End of an era: Pokémon retires Ash and his Pikachu after 25 years

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Ash Ketchum, the protagonist of the Pokémon anime since April 1997, hangs up his hat after 25 years.

The Pokémon Company has announced that Ash and Pikachu will appear in 11 additional episodes to conclude the story of the iconic duo. In a press release, The Pokémon Company confirmed that these episodes will feature fan-favorite Pokémon and characters, including Misty and Brock, in addition to giving fans a glimpse into the future of Ash and his Pikachu. These episodes will air in Japan from January 13, 2023.

"The upcoming special episodes not only celebrate Ash's monumental achievement, but they also act as an expression of Pokémon's gratitude to all the fans who have joined him and his partner Pokémon Pikachu along the way", said the Pokémon Company.< /p>

This move is somewhat surprising given how iconic Ash is for Pokémon. However, there were clues. The final season of the anime — Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series — ended with Ash becoming world champion.

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It's hard to overstate the impact of the Pokémon anime on the franchise. It served as an easy entry point and helped make Pokémon the most valuable media franchise in the world. It also introduced the anime to many viewers outside of Japan. Especially for fans who grew up with Ash and Pikachu, this change will be emotional.

While details on the sequel to the series are scarce, the announcement teased the new protagonists of the next chapter of the anime inspired by Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. The series will feature the region's starters - Sprigatito, Fuecoco and Quaxly - as well as the legendary Rayquaza.

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