JourneyShipping

FirstFriendShipping is the slash ship between Ash Ketchum and Gou from the Pokémon fandom.

Canon
Most notable about their relationship is how often Gou blushes and praises Ash in the first three episodes of Pokémon: Sword & Shield. The two met when they both got on the legendary Pokémon - Lugia's back, and after that bonding experience Gou accepts Ash as his friend.

At Professor Oak's laboratory, the pair is appointed as his research fellows, to which Gou, while blushing, asks Ash if he would be his friend. Only for Ash to cut him off asking "we're already friends, right?". It makes Gou blush, however he quickly agrees. They start laughing together and then suddenly get scared by Wanpachi - which makes the two boys hug each other in panic.

When Ash was battling in front of Gou, he was in awe and had what some would describe as a love-struck expression.

In episode 16, when Ash runs off to find Gengar, Gou says out loud "That's so you Ash" and Hibanny gives him a smug look. Gou blushing and stuttering brushes it off by saying he was only thinking of catching Gengar denying that he was thinking about Ash. He also says "It's not like I want to help Ash or anything!" which is a common expression said by tsundere characters. Another noticeable thing about their relationship is how Ash is often quick to help Gou as seen in episode 17, 'Hibanny use your flaming kick! face tomorrow!' where Ash runs over to help Gou when Team Rocket decide to attack Gou for discovering where their secret base is.

Fanon
It is the newest ship of the Pokémon: Sword & Shield anime. Although the anime hasn't finished, people have already speculated that Gou is homosexual, as his androgynous and feminine manners along with his likely attraction to Ash proves. This is further hinted to in Episode 1, when Gou is on Lugia's back with Ash he is in awe of the waterfall, and the reflection of a rainbow is seen in his eyes, and the LGBTQ+ flag is a rainbow.

On AO3 it is the 5th most written ship in the Pocket Monsters | Pokemon (Anime) tag; as well as the 4th most written for Ash and the 1st most written for Gou.

Fandom
FAN FICTION

TUMBLR

Trivia

 * The ship's name - "FirstFriendShipping" - comes from the fact Ash is Gou's first true friend, as Gou had a difficult time making friends in the past and couldn't keep most of the ones he did make.