Having quite the habit of hitting himself with his own headband when he’s stumped.

Meowth isn’t a bad Pokemon, by any means.

But many were surprised to see such a Pokemon take on Pikachu and Ash, and win.

Close-up shot of Gary Oak holding a Poke Ball in Pokemon

Image via the Pokémon Company

His wonderful team didn’t stop there, though.

Consisting of: Meowth, Metagross, Sceptile, Donphan, Shiftry and Hariyama.

6Barry

Played by Jamie McGonnigal

Ash Ketchum is a pretty energetic and passionate guy.

pok-mon-1997.jpg

So much so, that not many people can match his vibe all the time.

Except Barry (Jamie McGonnigal).

Barry is a battery that never loses charge.

Cast Placeholder Image

Paul cares only about catching and raising strong Pokemon and Barry shares a similar outlook.

But he cares for his Pokemon emotionally, like Ash.

This made Barry a worthy competitor to Ash, as he is everything Paul should be.

Cameron giving a thumbs up in Pokemon Black and White.

Image via the Pokémon Company

Featuring the likes of: Piplup/Prinplup/Empoleon, Staraptor, Roserade,Heracross, Skarmory and Hitmonlee.

Unlike the origins of other rivals, Sawyer didn’t start his journey in Kalos, but Hoenn.

Sawyer did a lot of growing over the course of the three seasons he was part of.

Tyson talking to Ash and Pikachu from behind in Pokemon: Advanced.

Image via the Pokémon Company

His strength comes fromhis Pokemon team’s various different types.Many times, trainers stick to one punch in.

Alain quickly became a fan favorite and for very good reason.

Gary Oak (James Carter Cathcart) is easily the most iconic rival in the Pokemon franchise, period.

Harrison shouting in Pokemon Jhoto League Champions

Image via the Pokémon Company

Pokemon Ultimate Journeysis not currently available for streaming in the US.

He released Pokemon in the past because he considered them unusable due to how weak they were.

He also acts as a great, darker mirror to Ash.

Barry shouting on a blue background in Pokemon: Diamond and Pearl

Image via the Pokémon Company

A trainer who cares deeply for his Pokemon.

Paul’s team is, in fact, astoundingly strong (although mistreated).

Paul is an all-around unlikable dude, and it makes him the series' best rival to date.

Sawyer smirking while writing in a notebook in Pokemon: XY

Image via the Pokémon Company

Keep Reading:The 23 Best Pokemon Movies, Ranked According to IMDb

Alain talking and smiling in Pokemon: XY.

Image via the Pokémon Company

Gary Oak stands outside in a forest and smiles while talking in Pokemon.

Image via The WB

Leon smirking in a battle in Pokemon: Journeys

Image via the Pokémon Company

Pokemon Ultimate Journeys The Series TV Poster

Paul clutching a Poke Ball in Pokemon: Diamond and Pearl.

Image via the Pokémon Company

Pokemon

Pokémon the Movie 2000