Pikachu boldly refuses, and his reasons for doing so actually relate to Ash surprisingly well.
If I want to beat Raichu, I’m going to do it just as I am!"
This quote from Pikachu reflects something that the story seems to say about Ash, as well.
After all, while Ash certainly has a gift for interacting with Pokemon, he’s no prodigy.
Ash Ketchum, a ten-year-old from Pallet Town, embarks on an adventure to become a Pokémon Master. With his first Pokémon, Pikachu, Ash sets out to capture and train Pokémon while battling other trainers in Pokémon Gyms to earn badges. Joined by his friends Brock and Misty, Ash consistently thwarts the plans of the nefarious Team Rocket, all while making new friends and encountering Pokémon across various regions.
