Pokemon Journeys: Get to Know Ash's First Female Rival

gamerant.com:

This article contains some spoilers for Pokemon Master Journeys.

Bea breaks the mold that many female characters are compressed into in Pokemon, as the first female opponent that is truly worthy of the title of rival. Fans first witness this fighting champion in the Galar Region in Pokemon Journeys, dressed to the nines in typical martial arts attire.

As arguably the strongest female Pokemon trainer (at least physically), Bea gives Ash a run for his money as she repeatedly proves herself to be a worthy competitor. Both intending on rising through the ranks of the Masters Eight in the World Coronation Series, Ash and Bea find camaraderie from their mutual passion for Pokemon and offer up some particularly exciting episodes in the process.

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Viewers are first introduced to this Fighting-Type Pokemon trainer in «Solitary and Menacing!» where some old-school 1st Generation fighters are also given some much-deserved screen time at the Stow-on-Side Stadium. It is clear that Bea takes her training seriously, both in and out of the arena, as she shows off some impeccable martial arts skills of her own. Emerging herself fully into each battle, Bea herself displays a karate fighting stance when instructing her Pokemon on their next move, adding another layer of authenticity to her hardcore no-nonsense vibe.

Bea takes on Ash once again in «Octo-Gridlock at the Gym!», using her Hitmontop and Grapploct against her new rival's Pikachu and Riolu at the Cianwood Gym. Each prove to be as good as the other, ending the match in a draw and fueling their competitive energies even further, although the two would not battle again until their Ultra Class rematch in the World Coronation Series.