20 Pokémon GIFs That'll Make You a Better Friend - Circles Tech

Lessons Pokemon Can Teach You About Friendship

1. Treat your friend's accomplishments like they're your own.

When your friend wants to celebrate something big, like a new job or an impressive win against a gen-II Pokemon, get excited with them. You'll want the same fanfare when it's your moment, too.

2. Stand up for each other.

Someone picking on your best bud? Not on your watch. Let that jerk know you follow the "you mess with one of us, you mess with all of us" mentality. Squirtle's killer shades help, too.

3. Friends don't always tell the truth.

Just because they're your friend doesn't mean they can lie, hypnotize you or take advantage of your gullibility. Friends should always feel like equals.

4. Offer a kind gesture in times of stress.

Friendship isn't all sunshine and daisies, you know. There are going to be days when your BFF loses a fight, and those are the days you need to be waiting with a pat on the back, a tub of ice cream and very large beer to cheer them up.

5. A little competition can be a good thing.

Friends push each other. So when your friend is looking buff after a little extra time at the gym, and is getting more attention when you two go out, channel that jealousy into the motivation you need to step up your game.

6. Everything is more fun when your bestie is doing it with you.

Because let's face it, you have no idea what's happening at this sporting event. You guys are just here because you wanted to wear a kimono and carry pom-poms.

7. Sometimes a boost of confidence is all your friend needs.

When your best bud is struggling, sometimes all it takes is an encouraging word from you to make them find their voice and feel better.

8. Challenge each other.

Pikachu clearly doesn't even lift, bro. But that doesn't mean that Sandshrew isn't going to push him to try.

9. Watch out for each other.

Don't take this one quite as literally as the others, but you see what we're getting at here.

10. You're not always going to get along.

There's going to be a day when the two of you will be spitting fire at one another. Don't worry -- every pair of friends fight. This too shall pass.

11. Don't let an argument come to blows.

Or anything involving hanging your friend by their ankles for that matter. It's just not how friends behave.

12. Go on adventures together.

Nothing is worse than getting stuck in a friendship rut. Trying new things keeps your relationship fresh, and helps you get even closer.

13. Be selfless.

Ask not what your friend can do for you, but what you can do for your friend. Brock knows where it's at.

14. Document important moments.

You're going to want to look back, and see how young and cute you looked before you evolved -- er, grew up.

15. Stay in touch when you're apart.

Even though you can't always be together -- like when one of you has to be thrown into outer space to pay Mew and Mewto a visit -- have faith that your friendship will withstand the test of time as long as you put the effort into it.

16. The friends that laugh together, stay together.

Everything is more fun when your bestie looks as ridiculous as you do.

17. Play to each other's strengths.

Maybe you're not organized or crafty enough to plan that huge party, but your friend might be. Asking them for help will make them feel great, and can be a fun bonding experience.

18. Celebrate.

Celebrate each other. Celebrate you as friends. Celebrate everything. Because these are the moments you'll remember forever.

19. It's all about support.

There's going to be a day when your bestie is going through something rough. Real rough. But don't panic. Just put 'em in the basket of your metaphorical bicycle, and pedal them to brighter days. It's what friends are for.

20. Always choose each other first.

Sometimes you'll win and sometimes you'll lose, but remember that they're always your best friend...

...in a world you must defend. (Sorry, we couldn't resist.)

As a new chapter in the Pokémon saga unfolds, we found ourselves getting nostalgic thinking about everything the franchise has taught us so far.

Aside from less savory lessons one could learn from Pokémon — namely that it's okay to cage wild animals and train them to fight each other — the franchise's heartfelt tale of friendship has been hitting us right in our feels since 1996.

So, we rounded up the most important lessons about friendship that Ash, Brock, Misty and the rest of the Pokémon gang taught us.

First things first, though: We recommend listening to the following tune while flipping through our gallery, above — because everything is better with the Pokémon theme song.

Now, get out there and catch 'em all; but first, tell us your favorite Pokémon moments in the comments, below.