Admit it: You watched, played, and maybe even collected cards for Pokemon. It’s cool — we did too, and we’re not ashamed! Part of what was so awesome about this particular anime phenomenon is just how many awesome girls took part in the show, and the fact that they all had actual personalities instead of just being the token females. These ladies literally schooled Ash and the gang on how it was done. We’ve rounded up our favorite pocket monster mamas for you to reminisce!

Dawn

Source: abckidsmannycenturions.wikia.com

Dawn is always confident and always strives to do better than she did last time. She  also takes risks to protect and save her Pokemon — a lot like some dude named Ash that you may have heard of, but with more girl power. She’s wise, too: When she says “No need to worry,” she’s right. Worrying is wasted time!

Ursula

Source: FanPop

Dawn’s biggest rival, Ursula can be pretty annoying at times, but you have to admire her confidence and persistence — even if they sometimes come with a heaping side of denial. At least she keeps trying!

Zoey

Source: FanPop

Zoey is confident and always happy to help anyone else. However, she’s just as happy to whoop their behinds in competitions when she needs to. Sounds like a pretty perfect competitor’s attitude to us!

Elesa

Source: Kirlia02.deviantart.com

Elesa is a supermodel in addition to being a pretty tough Pokemon battler. And you can’t even hate her for it, because on top of that, she’s also smart and nice. Okay, so maybe you can hate her a little — but you still would totally hang out with her.

May

Source: FanPop

May is both sensitive and spunky. When she’s not sparring off with her brother, Max, she’s getting creative with Pokeblock recipes or dishing out love advice. Don’t you want her to be your best friend?

Skyla

Source: Kirlia02.deviantart.com

We love Skyla because she’s a pilot in addition to a pretty worthy opponent in a Pokemon battle. That’s pretty fly. (See what we did there?!)

Iris

Source: Toon Barn

Ash assumed at first glance that Iris was a Pokemon when he saw her fierce indigo hair poking out behind some bushes. Turns out, her fierce hair matches her confident, sassy attitude and wild nature.

Cynthia

Source: Pokemon Wikia

Cynthia rules because she’s so frickin’ wise. She cares  for all Pokemon — even the bad ones — and is even nice to jerks like Paul, who no one else can stand. Did we mention she’s usually on every champion list? Yeah, so there’s that too.

Maylene

Source: Plus4Chan

Aside from kicking butt in Pokemon battles, Maylene just kicks butt in general, often unaware of her own strength. She’s also a competitive eater. Watch your back, Kobayashi!

Jessie

Source: usagis-house.net

Is she kind of a drama queen? Yes. Is she a bad guy? Yes. Is her voice shrill and annoying? Yes. Do we somehow love her anyway? Yes. Yes we do.

Misty

Source: Anime Vice

C’mon, did you really think we’d forget Misty?! Despite her sisters scoffing at her dreams, Misty keeps truckin’ in her journey to become a master of water Pokemon — and she keeps the boys in line (especially the girl-crazy Brock). And really, her crush on Ash is too cute — and soooo relatable!

Were you into the Pokemon craze? Did we miss one of your favorite female characters? Who would win between Raichu and Charizard? Let us know in the comments!

Want To Learn Something New About The Pokemon World?