Starters

[XSilverStarboyX]

I was wondering, say Ash did make it to professor Oak's in time to get an actual starter and not Pikachu, how different do you think the show would be. I would think that the starters would have obeyed him better than Pikachu did at first, so maybe things like not getting attacked by Spearows which would also lead to not metting Misty;152;?

 

[Kamex]

The show would be completely different, because the few differences in the first episode would in time snowball the story to a completely different place than it is now. Not to mention the fact that Pikachu already influenced the anime so much that many storylines would be impossible without it.

But just for fun, here's a theory: Ash would have taken Squirtle, and he would have gone on his journey alone. No Spearow means no Misty, and probably no meeting Team Rocket. He may have defeated Brock with Squirtle, so they wouldn't be travel partners... basically Ash would have a normal, boring journey, and he'd have given up like the other trainers, perhaps under Gary's shadow, and now he'd be living at home with his mom, a lazy good-for-nothing.

 

[intergalactic platypus]

It would be wierd if a different mascot had been chosen for the show...I predict Pikachu's bipolar would have remained untreated and he would eventually go on a rampage, Uzi in hand, through Oak's lab

 

[An00bis]

a lazy good-for-nothing.

... didn't the Tale of Pikachu ***** begin like that? He was like 14 and still living out his mother's house. Pikachu was just some rodent stealing food out his house that he had to 'exterminate'.

Man, that series was awesome.

It might have worked out if the Squirtle he got was similar to the Squirtle he eventually caught anyway. As much as I'd like to see a Blastoise with sunglasses and a black coat I'd think it would take the same non-evolutionary path that Pikachu took at Surge's gym.

There'd be no Misty or Brock but maybe he'd meet others along his journey.

 

[XSilverStarboyX]

The show would be completely different, because the few differences in the first episode would in time snowball the story to a completely different place than it is now. Not to mention the fact that Pikachu already influenced the anime so much that many storylines would be impossible without it.

But just for fun, here's a theory: Ash would have taken Squirtle, and he would have gone on his journey alone. No Spearow means no Misty, and probably no meeting Team Rocket. He may have defeated Brock with Squirtle, so they wouldn't be travel partners... basically Ash would have a normal, boring journey, and he'd have given up like the other trainers, perhaps under Gary's shadow, and now he'd be living at home with his mom, a lazy good-for-nothing.

Thats a good theory. Another one I was thinknig is that since Gary is always one step ahead of him, he would have gotten Squirtle, and Ash probobly would have picked Charmander. I think that was his second choice when he arrived at Prof. Oak's. I tried to edit my first post yesterday to say no Spearows, and no Misty but it wouldnt let me edit my post.I think Brock might have still traveled with him, but I wouldnt count on Misty traveling with him since I dont think he would meet her until he got to Cerulean.;152;

 

[Kamex]

but I wouldnt count on Misty traveling with him since I dont think he would meet her until he got to Cerulean.

Don't forget, she never wanted to go back to Cerulean until she became a good trainer to prove her sisters wrong. She simply followed Ash and Brock there, but if she never met him I doubt she would have gone back so soon.

 

[Flamander]

Well,he probally wouldnt win the pokemon league and give up.

 

[Encyclopika]

As much influence as Pikachu has in the series, I don't think that if Ash started with a normal starter, he'd end up "giving up". It's not in his character...and besides. Ash was in Gary's shadow throughout Kanto anyway, and it still didn't stop him. What would be the difference there with a different starter?

 

[Kamex]

As much influence as Pikachu has in the series, I don't think that if Ash started with a normal starter, he'd end up "giving up". It's not in his character...

Well, you're probably right, but I was mostly joking.

and besides. Ash was in Gary's shadow throughout Kanto anyway, and it still didn't stop him. What would be the difference there with a different starter?

Ash may've still been the determined hero he is now without Pikachu, but it wouldn't have been the same. Much of his confidence, skill and lessons of friendship and trust come from Pikachu and his relationship with it. I think the anime made it clear that Pikachu was practically 'meant' for Ash, like they were destined to be partners, and that it'll be that way forever, or at least for a long time.

 

[Shiny pokemon lover]

I guess an ordinary starter would got less personality, and would been in its pokeball like his other pokemon.
And, it would been problems to take it to a new region since the starter pokemons represent the region they live in, and the size when it evolves would also be a problem,probably.

 

[Chibbichan]

It would change the whole storyline. Pikachu was meant to be there at the start or the show wouldn't be as good.

 

[XSilverStarboyX]

It would change the whole storyline. Pikachu was meant to be there at the start or the show wouldn't be as good.

I dont think that it wouldnt be as good, just a lot more serious. Unless thats not your thing in which case you wouldnt think its as good;152;

 

[ZgonDuck]

Since Squirtle was his first choice, I guess he would have started with Charmander because Gary got his Pokemon before Ash. Charmander would probably be rebelious like Pika, have that same DEM power probably save Ash from a flock of Spearow. Still meets Misty, and maybe travels with Brock if Charmander needs to be supercharged. Team Rocket wants Charmander and travel to the ends of the earth to get it. We'd be stuck with Charmander forever, but we'd still get Squirtle and Bulbasaur. Pikachu might have been abandoned, and caught by Ash. It would evolve into Raichu and be rebelious, but eventually be tamed. It goes to Raichu Valley to become stronger, and become Ash's strongest Pokemon.

Something like that, maybe.

 

[XSilverStarboyX]

Since Squirtle was his first choice, I guess he would have started with Charmander because Gary got his Pokemon before Ash. Charmander would probably be rebelious like Pika, have that same DEM power probably save Ash from a flock of Spearow. Still meets Misty, and maybe travels with Brock if Charmander needs to be supercharged. Team Rocket wants Charmander and travel to the ends of the earth to get it. We'd be stuck with Charmander forever, but we'd still get Squirtle and Bulbasaur. Pikachu might have been abandoned, and caught by Ash. It would evolve into Raichu and be rebelious, but eventually be tamed. It goes to Raichu Valley to become stronger, and become Ash's strongest Pokemon.

Something like that, maybe.

I dont think it quite would have happened like that. I mean, the only reason Pikachu didnt really obey Ash if I remember correctly was Professor Oak said that Pikachu was hard to control;152;

 

[~Water Lucario~]

If it wasn't Pikachu or Jigglypuff (who as I'm sure you know was just beaten by Pikachu to be Ash's first Pokemon) I would of liked to of seen Squirtle chosen and evolve into Blastoise.

Not enough of the main characters Pokemon evolve imo.