Dawn Clearly Prefers Ash Over Paul in Pokémon
When reviewing Dawn‘s interactions and relationships with both Ash and Paul throughout the Diamond & Pearl Pokémon series, the evidence unambiguously shows she likes and connects with Ash far more. Though starting out very critical of Paul, Dawn gains some respect for his training dedication. However, her rapport with Ash runs much deeper.
Let‘s analyze key reasons and defining moments that demonstrate her preference.
Dawn Cheers Ash On with Gusto
A tally of Dawn‘s cheerleading appearances reveals who she supports most enthusiastically:
| Battle | Cheered For | Outfit / Support Level |
|---|---|---|
| Ash vs Roark | Ash | Full cheerleader costume, homemade pompoms, acrobatic and dance cheers |
| Ash vs Gardenia | Ash | Full cheerleader costume, sang personalized song |
| Ash vs Crasher Wake | Ash | Stylish swimsuit coordinates, waved flags enthusiastically |
Based on this data, Dawn clearly invests far more energy rallying behind Ash compared to other characters. Her creative costumes and lively spirit when cheering him on display a sincere desire for him to succeed.
Dawn Actively Seeks Ash‘s Mentorship
Throughout their journey, Dawn leans on Ash as a mentor figure, valuing his experience and battle insights. When struggling with coordinating, she consistently approaches him for advice rather than the critical Paul. These examples demonstrate her respect for Ash‘s compassionate philosophy:
- Dawn asks Ash to battle her after losing her contest confidence
- She works with Ash to develop countermeasures against gym leader Fantina
- Dawn trains with Ash to master Ice Beam ahead of her rematch with Ursula
Rather than cold intensity, Dawn responds better to Ash‘s supportive and patient style. This suggests an innate affinity between their outlooks on training.
Contrasting Emotions Towards Paul
When Paul defeats Ash early on, Dawn scolds him as a "mean and awful person" who doesn‘t care about his Pokémon. She even confronts Paul directly about his cruel attitude. This anger demonstrates an early dislike and fundamental disagreement with his tactics.
However, observing Paul‘s dedication to rigorous training does gradually earn some respect from Dawn by the end of the DP series. She sees him as going to extremes, but realizes there is some method behind it. Still, her deeper connection is clearly with the likeminded Ash.
Evidence of a Romantic Undertone
While any official romantic relationship remains speculative, many viewers sensed an affectionate chemistry between Ash and Dawn. Signs included:
- Dawn admiring Ash‘s boldness and skills even early on
- Blushing when Ash compliments her baking skills
- Dawn frequently emotional when parting ways with Ash
These reactions suggest traces of a crush, though the show leaves things ambiguous. Regardless, they demonstrate a especial closeness between the two.
Across their entire journey, the upbeat Dawn found far more common ground and friendship with Ash compared to the stern Paul. Her brighter personality meshed better with Ash‘s encouragement. She offered enthusiastic support for his battles rather than Paul‘s. And while gaining some respect for Paul, her deeper admiration clearly aligned with Ash and his selfless compassion for Pokémon.
