Pokémon: 10 Must-See Episodes That Prove Dawn Is One of Ash's Best Companions

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Dawn in various costumes from her appearances in the Pokemon anime.

When it comes to Ash's companions in the Pokémon anime, few stand out more than Diamond and Pearl's Dawn. A young trainer just starting out on her journey, Dawn grew tremendously over the course of the series, giving her a fair claim to being Ash's absolute best companion.

Unlike May, who knew little of Pokémon and became a trainer mostly to travel, Dawn knew precisely what she wanted: to become a top Pokémon Coordinator like her mother, Johanna. While she often needed guidance from Ash and Brock, she was also just as supportive of them, even dressing up as a cheerleader for some of Ash's gym matches to cheer him on. Dawn's early overconfidence would sometimes lead her into trouble, but it also led her to develop bold routines for Pokémon Contests that helped her to win some impressive competitions. Without further ado, here are Dawn's best episodes.

10 Following A Maiden's Voyage!

Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, Episode #1

Dawn speaks to Professor Rowan about the missing Pokemon.

Unusual for Pokémon, Dawn’s first episode barely featured Ash at all, and the two don’t even meet. Instead, the focus is on Dawn, who is just starting her journey in Twinleaf town, and is asked to help track down two missing Pokémon, Piplup and Chimchar. Finding Piplup in a dangerous situation, Dawn and Piplup must work together to escape, and as a result, Dawn winds up choosing Piplup as her starter. Elsewhere, Ash and Pikachu are separated as Team Rocket’s botched attempt at stealing Pikachu leaves them miles apart.

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The episode does a great job at introducing Dawn’s personality and letting fans get to know her right off the bat. It’s also a decent introduction to the Sinnoh region and important figures like Professor Rowan. Putting the focus primarily on Dawn really helped to define her character, and gave fans a chance to see what she was like before meeting Ash.

9 Dawn's Early Night!

Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, Episode #49

Dawn looking sad, comforted by Piplup and Pachirisu.

As Dawn enters her third Pokémon Contest, she’s begun to develop friendships and rivalries with her fellow Coordinators, such as Zoey. Confident from her victory in her first contest, Dawn gives it her all in the appeals round... but it’s not enough, and she doesn’t even make it to the second round. Dawn is heartbroken over this failure, feeling like she’ll never measure up to her mother, but a chat with Zoey helps to lift her spirits somewhat.

Brimming with confidence from her first win, Dawn believes she can beat these far more experienced competitors, only to get a biting taste of reality.

A lot can be revealed about how a character handles losses, and this is a very revelatory episode for Dawn. Brimming with confidence from her first win, Dawn believes she can beat these far more experienced competitors, only to get a biting taste of reality. Dawn cries over her loss, but ultimately sets her sights on next time, proving she has the heart of a competitor.

8 Piplup, Pansage, and a Meeting of the Times!

Pokémon Black and White, Episode #86

This episode sees Dawn make her first return to the series since parting ways with Ash at the end of Diamond and Pearl. When Sinnoh’s Champion Cynthia encounters Ash, Iris, and Cilan, she brings them back to her villa, where Dawn is staying for a little while to compete in the Pokémon World Tournament Junior Cup. Iris and Cilan are intrigued to meet one of Ash’s old friends, and both challenge her to a battle. The group are also joined by the Mythical Pokémon Meloetta, which is intrigued by Dawn’s showy battle with Cilan.

Marking Dawn’s return for an eight-episode arc, this episode goes to show that Dawn has continued to grow as a trainer, even after parting ways with Ash. It also allows Iris and Cilan to meet Dawn and get to know her, setting up the tournament arc in which all will be participating.

7 Dawn of a Royal Day!

Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, Episode #171

Dawn meets her doppelganger, Princess Salvia.

In a twist on the classic tale “The Prince and the Pauper,” Dawn meets a princess, Salvia, who happens to look exactly like her. The princess has always wanted to do a Pokémon Contest, so they agree to switch places for a day. Dawn watches from a guest box as the princess competes in her place, and goes on to win the day, defeating Jessie in the final round. However, the princess opts to give the ribbon for winning to Jessie.

As thanks to Dawn, she offers her Togekiss up as a gift, encouraging Dawn to use it in the upcoming Grand Festival.

This episode gives Dawn a bit of perspective over her own life, helping her to appreciate what she has. It’s also the origin of Dawn’s Togekiss, which would indeed go on to be used in the Grand Festival.

6 Yes In Dee Dee, It's Dawn!

Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, Episode #161

electrified by Plusle and Minun, Dawn's hair stands on end.

Preparing for a contest, Dawn runs into a Plusle and Minun, which terrify her. She explains an incident from her past in which she was shocked by a Plusle and Minun, earning her the nickname “Dee Dee” (short for “Diamond Dandruff”) and embarrassing her ever since. When the day of the contest arrives, Dawn is up against their owner, Ursula, who intends to use this story to throw Dawn off her game. Can Dawn keep her cool and overcome her past?

This reveal about Dawn’s past had been a long time coming, and it gave her a chance to overcome this moment and not let it define her. While Dawn doesn’t actually go up against Ursula until the next episode, this episode lays the groundwork that gives them a compelling battle for her final ribbon.

5 Trials and Adulations

Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, Episode #119

While traveling, Dawn stops to get some water from a nearby river, only to be scared by an Aggron and fall in, washing her far down stream away from Ash and Brock. Aggron returns, and Dawn attempts to use her Mamoswine to battle it, but Mamoswine won’t obey, and both end up falling off a cliff, resulting in an injury to Mamoswine. Dawn puts what she’s learned from Brock to use healing Mamoswine, and her care for it helps Mamoswine to learn to respect Dawn. After a disruption by Team Rocket, Mamoswine gets back up and faces down Aggron, this time winning.

This is a major character episode for Dawn, showing how much she has learned and matured over the course of her journey so far. It solidifies her relationship with Mamoswine, similar to Ash and Charizard, ensuring it will obey from now on, and proves her competence as a trainer.

4 Crossing the Battle Line!

Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, Episode #67

Dawn challenges gym leader Maylene to a battle.

In a rare occurrence, Dawn decides to challenge the Veilstone City gym leader Maylene in an official gym match. Maylene specializes in Fighting-type Pokémon, and could be a difficult opponent for Dawn. Despite some initial hesitancy, Dawn battles hard, and even manages to defeat Maylene’s Meditite, but her Lucario proves to be too much, and Dawn loses. This battle helps Maylene to regain her own confidence after losing to Ash’s rival, Paul, and sets her up for Ash’s challenge.

This episode helps to demonstrate Dawn’s kindness, willing to do whatever it takes to help someone in need. It also showed Dawn’s skill in battle, as she’s able to hold her own against a gym leader despite having relatively little experience with battle at this point. It’s the first time ever that one of Ash’s companions would try for a badge, and that’s noteworthy on its own.

3 Settling a Not-So-Old Score!

Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, Episode #27

Dawn holds up her first ribbon for winning a Contest, alongside Pachirisu and Piplup.

Dawn is taking part in the Floaroma Contest, but her Pachirisu is experiencing stage fright, forcing some quick thinking on Dawn’s part to save their routine. Dawn manages to get through the appeals round of the contest, then goes up against Jessie in disguise in the next round. Dawn manages to outmaneuver Jessie and secure entrance to the next round, ultimately going up against a childhood friend and rival, Kenny, in the finals. Dawn narrowly pulls out the victory over Kenny, earning her first ribbon.

At last, Dawn has some evidence that she’s able to not just compete, but win at Pokémon Contests, just like her mother.

As Dawn’s first big victory, this episode is an important turning point for her character. At last, Dawn has some evidence that she’s able to not just compete, but win at Pokémon Contests, just like her mother. It’s a big step towards her goal, and one that’s worthy of celebration.

2 A Grand Fight for Winning!

Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, Episode #177

Dawn, Piplup, and Togekiss prepare for the Grand Festival's finale.

The Grand Festival’s finale pits Dawn against her friend and long-time rival, Zoey. Zoey uses Gallade and Glameow, while Dawn uses her Piplup and the Togekiss she was gifted before. Both sides put up an admirable display, and the competition is exceptionally close. Eventually, they run out of time, however, and when the points are calculated, Zoey wins by a small margin, leaving Dawn with a second-place finish. Dawn takes her loss well, though, having matured since her days of crying after losing.

The Grand Festival was Dawn’s goal the entire series, so it hurts a bit to see her come so close, only to lose by a hair. Still, because of how close it was, Dawn proved herself to be a top-tier coordinator, if not holding the title of Top Coordinator. It’s an excellent example of how much Dawn has grown over the course of the series as both a character and a trainer.

1 Strategy with a Smile!

Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, Episode #79

May meets Dawn in costume before their Wallace Cup match.

Dawn is part-way through the Wallace Cup, a contest which Ash’s former companion, May, has also decided to take part in. Naturally, the final round ends up being Dawn versus May, and the two coordinators go at it with gusto. Dawn sticks with Piplup, while May takes a risk and uses Glaceon, which hasn’t been in a contest since it evolved from Eevee. It’s a fierce battle, and when the dust settles, Dawn has won by a mere half a point. Dawn receives her second ribbon and ends her losing streak in dramatic fashion.

This episode is noteworthy not just for featuring May’s return, but for seeing Dawn regain her confidence after losing hard in two contests in a row. It’s a major victory for Dawn, one that put her on the map for some other rivals. Having Dawn take the win over May gave the contest a personal feeling, leaving fans unsure of who to root for. For the sheer impact that this episode’s victory has on Dawn, it’s undoubtedly Dawn’s best Pokémon episode.