There is quite a lot going on in thePokemonworld. In addition to the release ofPokemon Scarlet and Violet, fans have also been told that Ash and Pikachu will be saying goodbye. The next season of the anime series will feature new protagonists with the starters fromPokemon Scarlet and Violet. This is a very risky move for The Pokemon Company, but it may be worth it.
Pikachu has served as a global mascot for decades, and Ash is a prominent part of the franchise beyond just the anime series. However, a new set of protagonists may be helpful for newcomers who will have new characters to start their Pokemon journey with, rather than jumping into Ash and Pikachu’s already long-running story. Furthermore, long-time fans finally get to seeAsh and Pikachu become Pokemon Championsand move on to the next stage of their lives.
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Pokemon is Increasingly Accommodating Newcomers
Despite being decades old, thePokemonfranchise still has a strong fan base and enjoys global popularity. Nevertheless, for any business that wants to be successful, continued customer acquisition has been a must. Hence, The Pokemon Company is always looking for new ways to draw in more fans and get them hooked on collecting critters. This has arguably been seen with thePokemongames.Pokemon Scarlet and Violetis easily the most accessible title to date, with features such as theTM machine and auto-battlesmaking it easier than ever for new Trainers to get their journey started.
It could be argued that this is also being seen in thePokemonanime series. WithPokemon Journeys, Ash travels with Goh. His companion seldom needs to have battles to catch Pokemon - the hardest part of the ordeal is simply throwing the Poke Ball. This seems to replicate the way players might catch creatures inPokemon GOandPokemon: Let’s Go, EeveeandPikachu. The ease with which Goh catches Pokemon might seem off to series veterans, but it is quite normal to gamers who entered the franchise through the more recently released aforementioned games.
Ash and Pikachu’s departure feels like a natural progression of this desire to make the franchise more accessible to newcomers. Although the iconic duo might hold a strong nostalgic draw for long-time fans, the same is not true for newcomers who may be more open to a new set of characters they can begin a new journey with. It’s a daring move on The Pokemon Company’s part, but it could be a winning move when it comes to accommodating fans who are new to the series.
It Is Time For Ash and Pikachu’s Journey to End
Although it appears that the main benefits of Ash and Pikachu’s departure are for newcomers, long-time fans stand to gain as well. Ash has been on a seemingly eternal quest to become a Pokemon Master. For the first few seasons, it seemed natural that Ash would lose, as he was a new Trainer still learning the ropes. However, aftercatching increasingly powerful Pokemonand gaining experience, fans started questioning why he and Pikachu keep losing. Complaints reached a crescendo when Ash lost the Kalos League inPokémon the Series: XY Kalos Quest, even with his Greninja going up against a Charizard.
Ash and Pikachu’s departure may be sad, but it comes with the wonderful gift that fans have always been asking for: character development. WithAsh finally the Pokemon World Championhe always dreamed of, following his adventures would not serve the purpose the anime series always has, which is to mirror the game’s story of working towards becoming a Pokemon Champion. With new characters, viewers will be able to witness new characters go through the trials and tribulations Ash experienced before he finally achieved his goal.
Thenew era of thePokemonanime seriescould be great for both newcomers and longtime fans, though only will tell as the new protagonists have brilliant predecessors to outshine. If done correctly, Ash and Pikachu’s departure could save the series from stagnancy. If it fails, Ash and Pikachu can always make a return.
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