After its evolution and into the Ula Ula trials, Lycanroc got primary use.

Rowlet was used mainly through the Melemele and Akala trials. Character Focus: Compared to previous teams, all of Ash's Alola Pokemon largely get equal limelight, though spread about in lengthy durations through the series.The Bus Came Back: Returned in JN037 when Ash and Goh visited Alola.

Broken Win/Loss Streak: It is this team that grant Ash his first league victory since the Orange League all the way back in the original series and his first ever league victory in a region based on the games.

Additionally, instead of staying with Professor Oak following the end of his travels in the region, they actually stay with Professor Kukui.

He also never caught any Water-type Pokémon. Meltan also exists as his first ever Steel-type, as well as his first ever officially caught Mythical Pokémon.

Breaking Old Trends: The first team of Ash's that lacks the regional bird Pokémon, with Rowlet instead filling the role and having been raised by a flock of them.

Melmetal decided to go with Ash when it saw its trusting nature and understood that it wanted to stay with Rowlet.

Naganadel really wanted to be with Ash when he saved it from Team Rocket and showed it how PokéBalls work.

Incineroar came with Ash when he didn't leave its side when it was depressed about its mentor's passing.

Lycanroc joined Ash when he helped it learn a new move and used it to defeat a wild Pokémon in battle.

Rowlet decided to join Ash and became his other partner because he saved it from falling then brought it some food to eat when it got hungry.

The Alola team all joined Ash because of the kind things he did for them.

Even the lowly Rowlet is shown capable of defeating things bigger than itself consistently and Incineroar was even able to defeat Kukui's seemingly unstoppable Incineroar as a Torracat even after taking a nasty beating following Kukui's Incineroar boosting itself with Bulk Up and without the need to evolve mid-fight. Not to mention it has among its ranks a special form Pokemon, a Mythical Pokemon and (temporarily) an Ultra Beast with all three being powerhouses on their own right.

Badass Crew: In spite of their goofiness, this might be one of Ash's most battle-solid and strongest teams with all of its members never getting less wins than losses and having overall strong showings.

note Lycanroc's dialogue is translated as using male pronouns in SM126, while all of them wear amulets for their Ultra Guardian attire compared to the ribbons usually equipped to Pokemon officially female. The best the others get are implied hints. Nebby, Naganadel and Melmetal are biologically genderless however.

Ambiguous Gender: Besides Pikachu, none of the Alola team have confirmed genders.

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