AmourShipping

AmourShipping is the het ship between Ash and Serena from the Pokémon fandom.

Canon
Ash and Serena were childhood friends, first meeting at Professor Oak’s Summer Camp when very young. Serena lost herself in the forest and while searching a way out she got startled by a Poliwag and fell over, injuring her knee. Her crying and panicking for her situation got interrupted when the bushes tumbled again, this time turning it out to be Ash and not some other Pokémon.

He was looking for the same Poliwag that scared Serena and was very surprised to find the girl there, introducing himself and noticing her injury. Ash pulled out a handkerchief and wrapped it around Serena’s knee, trying to see if helped, but seeing her hesitation in getting up he performed a classic "Get better spell", to try to send away the pain. Once again to the verge of tears and feeling completely hopeless, Serena lamented that she couldn't do it. To help her, Ash got up and offered his hand with a smile, telling her to “don’t give up until the very end”, a line that would stick with her years from then.

Serena hesitantly reached out her own hand, being then grabbed decisively by him and getting pulled up on her feet while ending up in his embrace. After staying in the position for a moment, she blushed and pulled away a bit from him in surprise, as he grinned and encouraged that she made it after all. He then kept his hold onto her hand as he delicately escorted her out of the woods and back to the camp’s center. Ever since that encounter, she kept the handkerchief until she met Ash again in Kalos.

They did not meet again until years later, as Serena left Kanto to go back to her home region Kalos, once the camp was over.

Pokémon the Series: XY=

Lumiose City Pursuit!
Serena never forgot Ash and his act of kindness towards her, keeping close to heart his motto and making it her own. Her wish to one day meet him again is helped when, after an hard Rhyhorn Racing training session, her mother calls her to watch the news report on a boy trying to calm a rampaging Garchomp on Prism Tower. Serena right away fall in awe at the guy's bravery and feel easily horrified when he jumps off the tower to rescue Pikachu. Her relief in seeing him safe and sound soon leaves space to surprise as the news camera finally focuses on the boy's face and a flashback of a younger Ash comes to her.

A Battle of Aerial Mobility!
Albeing unsecure on the path she wants to follow for her future, Serena decides to begin her journey after seeing Ash on television, hoping to meet up with him. Upon arriving at Professor Sycamore's laboratory, and before choosing her starter Pokémon, Serena tells Sycamore that she is looking for the boy who was on the news. Her eyes seem to light up considerably when Sycamore identifies him as Ash and confirms her suspicions.

A Blustery Santalune Gym Battle!
When Serena finally arrives in Santalune City, she thinks about how she cannot wait to see the look on Ash's face when he’s going to meet her. Then, she has a flashback of a young Ash extending his arm, as if he was offering her his hand. When the flashback ends, she is seen blushing slightly. When she sees Ash battling Viola, she is so overcome with excitement that she runs toward the battlefield, seemingly planning on going directly on there to greet Ash without noticing that the battle is still in progress and being stopped by Alexa. Later, when Ash loses the battle, Serena is obviously saddened for him and attempts to speak to him, but is further saddened when he runs past her without noticing her, since he is concentrating on his injured Pokémon and her shyness prevents her from calling out for him.

While Ash awaits his Pokémon to be treated and wonders how he is going to compensate for Viola's strategies, Serena nervously greets him, returning his backpack to him, since he left it at the gym. The two introduce to each other and to Clemont and Bonnie, and Ash thanks her and apologizes for not noticing her since he was so focused on the battle and its result. She tries to ask him something while blushing, only to be interrupted by the Pokémon Center bell.

Later, during training, Ash falls to the ground while catching Pikachu and Fletchling, worrying Serena, who goes at his aid once the tiredness catches up to him. The girl hands him a handkerchief to clean himself up from the dirt he got on him while training. As she does so, she nervously asks him if he remembers her.

Battling on Thin Ice!
After she asks Ash if he remembers her, Serena mentions that they met in Professor Oak's Pokémon Summer Camp in Pallet Town. While Ash remembers attending the camp, to which she is overjoyed, he can’t recall who Serena is. She is visibly disappointed by it and he apologizes, but she right away cheers up to hide However, when he says that he does not remember her specifically. Serena is visibly sad and for that Ash apologizes, but instantly she cheers up, trying to hide any disappointment and showing understanding. She encourages Ash to keep training and think about remembering her later. When Ash says that his battle was a disaster, Serena says she thinks he was awesome and reminds him that he once told her to never give up till the end, and expresses that in her eyes he surely can’t have changed since they met. These words helped Ash regain his confidence, as he continued his training in order to win the rematch against Viola.

When the group is having dinner after the training session, Serena glances at Ash and smiles at him while he is eating. Since this is directly after him saying that he is sure to win the rematch, this strongly implies that she is admiring his determination and is impressed by it.

During the fight, Serena is the only one who never loses faith and tries to reassure her companions when things look rough. Even when Ash himself is starting to lose confidence after Pikachu is hit with Sleep Powder, she speaks up and encourages him loudly with their motto, making him regain his focus and determination. He then tells Viola that he is not going to lose because he will keep battling until the very end and Serena has a flashback of a younger Ash telling her those words.

Giving Chase at the Rhyhorn Race!
In the beginning of the episode, after Serena says she doesn't know what she is going to do, Ash asks her right away to travel with them, saying that it was because of her that he won the Bug Badge and adding that it would be nice if she stayed with them, while scratching his cheek nervously. Serena is moved by his request, placing a hand on her heart as he accepts, making him feel overjoyed. During their walk, Clemont asks Serena why she started her journey and to answer she pulls out the same handkerchief Ash used to bandage her knee, and shows it to Ash in a second attempt to get him to remember their past.

As she explains, a flashback of Ash and Serena is shown when they first met as children, with her being scared by a Poliwag and hurting her knee. Ash was searching the same Pokémon but found instead Serena and aided her by wrapping his handkerchief to her knee, chanting a good luck spell and encouraging her with his motto, to then pull her up on her feet and ending up in a hug. He then guided her outside the forest and Serena blushed, implying that she fell for him at that very moment.

Ash finally remembers Serena as "the girl with the straw hat", showing that while he didn’t recognize her, he never forgot the event that transpired. She blushes as she says that she wanted to wash and give it back to him but didn’t get to. He wonders why she would go through all the trouble of returning the object to him and she pouts that she did it also because she wanted to see him again and to thank him for what happened in their past. He apologized to Serena for not recognizing her right away before the entire group started laughing. After they learn about a Rhyhorn Race taking place in the zone, Ash wishes to join. Serena gives him some pointers on how to approach a Rhyhorn and he is impressed by her, saying she is amazing and trusting her advice.

Ash learns that Serena took Rhyhorn racing lessons from her mother and asks her to train him so he can get good enough to participate. Hesitantly, due to her not so appreciated experience with the sport, she agrees to help and trains him. She compliments him on his training outfit, making him giggle and then shows him how to get on the Pokémon and how to ride it without falling. At the end of the day, his efforts and determination shows and she admires him, thinking that perhaps she misjudged that sport.

He is very grateful for her help, telling Grace about Serena teaching him to ride a Rhyhorn, and making her very embarrassed. Later that night, we see everyone but Serena sleeping, who is baking the cookies that she gives him the following morning, to thank him for the help he gave her back then and to reward him for his efforts. He greatly enjoys them, diving into eating and briefly choked on them in the process.

The Bamboozling Forest!
As the group is looking for Pangoro's bamboo leaf, there is a scene where Ash helps Serena cross a small river by holding her hand. The scene only shows Ash and Serena getting across and not the others.

Kindergarten Chaos!In this episode, Serena shows signs of jealously for the first time, when a teacher named Penelope challenges Ash to a battle and states that if she wins, he would have to come with her. At that moment Serena freaks out, she blushes and becomes even more frantic when Ash loses the battle and indeed accepts to go with Penelope, since he promised. However, once Penelope takes the entire group to the kindergarten she works at and explains her intentions, Serena realizes with relief that she misunderstood the situation and sighs, putting a hand over her heart.

A PokéVision of Things to Come!
Serena is visibly worried when Ash mentions that the video of Aria looks cute before he clarifies that he's talking about Aria's Fennekin. Once the clarification is made, Serena's expression softens.

After deciding to make her own video, Serena asks Ash specifically for help as Clemont and Bonnie already agreed to be part of it, but he declines, saying he’d like to train for his next match since it’s going to be a very hard battle. Serena managed to fully convince Ash that taking a break can later help him focus on his training.

During the filming, Clemont tries to use one of his inventions, which starts going after Serena. Ash inititally thinks it’s all going well, but once he gets that Serena is being chased against her will he intervenes to help her with Pikachu, destroying the machine. However, it explodes and gets Serena and Fennekin all dirty, making the girl scold Ash, who is confused since he thought she was in trouble. Serena takes the occasion to change into her Fennekin outfit. Clemont, Bonnie and all the Pokémon admire her, while Ash is seen to be blankly staring, his face being even zoomed on (could be out of attraction, something unusual for him). Bonnie right away proposes again to Ash to help out with the video. He is doubtful as he says he is in the middle of training, but Serena eventually convinces him, giving the advice to take a break to be more productive later.

Once the video is finished and viewed by the gang, Clemont comments it’s “fairly well made”, to which Serena mutters he could have excluded the “fairly”. She then asks for Ash’s opinion on it while blushing, who happily says it’s really good.

Going for the Gold!
After Ash notices that Serena seem nervous when starting fishing and learns she never tried, he offers to teach her. After seeing the golden Magikarp for real, Ash and Seren seeing that Ash is eager to battle after they arrive in Cyllage City, Serena smiles and says he will win the Gym match.

Climbing the Walls!
When Ash is rock climbing in Cyllage Gym, the camera focuses on a worried Serena, who clasps her hands together. Another moment of focus on her anxiety is showed right before the start of Ash and Grant's battle, as she once again clasps her hands together, catching the attention of Bonnie and Clemont. Both comment on how tensed she seems, the young girl wondering why since it's Ash the one battling. Serena blushes, grabbing tight the railing ahead of her, and admits with emotion written in her face that she knows how hard battles are and that she has seen how much Ash and his Pokémon worked to face this battle, so she really hopes their efforts brings fruits.

More than once then during the battle she worries over him and his Pokémon.

A battle by Any Other Name!
When Serena shows her fresh-baked Poké Puffs to the group and offers one each to Fennekin and Pikachu, Ash takes one suddenly, assuming they’re good for humans too. Initially, he doesn’t react, startling Serena, but then he compliments in pure bliss that he has never eaten a sweet as delicious as that. As he dives into the basket to take more puffs for himself, they are stolen from his hands by a Slurpuff. It’s trainer, Miette, offers Poké Puffs to the group as an apology and Serena is shown to be upset when Ash asks that he would like to eat them, and then refusing to accept the offer for herself.

Later during the contest, Ash comments that Serena’s puffs which just came out of the oven, look already delicious. Then, as the moment of picking the finalists arrives, Bonnie asks the judge to take care of Clemont. Inspired by this, Miette asks Ash teasingly if he has someone to take care or him; in mind see how Serena would react, to which he doesn’t understand. Serena is shown to be paying close attention from the corner of her eye when sitting next to them.

When Miette is announced as a finalist for the Poké Puff contest her and Serena entered, Ash initially gives Miette a congratulatory look but upon seeing her brag about it to Serena, Ash immediately gives Miette a disapproving glare. Upon hearing Serena is also a finalist in the Poké Puff competition, Ash immediately congratulates her. As the team goes out to the forest to looks for berries for the Poké Puff competition, Ash expresses concern for Serena when she runs off by herself and when the group hears Serena screaming from a distance, Ash calls out her name and runs after her. He helps her with the angry Pokémon and ask if she's all right, running close to her. At the end of the episode, after Ash calls Serena's name, Miette teases her saying that if Serena doesn't hurry and confess then she will steal him. Serena blushes bright red, but doesn’t deny about the implications and walks away smiling.

The Cave of Trials!
While everyone's picture is being taken, Serena slides closer to Ash, leaving an obvious gap separating them from the others and unlike everybody else, Serena isn't looking into the camera but is looking at Ash when the picture is being taken. Both Ash and Serena appreciate the picture, as he comments that it looks great and she is staring admiringly how close they were with a blush on her cheeks. Serena also holds onto Ash two times while in the cave out of fear.

The Cave of Mirrors!
Since the moment Ash gets lost and then disappears into the mirror, Serena is deeply worried about the possibility of never seeing him again. Meanwhile, Ash met the other Serena and is surprised by the arrogant and brash way she is speaking to him.

At the moment of the reunion, when the mirrors start drifting apart, Mirror Serena yells at her counterpart that if she wants to travel with Ash, her will for him has to be strong. Serena's eyes widen and then she nods her head in determination realizing that if she wants him back, she has to try her hardest. Ash reaches out to her, Serena manages to grab his hand and save him from falling into the unknown. Once he is safely back in their dimension, Mirror Serena tells Serena to take good care of Ash, to which she smiles and nods her head in understanding.

Then, as the main gang walks outside the cave, Serena asks Ash if they will always be traveling together from now on, to which a smiling Ash replies that it's such an obvious answer that they will.

Summer of Discovery!
As Clemont asks Ash and Serena if being at this camp reminds them of when they first met, she glances curiously to her crush, as if wondering what his answer would be. Ash enthusiastically agrees that it does and says that they need to make sure this time at the camp will be as good as the one they spent back then. It means Ash has a fond memory of his meeting with her and considers it part of what made the Pallet Camp a good experience. By the end of the episode Serena thinks back at Ash and his motivation to become a Pokémon Master, wondering what she wants to persue as dream.

Day Three Blockbusters!
When Serena sees a perfect area to make the Pokévision, Ash calls after her in a worried tone when she runs off by herself. Her attempt to reach the flower ground is stopped as in front of her appears a cliff and the ground starts breaking apart under her feet. Ash runs over and grabs her hand to try stopping the fall but ends up being dragged down too in the process. Once they are at the bottom, Serena asks if he is alright, with him replying he is fine and asking the same to her. He sits up grabs her hat and hands it over. When she thanks him for that, he scratches his nose embarrassed and tries to get up, feeling soon after pain in his foot. Serena nurses it with a wet cloth while she apologizes for leading to his injury, only to be reassured by him and thanked for taking care of foot. After he thanked Pikachu too for reaching him and explained to Serena more about his bond with his best friend, she releases Fennekin and gives her Pokémon a treat, while Ash stares at her with a content smile. Then Ash says he hopes the camp will be useful for his goal, stating that “Nothing we ever do is a waste of time”, inspiring Serena. When she exclaims how amazing Ash is, after hearing him talk about his dream, he looks at her in surprise, asking to clarify, but she quickly becomes embarrassed and tends to his foot again to change the subject. Serena then confesses to him that she is kind of worried about not having found yet his dream for the future, but he reassures that it’s okay to take time for that and that with her trusted Fennekin she will eventually.

Foggy Pokémon Orienteering!
Serena asks about Ash's prior foot injury with a concerned look on her face, but he reassures that it healed.

Battling Into the Hall of Fame!
After Team Froakie won a place at the Hall of Fame, Serena is shown to be sad because her Fennekin lost in the battle. Ash cheers her up telling her that "It's just the beginning, it may have lost today but it will get you stronger". The day after, when Serena recalls how Ash practiced the rhythm battling style the night before, she is the only one who finds it amusing as she giggles as she teases Ash to be the clumsiest of them all. However, he takes it with irony too, without getting mad at all.

Origins of Mega Evolution!
After Korrina asks Ash if he is ready for the Gym match, Serena starts getting to be worried about him, reminding him that he doesn't have a definite strategy. He answers showing his dancing moves but it's clear for everyone that he's not good at it, making Bonnie laugh out loud as Serena scolds her, reminding that he put a lot of efforts. When Clemont's machine to help Ash learn dancing blows up, Serena offers to teach him since she is good at it, surprising everyone. For the rest of the day the two practice, but eventually Serena runs out of options to teach him. He is still optimistic and grateful for her help as he thanks both her and Clemont for the attempts.

Showdown at the Shalour Gym!
Serena is seen worrying and cheering for Ash multiple times during the battle. Also, when Ash's rhythm battling strategy seems to be failing against Korrina, he turns to look at Serena in the middle of the battle and remembers her words from the previous day's training, which motivates him and gives him an idea that helps him win the battle.

Dreaming a Performer's Dream!
While there aren't specific moments in this episode, Ash is seen being very supportive of Serena more than once. When she reveals about wanting to be a performer he is enthusiastic, he cheers for her during her battle to catch Pancham and he carries her bag over when the match is over. He also worries over Serena when she tries to protect Pancham from Pumpkaboo's Shadow Ball.

A Campus Reunion!
When Luxio attacks from the distance, Ash moves in front of Serena specifically in a defensive position. Pokémon the Series: XY Kalos Quest=

A Race for Home!
When the group meet Grace, she thanks them for taking care of Serena, but Ash instantly says it’s them who need to thank her (Probably implying that he is glad Serena was able to travel with them). Ash then praises Serena, saying it was thanks to her that he learnt how to ride a Rhyhorn, making her blush and reply that it was all due to his hard training.

After the practice, Serena looks sad and Ash, noticing, asks if she is okay, being genuinely happy but she says she is. During the course of the episode, Ash seems to catch Serena’s turmoil more than once, also right away trying to speak up about Serena’s true desires about her future two times when Grace implies that she has to work on Ryhorn racing. Before they start to eat lunch, Grace asks if Serena’s lack of help during cooking bothers them but Ash says she bakes delicious desserts, while Clemont says she does help him cook and Bonnie adds she always decorates the table to make eating funnier. When everyone goes to practice, Serena stops and says an excuse to Ash, who noticed her hesitation, to then go practicing her performance. She cheers herself up by repeating Ash’s words of never giving up. She also encourages herself with those same words when she fall from Skiddo and the chances of winning the race against her mother lower a lot.

Once Ash and Serena defeated Team Rocket, Ash praises Serena's Rhyhorn racing skills, to which she answers embarrassed that she just went in without thinking. And again, after Serena won the race against her mother, Ash congratulates her, saying he is happy for her (to be traveling with them still and pursuing her dream) and tells her to keep doing their best together.

Facing the Grand Design!
When a truck is driving recklessly and almost hits them, Ash pushes Serena away from the road so she does not get hit even if both Clemont and Bonnie are closer to the road at the time and are therefore in even more danger of being hit by the truck.

Under the Pledging Tree!
After Serena registers for the Showcase, she tells the group that she still feels she needs some practice and says she wants to do her best like Ash. Hearing so, he encourages and assures her that she will be fine and won't regret a thing if she does her best.As Ash and Serena walk away from Bonnie and Clemont to go shopping for their Pokémon, Serena's thoughts are voiced over as she quickly comes to the conclusion that she may be on a date with Ash. While walking, Serena blushes and attempts to hold Ash's hand, failing thought due to her own hand shaking in nervousness. Then, when Ash and Serena are riding the monorail, Serena sees Ash looking happily out the window, which makes her smile and blush.

During the day they look for gifts, often seeking each other’s opinion on them, even if it’s clear they have very differents views. Serena has a clearer and more practical idea, while Ash is unsure on what to search and always finds the oddest things. At some point Ash runs off on his own to look for presents for his Pokémon and Serena is visibly disappointed at being left alone.When they reunite and enter the train station, Ash wins a blue ribbon for being the 1.000.000th person to use their services. When he opens it Serena finds it very pretty, but he expresses his concerns on not finding the gifts for his Pokémon. She encourages him saying that Pikachu and the others will be happy with any gift as long as Ash chose it, and then suggests him to think what he’s like to receive, since his Pokémon must be similar to him to some extent. Thanks to that suggestion, Ash finally comes up with the perfect gift, thanks Serena excitedly and runs off again. At the end of the episode, during the fireworks, Ash gives the ribbon he won to Serena as a thank you for helping him out, while scratching his nose nervously. Serena, surprised, blushes and happily accepts the gift, bringing the package to her heart.

A Showcase Debut!
When Monsieur Pierre announces that the theme for the first round will be Pokémon Styling, Ash is sure that Serena is going to win. Ash is cheering loudly for Serena when she is in the runway. He also asks Pikachu if he is as excited as him. When Clemont is wondering if Serena is okay after her loss in the Pokemon Showcase, Ash assures him that she will be fine because she is strong. The following morning, when Bonnie and Clemont notice that Serena is missing, Ash volunteers to go find her.

When the group sees Serena's new hairstyle for the first time, Ash is the first and only one who has a positive reaction. Clemont asks what happened and Bonnie complains that she preferred Serena's long hair, while Ash says that the short hair suit Serena. He also notices the blue ribbon on her dress and Serena confirms while blushing that it’s indeed the one he gave her. He happily thanks her for using it (in western dub he says she looks great with it).

An Oasis of Hope!
After the group gets captured, Jessie remarks on Serena's haircut and James asks, "Perhaps nursing a broken heart/Did someone broke your heart?", Serena responds angrily, "That is none of your business!/Does it matter?". In Japanese culture cutting your own hair can be taken as symbol of trying to move on from a heartbreak, most of times being a rejection. In Serena's case thought it's referred to moving on with her career.

Battling with Elegance And a Big Smile!
When Aria challenges Serena to a battle, Ash encourages her to accept, saying that now that she made up with her Pokémon they can test and train their synch better. She blushes as she is convinced and accepts. While Serena is battling with Aria, she recognises the expert's suggestion as something that Ash always says about his battles. Thinking of him, makes Serena more determined to fight.

Good Friends, Great Training!
Serena blushes while asking Ash what strategy he has for his upcoming Gym battle against Clemont. Later, when Team Rocket's APC unit finds Ash, Serena and Pikachu, Ash puts his arm out in front of Serena to protect her.

The Moment of Lumiose Truth!
Serena is seen happy when she notices Ash is having fun in his Gym Match, just like she is shown to be blushing excited when Hawlucha hits Heliolisk and cheers when he is defeated. She shows her worry over the battle more than once, often putting her hand over the heart but also cheering. Eventually she congratulates on his victory, to which he thanks her for.

Beyond the Rainbow!
Serena is seen to be worried over Ash multiple times in the episode, trying to help him out and gasping in fear when he is in danger. When he and the other Pokémon land safely on the ground after falling from Team Rocket's jet, Serena runs up to Ash to check on him. In doing so, she puts her hands on both his shoulders and exclaims her relief that he is all right.

A Fashionable Battle!
Serena asks Ash if they can visit the gym leader’s shop after he is done with the battle, to which he agrees. As Valerie is busy with a showrun, she can’t accept any challenge for the day, so Serena once again proposes to go right away to her shop, and Ash agrees. It is quite atypical of Ash to want o visit a clothing shop, given his established personality, but he expresses that he is glad that Serena and Bonnie are having fun. While still looking through the furisode outfits, Serena wonders how nice it would be to try one for her performance, to which Bonnie agrees. Serena turns back to where Ash was, to ask his opinion on the matter, but finds him battling outside with Sawyer. Even with her perplexity, she understands the situation and comments it’s something Ash would indeed do.

During the battle, Ash and the others hear some music and see that the fashion show is starting. Much to his and Clemont’s shock, Serena and Bonnie appear on stage in a furisode outfit. Ash exclaim’s Serena name and then asks her how did they end up being improvised models, to which Serena explains the situation blushing in embarrassement.

Fairy-Type Trickery!
Before entering in the Laverre Gym, Ash admits he hasn't prepared an strategy against Fairy types and his friends wonder if he can win. Serena thought, right away shows confidence in Ash and reassure that he will surely win.

Lights! Camera! Pika!
When Serena is filming and sees Ash and Pikachu grow bashful after Frank compliments them, she remarks on it while blushing.

Performing with Fiery Charm!
Miette teases Serena about her relationship with Ash several times, which causes Serena to blush and get flustered. This includes when Miette asks Serena if her new haircut may be due to being rejected by Ash and the blond blushes while denying, while looking back at Ash as he bow to the side his head a bit with a confused smile. Right after Serena tries to change topic and establish her goal to win, Miette once again tries to tease Serena by saying she’ll make a move on Ash maybe. Serena blushes madly and after Ash comments that Miette is very motivated, she reply still flustered that she won’t be less than her, with him appreciating her spirit. Bonnie is seen grinning, as she then comment with a shrug that Ash is really dense. When Clemont asks her about her comment she says that he is dense as well, proving that Bonnie is aware about Serena’s feelings for Ash. Serena is preparing her Poké Puffs and thinks back at all the practice they’ve done, having a flashback of her friends coming to help her in the kitchen to taste the sweets, in particular Ash eating them alongside the Pokémon and complimenting her. She also focuses on remembering his laugh during that moment, which grows her confidence. After she wins the first round, Ash states that he’ll ask to her to make those Poké Puffs she presented at the contest, because he really wants to eat them.Later, before her exhibition, Serena’s skirt is damaged and she starts worrying it might end up like the previous time. However, she thinks again on how Ash would act, and gets back together, finding a solution for the outfit situation. Ash keeps on cheering for her loudly during the whole Showcase, as everyone eventually cheer for her victory. After her victory, Serena explains about why she had to cut the dress and comments that she’ll have to apologize to Valerie since it was a gift, but Ash just straight up tells her that it looked really good on her. Serena blushes at the compliment, with her blush getting even bigger as Miette butts in and quote Ash’s words to tease her. She repeats to Serena that she hasn’t given up on their other “challenge”, making Serena blush once again and getting frustrated as Miette teases hera gain by getting Ash to tell her to do her best.

Over the Mountain of Snow!
When the group is deciding the pairs needed to ride on the Mamoswine, Ash happily picks Serena to ride with him since Bonnie picked her brother. Serena slightly blushes at the idea of riding with him.

After Ash attempts to direct Mamoswine to climb but end up sliding back down, Serena volunteered to switch spots with Ash since she has experience with riding on Pokémon. When she manages to lead Mamoswine to the top of the snow hill Ash compliments that he expected no less from her.

While crossing the bridge in the snowy mountains, a blast of icy wind frightens Serena, Ash holds on to her shoulders and calms her down and once the are on the other side she thanks him for his help. When the group splits up to find the herbs needed, Ash again quickly picks Serena to be his partner and they both happily cheer when they find the herb that they were looking for, with her blushing.

A Legendary Photo Op!
When Ash races and jumps to the lava to catch Talonflame, Serena calls out his name in worry alongside Pikachu. When Frogadier saves him and he’s pulled out of danger, Serena scolds him for being reckless and he apologizes.

Tag Team Battle Inspiration!
Serena blushes heavily when Shauna says that Ash has a good positive attitude and that that must be one of the things Serena likes of him. Serena freaks out even more when Ash overhears that they're talking about him and asks about it. She keeps blushing as she says it's nothing and Shauna meanwhile shakes her head with a shrug. This implies that Shauna too is aware of Serena's feelings.

A Performance Pop Quiz!
During the episode Ash is seen multiple times being the one who cheers the most for Serena, while others are mostly silent, with the attention focused on him in moments she is doing well during the competition.

Before the competition, Ash assures that he and the others will look after Eevee, but when the she escapes scared by the fireworks created during Jessie's performance, he rushes to search for her and apologizes to Serena for losing sight of her Pokémon. He also tries to convince Serena to go on stage and leave the search to him, since she risks to be disqualified. He also is surprised and concerned when she refuses because she is worried about Eevee whereabouts. Eventually, when she is found again, Ash promises to look after her himself and not lose her again.

He is also the one who cheers the most out of everyone for her victory and when they reunite after the show has ended he comments her dance was the greatest. In turns, later, she says it's now his turn to win his battle.

Cloudy Fate, Bright Future!
When Serena hears Ash's conversation with Frogadier about his dream she looks at him in admiration and remembers the conversation she and Ash in an earlier episode about finding her dream together with her Pokémon. Pokémon the Series: XYZ=

The Legend of the Ninja Hero!
After Ash and Sanpei jump off the balcony in pursuit of Kagetomo, Serena tries immediately to follow them, just to be stopped by Shinobu. She is told that is safer for them to take another option, leaving Serena to hesitate and whisper Ash's name in worry.

Party Dancecapades!
When Serena receives a mail about the dance party, she looks at Ash and blushes haeavily when she finds out that all Performers attending must have a male partner. It is proposed that Clemont goes with her, due to his Bunnelby being Serena's Eevee's dance partner. Serena is a bit reclutant and sighs in disappointment while glancing at Ash, but she accepts eventually for Eevee’s sake.

When Ash and his friends meet up with Miette again, Serena is shocked seeing Miette grabbing Ash's hand and asking him to be her partner, since she couldn’t find anyone in time. She freaks out even more when Ash accepts to help her out. As they walk inside the location, Miette drags Ash way and then looks back at Serena, winking and proving she did it on purpose. Serena is visibly upset but uses that sentiment to gain more determination. Later, when Ash is following Miette around with a pile of dresses to carry for her and visibly uncomfortable, Serena looks at him and sighs. During the rotation dance, when Serena notices that her next partner is Ash, she starts blushing and is excited to finally be able to be with him. As he extend his hand towards her in slow-motion, she blushes even more, eyes glimmering. However, when their hands almost touch, the music stops and the dance is over, shocking and extremely disappointing her. Ash asks her if she had fun but she mutters deflated that she wished she could have danced a bit more (so to be able to dance with him), to which he tilts his head confused.

In the last phase of the event, two couples are randomly picked with the cards assigned before the dance. Ash and Serena turns out to be battle partners against James and Miette. Both Serena and Ash encourage each other before, during and after the match, enjoying their win. Serena also thanks Ash and Pikachu for protecting Eevee and backing them up prior to its evolution into Sylveon.

Master Class Choices!
Twice near the beginning of the episode, Ash offers Serena encouragement when he sees how nervous she is. Firstly he uses her own mother’s words “Go for broke!” being supported also by Clemont, Bonnie and Pikachu. Serena looks at him and perks up. Then during dinner he notices she isn’t eating and asks about it, reminding her that one needs to eat a lot to gain their energies, again cheering her up. Before having her Freestyle exhibition, Serena notices Sylveon being nervous because of her mistake in the previous Showcase. To cheer her Pokémon up, Serena offers some poképuffs, repeating Ash's advice about eating to gain energies.

During the performance, when Bonnie comments that Serena and her Pokemon look happy. Ash says that that fact makes him feel happy too. Then, when Ash, Serena, Clemont, and Bonnie are celebrating the performer's showcase victory during their meal, Ash is shown to be winking at her.

Once Serena learns the location of the Master Class and sees it’s a bit far from Snowbelle City, Ash stops her concerns right away, putting his hand on her shoulder and assuring with no space for debates that they’ll go to the Master Class. He decides to put off his eighth Gym battle until after her performance, showing no hesitation. Serena is visibly surprised and moved by his support.

Master Class is in Session!
All of Serena rivals and friends are gathered around at the entrace of the Master Class location. Miette asks Ash who he will support if there is a show-off between her and Serena, making the blond blush in frustration, understanding Miette’s intentions. Ash answers that he will definitely cheer for Serena with all he’s got, prompting Miette to wonder if there was any progress between the two, only to be dragged back by a bashful Serena, ignoring cheerily her scolding. Ash turns towards the others confused, asking what’s up with that, only to hear Nene and Bonnie commenting how the situation is somewhat complicated under Clemont confused glance and Shauna laughing the whole thing off. After Clemont comments that the tournament has much more attention than the local Showcases, Ash whispers to himself for Serena to do her best. He keeps encouraging her during the whole event and when Aria enters the stage he comments that it’s amazing how Serena trained so hard to defeat her and encourage again Serena to be her usual self.

Performing a Pathway to the Future!
When Palermo asks Serena to withdraw from the finals, Serena refuse to give up after all the work she has done with her Pokémon, repeating Ash's words about not giving up until the end. Despite being disappointed to see Serena eventually losing Aria, Ash assures Clemont and Bonnie that Serena's dream is far from over.

After the tournament is over and Serena and her rivals are splitting up, Miette teases Serena, telling her to make some progresses on that depart too. She blushes as she looks at a confused Ash and then scolds her friend. The same evening, Serena is contemplating her future alone, sitting on the steps of the Pokémon Center outside. When Ash goes and finds her, he asks in concern what’s up and if her injured wrist hurt, being then reassured she is just thinking about things. He asks her if it’s about her next performance, with her saying it’s more or less so. Ash comments enthusiastically that it’s the same for him after he loses a battle with Serena then saying how it’s amazing that he is always so optimistic and aware of what to do next. Ash is surprised she thinks so and answers back that it’s not really always like that, but since there are moments that one can feel unsure, it might as well be the chance to make a move. He continues explaining that even with a failure there is still something left, so nothing she could do would be pointless. Serena appreciates his words and they will be kept in her heart from then on.

The next day she turns down Palermo’s offer temporarily, because she wants to keep traveling with Ash and the others, being then satisfied with her choice as she sees Ash’s enthusiasm for his next gym battle.

Battling at Full Volume!
While Ash is training he gets totally drenched, so Serena tosses him a towel, worried that he would catch a cold. Her worries are effective because the day after Ash emerges from his tent sickly. He walks past a confused but then intrigued Bonnie, towards Serena, and then falls into her arms, grabbing onto her. Serena right away blushes as he keeps laying on her. He starts saying it’s the time, startling Serena as she freaks out over what’s going on. He gulps to then gasp “I…”, with Serena gently wondering what he wants to say, only to realise in shock when he grabs her hand firmy and repeats once again “I” with more decision, that he could be confessing. She blushes further more and prepares for whatever he’s going to say, but eventually he finishes the phrase with “Iron tail, Pikachu”. (In japanese he uses “Ai” which means love and is the start of the classic confession phrase “Aishiteru”, aka “I love you”. It ends with the same “Airon Tail, Pikachu) Serena starts taking care of Ash, changing the wet cloth on his forehead and washing away the sweat from his face. After Clemont and Bonnie leave to buy the medicine for him, Serena encourages herself to pull herself together and keeps on taking care of him for a while. She happily notices his temperature lowered while caressing his cheeck with the back of her hand. When Jimmy appears and asks for a battle, Serena continually keeps trying to make sure Ash isn't disturbed by his loud sounds, in concern for his health. She goes back to the tent, wondering what she should do. She is sure she can’t tell Ash about Jimmy, knowing he would accept and strain himself, but she also thinks the challenger doesn’t seem the type to just accept her explanation. So, she decides to wear Ash clothes, for his sake, and impersonate him during the battle. Even if her Pokémon are perplexed, Pikachu decides to support her in her plan.

The moment Spike uses Dig to evade Pikachu's Thunderbolt, Serena begins to panic, but with Pikachu’s encouragement she resolves her problem, remembering what Ash would do in this situation as she comments that she watched Ash's battles more closely than anybody else. During her battle Serena becomes extremely excited when she realizes she can battle with Pikachu just like Ash can. As Clemont and Bonnie are back, the little girl shouts over to Serena and begins to ask why she's wearing Ash's clothes, Serena blushes and screams to prevent her cover being blown and becomes even more flustered when Bonnie teases her by wishing her luck and calling her "Ash".

When Ash intervenes to save Pikachu, now fully recovered, much to her relief, he apologise to Serena for making her substitute him, not at all minding her using his clothes. She reveals her identity to Jimmy and throws Ash’s cap at its owner, as he catches and puts it on. At the end of the episode Serena thinks back about the day and slightly blushes.

The Synchronicity Test!
During the battle again Alain, Ash faints due to the fatigue the syncronization with Greninja brings him. While everyone rushes towards him, Serena screams his name in worry multiple times. When he wakes up, he smiles at her when she tells him he had her worried and apologises for it.

Championing a Research Battle!
When Serena hands her water bottle to Ash, he happily takes it and thanks her for the drink. It’s not a huge moment, aside for the implication of an “indirect kiss”

All Hail the Ice Battlefield!
During Ash’s battle, Serena is seen being concerned multiple time, especially when he faints once defeated, with a close-up of her face being shown. Later that evening when Ash leaves, Serena tries to stop him and asks where he's going with a concerned tone of voice. The following morning when talking with Clemont about his lack of return she grows more and more worried, not even her friends’ encouragement giving her relief.

Seeing the Forest for the Trees!
At the beginning of the episode, Serena takes it upon herself to go find Ash and talk to him. When Serena finds Ash, she tries to cheer Ash up and encourage him, reminding him of how he helped her with her goal and tries to comfort him, pointing out he can talk to her about anything that troubles him because she will always be there for him. She also adds that she knows what he is feeling, relating to her Masterclass loss, but Ashi s ticked off by the comment and shouts she doesn’t know at all. At that point, she angrily tells him to tell her then, but he says it’s his own problem and to leave him alone. This hurts deeply Serena, making her throw a snowball at his head and making him turn towards her. He seems annoyed at the act, but then his face turns into surprise in seeing her crying. The blond scolds him, saying that the Ash she knows always stand up against difficulties, is a leader, optimistic and never gives up until the end, adding that he is not himself at all, throwing some more snowballs and making him fall back. She runs away, leaving him there, as he contemplates about those words and is quickly cheered up, feeling determination again.

As she comes back to the Pokémon Center, Serena expresses her anger, but it quickly fades away as Joy says a blizzard is coming. She stands up and runs again towards the woods, saying that she has to bring Ash back to avoid being caught in the blizzard, even if she has to do it by force. She is still angry, but his safety is top priority for her, as shown with her constant concern while searching for him. Later, when the group of friends and Pokémon are finding shelter in a cave, Serena expresses her guilt over being so hard on Ash and regrets her choice of words, finding them horrible. She realises that Ash has the right to feel sad and angry, because that’s just part of who he is too. She explains she did that because she admires him and Clemont tries to comfort her, even if not very succesfully.

When Ash finds his way back to the others and apologise for making them worry, Serena finally find relief and tries to talk to him, perhaps to apologise too about her words, but he stops her, thanking her for the wake up call. She smiles with a light blush, welcoming Ash back.

A Real Icebreaker!
Before the start of his rematch, Ash turns to Serena after hearing her whispering his name worriedly. He smiles at her, reassuring that he is not lost anymore. When Pikachu wins the first battle she smiles, thinking that the Ash she knows is back. She also reassure Clemont that even if he has to face Mega Abomasnow, Ash and Greninja will make it.

After the gym battle when everyone is congratulating him, Ash faces Serena, as she keeps emotionally a hand on her chest and thinks "Welcome back, you who I admire". He reaches out with his fist exclusively to her, awaiting and getting her "fist-bump" back, to which eventually also Bonnie and Clemont join.

A League of His Own!
Everett tries to start a battle with Ash, who is eager to accept, but Serena grabs his hand to stop him from throwing a pokéball and scolds him, saying that it’s not the time because he could miss out on registering for the League. He apologise deflated but silently agrees without lamenting, knowing she is right. They keep holding hands as she drags him to register.

A Riveting Rivalry!
When Ash's friends worry about him losing the battle due to the vines manage to keep Greninja from advancing on Sceptile. Serena tells them Ash won't lose because he won't give up until the end. After Ash wins his battle against Sawyer and advances to the final round, Serena blushes while her eyes glisten with joy.

Finals Not for the Faint-Hearted!
During the episode Serena is seen cheering for Ash multiple times, being the loudest out of all his friends. She is also seen reassuring everyone of Ash's capacities and before the episode ends, she joins her hands in a praying manner, asking for Ash and Pikachu to "hang in there".

Down To the Fiery Finish!
Again, more than once, Serena reassures everyone, confident that Ash is going to win. Eventually thought, when he loses, she expresses how she is glad that he is smiling and comments he must be proud about doing his best.

Battling With a Clean Slate!
At the end of the episode when her companions ask Serena what she is going to do next, she answers that she is still unsure. Ash in response, tells her that she will be fine because he believes in her, which makes her eyes shiny as she thanks him for his support.

The First Day of the Rest of Your Life!
After their rivals go their separate ways and Clemont and Bonnie return to Lumiose Gym, Ash asks Serena what she plans on doing, then suggests that the two of them go out together, making her blush in surprise. While they are walking around Lumiose City, Ash takes Serena to a clothing store and shows her an outfit he'd think she'd like, (something atypical of Ash to do given how he feels about such activity). As Pikachu and Serena look at the dress, Ash is shown to be smiling at her before, glad that she seems to like it, only to replace his smile with a look of concern, noticing a hint of sadness on her face. After they grab a snack together, Ash notices once again her look of sadness and calls for her name in a tiny bit of concern. When she snaps out of her light-headedness, he smiles and asks her to battle. Without waiting her response, he grabs her hand and starts pulling her along towards the battlefield, without leaving it and making her blush all the while they were holding hand.

When they arrive, Ash explains that when he is sad and gloomy, battles help him feeling better and encourages her to try to cheer up. After their battle Ash compliments Serena for her bond with Braixen, telling her she’ll never be alone with her Pokémon, recalling then the situation he had with Greninja and how he realized his mistakes, scratching his nose nervously, probably remembering also that it was her snapping him out of his state. He then assures that he will always be there to root for her, under any circumstance, which makes her much more relieved and reassured in her new decision.

At the end, when she tells the group about her decision of traveling to Hoenn, Ash congratulates her and when she explains she wants to give people joy and will try her best for it, hoping she manages to do it, he reassures that she will.

Facing the Needs of the Many!
As Ash is getting ready to jump from the mountain in order to get to Xerosic's aircraft, Serena takes his hand, even if nervously and says she is coming with him, surprising him. Encouraged by Serena's example, Bonnie does then the same.

Till We Compete Again!
At the start of the episode, when Ash's mom tells the gang that she'd love to have them come to Pallet Town for dinner Serena starts blushing. Then, after the whole mess with Bonnie is resolved, Serena is the first one to depart. She thanks everyone and starts talking to Ash specifically, saying that she is glad she started traveling and that he is her goal. He gasps lightly, surprised by the admission, to which Bonnie and Clemont smile knowingly. Serena then winks at Ash and says that the next time they will meet she will be a much more attractive woman. Ash shows his fist and with decision agrees with encouragement. (In English, she says that he is the kind of person she wants to be and that he’ll like the person she will be when they meet next). Serena then walks off on the escalator, making Ash take a few steps towards her in follow (The writers confirmed he didn’t do it casually) as he looks at her getting taken away. She closes her eyes, breathing in and out, making a decision and calls out for Ash, asking if she can have one last thing, once again surprising him. She then runs back on the escalator towards him and as the scene goes on slow-motion and the setting around them becomes magical and glimmery, we see her leaning towards his surprised face. We then cut to their feet, with her standing on her tiptoes and then being dragged back away, with his feet leaning moving towards hers. The scene was censored, but it indicates (and was then confirmed) that Serena kissed Ash on the lips.



The scene continues, with the camera showing Serena’s back and everyone’s faces: Ash with a blank face, while Clemont, Bonnie, Pikachu and Dedenne are heavily blushing and gasping.

Serena blushes too, eyes full of emotion as she gets farer once more and exclaims “Thank you!”. The focus turns on Ash’s face, showing his stupor and awe, as his eyes tremble and glimmer in emotion too. He breathes in, closing his eyes for a moment with a serene smile on his face and then his smile gets bigger and more decisive. He starts waving and shouting “See ya!” with excitement, before she finally sets off. Meanwhile, Bonnies grins and winks, raising her thumb up in approval for Serena's action.



After Serena's plane takes off, Ash assures Clemont that she's stronger than she appears and that they have nothing to worry about just as he did after her first Showcase. Ash then tells him that when they see her again, she'll be stronger than ever. Later, when Serena arrives in Hoenn, she is remembering Ash’s encouragement of her being fine in future and being strong. While Ash is on his plane back to Kanto he's shown to be remembering his adventures in Kalos, when thinking about his friends in Kalos, a lot of his memories are focused on important moments between him and Serena (even if there are a few moments he wasn’t present at). Between them there are: Serena nursing his foot when they were stranded in a ravine together while they were at Professor Sycamore's Summer Camp. Giving her the ribbon he won in Coumarine City and her happily accepting it, falling into her arms while he was sick and collapsing while still holding her hand and Serena telling him "He isn't the Ash she knows" after arguing with her in the Winding Woods. Pokémon Journeys: The Series= Before Chloe, who is being sent off by Serena, leaves on the ship, Ash and Goh catch up to her. Serena recognizes Ash as he runs past her, and calls out his name. Ash turns around in surprise, and exclaims her name before asking how she was doing since they last met. Serena follows up by flaunting her new outfit and stating that she was doing good, adding that Pikachu looked good too.

Chloe questions how they knew each other, and Ash takes initiative to inform her on their adventure in Kalos. The ship horn suddenly blows, alerting of its departure. As the ship begins to sail away, they exchange their future plans to each other; Ash tells Serena of his goal to become the ‘best battler’, and Serena tells him about her goal to become the ‘best performer’. They tell each other to do their best, and that they would be cheering for one another.”

Serena waves him and the others off until the ship is gone. She wears a look of reminiscence on her face, looking in the direction of the ship, before she and her Sylveon run off. A narration finishes with “Ash and Serena are both giving everything they have to try and make their dreams come true. Maybe someday Chloe will find her own dream too.”

Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction
In the trailer of the movie, Serena and Ash are seen on the ground battered and bruised after Yveltal's awekening. They're alone in this, with other characters nowhere to be seen.

During the night after Ash and Diancie make a wish on a star, it shows Serena awake in her tent gazing at Ash adoringly from a distance without him being aware. When Ash is separated from Diancie and the rest of his friends, Diancie expresses her worry for him, but Serena instantly speaks up, believing that he will be fine. Sometime during the movie, Ash holds Serena's hand as they cross a log together even though the help was most likely unnecessary.

In the ending credits, after seeing a shooting star, Serena is making a wish and Ash is the only one who is looking at her while Clemont and Bonnie start sleeping.

Hoopa and the Clash of Ages
In the trailer, Serena becomes extremely worried about Ash and calls his name in fear when he becomes taken over by the Prison Bottle he caught.

Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel
Serena is shown to be carrying Ash's backpack for him when he is unable to. After they reunite, Serena gives Ash new clothes she bought for him to replace his water-damaged outfit. When he wears the outfit, she says he looks great and he is shown to be excited about it, expressing that he really likes it At night, when the group is camping, Serena is mending Ash's normal outfit. When she gives it back, Ash compliments and thanks her.

I Choose You!
During the credits, every travelling companion of Ash is seen, presumably from his point of view. When Serena is shown, her hat falls off, is caught from the camera's point of view, and handed to her. She takes it back and smiles.

Behind the scenes - Cast's opinion

 * Tetsuo Yajima, the anime director for the series, declared ”They didn’t become a couple in the episode itself but the way I ended it is meant to understand that they’re going to become one later. Serena tells Ash that she is going to improve herself and then come back again to him. And then she does something absolutely incredible, she is meant to be kissing Ash in that scene but since the main audience of ye show are kids so I couldn’t show the actual kiss scene instead Serena’s feet is shown floating upwards.”
 * Ash's reaction the kiss is described as surprised awe and that any ambiguity the scene has was put so that they could show the kiss on TV in the first place, as kissing mouth-to-mouth was viewed as an extraordinary intimate act in Japan and children were the main target audience. It's speculated so, that Ash's reaction was toned down too, but wasn't indifferent to the kiss.
 * Junichi Masuda, a Pokémon composer, has tweeted a picture of Ash and Serena as Pikachu, playing with one another. In the actual tweet, he tagged multiple AmourShipping accounts. He also retweeted for Valentine's day another amourshipping fanart and posted another amourshipping one.
 * Ken Sugimori, an illustrator and concept designer tweeted a picture of Ash and Serena figurines in front of a microphone.
 * Kensho Ono, voice actor for Aaron and Alain tweeted of picture of himself with his script for Pokémon the Series: XY with all the other characters, aside Ash and Serena, blurred out. He also expressed surprise. Since he was holding the script for the last episode, it was probably a hint to the kiss.
 * Shoko Nakagawa, former host of Pokémon Sunday and composer of DreamDream, has tweeted illustrations of Ash and Serena that she drew and a picture of Ash and Serena sleeping while holding hands. For the 20th anniversary of Pokémon, she made a collaboration with Pokénchi, where she drew Ash and Serena holding hands while wearing Sylveon themed hoodies.
 * Rica Matsumoto, Ash's Japanese voice actor, a picture of Ash encouraging Serena to accept Aria's challenge for a double battle from "Battling with Elegance And a Big Smile!". However, in an interview from 2017, she said she doesn't see Ash having a romantic relationship with anyone, so she probably doesn't support the ship or any Ash's ships.
 * Mayuki Makiguchi, Serena's Japanese voice actor, although does not say anything of Ash's relationship with Serena, clarifies in an interview from 2022 that she is very happy to play her character again in Journeys, 6 years after the last episode of XYZ, which indicates that she probably supports the ship.
 * Yusuke Oshida, one of the animators, has tweeted a picture of Ash and Serena in their Journeys outfits with a blue ribbon in the background.

Fanon
This ship is one of the most popular ships in the Pokémon anime. It is also one of the most popular ships between Ash and a female companion. The popularity of the shipping began even before the series actually started, when people caught info about her knowing Ash since childhood and catching hints of a possible canon crush, thanks to the official poster, some photos of a screening at a live exhibition in Japan and magazine articles. The populary furtherly grew after the crush was confirmed in the first episodes, even bringing some people who dropped the anime back for it.

Aside the constant hints between them and the moments they shared in the series, the kiss at the end of the second-last episode managed to keep fans attached to the ship and hopeful for its future. It's common belief between them that Ash has implied feelings/crush on Serena, which could eventually lead to them ending up together. Even with their brief encounter in Journeys, their fans refuse to believe that their feelings for each other are gone, also because of the anime cast members support towards it and Yajima's words in the interview after the show ended, where he said they are probably getting together in future (Note that while Yajima wasn't the director anymore after XYZ, he joined the anime Journeys again as member of the writing and directing cast)

One of the biggest reasons for fans to ship them is the trope of Childhood Friends Romance, which is the one that's pushed with Ash and Serena. Another big element fans like in the ship is Serena and Ash's chemistry and supporting relationship, with the absence of exaggerate teasing, mocking, or arguing. Serena and Ash only argued once in the series and because of Serena's wish to break him out of his self-damaging depression, to which he then apologized and then thanked her for, as it helped him snapping out of his condition and giving him the strength to face again the obstacles that blocked him. While with his other companions Ash often had bickering situations where he got also teased (Not with extreme malice) or bigger but also less important arguments, with Serena it's appreciated how serene is the air between them. They are usually on the same line and when not they talk about it nicely and helping each other improve and be encouraged.

It's very visible also how fans adore Ash's attitude towards Serena, which while is always a bit dense, still shows him treating her with a sweetness and carefulness he rarely showed in the previous series, going out of his way to help her when not necessary, complimenting her multiple times on her appearance or her actions, seeking her out first and sometimes only when in difficult situations and more often than not being encouraged only by her words.

Interestingly, Serena has a completely opposite personality to Ash. She is not interested in science and technology unlike him, as he is not overly interested in fashion. She can dance and cook well while Ash cannot. While she focuses more on the visual part of Pokémon abilities, he focuses more on the battles. Their fans think it is beautiful to be so different in this way and thus complement each other better, as it's also seen that despite their differences, they both show full support in things the other is interested into with genuine appreciation.

This ship is usually ranked as top tier 1st in Japan when it comes to Pokémon ships, because it usually generates trends around Serena and her pairing with Ash on Twitter. It's also always victorious in Japanese polls, usually with big distance from the second place.

In the West its popularity stays between the highest, but often shifts between being the favorite of the fans and getting surpassed by other rival ships by the number of concent. With AmourShipping being the closest ship to reach canonicity and having still chances, it's both the most loved ship but also the most disliked by multi-shippers whom ship actively the two with other characters, mostly Ash, including het, slash and friend relationships.

Some of the most popular ships with Ash, excluding Serena, are PokéShipping, AdvanceShipping, PearlShipping, AureliaShipping, and recently in Journeys, NegaiShipping, ShalourShipping (Ash x Korrina) and JourneyShipping. Other appreciated ships alternative to SatoSere with Ash are BoulderShipping (Ash x Brock), PalletShipping, CafeMochaShipping (Ash x Cilan), DiodeShipping (Ash x Clemont), Z-ringShipping, PoffleShipping (Ash x Miette), ImaginationShipping (Ash x Bianca (BW)), BloomBoltShipping (Ash x Chloe) and all that included Ash's traveling companions and rivals, mostly females.

It should be noted that from all of them, AmourShipping rivaled also other ships involving other girls having also a crush on Ash, like FireShipping (Ash x Macey), AbilityShipping (Ash x Anabel) and MorpheusShipping, (Ash x Angie), as well as GoggleShipping due to Giselle the only girl that Ash explicitly shown feelings towards her.

On Serena’s side, the most shipped alternative is GeekChicShipping, followed by KalosShipping (SerenaxCalem), LacewoodShipping (Serena x Professor Sycamore), KingsRockShipping (Serena x Lysandre), BoutiqueShipping (Serena x Shauna), and recently in Journeys, FemJourneyShipping (Serena x Chloe) and DreamGirlShipping (Serena x Lisia). Other options, but much rarer are LimoShipping (Serena x Meyer), VanivilleShipping (Serena × Trevor), LovelousShipping (Serena × Tierno) and XEvolutionShipping (Serena × Alain). It should be noted that despite Serena's variable personality between the games and anime and Ash not exisiting in the games, AmourShipping still rivals the majority of ships involving members of rival ships both in games and anime.

Usually AmourShippers focus only on this pair, but when pairing up other Pokégirls and characters the choices are usually OrangeShipping, ContestShipping (May x Drew), PenguinShipping (Kenny x Dawn), WishfulShipping (Cilan x Iris), LaserbladeShipping (Clemont x Korrina) KalosRivalShipping (Tierno x Miette), TakenShipping (Hau x Lillie), NaheleAhiShipping (Kiawe x Mallow), SwordfishShipping (Gladion x Lana), VermilionShipping (Goh x Chloe) and others.

Fandom
FAN FICTION
 * Ash/Serena tag on FanFiction.net
 * Ash/Serena tag on FanFiction.net

FAN ART
 * on DeviantArt
 * on DeviantArt
 * on DeviantArt
 * on DeviantArt
 * on DeviantArt
 * on DeviantArt

REDDIT
 * r/AmourShipping on Reddit

WIKIS
 * AmourShipping on Bulbapedia

SOCIALS
 * Amourshipping on Instagram
 * Satosere on Instagram
 * (Satosere: サトセレ) on Instagram
 * Amourshipping on Twitter
 * Satosere on Twitter
 * (Satosere: サトセレ) on Twitter

TUMBLR
 * Amourshipping on Tumblr
 * Satosere on Tumblr
 * Ash x Serena on Tumblr

Trivia

 * The ship name comes from the word amour which means “love” in French. It is because Serena is originally from Kalos, a region based on France in Pokémon X and Pokémon Y, and she has a canonical crush on Ash since childhood.
 * SatoSere, the Japanese name for this ship, comes from the original Japanese names: Satoshi (Ash) and Serena. It has been trending in Japan on Twitter at various times.
 * On the promotional poster for the series Pokémon the Series XY: Kalos Quest, Serena is depicted blushing while looking at Ash.
 * On the first official character connection table, an arrow is shown from Serena to Ash with the phrase "I love ...?".Drink.jpg
 * In the March 2014 issue of Onnanoko to Tame no Kuchikomi & Tōkō Magazine, there is a summary of Serena where among her character description it says that she has special feelings towards Ash. There is also another character connection table with an arrow from Serena to Ash that says "Very interested in".
 * The aforementioned magazine also includes a poster with Ash and Serena surrounded by Pokémon and balloons. Serena is holding a heart balloon while looking up at Ash. This is used by The Pokémon Company to celebrate the Valentine’s Day.
 * There is another official poster from Animedia Magazine of only Serena and Ash sitting next to each other and holding drinks.Donuts.jpg
 * There is an official poster for the movie Hoopa and the Clash of Ages of Ash, Serena, Pikachu and Hoopa, in the poster Serena is seen feeding Pikachu, Clemont and Bonnie were noticeably absent.
 * On the official Pokémon movie website for Japan, there is a quiz where one question asks what the dialogue from Serena was at the end of Summer of Discovery! and one of the options is Serena saying, "My dream is, to become Satoshi's bride... AH! I am embarrassed!"
 * Another quiz was made, where it asked what Serena decided for her future after the third-last episode of XY&Z. One of the options was that she refused Palermo's offer to follow Ash in his next travel. While this is not what exactly happened, we don't know what Serena planned to do if Palermo didn't suggest her to go to Hoenn. And since she refused beforehand, it's possible that it was really her intention to follow Ash back to Kanto and depart with him on another journey.
 * In another official event of Pokémon: Pokémon Fan (18/9/2015), there was a section where it asked what was in Ash's backpack. Looking inside, two objects are direcly tied to Serena and one more possibly (out of 4): A picture of their meeting, a ticket for Serena's Showcase and two cinema tickets.
 * In an episode of Pokénchi, a side-show for games, commentaries and news sharing, a presentation for Serena's character was made and in the characteristics listed there was that "She is Ash's girlfriend."
 * At the last scene of "Till We Compete Again!" when Ash is shown entering his house, the white flowers in the foreground are Baby Breath flowers which symbolize everlasting love and are used in bride's bouquets. It's been confirmed that it's a hint from the writers that shows their content with the ending of XY&Z having Ash and Serena kiss and that it's a willing hidden message.
 * The flight Serena was going to board to head to Hoenn was H71 Latias. "H71" can be interpreted as the #071 in the Hoenn Pokédex in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire (which was released after Pokémon X and Pokémon Y games), which is Mawile, or Kucheet (クチート) in Japanese. This can be read as a corruption of 口と, meaning "with the mouth", suggesting that Serena kissed Ash on the mouth. This has then been confirmed by some workers, the storyboard release and Yajima. (Not to be confused with the original games Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald Pokédex, where Mawile is #069)
 * In Pokémon Journeys, episode 105, as Serena watches Ash's boat from a distance, the dock lights turn to green. This could be a reference to The Great Gatsby, in which a green light is symbolic of Gatsby's hope to rekindle his past love with Daisy. Also in South Korea, green lights symbolize "two people in love". This could suggest that despite Ash and Serena's reunion being brief, with their paths still being separate, the two hope for a future together.
 * Serena's outfit also doesn't have anymore the blue ribbon Ash gave her, but she wears it around her left ankle during exhibitions. Symbolically, wearing an accessory on the left ankle means having a boyfriend, a lover or someone you're interested into.
 * In the second version of the first opening of Pokémon the Series: XY (Mega V), Serena looks sad about something and Ash is the only one that notices and calls her to be with him to try to make Serena happy.Covering her.PNG
 * The first Pokemon XY ending theme only shows Ash and Serena's hats, Ash's Pokédex, Serena's guide book and makeup box.
 * At the end of the third Pokemon XY ending theme, DreamDream, while Serena is sleeping, Ash places a blanket over her.
 * Many fans are intrigued by the ending theme since there is a line that says "two people finding a new love" followed by the scene of Ash placing a blanket over Serena.
 * In the episode "Battling on Thin Ice!", when Serena and Ash manage to have a conversion some interesting details are added:
 * After Serena asks Ash if he remembers her, Ash's Pikachu and Fletchling run to Clemont and Bonnie in response, implying that the two Pokémon sense that this is a sensitive moment between Ash and Serena and that they should be left alone.Alexa ships it.PNG
 * As Serena and Ash talk, Alexa is seen smiling at the two of them, suggesting that she enjoys seeing the two of them together and even senses a spark between them. However, she could also be smiling as a response to Serena restoring Ash's motivation to train, by quoting a sentence he once said in his childhood, about "never giving up".
 * Before the start of the rematch between Ash and Viola, Alexa tells Serena when she heard Ash and her talking, he needed some inspiration, but she didn't think it would be from her. This sentence implies that Ash would not be as inspired and determined to win the battle if Serena had not appeared.


 * The Japanese title of "Under the Pledging Tree!" is "Satoshi and Serena's First Date!? The Vow Tree and the Present!!"
 * In this episode, Ash gives Serena a ribbon, which is one of the very few times Ash has ever given a gift to one of his female friends (he gave a Beedrill to Casey in The Bug Stops Here and a flower to Iris in "The Path That Leads to Goodbye!"). It can be noted that unlike when he gave those gifts to Casey and Iris, he gave Serena the ribbon without any advice from another person.
 * The NegaiShippers see this episode as a rival of Ash and Iris's "date" version in "Lost at the Stamp Rally!". While in Iris's version of her "date" with Ash they do many things such as watching an American Football match, playing tennis, going to the Musical Theater and even working together to find the trainer of a female Axew at Nimbasa City, Serena's version of her "date" only have them working together for finding the perfect gifts for their Pokémon before Ash leaves Serena at Coumarine City.
 * Ash and Serena tend to gravitate towards each other a lot during the series. (It could be due to Bonnie and Clemont being siblings, but it's also known that Bonnies is extremely close to Serena and they're often seen together and sleep in the same spaces, just like Clemont and Ash enjoy a lot spending time with each other. So these are still relevant hints.)
 * When Ash and his traveling companions split up to go look for something, he tends to partner up with Serena.
 * When something dangerous happens or they are worried they tend to scream each other's name first and leaving their friends and Pokémon as "others" (Ex: To Catch a Pokémon Smuggler!). Sometimes they are also the only one voicing concern in the first place. It also happened that they would check on each other first and then the others, or focus only and entirely on one another (ex: Mega-Mega Meowth Madness!)
 * They are more often than not sitting besides each other, mostly when eating.
 * So far in the series, four recurring female characters have noted Serena's crush on Ash: Miette, Bonnie, Shauna and Nini. Every time it has been openly discussed with her, rather than attempting to deny it, Serena instead blushes and acts embarrassed.
 * So far Serena is the only companion of Ash who never denied her feelings for him.
 * While she didn't outright confess, the end of the series those feelings are revealed also to Clemont, Pikachu, Dedenne and most importantly Ash, with the french kiss Serena gave him.
 * To date, Serena is the only female traveling companion to ever dress up as and impersonate Ash.
 * Serena is the only one of Ash’s female companions who has kissed him, specifically on the lips.
 * There are other girls that also kissed Ash, but in the cheeks, such as Melody and Bianca from Pokémon Heroes, who are not Ash's female companions.
 * Serena is the first female companion who hasn't either argued or fought with nor insulted or mocked Ash on a regular basis or be easily irritated by his actions.
 * The only time both Ash and Serena had a conflict, it was over something serious instead of childish; to snap Ash back to his senses.
 * The idea to have a romance subplot apparently came from producer Shukichi Kanda who came up with the idea of portraying things though a female lead’s admiration for Ash, which then led to the suggestion that they have a flash back to a childhood meeting with romantic implications.
 * Ash and Serena met each other when they were young at Professor Oak's Summer Camp in Pallet Town. This would make it the first time a traveling companion of Ash's knew him prior to the series.
 * Ash has always shown to be someone who wasn't very interested in shopping and clothing, sometimes showing to be quite inexperienced with his choices. Even in XY series, he expressed displease when accompanying Miette to choose her dress. However, he went shopping 2 times with Serena willingly, one of the two being his idea in the first place to cheer her up and showing genuine enthusiasm and drive when bringing her in front of the shops' windows. He also seems to appreciate both her choices in clothing for herself, and the ones she made for him too.
 * Interestingly, in a Pikachu Short Meloetta's Moonlight Serenade, where there are no human Trainers, when Meowth imagines himself handing Melody Berries to Meloetta and falls in love with that Pokémon, the two strike a similar pose to when Ash gives Serena a blue ribbon. However, this short film was aired before the XY series and therefore, it could be said that they took reference from this short film.
 * In another Pikachu Short Eevee and Friends, a Sylveon appears as the first eeveevolution that appeared before its corresponding generation XY and is the Intertwining Pokémon that has a close relationship with Ash's Pikachu, 3 years before Serena gets her own one evolving Eevee. This is seen as another proof that the writers already had working in Serena and Ash's relationship taking Ash's Pikachu and the future Serena's Sylveon as a base.
 * In the lastest Pikachu Short Pikachu and the Pokémon Music Squad, Serena's Braixen is seen often in front of the squad, near Ash's Pikachu and even sometimes next to him.
 * Serena's cameo in Pokémon Journeys became a trending topic in Twitter (Japan)
 * Authors and Pokémon Company are most probably aware of fans' appreciation towards Serena and her relationship with Ash as many official polls told them so and they acted accordingly after them.
 * On the official Japanese site for Pokémon, a poll for the release of the movie "I choose you" was posted, asking fans who they preffered most of the characters aside Ash and would like to see again. Serena placed 2nd after Brock, with Misty placing 3rd by a huge gap. Some time later, Misty and Brock appeared in Sun&Moon.
 * Serena often placed in top 10/20 of the national characters popularity poll and being the highest scoring of the Pokémon characters. The most recent one she placed 17th.
 * The Pokémon Company International's English Twitter account tweeted the scene where Serena kissed Ash from XY140 on Valentine's Day of 2018 and 2020, and on May 31, 2021.
 * The kiss between Ash and Serena always ranked high among the kiss scenes in anime for Kiss Day in Japan.
 * In 2018 it placed 3rd.
 * In 2019 it placed 8th.
 * In 2020 it place 10th.
 * In 2021 it placed 18th.
 * In 2022 it placed 4th (gaining again popularity after her reappearing in Journeys).
 * SatoSere, since its existence, always placed first in the unofficial but very popular japanese polls about the best Pokémon ship. It similarly happens in the West, in unofficial polls in almost every social media, like Facebook, although sometimes is surpassed by at least one rival ship.
 * In an official Japanese magazine, Serena is also ranked the 14th most popular anime character, surpassing even Ash Ketchum and all other Pokémon characters, becoming the most popular Pokémon character until now.

Reciprocal ships

 * InsectivoreShipping - the ship between Ash's Froakie → Frogadier → Greninja and Serena's Fennekin → Braixen → Delphox
 * SparkRibbonShipping - the ship between Ash's Pichu → Pikachu and Serena's Eevee → Sylveon

Variations

 * MirrorAmourShipping - the ship between Mirror Ash and Mirror Serena, their Mirror World counterparts
 * MirrorKingShipping — the ship between Serena and Mirror Ash, his Mirror World counterpart
 * MirrorQueenShipping — the ship between Ash and Mirror Serena, her Mirror World counterpart
 * AlternateKingShipping — the ship between Serena and Alternate World Ash from Pokémon Journeys.
 * RougeluneShipping — the ship between Serena and Red, Ash's game counterpart
 * MangAmourShipping — the ship between Red and Yvonne Gabena, their manga counterparts
 * AncientAmourShipping — the ship between Ash and Irida, a possible Serena's ancestor from Pokémon Legends: Arceus.
 * NotAmourShipping — the ship between Ash and Professor Serena from Hoenn.
 * AdvancedAmourShipping — the polyship between Ash, Serena and May
 * JauneAmitieShipping — the polyship between Ash, Serena and Clemont
 * ChocolateParfaitShipping — the polyship between Ash, Serena and Cilan.
 * VanilleDynAmourShipping — the polyship between Ash, Serena and Skyla.
 * ImaginAmourShipping — the polyship between Ash, Serena and Bianca from Black and White.
 * LoveYouLikeALoveSongShipping — the polyship between Ash, Serena and Meloetta.

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