The Pokémon Company has announced that Ash Ketchum and Pikachu’s adventures in the Pokémon animated series will come to an end after Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series concludes.
“Following Ash’s historic win as Pokémon World Champion – the culmination of his adventures spanning 25 seasons – fans can commemorate his storied journey with a collection of special episodes to conclude Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series,” The Pokémon Company confirmed in a press release.
“These episodes will feature fan-favourite Pokémon and characters, including Misty and Brock, and they will provide a glimpse at what the future may hold for the world’s strongest Trainer in this final chapter for Ash and his Pikachu. The forthcoming special episodes not only celebrate Ash’s monumental achievement, but they also act as an expression of gratitude from Pokémon to all the fans who have joined him and his partner Pokémon Pikachu along the way.”
In response to the news, Ash Ketchum’s English voice actor Sarah Natochenny wrote on Twitter: “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.”
Their adventures will be replaced by a rebooted animated series that will follow dual protagonists – called Liko and Roy in the Japanese version – in a “never-before-seen storyline” that represents everything that you have come to love about Pokémon animation, such as ” action, adventure, friendship and Pokémon.”
To premiere “in 2023 and beyond,” the animated series will star the Paldea region partner Pokémon Sprigatito, Fuecoco and Quaxly from Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet as well as the Legendary Pokémon Rayquaza in its Shiny form.
