Last… time’s quiz question asked, “Which of the following Gym Leaders did Ash most legitimately defeat to earn his badge?” This question was essentially asking which Gym Leader Ash defeated using his skills rather than some reason unrelated to defeating Pokemon to win. There are several ways to argue which badge Ash most legitimately earned. A Trainer should defeat the Gym Leader the first time around and by only defeating their Pokemon. That means the more interruptions, rematches, etc. that occur, the less legitimate winning the badge is.

After heavy discussion in our chat room, we have concluded Ash is a loser and that he did not defeat a single Gym Leader 100% legitimately. If we had to pick, he probably defeated Lt. Surge and Blaine using the most skill. Want to debate which badge he won most fairly? Discuss it on our forums!

• Brock - Lost to Brock in the first match. Used an electric machine to power-up Pikachu rather than battle Pokemon to make it stronger. Caused sprinklers to weaken Onix. Chose not to finish the second match. Was handed the Boulder Badge despite not having defeated Brock.
• Misty - Battled Misty instead of the technical Gym Leaders. Match interrupted by Team Rocket. Handed the Cascade Badge for defeating Team Rocket and because he “would have” won if he used Pikachu against Misty.
• Lt. Surge - Lost the first match badly. Won the second match using speed and given the Thunder Badge.
• Sabrina - Lost the first match badly. Went to Lavender Town and “borrowed” Haunter. Ran out of the second match when Haunter disappeared. Did not finish the third match. Handed the Marsh Badge for immobilizing Kadabra in Haunter making Sabrina laugh herself silly.
• Erika - Tangela paralyzed Bulbasaur and Ash recalled it, she switched to Weepinbell and Charmander defeated it, Ash recalled Charmander for Pikachu after Gloom stunk up the place. Team Rocket burned the gym down and Ash saved Erika’s Gloom. She handed him the Rainbow Badge not for defeating her, but for his bravery.
• Koga - Pidgeotto lost to Venemoth and Ash sent out Charmander, but the battle was interrupted by Team Rocket. The match continued after Psyduck sent Team Rocket blasting off and Charmander defeated Koga’s Golbat, granting Ash the Soul Badge. However, that would make them tied, meaning that either Koga cannot count or the continuation was actually considered an entirely new match.
• Blaine - Lost to Blaine the first time. Ninetales defeated Squirtle, Pikachu zapped Rhydon’s horn (”Aim for the horn!”) and knocked it out, Magmar defeated Pikachu. Charizard defeated Magmar in the rematch.
• Giovanni - Did not even battle Giovanni. Battled Team Rocket using Giovanni’s Pokemon but defeated them.

• Lt. Surge (35.0%, 8,008 Votes)
• Brock (15.0%, 3,368 Votes)
• Blaine (15.0%, 3,360 Votes)
• Giovanni (11.0%, 2,414 Votes)
• Koga (7.0%, 1,682 Votes)
• Misty (7.0%, 1,668 Votes)
• Sabrina (5.0%, 1,214 Votes)
• Erika (4.0%, 885 Votes)
• Total Voters: 22,598