The Pokemon anime has been running almost as long as the video games, and it has become a great way for fans to familiarize themselves with all the creatures that inhabit different regions. Although each episode brings new adventures and characters, Ash and Pikachu have been the face of the since its conception. Things are going to change on April 14 when the next arc of the Pokemon anime begins.This time around, long-time protagonists Ash and Pikachu won't be present. While this will be sad for fans who have grown attached to these characters, it also gives the anime a chance to grow by introducing new protagonists. With fresh characters leading the anime, the formula could be reinvigorated in creative ways, giving newcomers and veterans reasons to tune in.
Pokemon Fans Will Say Goodbye to Ash and Pikachu on April 14
The Pokemon anime series began with Ash Ketchum and his partner Pikachu. Although Pikachu isn't one of the regular starters for the Kanto region, the duo make their relationship work and soon become inseparable. Ash starts quite incompetent, not knowing a thing about type effectiveness or even how to catch a Pokemon. However, through trial and error, as well as help from friends he meets along the way like Misty, May, Brock, and Goh, he eventually becomes a powerful Trainer with a strong stable of Pokemon.
Despite the improvements he makes, viewers often complained that Ash never won a championship. In some instances it makes sense, as he is simply outclassed or lacks adequate control over his Pokemon. However, in other battles, it seems like he deserves a win that never comes. Eventually, this made it feel as though Ash's experience meant nothing, and that he would infinitely be stuck in a cycle of attending tournaments and losing, never able to achieve his dream of being a Pokemon Master.
This changed with the Sun and Moon-era of the anime, and Pokemon Journeys surprised fans again when Ash finally won a tournament against Leon, making him the Pokemon World Champion. Although this means fans finally got what they wanted, it has led to very bitter developments, as the next series of the Pokemon anime will not feature the duo that has been integral to the entire franchise for decades, with Pikachu becoming so popular that it now serves as a mascot for all things Pokemon.
Fans Must Usher In a New Era of Pokemon Anime
The departure of Ash and Pikachu will be sad for longtime fans, but there is an upside. With Ash and Pikachu out of the way, the anime has a chance to introduce new characters on their own adventures. Not much has been revealed about the upcoming series of the Pokemon anime, though the two protagonists have been shown. It will star a blue-haired girl named Liko and a red-haired boy named Roy in the Japanese version. The three starters from Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are also visible in promotional art, though it is not clear yet how they will tie into the story. The last episodes of Pokemon Journeys showed Team Rocket hunting down Sprigatito, making it likely that the dastardly gang will return to cause trouble for a new set of twerps.
The next series of the Pokemon anime will begin airing on April 14 in Japan, though its launch date in the West has yet to be announced. There are plenty more Pokemon releases ahead in 2023 and beyond, including possible Scarlet and Violet DLC. The first batch of Scarlet and Violet Pokemon VGC products will also hit stores on March 31, so there's no chance the brand will slow down even as it retires one icon.