The 25-year-old legacy is finally coming to an end as the Pokemon series is all set to bid adieu to the iconic duo Ash Ketchum and Pikachu in the next iteration of the franchise.
Ash has been on his journey to becoming a Pokemon master for over two decades and he has aged like fine wine, or rather, not aged at all. Age aside, he finally reached his goal in Pokemon Ultimate Journeys: The Series. After defeating Leon in the Pokemon Coronation series, Ash Ketchum got the much-coveted title of Pokemon Master, marking a fitting end to his journey filled with ups and downs.
Now, it is time for others to take the mantle from Ash, and the franchise has opted for not one but two protagonists for the next iteration. Starring Riko and Roy, the new series will feature the starters from Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly. While nothing has been confirmed as of now, the choice of starters makes it quite likely that the series will be set in the Paldea region. For now, the series doesn’t even have a name, and more details will follow in the near future. With the series set to air in 2023, one doesn’t need to wait for long to hear more about what’s next in the Pokemon franchise.
As far as Ash is concerned, there are still a few episodes left in Pokemon Ultimate Journeys: The Series. The next eleven episodes in the series will be concluding Ash’s journey, and also offer fans a glimpse of what is to come in the near future. The trailer offers a nostalgic overview of Ash’s journey, featuring Ash’s adventures over the years along with some of his most popular Pokemon like Charizard, Snorlax, Lapras, and Dragonite. While fans might feel a bit emotional over Ash’s departure, one couldn’t deny the fact that it was high time that Ash became a Pokemon master, and it couldn’t really be a better time to conclude his journey. Whether it takes another three decades for Riko and Roy to achieve their dream is something that remains to be seen.
