Ash's Rivals RANKED From Weakest to Strongest.

Horizons Review Tomorrow.

Paul is so iconic. The entire story arc with him and Ash leading up to the finale of the Sinnoh League was just incredible

Something that makes Paul stand out more, is that he battled Ash not with the purpose of winning but to train him. He used three Pokemon specifically to prepare him for the Masters 8. Imagine if he had actually prepared a team made to take him down in a serious battle.

You ranked Ash’s friends. You ranked Ash’s rivals. Now rank Ash’s FRIENDS’ Rivals!

I love how not only Paul is able to fight on par with pre-champion Ash, but that battle was also training for Paul since he was scouted out to become a Gym Leader. Idk to where but Paul might as well be the final test to trainers to see if they themselves qualify for the Pokémon League if they have what it takes to beat him.

A hot take but I feel like Paul at this point became more of an iconic rival to Ash than Gary. Mainly because Gary would constantly belittle Ash but if you remember correctly, the two of them barely battled each other. I think they only had 3 battles before Gary decided to become a Pokemon researcher instead (first was before they both went to Johto, second their iconic match at the Johto League, and third right before Ash went to Sinnoh and two of those battles were just one-on-ones). Whenever Gary appeared, he usually just taunts Ash then goes on his way. However, Paul and Ash nearly battled each other every single time with Paul often coming out on top. The two was constantly at each other's throats and always tried to one-up each other (even Paul picked up some of Ash's tactics in battle like with the Counter Shield). However, both of them improved as trainers from their constant battles and became much better people as a result. It got to the point that Paul was more than happy to help train Ash for his Master's 8 tournament and was even seen smiling that his training paid off for him. Paul may not be Ash's strongest rival, but he was arguably the most important one

Paul is easily the best Anime Rival to date. This dude pushed Ash at every turn and in the end is still a Top ranked battler. Heck in his match against ash before the masters tourney he didn’t really seem to be trying to win. It tells me Paul definitely had the strength to be in that tournament and a top 4 battler. Would’ve LOVED if Cynthia gave Paul the Champion position in Sinnoh. Would’ve made me ecstatic and feel like Paul had a full character growth. He’s a legend.

Sawyer has the best potential ..change my mind. He improved a lot in a short period of time!!!

Pokemon Diamond and pearl has to be one of the best series. Paul vs Ash setup is way too epic and the whole finale fight of Ash Infernape vs Paul Electiviter is just top notch

Paul wasn't just a strong rival, he was skilled at the same time; sure he wasn't the nicest guy to meet, but he's an intelligent trainer

Ash and Paul's battle in the Sinnoh League might still be the greatest battle against a rival in the franchise. Some battles surpass it in individual aspects, but as a sum of enjoyment, callbacks, storyline, stakes and the poetry with Chimchar's abandonement ending up being the reason Paul lost is just perfect.

Like everyone, I would like to see Paul in the top of legendary tier or in champion tier with Cynthia included. He is too iconic. He could easily end up being on top 3 of the Masters 8 if he participated. In Ash vs Paul's latest battle, he didn't seem to be using his full strength. It looked like a casual battle.

this was a really good tier list, also pretty nostalgic to see all of Ash's old rivals again

I hope they give Liko/Roy a rival that uses a competitive team.

Honestly, Leon is just ridiculously OP. It would be pretty hard to imagine a trainer surpassing him. When it takes a trainer of Ash’s caliber to use 2 dynamax’s, a z move, and mega evolution, just to take down his normal team, with 2 dynamax’s, given charizard and cinderace, is just pure insanity. Also shows just how ridiculous pikachu is. Goes toe to to with gigantimax charizard, then takes down a full health gigantimax cinderace, and then eventually takes down charizard in his normal form.

I would love if ash starts to make a recurring appearance around the middle of pokemon horizons as a trainer travelling paldea. It would be cool to see him make a few appearence

The fact that we will never see Ash vs Nemona is the biggest crime the anime writers have ever done.

Let's go, let's go, let's gooo! Super happy to see Sawyer so high. It makes me absurdly happy that an Ash fanboy like Sawyer is shown to have the potential to become that strong and not just be some cheerleader on the sidelines who only admires Ash's fighting spirit but doesn't emanate it themselves Gary vs Sawyer would be an INSANE fight; I would love to see those two tactical fighters go head to head

Awesome list! Between the battle scenes and the Gen 3 battle music playing in the back it was truly a stroll down memory lane! I don’t think anybody can be mad at this list

The sequel to ranking his companions is HERE!!!