The first season of Pokémon, known as Pokémon: Indigo League, introduced viewers to Ash Ketchum, a young Pokémon Trainer from Pallet Town who dreams of becoming a Pokémon Master. Alongside his loyal Pikachu and his friends Misty and Brock, Ash travels across the Kanto region, battling Gym Leaders, encountering Team Rocket, and catching Pokémon to build his team.

During the first season, Ash catches 38 individual Pokémon belonging to nine different species. While some become important members of his team, others are sent to Professor Oak’s laboratory or eventually leave to pursue their own paths.

Here is a look at every Pokémon Ash catches during the first season, in the order he obtains them.

1. Caterpie

First caught: Episode 3 – “Ash Catches a Pokémon”

Caterpie is the very first Pokémon Ash catches in the wild. He encounters the small Bug-type Pokémon while traveling through Viridian Forest and successfully captures it using a Poké Ball.

Although Ash is excited about his first catch, Misty is less enthusiastic because of her fear of Bug-type Pokémon. Caterpie quickly becomes friends with Pikachu and dreams of evolving into a beautiful Butterfree.

Caterpie evolves into Metapod in the same episode and then into Butterfree in Episode 4, “Challenge of the Samurai.”

Butterfree becomes one of Ash’s most memorable early Pokémon. However, in Episode 21, “Bye Bye Butterfree,” Ash releases it so it can migrate and start a new life with a pink Butterfree.

2. Pidgeotto

First caught: Episode 3 – “Ash Catches a Pokémon”

Shortly after catching Caterpie, Ash encounters a wild Pidgeotto in Viridian Forest. With Pikachu’s help, he weakens the Flying-type Pokémon and successfully captures it.

Pidgeotto quickly becomes one of Ash’s most dependable Pokémon, especially when dealing with airborne opponents. Its speed, flying abilities, and powerful Gust attacks make it a valuable member of his team.

Throughout the Kanto journey, Pidgeotto frequently helps Ash battle Team Rocket and protect other Pokémon.

Later in the original series, Pidgeotto evolves into Pidgeot while defending a flock of Pidgey and Pidgeotto from a group of Spearow led by a Fearow. Ash leaves Pidgeot behind to protect the flock.

3. Bulbasaur

First obtained: Episode 10 – “Bulbasaur and the Hidden Village”

Bulbasaur is one of the original three starter Pokémon from the Kanto region, and Ash obtains one during his travels.

Ash meets Bulbasaur in a hidden village where a young woman named Melanie cares for injured and abandoned Pokémon. Bulbasaur acts as the village’s protector and initially distrusts Ash.

After Ash proves that he cares about Pokémon, Bulbasaur agrees to battle him. Ash wins with Pikachu’s help, and Bulbasaur joins his team.

Bulbasaur becomes one of Ash’s most loyal Pokémon, known for its determination and powerful Grass-type attacks, including Vine Whip and Razor Leaf.

Unlike many of Ash’s other Pokémon, Bulbasaur chooses not to evolve, preferring to remain in its original form.

4. Charmander

First obtained: Episode 11 – “Charmander – The Stray Pokémon”

Charmander has one of the most emotional introductions of any Pokémon Ash catches in the first season.

Ash, Misty, and Brock discover a Charmander waiting on a rock for its Trainer, Damian, to return. Unfortunately, Damian has abandoned Charmander because he considers it too weak.

Despite heavy rain threatening to extinguish the flame on Charmander’s tail, the Pokémon refuses to leave its waiting spot.

Ash and his friends rescue Charmander and take it to a Pokémon Center. After discovering that Damian never intended to return, Charmander eventually chooses to join Ash.

Charmander starts as a friendly and obedient Pokémon, but its personality changes after evolving.

In Episode 43, “The March of the Exeggutor Squad,” Charmander evolves into Charmeleon. It later evolves into Charizard in Episode 46, “Attack of the Prehistoric Pokémon.”

As Charizard, it becomes extremely powerful but frequently refuses to obey Ash’s commands, creating one of the original series’ most memorable storylines.

5. Squirtle

First obtained: Episode 12 – “Here Comes the Squirtle Squad”

Squirtle is another Kanto starter Pokémon that joins Ash’s team under unusual circumstances.

Ash first encounters Squirtle as the leader of the Squirtle Squad, a group of five troublemaking Squirtle known for wearing sunglasses and causing problems in a nearby town.

Initially, the Squirtle Squad causes trouble for Ash and his friends. However, when Team Rocket creates a dangerous situation, Ash risks his safety to help the Pokémon.

Impressed by Ash’s bravery and kindness, the leader of the Squirtle Squad decides to leave the group and join Ash.

Squirtle becomes an important member of Ash’s original team, using Water Gun and other Water-type moves in battles.

Its playful personality and signature sunglasses make it one of the most recognizable Pokémon from the early anime.

6. Krabby

First caught: Episode 13 – “Mystery at the Lighthouse”

Krabby is the first Pokémon Ash catches that is automatically transferred to Professor Oak’s laboratory.

While traveling along a beach, Ash encounters a wild Krabby and decides to catch it. After a brief battle, he successfully captures the Water-type Pokémon.

However, because Ash already has six Pokémon, Krabby’s Poké Ball is automatically sent to Professor Oak.

Krabby spends much of its time at the laboratory rather than traveling with Ash.

Despite receiving relatively little attention early on, Krabby later proves its strength during Ash’s first battle in the Indigo Plateau Pokémon League, where it evolves into Kingler and delivers an impressive performance.

7. Primeape

First caught: Episode 25 – “Primeape Goes Bananas”

Ash’s encounter with Primeape begins when he meets a mischievous wild Mankey.

After Ash accidentally angers Mankey, the Pokémon steals his hat and causes chaos. Things become even more intense when Mankey evolves into Primeape.

The newly evolved Primeape becomes extremely aggressive, attacking anyone who gets in its way.

Eventually, Ash manages to battle and capture Primeape, adding a powerful Fighting-type Pokémon to his team.

Although Primeape is difficult to control at first, Ash eventually earns its respect.

In Episode 29, “The Punchy Pokémon,” Primeape participates in the P1 Grand Prix, a Fighting-type Pokémon tournament.

After Primeape wins the competition, Ash leaves it with a trainer named Anthony so it can continue training and become an even better fighter.

8. Muk

First caught: Episode 30 – “Sparks Fly for Magnemite”

Muk is one of the more unusual Pokémon Ash catches during his Kanto adventure.

While visiting Gringey City, Ash discovers that a group of Grimer and a particularly large Muk are causing problems at a power plant by clogging its systems.

With help from Pikachu and other Electric-type Pokémon, Ash manages to defeat and capture Muk.

Because Ash already has a full team, Muk is sent to Professor Oak’s laboratory.

Despite its intimidating appearance and unpleasant smell, Muk turns out to have an extremely affectionate personality.

It frequently smothers Professor Oak with hugs, becoming a source of comedy throughout the series.

Muk later proves itself to be a capable battler when Ash calls upon it during important Pokémon League battles.

9. Tauros

First caught: Episode 35 – “The Legend of Dratini”

Tauros is undoubtedly Ash’s most unusual capture from the first season, mainly because he catches an incredible 30 Tauros in a single episode.

During a visit to the Safari Zone, Ash receives 30 Safari Balls to catch wild Pokémon.

However, almost every time he attempts to catch a different Pokémon, a Tauros runs into the path of his Safari Ball.

By the end of the episode, Ash has captured 30 Tauros, all of which are transferred to Professor Oak’s laboratory.

Interestingly, the episode was never broadcast in the United States because of its depiction of firearms. As a result, many English-speaking viewers were confused when Ash’s large herd of Tauros suddenly appeared in later episodes.

Although Ash owns 30 Tauros, he only occasionally uses one in battle. The others spend most of their time roaming around Professor Oak’s ranch.

What About Pikachu?

While Pikachu is Ash’s first Pokémon, it technically isn’t one he catches.

In Episode 1, “Pokémon – I Choose You!”, Ash receives Pikachu from Professor Oak after arriving late to choose his starter Pokémon.

Pikachu initially refuses to listen to Ash and dislikes being kept inside a Poké Ball.

However, after Ash protects Pikachu from an attacking flock of Spearow, the two develop a strong friendship.

Pikachu becomes Ash’s closest companion and remains by his side throughout his journey.

Even though Pikachu is not a wild capture, it is undoubtedly the most important Pokémon on Ash’s original team.

Other Pokémon Ash Temporarily Has

There are also two Pokémon worth mentioning that are not included in Ash’s nine captured species.

Haunter: In Episode 23, “The Tower of Terror,” Ash befriends a Haunter while searching for a Ghost-type Pokémon to help him defeat Sabrina. Haunter accompanies Ash, but he never officially captures it in a Poké Ball. Haunter eventually stays with Sabrina.

Raticate: In Episode 15, “Battle Aboard the St. Anne,” Ash briefly obtains a Raticate by trading away Butterfree. He soon regrets the decision and trades Raticate back to reclaim Butterfree. Therefore, Raticate is a temporary trade rather than a Pokémon Ash catches himself.

Complete List of Ash’s First-Season Pokémon Captures

Pokémon	Episode	What happens later
Caterpie	3	Evolves into Butterfree and is released
Pidgeotto	3	Later evolves into Pidgeot
Bulbasaur	10	Remains a Bulbasaur
Charmander	11	Evolves into Charizard
Squirtle	12	Remains a Squirtle
Krabby	13	Later evolves into Kingler
Primeape	25	Stays with Anthony for training
Muk	30	Lives at Professor Oak’s laboratory
Tauros (30)	35	Live at Professor Oak’s laboratory

Conclusion

The first season of Pokémon introduces some of the most iconic Pokémon Ash Ketchum ever owns. From his very first catch, Caterpie, to powerful partners like Charizard and loyal companions like Bulbasaur and Squirtle, each Pokémon contributes something special to his journey.

In total, Ash catches 38 individual Pokémon from nine different species during Season 1 of Pokémon: Indigo League. This includes his famous herd of 30 Tauros, but does not count Pikachu, whom he receives from Professor Oak.

More importantly, these early captures establish one of the anime’s central themes: being a great Pokémon Trainer is not just about catching powerful Pokémon or winning battles. It is also about developing friendships, earning trust, and understanding the unique personalities of every Pokémon.

Ash’s original Kanto team remains one of the most beloved groups of Pokémon in the entire franchise, and their adventures helped introduce generations of fans to the world of Pokémon.