Pokémon Fans, Face It: Goh Wasn't All That Bad and We Can Prove It

The final Pokémonseries, Pokémon Journeys, introduced a new companion for Ash in the form of Goh, a young boy obsessed with Mew who seeks to catch them all. Goh proved to be a divisive character among fans, but the reality is that he has a number of great episodes dedicated to him and his quest.

Goh's "gotta catch 'em all" attitude rubbed some fans the wrong way, feeling like it made for a poor goal, and that many of his Pokémon didn't get sufficient character development as a result of the way he caught Pokémon. Goh rarely battled, pretty much only when circumstances forced him to, which meant that a lot of his Pokémon never really got much time in the spotlight, while Goh allegedly had too much screentime. However, Goh as a character has some interesting traits, such as his difficulties fitting in and his obsessive personality, which really helped to set him apart from Ash's previous companions.

10 Working My Way Back to Mew!

Pokémon Journeys, episode #6

This early episode focuses on Goh after he has just caught his first Pokémon, Scorbunny, intending to use it to help him capture other Pokémon. Goh has some initial difficulties, with several Pokémon escaping when Scorbunny gets too energetic, but Goh decides to focus his efforts on Bug-type Pokémon, quickly catching all but Scyther. Goh finds and confronts Scyther, finally making it his own and returning to Cerise lab. Goh establishes his goal here, aiming to catch every Pokémon to learn more about Mew, whose DNA consists of that of every Pokémon.

The episode helps to show how different Goh can be from Ash, with Goh’s approach to Pokémon catching being very different from Ash's, rarely attempting to battle. Goh also sets his series-spanning goal here for the first time, and has an impressive haul of 12 captures in one episode, something no other character has ever accomplished.

9 Restore and Renew!

Pokémon Journeys, episode #38

Ash and Goh take a trip to the Pewter Museum of Science to see a new exhibit on fossil Pokémon, dragging Professor Cerise’s daughter Chloe along. While there, Goh discovers an Old Amber, a fossil containing the DNA of Aerodactyl, making it possible to revive the ancient Pokémon. As they leave it to be restored overnight, Team Rocket attempts to break in and steal the fossil, but the Aerodactyl escapes and the machine is destroyed. Goh chases after Aerodactyl, and after a battle, is able to earn its trust and catch it.

This episode highlights how Goh has an ability to communicate with Pokémon in a way they can understand. He uses his own experiences of being scared and alone to connect with Aerodactyl, which allows the Pokémon to calm down. It’s a very unusual moment, but one that helps show Goh in a different light.

8 When a House is Not a Home!

Pokémon Journeys, episode #59

Goh awakens to an unexpected sight: a Grookey is clinging to his arm. When Goh attempts to catch it, it’s revealed that it already has a trainer, so Ash and Goh set about searching for its owner. However, the owner turns out to be the Pokémon Prize Master that Team Rocket uses. Team Rocket attempts to reclaim Grookey, but Grookey fights back, destroying its own Poké Ball and breaking the ownership that they have over it. When Team Rocket is defeated, Goh is able to catch Grookey for himself!

Grookey is a major Pokémon for Goh, often seen with him outside of its ball from this point onward. Goh and Grookey bond quickly as they search for its trainer, so it works out well that Grookey was once Team Rocket’s. It’s also a revelatory episode in that it’s the first time a Pokémon has destroyed its own Poké Ball.

7 Not Too Close for Comfort!

Pokémon Journeys, episode #62

While doing an interview with a news station, Goh’s Sobble evolves into a Drizzile, causing him to be extremely happy. Drizzile, however, is not so happy with his condition, having been looking forward to becoming an Inteleon, its final form. Drizzile becomes depressed, and so Goh and Ash set about trying to cheer it up. When Drizzile runs off from the cave in which it was hiding, Goh tracks it down and apologizes to it for scaring it, recounting times when he wanted to be alone in the past. Drizzile agrees to come back, but remains hiding in the cave.

Another episode where Goh is able to relate his own personal experiences to those of his Pokémon, Drizzile is relieved to know its owner understands its feelings. Goh makes it clear that he’s always felt different from other kids, and that it’s okay to feel that way--a lesson many kids need to hear.

6 Chasing to the Finish!

Pokémon Journeys, episode #113

Goh has applied for a group called Project Mew, who set difficult tasks for prospective members. Goh has made his way through several so far, but his final task is a difficult one: catch Regieleki or Regidrago. Goh works together with Gary to help them both achieve their goal, and they make a formidable team, defeating their opponents for the right to battle the Legendary Pokémon. After a tough battle, Goh manages to catch Regieleki, and Gary catches Regidrago, ensuring both of them are accepted as Project Mew contributors.

While Goh doesn’t get to keep Regieleki as part of his team, it’s still a monumental achievement to capture such a Pokémon, especially as Ash has yet to capture a Legendary. This is a major step forward towards Goh’s goals, seeing him officially recognized for his efforts as a Mew Chaser.

5 This Could be the Start of Something Big!

Pokémon Journeys, episode #136

The episode opens with Ash and Goh beginning a raid battle against Lugia, who surprisingly appeared while they were camping out. The battle doesn’t go so well, but Lugia takes a liking to them and rescues them when they fall off a cliff, taking them on a tour through the skies and introducing them to many kinds of Pokémon, including Ho-Oh. Ash and Goh resolve to continue their journeys, even though their paths may be parting at this point.

As Goh’s final episode, it’s a significant one, with the two boys confronting Lugia again, like they did when they first met. Goh has recently encountered Mew, and Ash has become World Champion, so both are quite excited already, but seeing the mysteries of the Pokémon world from Lugia’s back reinvigorates their desire to see their goals through. It’s a fantastic send-off for Goh, and moves Ash into his final chapter.

4 In the Palms of our Hands!

Pokémon Journeys, episode #134

Project Mew is heating up, with the team on the trail of Mew, but they’ve been beset by Groudon and Kyogre--or so it seems. The two Legendary Pokémon turn out to be an illusion by Mew, who appears in a dramatic fashion. Using floating stones nearby, it offers Goh and friends a look at the origins of the universe in a wild vision. Then it begins attacking, knocking out everyone’s Pokémon in rapid succession. It appears Mew may accidentally kill them, but a heartfelt thank you from Goh stops Mew in its tracks.

This is the culmination of Goh’s quest in Pokémon Journeys, bringing him within inches of Mew, but alas, no attempt to catch it. Goh realizes just getting to speak to Mew was enough, and is thrilled to continue adventuring. Again, Goh uses his own emotions to get through to a difficult Pokémon, taking what he’s learned on his journey and applying it to his ultimate goal.

3 A Snow Day for Searching!

Pokémon Journeys, episode #15

When snow sets in, Ash and Goh are dismissed from their duties at Cerise labs for the day, and so Goh decides to head out and meet his parents. On the way, he encounters a Cubone being bullied, as a group of Mankey bother it and steal its bone. Seeing how sad Cubone has become, Goh attempts to help it retrieve its bone, and with Ash’s help, they’re able to quell the Mankey and return the bone. Cubone is overjoyed, and Goh is able to catch it.

This episode features some scenes of Goh’s parents, who are shown worrying over Goh’s lack of friends and social difficulties. They’re thrilled to meet Ash and see that Goh has a good new friend, alleviating some of their worries. It’s a look at a side of a Pokémon protagonist that’s never really been seen before, making Goh even more relatable.

2 Time After Time!

Pokémon Journeys, episode #32

Goh is on vacation in the Johto region with his family, returning to a spot they’ve vacationed at before. Last time, Goh met a boy named Horace, who he became friends with, but they lost contact before Goh left. Goh finds the memory frustrating, feeling as if Horace betrayed his trust. However, returning to the shrine of Celebi, Goh finds a note from Horace, explaining why he couldn’t meet up with Goh. As Goh reads the letter, he hears a voice, and it’s Horace! Two Celebi pass nearby, leaving one to wonder if they had something to do with it...

Horace is a significant character who will also take part in Project Mew, so his introduction here is important. However, it’s also another episode that highlights how Goh has struggled to make and keep friends over the years, emphasizing how difficult he finds socializing. Goh’s love of Pokémon is what allows him to connect with people, and that’s on display in this episode.

1 Healing the Healer!

Pokémon Journeys, episode #53

Ash and Goh hear of reports of Suicune, the Legendary Pokémon said to be responsible for purifying water of pollution, and head out to where it was sighted. There, they find a group of Pokémon hunters polluting on purpose, trying to draw Suicune out. When Suicune appears, the hunters attack, and in a fit of desperation to save it, Goh chucks a Poké Ball at it. Goh manages to catch Suicune, and together with Ash, they’re able to fight off the poachers and help Suicune heal. While Suicune leaves to continue its work, Goh still officially owns it.

This is a major accomplishment for Goh, the first successful capture of a Legendary Pokémon by a main character in the series. While many feel Goh didn’t “earn” Suicune, Goh’s defense of the Pokémon in the face of the hunters seems more than adequate to justify earning its trust. Goh also allows Suicune to roam the world fighting pollution, secure in the knowledge that it will be there when he needs it. It’s a moment of growth for Goh as well, as he no longer feels abandoned when someone has to leave him. For these reasons, this is definitely Goh’s best episode in Pokémon Journeys.