Ash is portrayed as Tyler's neighbour and he's often compared by professor Oak because of his impunctuality when picking uip his starter. It's never specified if Tyler knew Ash at some point of their lives, however he was 7 when Ash started his journey, Tyler was in Ash's goodbye along with his neighbours that day and he also attended post-Indigo League party that Pallet Town neighbours made to Ash. Ash was also indirectly mentioned by Misty when Tyler battled her at Cerulean Gym by saying: