Pokémon’s long-running anime series will say farewell to Ash Ketchum and his loyal Pikachu after 25 years. Truly a sad day for OG anime fans out there, isn’t it?
It comes after the character fulfilled his dream to “be the very best, like no one ever was” and became the top trainer in the world.
Now, the next series of the anime show will focus on dual protagonists named Liko and Roy, joined by three Paldea starter Pokemon.
The change is set to occur for Japanese viewers in 2023 following an 11-episode arc chronicling the “final chapter in Ash and Pikachu’s story,” according to the trailer. These episodes will feature the return of fan-favorite characters from throughout the series, including Gary Oak, Misty and Brock.
Ash’s journey throughout the anime has been to try to become a world champion — to be the best like no one ever was, and now that he’s finally achieved it, it makes sense for the series to try to move on to other characters and other stories.
For a kid who set out to become the very best, it felt as if there was little else to go. Still, it’s a momentous moment for the long-running anime and for the Pokémon franchise in general.
That seems to be an aching and surreal theme of Pokémon right now, as even the games have shifted their stories to aspects of the universe that go beyond competitive sport. Both Pokémon Legends: Arceus and Pokémon Scarlet and Violet had stories that weren’t so fixated on being a Pokémon League champion, and they were much more compelling for it. So as sad as it is to say goodbye, maybe our legendary Ash needed to accomplish his goals so the anime could find new ones.
