Even before 2023 had started, Pokemon was already making headlines, from big changes for its long-running anime to prospective updates for its latest ninth generation, so expectations are already high for where the series will go for the year. Currently, Pokemon is still riding the momentum it gained from Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. Still, players are already setting their sights on future content whether it has already been confirmed, is currently suspected, or is only rumored. As a result, with fans already trying to preempt Pokemon, 2023 has a lot to deliver if it's to live up to this hype.

At present, what has been confirmed so far has already set the stage for 2023 with hints to even greater potential for Pokemon's future, ranging from something huge like Ash Ketchum's retirement from the anime to ongoing updates to side games like Pokemon Unite and Pokemon GO. Beyond this, future prospects for 2023 that have yet to be confirmed but seem very likely include Scarlet and Violet DLC and possibly even Gen 5 remakes, with some even theorizing that after Pokemon Legends: Arceus' success a follow-up is sure to come. With this ever-expanding multimedia empire, Pokemon has a big year ahead.

RELATED: One Year Later, Pokemon Legends: Arceus Still Has Plenty of Lessons to Teach

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet DLC 2023

pokemon scarlet violet dlc kalos

Despite a rocky start for Pokemon's inception of its ninth generation, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet have gradually worked their way into players' hearts, even if it might be a little rough around the edges. However, just as Pokemon Sword and Shield broke with tradition by offering DLC unlike past titles in the franchise, fans are now anticipating the same for Scarlet and Violet. But while nothing has been officially confirmed so far, there are signs that Scarlet and Violet have more to deliver for 2023, with teased new Legendaries and Paradox Pokemon to already-leaked Hisuian Pokemon that should come to Paldea sometime in the near future. As such, the most likely outcome is that Gen 9 will also get an expansion pass or DLC to offer more content for players to tackle.

Everything Happening in Pokemon GO in 2023

PokemonGODefault

Even though it creeps closer to a decade old, Pokemon GO has been going strong since its heyday in 2016. Yet, despite its age, it still has ample more to bring across from the main games such as a sizable range of Pokemon between Gens 4 and 8 - not to mention the addition of Gen 9 to the mix. At least Gen 3 has been fully incorporated into Pokemon GO with the inclusion of Kecleon as the last remaining Hoenn Pokemon, even alongside the revelation that Primal Reversion, seen in Pokemon Alpha Sapphire and Omega Ruby, will be also added to the game.

Beyond this, Niantic continues into 2023 with its ongoing efforts to keep the game fresh and interesting, reflected in the already numerous updates for monthly or special celebratory events, quest lines, Community Days, and more. Already January has seen the likes of Chespin and Larvitar feature for Pokemon GO's Community Days, and Noibat is set to start off February, while further into the year fans suspect that Froakie and Fennekin will likely also take center stage to round off the Gen 6 starters. Not to mention the prospects of Pokemon GO's annual "GO Fest" which, judging by current clues, could take trainers to Hoenn with upcoming Primal Kyogre and Groudon.

Pokemon Unite and Other Updates in 2023

pokemon-unite-newest-pokemon-february-2023-comfey

Aside from Pokemon GO, the series has a growing number of satellite games that have since joined its overall roster, many of which match the current industry trend with a free-to-play model. In particular, the series' entry into MOBA territory with Pokemon Unite saw a meteoric rise, outpacing the likes of Pokemon ReMix Cafe and Pokemon Masters EX since its release. With no signs of slowing down moving into 2023, it's already been confirmed it will continue to add cosmetic items and new playable Pokemon like Fairy-types, with Pokemon Unite getting Comfey into the mix or the leaked Zacian, as well as ongoing nerfs and buffs to its current roster.

RELATED: Exploring Pokemon's Lesser-Known Mobile Games

Meanwhile, other games appear set to maintain course, with ReMix Cafe and Masters EX similarly keeping a regular schedule moving into 2023. Given the age of these other games and displaced popularity by the likes of Unite or Pokemon GO's unrivaled longevity, it could become anticipated among fans that, like other Pokemon mobile-centric games, these will gradually be phased out as the series moves forward into Gen 9. However, with projected updates such as Umbreon's February spotlight in ReMix Cafe or Masters EX's ongoing improvements and new sync pairs, they don't appear to be slowing down any time soon.

Pokemon Legends or Pokemon Black and White Remakes in 2023 and Beyond

nintendo-switch-pokemon-black-and-white-reshiram-zekrom-gamerant-2

Despite Pokemon Legends: Arceus having only been released in 2022 and with Pokemon Scarlet and Violet so soon after, it's unlikely that 2023 will see a new Pokemon Legends game in Gen 9. But following the figurative and literal historic spin-off's success it seems inevitable that Game Freak would want to capitalize on this, especially when considering it has all but been confirmed that Hisuian Pokemon will be joining Scarlet and Violet. Therefore, it's possible that it could at least be confirmed in 2023 that a future Pokemon Legends game is in the works at a later date, though potentially alongside equally likely Gen 5 remakes.

While Pokemon Legends is only a hope among fans, a remake of Pokemon Black and White seems to be a very plausible thing from their perspective. Traditionally, remakes of every generation have always followed with each new generation, giving older games a facelift in graphics and in some cases even a revamp to their story. After Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, however, players are no longer so sure what a remake might bring, as for the first time development was outsourced. Since both Gen 4 and Gen 5 were released to the DS, many expect that developer ILCA could again oversee Black and White's remakes.

But while this would appear to make the most sense, Gen 5 poses a unique challenge never before faced by remakes, as it's the first generation to have seen direct sequels to previous games with Pokemon Black 2 and White 2. As these are technically different games within the same generation, it's uncertain how Game Freak or any other developer might approach this. The most likely outcomes are either to release two sets of remakes respectively or to combine the two sets of games to create one all-encompassing story similar to the changes in Alpha Sapphire and Omega Ruby with Primal Reversion, Rayquaza, and Deoxys.

However, similar to the prospects of a new Legends game, it's highly unlikely that Black and White will be released in 2023, but they could still get official confirmation from The Pokemon Company further down the line. If this were the case, then that could be a strong indication for fans to anticipate a new Legends game to compliment the Black and White remakes, just as Legends: Arceus had with Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. With Unova's rich history, it has already been a fan-favorite choice for a second Legends game, which could work well in Game Freak's favor.

RELATED: What Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Development Cycle Could Mean For Gen 5 Remakes and Pokemon Legends

Pokemon TCG 2023 Releases

pokemon-tcg-cards

Even with the announcement that Pokemon TCG Online would be shutting down with the intention to migrate players to Pokemon TCG Live, it's beyond clear that the official trading card game still remains the powerhouse it had always been. This is especially true with streamers and other online personalities using Pokemon cards as part of their content. Thus, following in the wake of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, the TCG is set to add the latest Gen 9 Pokemon in March 2023, eventually becoming legal for Standard and Expanded formats in tournaments after the initial two weeks wait. Between Paradox Pokemon and Terastallization, the TCG meta is going to significantly expand this year.

Early Scarlet and Violet TCG product breakdowns showcase an expanded offering to justify recent hikes in prices among visual changes to give the new generation a distinctive look and feel. Some Terastallized Pokemon cards have already been either leaked or revealed and despite hopes that TCG would do something unique with Scarlet and Violet's battle mechanic gimmick, it's still being well-received. With the prospect of future Scarlet and Violet DLC on the horizon and the Crown Zenith expansion released in January 2023, the TCG is going to keep growing and evolving in the year to come.

Pokemon Anime is in for Some Big Shake-Ups in 2023

Pokemon Liko and Roy

However, in spite of everything else going on with Pokemon, one of the biggest revelations announced in 2022 in preparation for its new Scarlet and Violet series in 2023 was the historic retirement of Ash Ketchum as the anime's lead character. After being the literal face of the anime alongside his partner Pikachu since 1997, Ash Ketchum's journey is about to officially come to an end after decades of multiple series and movies. While it is arguably the only logical outcome for a perpetually young trainer to have traveled to so many regions for so long, it still came as a shock to the Pokemon community that the decision had finally been made.

Now, with new Pokemon anime protagonists Liko and Roy having been revealed to lead the anime, 2023 will see the start of a new era for Pokemon. At present, it isn't yet clear if the pair will capture fans' hearts the same way that Ash and Pikachu had, with challenges posed such as starter Pokemon being tied to generations while Pikachu is a timeless partner or balancing two characters' arcs instead of just one with Ash. But just as the games themselves have evolved over the years, from open-world design to gender non-conforming trainers, so too could the anime lead Pokemon to new horizons.

MORE: Why Leaving Ash and Pikachu Behind is Worth the Risk for the Pokemon Anime