Ash Ketchum is indeed a male character in the Pokémon anime. Throughout the series, Ash is consistently referred to as a boy and is portrayed as a young male trainer on his journey to become a Pokémon Champion. While his gender is never explicitly stated in every episode, it is clear through his appearance, voice, and the way he is addressed by other characters.
In terms of appearance, Ash has typical male characteristics such as short hair, a flat chest, and a more masculine clothing style. He is often seen wearing a cap, a symbol commonly associated with boys in many cultures. Additionally, his voice is consistently portrayed by male voice actors in both the English and Japanese versions of the anime.
Furthermore, Ash is addressed using male pronouns throughout the series. Other characters, including his friends, rivals, and Pokémon, refer to him as “he” and “him.” This consistent use of male pronouns reinforces Ash’s gender identity as male.
As a personal experience, growing up watching the Pokémon anime, I always perceived Ash as a male character. His gender was never a point of confusion or debate among fans or within the series itself. The narrative always presents Ash as a young boy on a quest to become a Pokémon Master, and his gender is never questioned or explored in any significant way.
To summarize, Ash Ketchum is a male character in the Pokémon anime. This is evident through his appearance, voice, and how he is referred to by other characters. His gender identity as a male is consistently portrayed throughout the series, leaving no room for doubt or confusion.