Pokémon Sword and Shield players will soon be able to receive the Pokémon that are currently being used by Ash Ketchum in the Pokémon Journeys season of the anime. Ash has assembled a dream team of Pokémon for what may be his final run as the protagonist of the Pokémon anime, as he's currently taking part in the World Coronation Series and facing off against the greatest trainers in the world, including Cynthia from Pokémon Diamond and Pearl and Leon from Pokémon Sword and Shield.
In the past seasons of the Pokémon anime, Ash has assembled a team composed of Pokémon he encounters in the latest region from the games, along with his trusty Pikachu. Things have changed in Pokémon Journeys, as he now has a team of top-class competitive Pokémon from across the different regions of the Pokémon world. As of the time of writing, Ash is using a Dragonite, a Gengar, a Lucario, a Sirfetch'd, a Dracovish, and his Pikachu, which is revealed to have the Gigantamax Pikachu transformation ability. This means Ash has a believable team for taking on the best in the world.
Pokémon trainers on Nintendo Switch will soon be able to use Ash's team for themselves. The Pokémon Company in Japan has announced (via. Serebii on Twitter) that Ash's team will be given away weekly via serial codes, which can be redeemed through the Mystery Gift option in Pokémon Sword and Shield. Five of the Pokémon will be distributed internationally, while the Pikachu wearing Ash's hat might have to be given away via alternate means internationally, as it's being given away via codes distributed during a movie being shown in Japan.
All of Ash's Pokémon are level 80, reflecting their current strength in the Pokémon Journeys anime. The first Pokémon given away will be Dracovish on August 12, the second Pokémon given away will be Dragonite on August 26, the third Pokémon given away will be Gengar on September 2, the fourth Pokémon given away will be Sirfetch'd on September 9, and the final Pokémon given away will be Lucario on September 16. It's possible that these will be the last Mystery Gift Pokémon given away before Pokémon Scarlet and Violet's release date on November 18, barring a last-minute rush of Legendary and Mythical Pokémon, ahead of the Galar region's time comes to a close.
It's strange to think that Ash Ketchum has nearly completed the goal he has been working toward for over 20 years. There is speculation that Ash will defeat Leon and win the World Coronation Series, leading to him stepping down as the protagonist of the Pokémon anime, and either Goh or a new character becomes the lead. If a big showdown between Ash and Leon is on the cards, then players can at least see how things will play out in the video game world, by using Ash's team of Pokémon against the Champion of the Galar region.
Source: Serebii/Twitter