Perhaps everyone grew up with Ash and Pikachu. Now, it’s time for them to say goodbye.
Just a month after Ash and Pikachu’s victory at the Masters Eight Tournament and finally becoming the very best (the top Pokémon trainer in the world), producers of the beloved anime series have shocked fans with their latest announcement for Pokémon’s newest installment: Ash Ketchum and Pikachu’s story has now come to an end.
An all-new Pokémon series has been announced!
Join 2 new characters and 3 Paldea starter Pokémon as they adventure through the Pokémon world! Plus, commemorate Ash’s journey with special episodes concluding Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series.
Coming soon in 2023 and beyond! pic.twitter.com/2lrM6W1dgW
— Pokémon (@Pokemon) December 16, 2022
Ash and Pikachu’s final chapter is set to be released on January 11, 2023, featuring 11 special episodes and appearances from some familiar faces (Brock and Misty!). After these final episodes with Ash and Pikachu, the anime series will now follow the adventures of Liko and Roy, the 2 new protagonists, accompanied by the 3 starter Pokémon introduced in the newest Pokémon games—Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly.
Fans young and old paid their tributes and farewells to the two most beloved characters in the anime world, and Sarah Natochenny, the English voice actress of Ash, did the same.
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
25 years ago Ash saw a certain Pokemon in the sky.
A few days ago he finally met it up close in the last (regular) episode of the show. 😢
11 special episodes will start to air in January to conclude Ash and Pikachu's story. 😭
More info: https://t.co/dU9kyWutym pic.twitter.com/98u5qCmkcV
— PokeBeach.com 💧 (@pokebeach) December 20, 2022
We never got to see a grown up Ash Ketchum and Pikachu now they make a whole new Pokemon series without them 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/yG0xh08qLD
— Red ❤️🔥 (@RedLightning420) December 16, 2022
Ash Ketchum leaving really is a domino effect for the Pokemon Anime
It also likely means we will never see Pikachu, Team Rocket, Misty, Brock, and others ever again, if very rarely
It's gonna be an emotional farewell if that's the case. pic.twitter.com/K4cvaiy46e
— TRAFON(s Backup Account) (@RiseFallNickBck) December 17, 2022
Ash Ketchum and Pikachu are set to leave as protagonists of the #Pokémon anime in 2023
End of an era pic.twitter.com/JoM5MObMSl
— Culture Crave 🍿 (@CultureCrave) December 16, 2022
Ash Ketchum and Pikachu are departing ‘Pokémon’ after 25 years and will be replaced by two new protagonists. pic.twitter.com/2LVed3bFQv
— Pop Base (@PopBase) December 16, 2022
An incredible 25 year journey like no other! This is truly the end of a very joyful era. Ash and Pikachu and are the heart of Pokémon. Ash may not age, but we have all grown up with their friendship and adventures❤️ https://t.co/tikruUnBXe
— Veronica Taylor (@TheVeronicaT) December 17, 2022
After 25 years of being the faces of the Pokémon anime, Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town and his partner, Pikachu conclude their time in the Pokémon anime. Years of development, battles, life lessons and emotional moments have finally now all come full circle ❤️💔 #Anipoke pic.twitter.com/NpsQlNOMj8
— Rafi (@ThePokeRaf) December 16, 2022
yes i cried over the ash and pikachu news, and you did too https://t.co/P2aCpAFyCz
— allegra frank (@LegsFrank) December 16, 2022
I love this scene so much, it's sweet 😭
I love how Ash, Go, and Koharu talked about how much they've been through together, and learned/changed with Pikachu, Cinderace, and Eevee – their respective partners, and everything about Pokémon, and thanked each other pic.twitter.com/5LC7L6jmLe
— 🎄Angel (10-4)🎄 (@Games23_) December 12, 2022
WAIT HOLY SHIT ASH AND PIKACHU DID IT
THEY ARE GROWING UP!?
NO I CANT PROCESS THIS
ITS BEEN 30 YEARS ALMOST OF POKÉMON WITH THEM
HE’S FINALLY AGING
DONT DO IT
GROWING UP SUCKS— Zentreya ⚡VSHOJO (@zentreya) December 16, 2022
Pokémon: Aim To Be A Pokémon Master could be the final chance to see certain events before Ash and Pikachu leave. These 11 episodes could finally grant viewers wishes. Imagine if Ash catches a Legendary. Imagine if all of Ash’s Pokémon are together. It’s so exciting 🙏🏼 #Anipoke
— Rafi (@ThePokeRaf) December 19, 2022
I just found out Ash and Pikachu are done starring as the main characters of the Pokemon anime after 25 years. So he's now a Pokemon Master and he's retiring. Reuniting with his Butterfree and just done
I might cry 😭😭😭
Nobody can say Ash doesn't have GRIT https://t.co/Yp5pXwKa5J
— Ray "extremely hardcore" Wong (@raywongy) December 16, 2022
Ash and pikachu weren't just the main characters, they were the mascots of Pokemon imo. It would be like mickey mouse stepping down, and some nigga named Philip Porcupine shows up. Even if you dont watch it, you know the familiarity is there in the background. https://t.co/stgaOfvV3A
— Mightykeef (@MightyKeef) December 16, 2022
Ash recalls the first day of his and Pikachu’s adventure pic.twitter.com/gu0RLz4HsP
— Pokemon Gems (@PokemonGems) December 16, 2022
Ash and Pikachu no longer being the main characters in Pokémon breaks my millennial heart and has cemented the fact that I'm getting old
— courtney 🥀 (@littlemoogles_) December 19, 2022
so wild that we'll no longer see ash and pikachu in the pokémon anime. grateful to have grown up with their story, i am pretty sure i wouldn't have gotten through a lot of my childhood without it
goddamnit 🥺 pic.twitter.com/i1VFVoNFwP
— sierraplusultra ☆ (@sierraplusultra) December 16, 2022
In her Tweet, Sarah Natochenny said, “No matter what lies beyond his final chapter, he’ll live forever in the hearts of many generations to come.” Which tbh, rings so true. In Ash and Pikachu’s 25-year run as the series’ protagonists, they have accompanied almost every single one of us from the beginning.
With their legacy now intact, especially after Ash finally becoming the top trainer in the world (while remaining 10-years-old) after 25 years, it’s no doubt that they’ll continue to be remembered by everyone.
It’s been a good run with you guys, Ash and Pikachu! Thank you for teaching us to never give up on our dreams, and to just keep persevering no matter what obstacle comes our way.
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