win.gg
Win.gg Pokemon Pokémon community reacts to all-new series with new characters

Pokémon community reacts to all-new series with new characters

Olivia Richman
Olivia Richman Published 16/12/2022

It appears that Ash Ketchum’s story may be coming to an end after all, as the new Pokemon series will no longer center around the storied protagonist.

The Pokemon community has been worried about the future of the animated series after Ash became a Pokemon Champion. It seemed like insiders had officially confirmed that Ash was remaining in the anime, although it was unclear what his new journey would be. But now, it seems that he won’t be the main protagonist anymore.

On Twitter, the official Pokemon account announced that two new characters would star in an all-new Pokemon series coming in 2023. While this was exciting news, most fans were focused on the second part of the statement, which said that Ash’s journey was being “commemorated” with special episodes that would “conclude” Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series.

https://twitter.com/Pokemon/status/1603699094689652736?s=20&t=64hROO7GoJrKjswMSMMhEg

Is Ash Ketchum leaving the Pokemon anime series?

The new information above has many Pokemon fans assuming that Ash Ketchum’s time in the anime series is ending, especially since it seemed like a heartfelt sendoff was coming.

But this doesn’t necessarily mean that Ash Ketchum is leaving the new Pokemon anime altogether. It’s possible that he will still be in the series as a side character, maybe offering his advice to the two new characters. The official video even states that the goal of being a Pokemon Master never ends.

Despite the open-ended possibilities, the community is sad to see Ash Ketchum’s role as the lead protagonist coming to an end.

https://twitter.com/MVG_Mew2King/status/1603788918243180545?s=20&t=64hROO7GoJrKjswMSMMhEg

https://twitter.com/sarahnatochenny/status/1603709125640310785?s=20&t=64hROO7GoJrKjswMSMMhEg

https://twitter.com/Michael16080771/status/1603701638220632065?s=20&t=64hROO7GoJrKjswMSMMhEg

https://twitter.com/madhurgupta05/status/1603706058534703104?s=20&t=64hROO7GoJrKjswMSMMhEg

https://twitter.com/TropicalMaku/status/1603700133966684161?s=20&t=64hROO7GoJrKjswMSMMhEg

The overall consensus is that Ash Ketchum and other original characters will be sorely missed.

Meanwhile, not much is known about the two new characters, who appear to be a young boy and girl. The girl has black and blue hair and a stylish jacket. Her starter appears to be the grass-type Sprigatito. The red-haired boy has on a baseball cap, a black vest, and is pictured alongside fire starter Fuecoco.

When does the new Pokemon anime start?

There is no official date for the new Pokemon anime but it will be starting in 2023. Until then, fans of the series can watch the final chapter in Ash and Pikachu’s journey, which is sure to be an emotional episode.

Olivia Richman Olivia Richman
About Olivia Richman

Olivia has worked in media ever since graduating from college, with her coverage ranging from traditional newspaper reporting to digital coverage of all things gaming, online betting, and nerd culture. She has traveled around the world pursuing that coverage, from the far coasts of the United States to the busy downtown core of Tokyo, Japan. Olivia’s favorite games include Overwatch and Super Smash Smash Bros, and she has been published at Esports Illustrated, Inven Global, EsportsInsider, Upcomer, and elsewhere.

View full profile
Read Also
Nintendo Direct June 2026: Zelda, Fire Emblem, Pokémon DLC, and more announced News
Nintendo Direct June 2026: Zelda, Fire Emblem, Pokémon DLC, and more announced Zachary Roberts After months of waiting, a real Nintendo Direct was announced for June 9, accompanied by a Treehouse Live afterward. There hasn't been one since August, which left the Nintendo Switch 2 pretty barren in terms of first-party titles. That changed with this stream. Here's everything that was announced. First up, the initial reveal at the June Nintendo Direct was Rhythm Heaven Groove. This was not a new revelation, as it ...
Pokémon TCG announces 30th anniversary set Pokemon
Pokémon TCG announces 30th anniversary set Zachary Roberts Pokémon TCG, as well as the wider franchise, debuted in 1996. That means that this year is the 30th anniversary. Earlier in the year, the Pokémon Company announced several big things for the 30th, including the port of Fire Red and Leaf Green as well as the first look at Generation 10. Part of that livestream included a brief tease about something special for the 30th anniversary, specifically of Pokémon ...
All shiny Pokémon available in Pokémon GO in 2026 Pokemon
All shiny Pokémon available in Pokémon GO in 2026 Zachary Roberts Getting a shiny Pokémon in Pokémon GO is an absolute treat. It's not as easy to hunt certain things on that game as it is on something like Legends: Z-A or Scarlet and Violet, but you can endlessly play by walking around. The shiny odds are much higher, too. At 1/512 base odds, it's much more likely than in a mainline game, where the odds are 1/4096. If you're interested ...
Recent Pokémon sales prove nostalgia is still king Pokemon
Recent Pokémon sales prove nostalgia is still king Zachary Roberts To celebrate the 30th anniversary, Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen were brought to the Nintendo Switch (and Switch 2) library. This came a little over a week before Pokémon Pokopia dropped. The former is a decades-old game, and the latter is a brand-new title unlike anything in the franchise. Additionally, it's a real Game of the Year contender. Yet, early sales reports indicate that the two are selling very similarly. FireRed ...
All Pokémon Glazed Cheat Codes: Full List & How to Use Them Pokemon
All Pokémon Glazed Cheat Codes: Full List & How to Use Them William Davis Pokémon Glazed is one of the most popular fan-made Pokémon games. Pokémon Glazed is a reimagined version of Pokemon Emerald, available for Game Boy Advance. Unlike regular Pokémon games, there are plenty of cheat codes that can be used in Pokémon Glazed. This version of the game works with emulators and changes some elements of the base game, Pokémon Emerald. Some of the features include gym leaders with weaker Pokémon, ...
Pokémon Legends Arceus: Adaman or Irida Choice – What You Need to Know Pokemon
Pokémon Legends Arceus: Adaman or Irida Choice – What You Need to Know Steven Rondina After a certain point in the Pokémon Legends: Arceus story, you are faced with the difficult decision of choosing between Adaman and Irida. The trouble comes after defeating and quelling the five frenzied nobles. You are expelled from Jubilife Village and forced to survive on their own, with the quests and services of the village no longer accessible. During this time, the final boss of the main story is looming ...
Here’s the difference between mythical and legendary Pokémon Pokemon
Here’s the difference between mythical and legendary Pokémon Steven Rondina Fans of Pokémon are obsessed with rarity, and no other categories of Pokémon are rarer than Mythicals and Legendaries. But what’s the difference between a Mythical and a Legendary Pokémon, and how many are there? Pokémon are loosely categorized in several ways, with one of the most awkward distinctions being between Mythical and Legendary Pokémon. Both are strong, and both are rare, but for casual players and TCG fans, there ...