On her tenth birthday after receiving her first starter Pokemon Torchic, May’s bicycle got burned from Pikachu using Thunderbolt on it as Team Rocket was trying to capture Pikachu. Once Ash discovers Pikachu with May and Professor Birch, the two young kids talk and the Professor persuades them both to travel together. May agrees to join Ash on his journey along with May’s seven year old brother Max, who helps the gang with his knowledge of Pokemon. Originally, May hated Pokemon but over time she grew to love them so much she decided to become a Pokemon Contest Coordinator.