After winning thePokemonWorld Championship inPokemon Journeys, Ash Ketchum will continue to be featured in thePokemonanime for the foreseeable future, in at least some capacity. Since winning thePokemonWorld Championship after so many years of almost making it, manyPokemonfans have speculated that the anime would shift focus to a new protagonist, but according to executives, the lead character is sticking around.TV Tokyo executives recently discussed thePokemonanime and its future following Ash Ketchum’sPokemonWorld Championship victory that capped off the latest season ofPokemon Journeys. Ash Ketchum has been the protagonist of thePokemonanime series since its beginning, and although he’s undergone multiple design changes, he’s maintained the lead role. While otherPokemongame protagonists likeDawn fromPokemon Diamond and Pearlor Brendan fromPokemon Ruby and Sapphirehave appeared in thePokemonanime over the years, none have taken over for Ash in the 25 years of the anime’s run, but that could change soon.RELATED:Pokemon Anime Bringing Back Ruby and Sapphire LegendariesAccording to TV Tokyo Head of Anime Hiraoka Risuke, Ash Ketchum, who is known as Satoshi in the Japanese version of the show, will be featured in thePokemonanime franchise despite some fan concern that he will be replaced. Hinting at more Ash Ketchum adventures to come, Risuke stated that there will be an “announcement” during a future anime broadcast, though they failed to clarify whenPokemonfans can expect the reveal. TV Tokyo Presiden Ichiro Ishikawa pointed toward fans from all over the globe celebratingAsh Ketchum’s World Championship victoryas a cause for TV Tokyo to celebrate as well which suggests that the viral moment was exciting for fans and executives alike.
Ash Ketchum’s position as the primary protagonist of the anime hasn’t entirely been confirmed moving forward, but TV Tokyo’s candid comments about the character may ease the minds of some fans that were worried about his replacement. Given that TV Tokyo has yet to confirm a date for the nextPokemonanime or movie, it’s currently unclear when fans of the franchise can expect to see the hero in action again.
Some fans may be tired of Ash and want thetrainer fromPokemon Scarlet and VioletorPokemon Legends: Arceusto take over. While somePokemonfans continue to celebrate Ash’s World Championship victory after waiting years for the moment, others are just speculating on when the next season will drop.
