémon Advanced.

AG 001 - “Get the Show on the Road!” - After Ash’s Pikachu destroys May’s bicycle accidentally, she angrily goes to scold Ash for it while he’s resting in Professor Birch’s laboratory. As she quietly opens the door, she sees Ash and Pikachu resting contently together, and she forgives him without telling him, and at the same time, May begins to develop a secret crush for Ash. Later on, May guilts Ash into letting her travel with him. Once he says that she could come along, May strikes a triumphant pose by the camera and yells, “YES!” to show her enthusiasm to the audience. This, coupled with the previous scene where she secretly spies on him and forgives him for his kindness toward Pikachu, shows that May might be taking a liking toward him. AG 002 - “A Ruin with a View” - During the middle of the episode, Ash is eager to ask a few other Trainers about the Petalburg Gym Leader. Hearing this, May desperately grabs Ash and asks him if they could go eat instead, and if he could show her around the Pokémon Center so Ash wouldn’t find out her dad is the Gym Leader; some say this is so Ash would not treat her any differently. Despite his earlier enthusiasm, Ash agrees and they eat. During their meal with Brendan Birch (who decided to accompany Ash and May for a bit), Ash and May talk, and Ash becomes May’s mentor for the very first time, teaching her how to capture and battle with Pokémon. When Ash and Brendan go off to spy on Team Magma, May refuses to be left alone and goes along with them, though she only wants to be close to Ash. Later, at the end of the episode, when Ash and May are preparing to leave for Petalburg City, Brendan says he’ll stay at Oldale Town for a while longer; therefore leaving only Ash and May the ones in route for Petalburg City. AG 003 - “There’s no Place Like Hoenn” - After Max is introduced to Ash’s Treecko and May’s Torchic, Max says that Ash would be a perfect match for May, causing both Ash and May to blush embarrassingly and May quickly denies Max’s statement (though she secretly DOES have a crush on Ash). Later during lunch, when Ash asks Norman to a gym battle, Max says that May would be impressed by Ash’v victory, causing Ash and May to blush embarrassingly once again. Later, when Team Rocket steals May’s Torchic, she falls to her knees in despair. Seeing this, Ash crouches down next to her and tells her not to worry, promising that he will get her Torchic back for her. Additionally, at the end of the episode, when Max voices his desire to travel with Ash and May, they both show a shocked expression on their faces, possibly implying that they wanted to travel together, alone. Though Max admits that he’ll help them in terms of Pokemon education.  AG 004 - “You Never Can Taillow" - Though this may have just been stubbornness, she grabs Ash’s arm and asks him if they can eat. Though Max also grabbed onto Ash, May did it first. Later, she asked Ash where their food was first, instead of asking Max. She took particular offense to Ash’s mentioning of Brock, sarcastically apologizing for being useless compared to him. When the Taillow were about to attack Ash and friends, Ash gets in front of May in a protective way. AG 011 - "A Bite to Remember" - When a group of Mightyena shows hostility towards the group, May hides behind Ash for protection, even though Brock could provide protection just as easily. However, Ash was closer to May than Brock was.

AG 017 - "Stairway to Devon" - When Ash and May discover that a Team Aqua intruder is in the building and that Max could be in potential danger, May clasps her hands and asks Ash for reassurance and support. Once Ash comforts her, she is relieved. This is the first of many scenes where May continually looks toward Ash for support and reassurance, further expanding on their mentor/student dynamic.

AG 018 - "On a Wingull and a Prayer!" - Ash, May, Brock and Max end up in a deserted place where there are no boats or ferries for them to reach Dewford Island, where Ash’s next gym battle will take place. They manage to find a beach port which is deserted and May happily says that at least they found a beach, to which Ash irritably replies that, "A lot of good that does if we’re going to miss the boat anyway, May!”. May then becomes quiet and after hearing Ash say that he was really eager to go to Dewford Island for his next gym battle, she determinedly says that she will find a boat on her own while the others can relax. Later, while searching for a boat, May looks out to the sea and thinks about Ash yelling at her earlier on, which makes her slightly blush.

AG 020 - “Brave the Wave" - On Dewford Island, May decides to strip into a bikini right on the beach. However, instead of just running down to the shore to take a swim, she purposely poses in her bikini in front of Ash and her little brother and asks what they think. Ash appears to be embarrassed by the situation, but so is Max (who could arguably seem even more embarrassed) for understandable reasons. Though it’s not seen, Ash does blush bright red from seeing May in her bikini and posing in front of him.

AG 024 - “A Corphish Out of Water!” - When Ash learned from the tape recording that his friends and Team Rocket are all trapped in separate cages (during Team Rocket’s scheme to capture Ash’s Pikachu) and a high tide was coming in, Ash, Pikachu, Corphish and Nurse Joy rush to the rescue in the motorboat before everyone drowned. Ash’s Corphish used Crabhammer to destroy the cages and everyone is free, but Max realized May was nowhere to be seen. Horrified to learn that May’s cage is already underwater, Ash dives in along with his Corphish and see May was about to drown. Corphish used its Crabhammer once more to destroy May’s cage and Ash held May in his arms and swam to the surface before he held her above him to get her reach the surface first. May opened her mouth, took in the fresh air before Ash and Corphish stood up from underwater. May thanks Ash by given him a hug on the neck causing them both to blush before being helped out of the water by their friends and Nurse Joy.

AG 032 - “Abandon Ship!” - When Ash and May are standing together on the abandoned ship’s deck, Ash continuously stares at May while saying nothing, and he even blushes slightly.

AG 033 - "Now That’s Flower Power!" - When Drew was criticizing May’s ability as a Coordinator, Ash stands up, the camera moving to show his face only, and he quickly went to defend May, who’s clearly upset from Drew’s criticizing.

AG 034 - “Battle at the Museum” - When Ash and Brendan are about to have a battle at the beaches of Slateport, May steps in between them, saying that they should visit the Slateport Oceanic Musuem first. The boys agree, though Ash agrees more. Later when Team Aqua arrives, May gets behind Ash. After Team Aqua leaves, Captain Stern gives Ash, May, and Brendan a Spheal each. May’s shiny female Spheal begins to take a liking to Ash’s regular-colored male Spheal.

AG 035 - “Battle on the Beach” - When Ash and Brendan are having the Pokémon battle at the beaches of Slateport City, May secretly routes for Ash to win. After Ash beats Brendan, May congratulates the two, as do Brock and Max. However, May secretly congratulates Ash more.

AG 037 - "Win, Lose or Drew!" - After witnessing May lose her first ever Pokémon Contest, Ash blames himself for her loss. He says, "It’s my fault. I wish I’d spent more time with May, teaching her.” Later, May cries backstage as everyone tries to cheer her up, but to no avail. May’s shiny Spheal is just as sad as May. Although everyone tries to cheer May up backstage, the camera zooms in on Ash when he says something to May. When Max and Brock consoled May, the camera was focused on all of them. Ash’s Spheal does manage to cheer up May’s shiny Spheal.

Today the first episode of Pokémon advanced came as it introduced us to the Hoenn region. Ash meets a girl called May and has her bike fried by Pikachu(you won't get any ketchup now). They encounter the evil group called Team Magma. The series also has the name of "Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire the series". Later failed ladies man Brock(we love him so much) & Max(good kid but should respect his sister a bit more) were also introduced.

Yeah. I am an Advanceshipper since i was little & even before i knew what shipping means. Also, why the heck was that yellow electric mouse given ketchup even when i said No?!!!

The series also has four movies for it. Did you love the series or the first episode? Do tell.

Now that the four seasons of the Advanced series are done, we’ve reached the four movies of the Advanced series.

Jirachi Wish Maker - On one of the nights when May folds a tab on her wishing star, she afterward looks toward Ash who is skipping rocks across a river. The camera then goes back to May, showing the very anxious look on her face. Due to this, it’s believe that May’s wish involves Ash, although the nature of the wish is never confirmed. In this example, however, one must account for the fact that Max and Jirachi are skipping rocks with Ash, as well as the fact that nothing else is going on at the time. When she looks “anxious” after viewing the scene, it could be partially due to sadness, since she knows that her little brother and Jirachi have very few days left together and will never see each other again afterward. As she looks away from the scene, she glances back at her wishing star and views the final two leaflets, which remind her that the week is coming to an end. It could be noted that May made the wish before Jirachi hatched, so it would be impossible have made the wish about Max and how he would miss Jirachi. Arguably, there is the possibility of the wish being a Top Coordinator, yet having her stare at Ash, she talks to herself, saying that she wants to be happy with Ash in one way or another. The morning after Meta Groudon’s destruction, May reveals that she folded all seven leaflets on her wishing star, but refuses to confirm what her wish is.

Destiny Deoxys - Ash gets furious with Tory Lund for pushing him when he tried to help him. In order to stop him, May throws her body on top of Ash and pleads for him to stop. She places her hands on his shoulders and desperately tries to convince him to calm down. Ash is surprised by her action, and maintains a shocked expression as he quickly agrees, and calms down. 

Lucario and the Mystery of Mew - During the dance in the ballroom, Lady Ilene says that Ash is actually allowed to dance with whoever he wants. Hearing this, May walks up to Ash and asks him for a dance, Ash blushes, but he agrees. May grabs his hand and they begin dancing, all the while both are blushing. Later, when the group plans to go rescue their Pokemon from Mew, Ash is seen standing at the balcony. After the rest of the group leaves, May goes up to him and tries to reassure him that Pikachu is probably already making friends. When Ash seems less worried, May looks at him happily, knowing that she helped cheer him up a little. On the way to the Tree of Beginning, Ash once again looses his cool gets angry at Lucario. May quickly rushes down into the lake where Ash is standing and clutches his arm, trying to prevent him from getting himself in trouble. May holds onto him frantically until the situation is resolved. Afterward, May follows Ash around “mothering” him, telling him to get himself dry before he catches a cold. Later at the Tree of Beginning, when Kidd Summers tells Ash that May, Max, and Brock were swallowed up by the white blood cells, Ash is horrified by the news, thought he’s mostly horrified that May was swallowed up.

Pokemon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea - As Ash and May go swimming with Manaphy, they find a school of Luvdisc, the Pokémon thought to symbolize love, and begin swimming among them. It can be noted that, even though Dawn has seen Luvdisc with Ash as well, Ash and May were the only ones that swam with them, possibly meeting the description of Pokémon Sapphire’s Pokédex entry—"It is said that any couple meeting this Pokémon is promised a loving relationship that never ends.“ When Manaphy goes missing, May begins sobbing, heartbroken. Ash gazes at her with a pained expression and glistening eyes. While Samiya is being flooded with water, Ash puts May, Pikachu, and Manaphy in a capsule left behind by The Phantom, allowing them to survive in the event that his plan to replace the crystal fails. Distressed, May calls out to Ash with tearful eyes, but Ash only asks her to remain safe in there, and leaves with the brown in his eyes seen; this usually happens only when Ash is very upset or very emotional. May continues to pray for Ash’s safety and is nearly driven to tears by the thought that he may not return. Manaphy sends May’s prayers to Ash using Heart Swap, and with these thoughts spurring him on, Ash recovers from his near-drowned state and replaces the crystal, saving Samiya. After Samiya is raised, May leaves the capsule, initially thrilled that the temple has been saved. Her happiness, however, is quickly replaced by sadness and the fear that Ash will not return. "It can’t be…” she says while she puts her hand over her heart. “No way…” Her joy returns as soon as Ash flies up out of the water, chases down Captain Phantom, and saves the abducted Manaphy. In the manga adaption of the movie, when May and Pikachu are unsure of whether or not Ash survived trying to save the Sea Temple, she clutches Pikachu and is tearing up, but still retains hope in Ash by saying, “Ash wouldn’t leave us like this…” Additionally, at multiple points during the movie, Manaphy seems very happy around Ash, best exemplified by the fact that it seemed content and happy in Ash’s arms, when it’s seen to only to accept May’s company, even using Heart Swap to switch between Ash and Jack Walker when the latter held it, immediately regaining its happiness after doing so. Many AdvanceShippers suggest that Manaphy has chosen Ash to be his 'father’. When Ranger Jack moves to return into the Temple, Ash calls and warns him that it is too dangerous. Although, he submits when Jack tells him he will be fine. However, when May runs back into the Temple to follow Manaphy, Ash instinctively runs after her, presumably because, of everyone, he doesn’t want to put her in danger. It can also be noted that Jackie Walker recognized that Ash, not Max, was the closest to May and specifically asked him to separate May and Manaphy.

And so we’ve reached the fourth and final Advanced series season (and the 9th season of the anime overall); Pokemon Battle Frontier.

AG 149 - "A Hurdle for Squirtle” - When May steps on the Contest Stage, Ash is the only one (of the three) that cheers, saying, “Let’s go May! All right!” This is also reflected in all of May’s other Contests, in which Ash always seems to be emotionally involved and always helping May when she is in a dilemma by shouting helpful advice to her, though being enthusiastic and supportive seems to be part of Ash’s personality, as he has done that for pretty much everyone he has wanted to win a battle or contest, though he does it mostly for May.

AG 151 - “Fear Factor Phony” - When May hears sounds made by scary Ghost Pokémon, she frantically goes to Ash and tries to wake him up in his sleeping bag. She presses her hands desperately against his chest to wake him up, yet she didn’t do the same to Brock, who could have come to her aid just as easily. This is another example of May choosing Ash over anyone else when she is in either fear or doubt.

AG 165 - “Off the Unbeaten Path!” - May falls off a rope bridge and clutches for her life. Once again she cries out for Ash several times, despite the fact that Brock is standing with Ash as well. Ash calls out May’s name as he pulls her to safety, but not once does May give any gratitude toward Brock for saving her, only Ash.This could be taken that May relies more on Ash than the others to help her.

AG 166 - “Harley Rides Again” - James says to Ash that they were helping his girl (May) in the Contest. 

AG 179 - “All That Glitters is Not Golden!” - After setting up camp, May says that she’ll go get them some water. Ash, instead of finding something else to do, or helping Max with the firewood, because that is arguably harder than getting water, offers to help May, saying, “I’ll help with that." 

AG 180 - "New Plot, Odd Lot!” - While May worries about the contest, Ash volunteers right away that he “would be happy to help her train.” May looks at him gratefully and thanks him. Later, after being infuriated by Harley, May quickly says, “Ash! Want to train?” Ash quickly finishes his food and stands up, then replies, “Right behind you!” in a determined fashion. Later, after May barely makes it through the first round of the contest, Ash is seen staring at her with the brown in his eyes showing (which usually only happens when he gets very emotionally passionate about something), while saying, “You deserve it. You really turned it around, May.”

AG 183 - “Battling the Enemy Within” - After Possessed Ash’s battle withPossessed Max, Possessed Ash turns and demands Pikachu to go next. May, Brock, and Brandon stand between Possessed Ash and Pikachu, defending the Pokemon. May says “Ash, I know you’re in there, and I want you back! Please come back to me!” She then kisses Possessed Ash on the lips, allowing Ash to reagin control of his body from the King Pokelantis. After Possessed Max seals the King’s spirit back into his stone ball, Ash turns to May and Brock; saying “You guys are the best.“ May replies, "Ash, if you keep talking like that, I’m going to blush.”

AG 198 -  "Home is Where the Start Is" - Ash and May end the Terracotta Contest in a tie; there is only one ribbon, and they can’t decide whom to give the ribbon to. May looks at Ash, Ash looks at May, and they nod at each other, and then Ash tells Sceptile to Leaf Blade the ribbon in half. This demonstrates that, occasionally, neither Ash nor May need to speak to know what the other is thinking because they share such a close bond, based on how deep their connection is. In Mean With Envy!, Erica and Joshua were seen in a fantasy holding a split ribbon while Vivian was referring to a couple winning a Contest. Ash and May’s victory and split ribbon parallel this. Near the end of the episode, max says that he’ll miss traveling with Ash and Brock, though he admits that he’ll miss seeing Ash and May closely together. As the ship departs, Ash and May share one last love-filled goodbye and May gives a blow-kiss to Ash.

Now we’re onto the second Advanced series season (and the seventh season overall); Pokémon Advanced Challenge.

AG 060 - “All Torkoal, No Play" - When May and Torchic fall off of a cliff in the Valley of Steel and just barely manages to grab onto a branch to save herself, a close-up of Ash shows him visibly worried about her and promising to rescue her. With everyone else holding on to the rope, Ash lowers himself into the chasm, grabs her hand, and they are both lifted back to safety, all the while Ash and May blush.

AG 066 - "True Blue Swablu" - When May wants to stay and help Swablu’s injuries get better, Ash generously tells her, "You’re going to take any time you need to help your buddy out,” even though his first priority is making it to the Petalburg Gym; however, despite that, Ash also cares about the Swablu. Also, when Max is saying, “Which reminds me of when overheard that May has a secret crush on a certain someone that she met in–” she quickly cuts him off, saying, “That musta been a silly old dream!” This could suggest that she didn’t want Max to blurt out her secret crush on Ash. At the end of the episode, when May gets Swablu, Ash is secretly happy for her to have a Swablu; as it’ll help her in terms of future contests. 

AG 069 - “Go Go Ludicolo!" - When confronted by Max about whether she wants Ash to win over her Dad—Norman of the Petalburg Gym—or not, May gives flustered responses. While Max is quick to make up his mind and cheer for his father, May cheers for Ash. Max asks, "What, how can you want Ash to win over our Dad?” May blushes and says, “Well I want Dad to win…but I don’t want Ash to lose!”

AG 070 - “A Double Dilemma” - After an explosive “ENOUGH!!!!” and after Torchic stops the North Petalburgers with Ember, May wastes no time defending Ash from the North Petalburgers’ booing, telling them that Ash is a Greta trainer who helped save the world on a few occasions. She also stands by him as she tells the North Petalburgers that Ash deserves grateful gratitude & respect, NOT shameless berating & booing. Ash thanks May and Max for defending him.

AG 071 - “Love, Petalburg Style!" - During the ending of the episode, May once again seems torn about whom should she cheer for in the upcoming gym battle.

AG 072 - "Balance of Power" - Expanding on the previous hints, when Pikachu is hit by a Flamethrower from Norman’s Vigoroth, May tries to help Ash by telling him to switch. Brock then says that it’s not a good idea, causing May to hastily shut her mouth with her hands in terror. Moreover, at multiple points during the battle, May seems worried and terrified when Ash is losing and happy when Ash is winning. This behavior highly implies that May DID choose Ash over her own father.

AG 074 - "The Bicker the Better" - Ash and May are confronted by Oscar and Andi, a young couple who are obsessed with the idea of love and romance. When Oscar and Andi call Ash and May a "happy couple,” the two of them quickly deny it and turn their backs to one another, crossing their arms. Ash says sarcastically, “That’s a laugh!” and May adds, “Hardy har har!” Oscar and Andi do not stop there, and continue to call them a couple. Ash and May scream, “We’re not a couple!” in unison, with the same body language, followed by, “And we’re not happy either!” in the same tone in which Oscar and Andi state that they ‘both answered together’, further causing tensions between the two. As the episode pours on, Ash and May continue to argue and bicker back and forth, presumably to get their minds off the idea of being called a couple by Oscar and Andi. Halfway through the episode, Brendan, Max, Brock, and even Pikachu finally get fed up and threaten Ash and May that the two will be violently abused if they didn’t stop arguing. Ash and May, now under threat of abuse, quickly forgive each other for their argument, and apologize. After that, they continue to talk positive things such as May’s Swablu being a valuable asset to her team; especially in Pokémon Contests.

AG 075 - “Grass Hysteria!" - When May is lost in the forbidden land of the Grass Pokémon, Ash once again steps in to save her despite the warnings. After his Tarzan-esque entrance to save May from the fierce and threatening Grass Pokémon that were about to attack her, he grabs her by the hand with an intense expression, and runs with her to clear a path to safety. Ash and May continue to hold hands as they are running away from the menacing Pokémon.

AG 076 - "Hokey PokéBalls" - This episode further brings up the parallelism between Ash and May, by having their two Bulbasaur meet each other. Moreover, the two Bulbasaur show signs of liking one another, a ship that is called VineShipping. Throughout the episode, May makes several comments about how their Bulbasaur are such a great team, and how they are, "Two peas in a Poképod.” When Professor Oak allows Ash to keep his Bulbsaur for a while longer, May’s Bulbsaur is happy to hear this and is eager to be guided by Ash’s Bulbasaur. VineShipping is one of the parallels that is used to push Advanceshipping, as canon characters such as Professor Oak and Brock have said in the past that Pokémon represent the feelings of their Trainers, and that when two Pokémon fall in love, there is a good chance that their Trainers will as well. While the Bulbasaur haven’t fallen in love with each other yet, it is the first step in their parallel romance. It can be noted that their respective Bulbasaur seem to reflect the current relationship of their Trainers, with Ash’s Bulbasaur as a guide and mentor to May’s Bulbasaur, just like how Ash was/is guide and mentor for May. 

AG 080 - “Cruisin’ for a Losin’" - May is sulking on a bench outside the Contest Hall because she lost her match, and was greedy for a ribbon that she didn’t look after the well-being of her Bulbasaur. Ash, holding his own Bulbasaur, comes alone to comfort her, cheering her up while Ash’s Bulbasaur is patting May’s Bulbasaur on the head with his vine, and Ash sitting next to May on the bench. This is followed by a sheepish smile and a "Thank you Ash,” from May. Afterwards, when confronting her about running from the contest after losing to Savannah, his tone is both kind and compassionate; and says that he doesn’t blame her for yelling at him earlier. This is a side of Ash we rarely saw until now, where after this moment, Ash’s more caring side becomes more common when it comes to comforting May and helping her.

AG 094 - “Thieves of Mt. Pyre” - Before leaving for Mossdeep City, our heroes decide to visit Mt. Pyre first. Half way to the top, two Duskulls appear, and May, terrified, gets behind Ash. Ash brings out Pikachu and his Sealeo to fend off the Duskulls. Pikachu uses Thunderbolt and Sealeo uses Water Gun, scaring off the Duskulls. Afterwards, May hugs Ash and thanks him, Pikachu, and Ash’s Sealeo for fending off the two Duskulls.

Now we’ve reached the third Advanced series season (and the 8th season of the anime overall); Pokémon Advanced Battle.

AG 100 - Scuffle of legends (part 1) - “Droughts and Downpours” - With droughts and downpours devastating Hoenn, Steven Stone sends Ash and May as a duo to gather as much help as possible for the upcoming battles, and they manage to get help from Keith, Nancy, and their fellow classmates from the A-B-C Islands. 

AG 101 - Scuffle of legends (part 2) - “Groudon and Kyogre” - When Steven Stone splits Ash, Brock, May, and Brendan into two groups; Ash and Brock … May and Brendan, May and Ash wish each other the best of luck and hope that they’ll be ok. They share one last glance at each other before setting off, where Ash and Brock go after Maxie and May and Brendan go after Archie. 

AG 102 - Scuffle of legends (part 3) - “Battle of the Ancients” - Ash is captured by the possessed Maxie and May is captured by the possessed Archie, and both pairs end up in Sootopolis City where Groudon and Kyogre fight each other. Ash and May try to get free from the leaders’ grasps, but to no avail. Later, after Max, now with the Jade Orb in his body, attacks Maxie and Archie, causing them to finally let go of Ash and May, Ash, after landing on the ground, quickly grabs May and catches her, causing her to blush. After Steven Stone orders everyone to get clear of the brawling fight between Groudon, Kyogre, and Rayquaza, Ash holds May in his arms as they quickly flee the area, and May blushes more from this. 

AG 103 - “It’s Still Rocket Roll to Me" - When Ash makes a promise to everyone that they’ll go sight-seeing throughout Mossdeep City after the gym battle against Tate and Liza, May happily hugs Ash and thanks him for letting the sight-seeing idea happen.

AG 105 - “Training with the Orbs” - With the Red Orb inside Ash and the Blue Orb inside May both getting stronger as shown when more tattoos of the Ancient Pokémon (Red for Groudon and Blue for Kyogre) appear on their arms, Ash becomes very worried for May, and May is very worried for Ash as much as he is for her. 

AG 108 - "A Cacturne for the Worse" - When May was embarrassed by Harley’s playback of Max’s story and lost her focus, Ash calls encouragement to her that helped her pull through and win the match. After her victory, May, while blushing, thanks Ash for helping her to snap out of it.

AG 110 - "Once in a Mawile" - In another love-themed episode, Ash is confused about the concept of love. May teases him and says, "Spoken like a maaaaaan,” in the dub while she says, “And he doesn’t get it”. As the episode continues, Ash says, “No sense in going out of your way just to make somebody like you,” to which May responds, “And he still acts like a man”.

AG 113 - “Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snorunt" - May holds onto Ash’s hat while he is lost with Snorunt in a blizzard, and continues to do so during the entire search, frantically hoping to find him again, which is seen as a romantic gesture. Once they meet up again, she says, "I believe this is yours.” and hands Ash back his hat, and May is relieved to see that Ash is ok. Ash’s Bulbasaur (while on another visit) happily jumps into Ash’s arms for a hug, and May picks up her Bulbasaur, who’s as happy that Ash is alright just as much as Ash’s Bulbasaur and May herself. 

AG 118 - “Who, What, When, Where, Wynaut?" - After the dilemma with Team Rocket and being separated from Max, Brock, Brendan, Richie, Pikachu, and Drew on Mirage Island, May and Ash find themselves paired together. When May claims that Brock would know what to do, Ash agrees to her statement. Later, Ash and May are seen holding hands as they fall down a cliff and into a river. When Ash gets knocked out, May becomes extremely concerned for him. Later the following night, in a cave, May has the sleeping Ash resting against the fluffy, cloud-like wings of her Altaria. When Ash wakes up, he finds himself resting against Altaria’s fluffy wings, and May is happy that Ash is alright. After being introduced by the group of Wynaut that saved them, and after a Wynaut gives Ash and May a berry each, Ash and May rest up against Altaria’s fluffy cloud-like wings to get comfortable. Ash says that he loves how soft and comfy Altaria’s wings feel, and May, just as comfy as Ash is, smiles at him. After that, May asks Ash if he’d like to join her in playing with the Wynaut. Though Ash politely refuses, he does let his Pokémon (Grovyle, Walrein, Torkoal, Corphish, Bulbasaur, Swellow, and Snorunt) have fun with the Wynaut, May’s Pokémon (her own Bulbasaur, Combusken, Altaria, shiny Walrein, Skitty, and Beautifly) and May herself. As they all play, Ash happily watches. Later, when May is tied up by Team Rocket, Ash comes to her rescue while accompanied by his Pokémon and May’s Pokémon. After Altaria’s Dragon Breath is deflected from Team Rocket and burns the ropes, May falls down, and Ash catches her in his arms, causing them both to blush. 

AG 119 - "Date Expectations" - In the middle of the episode, Ash and May are separated from the group. May does her expedition routine and thinks about the concept of being lost with Ash in the woods forever. This idea causes her to have little red blushes on her cheeks. During the last act of the episode, May misses her chance to catch the ferry to her final Contest. In despair, she starts to cry. Sensing her pain, Ash puts his hands firmly on her shoulders and stares intensely into her eyes, giving her the courage to go on while he takes care of her little brother. Moved, May rejects Ash’s offer of moving on without them, and tells him about the promise she made with her mother. As she talks, she gradually perks up and suggests that they go to look for Max and Brock. Touched, Ash agrees. 

AG 128 - "Rhapsody in Drew" - After May wins the Hoenn Grand Festival and is awarded the Ribbon Cup, given the title of Top Coordinator, and given a Top Coordinator cloak. During a party to celebrate all the contestants’ hard work is held at the park after the award ceremony, Ash approaches May and congratulates her for her victory, and she says that all her training with Ash and the experience from previous contests were worth it. 

AG 136 - “Ash vs Steven Stone” (part 2) - After Ash beats Steven Stone in a Pokémon battle, he is given the Championship Cup and his own champion cloak (one that fits Ash as the one worn by Steven is too big). May, still in her Top Coordinator cloak, approaches Ash and congratulates him for his victory. They put their Cups on the ground for a minute. Ash and May stare at each other, blush, and finally… they give each other a MEANINGFUL hug, one that’s much more than just a friendship hug. 

Ash & May in Fur Coats

Here’s a remake of an artwork I made and released all the way back in at the end of December 2021/beginning of January 2022.

Ash and May are wearing floor-length White Cinccino fur coats, made from the real white fur of many many Cinccino. With that, these fur coats are as soft, fluffy and comfortable as the white fur of Cinccino. Don’t worry, these fur coats were made by the Kalos fashion designer/gym leader; Valerie. And Ash knows that Valerie is very graceful, very kind, very polite and very reasonable. With all that in mind, Ash and everyone else knows full well that Valerie would NEVER EVER harm or kill Pokémon in the making of fashion designs. May mentions that she anlways enjoys wearing her fur coat, and she asks her Ashy-boy is he does too. Ash responds to his mayflower and says that he too enjoys wearing his fur coat.