<p>There are several reasons to that:</p>

<ul>
<li>It's a TV show, you wouldn't watch a TV show where the hero is absolutely the strongest and no one has a chance of defeating him, right? Think of what would happen should Ash have caught Dialga, Palkia or Arceus.</li>
<li>It disrupts "the balance", it was portrayed in the anime that most legendary pokemon serve a role as some sort of "god" of a force of nature, (Kyogre of the Rain, Palkia of space, etc). If you capture them, you might disrupt the balance by "not letting them do their jobs".</li>
</ul>

<p>Those are the two excuses I know.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-05-19T05:17:30.657Z
then he can never fulfill his dream to catch em all? @MadaraUchiha
user2705620
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-05-19T06:41:36.403Z
@AsshO.Le: That's right.
Madara's Ghost
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-05-19T07:47:54.800Z
Btw. @MadaraUchiha i contend about "It's a TV show, you wouldn't watch a TV show where the hero is absolutely the strongest" well is kenshin in samurai x not the strongest?
user2705620
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-05-19T07:50:12.897Z
@AsshO.Le: It's a bit different. Animes where the MC is strongest tend to be short, because there's only so much you can do with a MC which has nowhere to advance. Pokemon is running for years.
Madara's Ghost
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-05-19T07:55:51.060Z
@MadaraUchiha well how about detective conan? he is also the strongest in terms of solving problems, and i bet the manga is still ongoing until now, i also think it is longer than pokemon :)
user2705620
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-05-19T08:28:32.557Z
@AsshO.Le: [Let's continue this discussion in chat](http://chat.stackexchange.com/rooms/6697/maid-cafe-).
Madara's Ghost
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-07-16T02:33:58.390Z
Yes because an anime where the main character always wins is such an unthinkable story! Said no shonen manga writer ever.
Peter Raeves
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-09-04T12:23:43.227Z
@MadaraUchiha The anime is not a level-based RPG. Stop painting the Pokemon universe so Black and White.
Coded Monkey
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-10-14T22:19:55.210Z
The Power Rangers always win in the end.  It doesn't seem to have suffered any popularity or longevity issues as a result.
zibadawa timmy
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-11-07T13:08:00.153Z
Just for the record, ash *is* a pathetic trainer, his level 4359348543 pikachu lost to a level 5 snivy.
Madara's Ghost
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-11-07T18:46:43.590Z
To be fair Pikachu was discharged so it couldn't use it's electricity properly.
кяαzєя
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-11-07T18:53:12.263Z
Please, Pikachu could've beat him using splash only considering his level!
Madara's Ghost
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-11-07T13:07:39.740Z
2013-11-07T13:07:39.740Z
Madara's Ghost
<p>Moral quandries aside,</p>

<p>He has yet to get a lasting grip on a master ball, and except in the Safari zone, you'll notice he's never been good at capturing pokemon (his pokemon-per-badge ratio is pretty low). He also very rarely buys or gets anything better than the most basic pokeballs if you notice. And if you've ever played the games, you'll know how important those better balls are for better captures.</p>

<p>So, in short... shoddy equipment.</p>

<p>Also, second reason... if you notice, he rarely captures, period (again, with the exception of the safari zone). He's more like the coach that focuses on training his team rather than the coach who trades for better players. (Also, remember his experience with Charizard... he knows too powerful pokemon types can be hard for him to handle, and later on he just kept in the habit as far as I can tell. I mean, think how often he had to get skin grafts.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-09-29T15:36:44.973Z
2015-09-29T15:36:44.973Z
lilHar
<p>I'm going to answer this question with a bit more respect for the show and Ash as a character than most people give it credit for. I think there are some reasons Ash doesn't catch legendary pokemon.</p>

<h2>Ash only obtains a pokemon when it is natural - it's never forced</h2>

<p>Ash's pokemon are not an "arsenal". Ash's stated goal is indeed to become the best pokemon trainer of all time. There is an implication that this means catching "them all", but in the context of the show, and Ash's character, this is considered to a long-term goal. There is no panic of missed opportunity when an encounter with a legendary pokemon does not lead to a capture.</p>

<p>To Ash, being a "master Pokemon trainer" means, first and foremost, treating his captured pokemon with respect and maintaining a friendship with them. He always does what he thinks is best for them. As such, any time he obtains a pokemon, it it's a natural thing; not forced. If it doesn't happen, then it doesn't happen.</p>

<p>Lastly, the anime often contrasts Ash's personality against those who would weigh and measure a pokemon's stats. Ash is no scientist - I think we would all agree he isn't very smart. He bases almost all his decisions on instinct - he cares not for statistics and min/maxing, which would realistically be required to become a Pokemon Master. The show does this on purpose - it considers getting out there to experience life a superior way of learning than sitting at home reading stats (this is probably most exemplified by May's brother Max). For this reason, Ash will never freak out about the potential lost by failing to capture a legendary pokemon.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-03-21T00:37:56.330Z
What do you mean by "natural" and "never forced"? Ash does capture Pokemon against their will, especially in the first seasons and in Black and White.
Shaymin Gratitude
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-03-21T00:45:47.747Z
Maybe what you're trying to get at is something being "natural" to the plot. A capture of a legendary by Ash may indeed seem "forced" if it was put at the end of an arc where the whole goal was to keep it from being captured from an evil team and it would seem more natural to allow the legendary to go back to the wild.
Shaymin Gratitude
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-03-20T06:19:49.797Z
2017-03-20T06:19:49.797Z
Nacht
<p>Look what happens in the movies when a legendary leaves its post. Mass chaos and destruction would happen (though I suppose that is debatable. I've counted two legend trainers that I can remember, so it might just be the ORIGINAL legends and their young are safe to catch).</p>

<p>Though I do agree somewhat: it would be nice if Ash could at least capture them and call on their aid while generally leaving them alone.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-05-16T22:40:12.730Z
So what's the reason Ash doesn't catch legendary Pokemon? Is it that would cause mass chaos and destruction?
Jon Lin
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-05-16T22:18:04.310Z
2016-12-09T11:53:18.060Z
2016-12-09T11:53:18.060Z
user4919
<p>In the show, Ash Ketchum hasn't caught any legendary Pokémon and he loses a lot of battles and people say that he is a pathetic trainer. Why does he not catch legendary Pokémon to expand his arsenal?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-11-07T02:43:54.197Z
he gets enough of an annoyance from Jessie, James and Meouth, if he caught a Legendary like one of the ones Team Aqua/Magma/Galactic etc. just imagine how much more he would go though, then there's Team Rocket who would come after him with more competent members if he caught others like the Bird Trio
Memor-X
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-11-08T01:21:24.003Z
Ash is typically saving the legionaries from someone trying to capture them. It would be kinda hypocritical to go capture them himself.
TAAPSogeking
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-10-14T23:53:46.963Z
Well it is obvious, Ash's PokéDex identifies Pokemons with simple encounters. Considering this, he doesn't have to "catch" them all because he is already "catching" information about all the Pokemons (his original mission given by Oak). What about the games? In the games, no information will be provided unless you catch them (Pokemons). Also, the above-mentioned explanations/comments are logical enough.
shin
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-22T01:12:03.453Z
I remember saying that the tv series stopped saying "gotta catch 'em all" after the first season since there are pokemon that can't be obtainable, but I don't remember the reason.
USerNAme
<pokemon>
Why doesn't Ash Ketchum catch legendary Pokémon?
# Why doesn't Ash Ketchum catch legendary Pokémon?
Posted by: username_0 on 2013-11-07
In the show, Ash Ketchum hasn't caught any legendary Pokémon and he loses a lot of battles and people say that he is a pathetic trainer. Why does he not catch legendary Pokémon to expand his arsenal?
**Tags:** pokemon
> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: he gets enough of an annoyance from Jessie, James and Meouth, if he caught a Legendary like one of the ones Team Aqua/Magma/Galactic etc. just imagine how much more he would go though, then there's Team Rocket who would come after him with more competent members if he caught others like the Bird Trio  
> **username_2**: Ash is typically saving the legionaries from someone trying to capture them. It would be kinda hypocritical to go capture them himself.  
> **username_3**: Well it is obvious, Ash's PokéDex identifies Pokemons with simple encounters. Considering this, he doesn't have to "catch" them all because he is already "catching" information about all the Pokemons (his original mission given by Oak). What about the games? In the games, no information will be provided unless you catch them (Pokemons). Also, the above-mentioned explanations/comments are logical enough.  
> **username_4**: I remember saying that the tv series stopped saying "gotta catch 'em all" after the first season since there are pokemon that can't be obtainable, but I don't remember the reason.  
---
## 4 answers
### Answer by username_5 on 2013-11-07. Score: 13
There are several reasons to that:

* It's a TV show, you wouldn't watch a TV show where the hero is absolutely the strongest and no one has a chance of defeating him, right? Think of what would happen should Ash have caught Dialga, Palkia or Arceus.
* It disrupts "the balance", it was portrayed in the anime that most legendary pokemon serve a role as some sort of "god" of a force of nature, (Kyogre of the Rain, Palkia of space, etc). If you capture them, you might disrupt the balance by "not letting them do their jobs".

Those are the two excuses I know.
> **Comments:**
> **username_5** (2013-11-07): Just for the record, ash *is* a pathetic trainer, his level 4359348543 pikachu lost to a level 5 snivy.  
> **username_10** (2013-11-07): To be fair Pikachu was discharged so it couldn't use it's electricity properly.  
> **username_5** (2013-11-07): Please, Pikachu could've beat him using splash only considering his level!  
> **username_6** (2014-05-19): then he can never fulfill his dream to catch em all? @MadaraUchiha  
> **username_5** (2014-05-19): @AsshO.Le: That's right.  
> **username_6** (2014-05-19): Btw. @MadaraUchiha i contend about "It's a TV show, you wouldn't watch a TV show where the hero is absolutely the strongest" well is kenshin in samurai x not the strongest?  
> **username_5** (2014-05-19): @AsshO.Le: It's a bit different. Animes where the MC is strongest tend to be short, because there's only so much you can do with a MC which has nowhere to advance. Pokemon is running for years.  
> **username_6** (2014-05-19): @MadaraUchiha well how about detective conan? he is also the strongest in terms of solving problems, and i bet the manga is still ongoing until now, i also think it is longer than pokemon :)  
> **username_5** (2014-05-19): @AsshO.Le: [Let's continue this discussion in chat](http://chat.stackexchange.com/rooms/6697/maid-cafe-).  
> **username_7** (2014-07-16): Yes because an anime where the main character always wins is such an unthinkable story! Said no shonen manga writer ever.  
> **username_8** (2015-09-04): @MadaraUchiha The anime is not a level-based RPG. Stop painting the Pokemon universe so Black and White.  
> **username_9** (2015-10-14): The Power Rangers always win in the end.  It doesn't seem to have suffered any popularity or longevity issues as a result.  
---
### Answer by username_11 on 2015-09-29. Score: 3
Moral quandries aside,

He has yet to get a lasting grip on a master ball, and except in the Safari zone, you'll notice he's never been good at capturing pokemon (his pokemon-per-badge ratio is pretty low). He also very rarely buys or gets anything better than the most basic pokeballs if you notice. And if you've ever played the games, you'll know how important those better balls are for better captures.

So, in short... shoddy equipment.

Also, second reason... if you notice, he rarely captures, period (again, with the exception of the safari zone). He's more like the coach that focuses on training his team rather than the coach who trades for better players. (Also, remember his experience with Charizard... he knows too powerful pokemon types can be hard for him to handle, and later on he just kept in the habit as far as I can tell. I mean, think how often he had to get skin grafts.
---
### Answer by username_12 on 2017-03-20. Score: 1
I'm going to answer this question with a bit more respect for the show and Ash as a character than most people give it credit for. I think there are some reasons Ash doesn't catch legendary pokemon.

## Ash only obtains a pokemon when it is natural - it's never forced

Ash's pokemon are not an "arsenal". Ash's stated goal is indeed to become the best pokemon trainer of all time. There is an implication that this means catching "them all", but in the context of the show, and Ash's character, this is considered to a long-term goal. There is no panic of missed opportunity when an encounter with a legendary pokemon does not lead to a capture.

To Ash, being a "master Pokemon trainer" means, first and foremost, treating his captured pokemon with respect and maintaining a friendship with them. He always does what he thinks is best for them. As such, any time he obtains a pokemon, it it's a natural thing; not forced. If it doesn't happen, then it doesn't happen.

Lastly, the anime often contrasts Ash's personality against those who would weigh and measure a pokemon's stats. Ash is no scientist - I think we would all agree he isn't very smart. He bases almost all his decisions on instinct - he cares not for statistics and min/maxing, which would realistically be required to become a Pokemon Master. The show does this on purpose - it considers getting out there to experience life a superior way of learning than sitting at home reading stats (this is probably most exemplified by May's brother Max). For this reason, Ash will never freak out about the potential lost by failing to capture a legendary pokemon.
> **Comments:**
> **username_13** (2017-03-21): What do you mean by "natural" and "never forced"? Ash does capture Pokemon against their will, especially in the first seasons and in Black and White.  
> **username_13** (2017-03-21): Maybe what you're trying to get at is something being "natural" to the plot. A capture of a legendary by Ash may indeed seem "forced" if it was put at the end of an arc where the whole goal was to keep it from being captured from an evil team and it would seem more natural to allow the legendary to go back to the wild.  
---
### Answer by username_14 on 2014-05-16. Score: 0
Look what happens in the movies when a legendary leaves its post. Mass chaos and destruction would happen (though I suppose that is debatable. I've counted two legend trainers that I can remember, so it might just be the ORIGINAL legends and their young are safe to catch).

Though I do agree somewhat: it would be nice if Ash could at least capture them and call on their aid while generally leaving them alone.
> **Comments:**
> **username_15** (2014-05-16): So what's the reason Ash doesn't catch legendary Pokemon? Is it that would cause mass chaos and destruction?  
---
