Ash Ketchum’s Journey Ends After 25 Years, Fulfilling Conditions of Pokemon Anime Director from 2008
Back in 2008, I interviewed Masamitsu Hidaka, the original director of the Pokemon anime. It was in these interviews that Hidaka revealed behind the scenes information about the show. For example, Celebi was originally intended to be in the GS Ball.
I asked Hidaka if Ash would ever become a Pokemon Master:
Now an overall question about the show. Will Ash ever become a Pokemon Master? [Hidaka] laughed and fell back on the couch. He blatantly said that when Ash becomes a Pokemon Master, the show will end.
Masamitsu Hidaka’s answer has now become true.
Ash’s journey will be coming to an end after 25 seasons. As most fans know, Ash just won the World Coronation Series, defeating Leon to become the world’s top Pokemon Trainer. TPCi announced:
Following Ash’s historic win as Pokémon World Champion — the culmination of his adventures spanning 25 seasons — fans can commemorate his storied journey with a collection of special episodes to conclude “Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series.” These episodes will feature fan-favorite Pokémon and characters, including Misty and Brock, and they will provide a glimpse at what the future may hold for the world’s strongest Trainer in this final chapter for Ash and his Pikachu.
The forthcoming special episodes not only celebrate Ash’s monumental achievement, but they also act as an expression of gratitude from Pokémon to all the fans who have joined him and his partner Pokémon Pikachu along the way.
Sarah Natochenny has voiced Ash since 2005. She made the following statement on Twitter:
It’s been an extraordinary privilege to have been the English voice of Ash Ketchum for what will be 17 years. No matter what lies beyond his final chapter, he’ll live forever in the hearts of many generations to come. I’ll keep him present for all of us in every way I can. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/UZxPO4xD6E
— Sarah Natochenny (@sarahnatochenny) December 16, 2022
Recent episodes of the anime already had a “finality” to them. For example, they showed all of Ash’s old Pokemon, including Pokemon he released. They also showed all his previous traveling companions. Many fans were already wondering if Ash’s journey was over. They were correct.
So what will happen now? A new show featuring two new characters will debut in Japan following the latest season. New characters Liko and Roy will travel across the Pokemon world with Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly.
The Pokémon Company group announced a new Pokémon animated series that will follow a never-before-seen storyline and characters — including dual protagonists named Liko and Roy in the Japanese version of the series — as they set off on action-packed adventures across the Pokémon world.
The new series will premiere across markets in 2023 and beyond, and it will feature Paldea first partner Pokémon Sprigatito, Fuecoco and Quaxly from the Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet video games, as well as the Legendary Pokémon Rayquaza in its Shiny form. Fans can look forward to unraveling the mysteries of the Pokémon world — from exciting Trainer battles to fun Pokémon encounters.
The upcoming story will debut after the current season of the Pokémon animation, “Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series,” which features Ash Ketchum and his Pikachu winning the Masters Eight Tournament of the Pokémon World Coronation Series.
A new show with new characters will give the anime flexibility to tell different stories. Some fans have expressed interest in a show without Ash since Generation II, so let’s hope this one lives up to our expectations.
We’ll miss you, Ash and Pikachu! The end of an era.
