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 Cerise'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. Noticeably, when Gou first gets scared the common scared face shadow appears, wiping away any blush but when they hug, the blush returns. The animators could have easily removed the blush yet they decided to keep it.

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.

In Episode 23, Gou tells Ash, telling him to not get distracted.

During and after Gou’s battle against Flygon in episode 36, Ash is stunned and awestruck the entire time. Gou states that his battling technique was inspired by Ash, which results in Ash staring at him then proceeding to giggle. He flops onto the sand and claims “I sure am stupid” while his eyes are bright.

In episode 38, Ash immediately jumps onto Gou to protect him from Aerodactyl and stays still until Gou gets up himself. In future episodes, Ash continues to protect and help Gou. An example is on Cello Island when Gou ties a string shot initiated by his Caterpie to a tree for him and Ash to climb across the bog with. Gou is attacked by a Kingler and falls, but Ash immediately grabs onto him. While they are on Cello Island, a Gyarados appears as they attempt to cross a river. Ash’s Pikachu uses Electroweb to temporarily trap it, and Ash holds onto Gou’s hand to help him get across, but he doesn’t let go until the Gyarados breaks free and sends them both flying and then landing into the river.

As Gou struggles to battle Zapdos in episode 40, Ash arrives in time to take part in the battle but hesitates as he sees Gou’s worried facial expression. He decides that Gou should try to keep going without his help. Ash says “Your battle isn’t over yet, right Gou?” which causes Gou to blush, his eyes to shine and his face to soften. During the Darkest Day arc, in episode 43, Ash stays in Rose Tower for the night while Gou stays in Magnolia’s lab with Sonia. Ash leaps onto the clean, luxurious bed he was lent to sleep in overnight and one of the first things that comes to his mind is the fact that Gou is not there with him. Right after Ash wishes Gou could be there with him, Gou calls him on his Rotom phone.

At the end of episode 46, Ash and Gou surprisingly end back up at Professor Sakuragi’s laboratory after their battle against Mewtwo on Cello Island. Ash states that he hopes to meet Mewtwo again, and Gou replies, reassuring him that they would since the future lies in his hands, to which Ash responds with “Our hands, right?” while reaching his right arm outwards on top of Gou’s left arm.

At the start of episode 49, as Chloe and Gou are about to leave for school, Ash tells Gou he looks good in his school uniform. Go blushes, smugly responding with "Yeah, I look good in everything, you know!"

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 2nd most written ship in the Pocket Monsters | Pokemon (Anime) tag; as well as the 2nd most written for Ash and the 1st most written for Gou.

Fandom
FAN FICTION
 * Ash/Go on FanFiction.Net
 * Ash/Go on FanFiction.Net

TUMBLR
 * JourneyShipping posts on Tumblr
 * JourneyShipping posts on Tumblr
 * JourneyShipping posts on 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.
 * The name "VioletShipping" (one of this ship's numerous names) comes from the fact when blue and red are mixed they make violet.