Pokémon: Who Is Ash Ketchum's Strongest Traveling Companion?

screenrant.com:

Ash Ketchum has journeyed with many traveling companions throughout the Pokémon anime, but there is one of Ash's friends who is stronger than all the others. Though not all of Ash’s friends shared the same ambitions as Ash had, many of them did become accomplished Pokémon trainers in their own right. Some were already quite skilled by the time Ash met them, as there were a few who were already gym leaders at that time.

Most of Ash’s friends and traveling companions had their sights set on accomplishing their own goals. The friends that Ash traveled with allowed the anime to explore different aspects of the Pokémon world, not just limited to battling and the Pokémon League. Audiences learned about Pokémon Contests and Pokémon Showcases, as well as learning about what it takes to be a Pokémon Breeder.

Related: Which Of Ash Ketchum's Pokémon Teams Is The Strongest?

While Ash’s rivals in thePokémon anime often taught Ash more about what it means to be a Pokémon trainer and new battling strategies, his friends were often instrumental in expanding his narrow worldview and teaching him more about Pokémon and their inherent nature. Luckily, Ash was always game to learn new skills from his friends, which only served to improve his own skills as a Pokémon trainer too. Some friends stood out more than others, especially when compared to Ash, regarding their skills as Pokémon trainers. Pokémon Journeys and Pokémon Master Journeys have given the anime the chance to revisit some of Ash’s old friends, making it interesting to see which of Ash’s past traveling companions were the strongest then and now.

Misty and Brock traveled with Ash throughout the first two regions of the Pokémon franchise. Brock, however, did travel further than