As everyone is well aware by now, Ash is reaching the end of the road as Pokemon's main icon, leaving some room for fresh faces to join the franchise. Fans are slowly piecing the puzzle together as The Pokemon Company releases titbits of information (usually on Fridays) to introduce intriguing anime-original characters into the mix.
New visuals were revealed on March 17, 2023, with an entirely different tone than previous debuts, which have been altogether lighthearted and wholesome showcases of the upcoming Pokemon protagonists. Liko and Roy are due to spearhead the new narrative, accompanied by Professor Friede, Captain Pikachu, and the crew, as they highlight the wonders of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's new Paldea Region.
The Explorers: Amejo & Ceruledge
Amejo, Jil, and Konia (spelling and correlating English names not yet confirmed) form part of the all-new Explorers, who are due to play a key role in Liko and Roy's adventures. Amejo (Shun Horie) appears to be the leader of the pack, claiming the spotlight in The Explorers' teaser trailer, accompanied by his sensational Fire/Ghost-Type Pokemon. Ceruledge is a new addition to the franchise, arriving on the scene alongside several others with Pokemon Scarlet and Violet in November 2022.
This Paldea Pokemon comes across as stern and merciless, fueled by "the lingering resentment of a sword wielder who fell before accomplishing their goal." It seems that cute and cuddly is off the table for this pair, as Amejo exudes a similarly sinister aura to his Pokemon partner. Compared to the first impressions made by Liko, Roy, and their adorable companions, Amejo and his Explorers could plausibly be the Team Rocket replacements, acting more as villains than mere rivals.
Jil & Konia: Paying Homage to Generation I
Jil (Kohsuke Tanabe) is joined by Rhydon who, up until now has had intermittent yet altogether insignificant roles in the anime, despite being a first Generation Pokemon. It's nice to see that some old-timers will still feature in the new series for nostalgic fans to connect with, instead of solely focusing the attention on Paldea's newbies. Konia (Arisa Shida) will also represent the earliest Pokemon creations with her Golduck, which could also be seen as a nod to Misty and her Psyduck (which never evolved in the anime and was often used purely for comic relief without exploring Pysduck's potential much).
It is unclear if Jil and Konia will be the new Jessie and James of the show, or if all three Explorers will work together; however, their concept art suggests they (and their corresponding Pokemon) are more playful than their presumed leader, Amejo. Speaking of playful, another colorful character sneaks into The Explorers' big reveal, although they are seemingly unrelated to the forboding team. Sending out some strong Bill vibes (from Pokemon Indigo's "Mystery at the Lighthouse," and more) Gurumin shows up in full Pokemon attire, dressed head-to-toe in Nidorina gear as the official Video streamer of the group, and is voiced by Bocchi the Rock's Yoshino Aoyama. For the time being, signs suggest that Gurumin is a girl; however, no confirmations have been made regarding this content creator's identity so far.