This Just In: Ash Ketchum Finally Hangs Up His Hat for Two New Protagonists
After 26 years, Ash Ketchum, AKA Satoshi, AKA the anime equivalent of Red from the very first generation of Pokemon, will no longer be the star of the show. Having defeated the world’s greatest trainers in the Masters Eight Tournament of the Pokémon World Coronation Series, he can finally rest on his achievements.
Farewell to the King
Since 1998 in the western world, Ash has been the only trainer in the main spotlight. In the latest season, Goh was the first dual protag to share the fame with him. Yet, it seems both of their stories will come to a close on December 23rd this year. A farewell special episode will air in Japan and later in the west to celebrate Ash’s 26 year legacy at the age of 10. After all these years, Ash literally has not aged a day.
You can feel exactly how long Ash’s journey has been after watching the original promo video for the Pokemon series in the west!
Sarah Natochenny, the voice of Ash for more than 15 years, released a statement as a farewell to the role. She has voiced Ash since the Ruby & Sapphire season all the way back in 2005.
Move over Ash, the Next Generation of Protagonists Are Here
Enter Liko and Roy, at least that’s their names in Japan! Their western localized names have not been revealed as of this time. The three starters from Scarlet and Violet, Sprigatito, Fuecoco and Quaxly, including a shiny black Rayquaza from the third generation of Pokemon will also make an appearance. The anime will simply be called “Pocket Monsters” in Japan. That’s all we know so far, as well as some shots from the anime with what seems to be the female protag in a school uniform and her first encounter with Sprigatito.
You can view the official video announcement below!
