After 25 seasons, Ash Ketchum is retiring from Pokémon

By Tomas Franzese Published December 21, 2022

The Pokémon Company confirmed that Ash Ketchum will no longer be the main protagonist of the series’ anime starting in 2023.

Ever since Pokémon! I Choose You! first aired in Japan on April 1, 1997, the Pokémon anime has followed the exploits of 10-year-old Pokémon trainer Ash Ketchum on his quest to become Pokémon Master. After trying and failing many times across 25 seasons, Ash finally managed to become the world’s greatest Pokémon trainer in Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series after winning the Pokémon World Coronation Series.

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The Pokémon Company is deciding to leave Ash’s journey on a high note and will retire his character as the protagonist of the Pokémon anime after the current season. Thankfully, he is getting a proper send-off across the final 11 episodes of Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series, with classic anime characters like Misty and Brock returning to help tell “the final chapter in Ash and Pikachu’s story.” These final 11 episodes will start airing in Japan on January 13, 2023.

This won’t be the end of Pokémon anime adaptions, though; The Pokémon Company will start a new series later next year, following two new characters named Liko and Roy. Details on this new series are still scarce, but we know it will also feature Sprigatito, Fuecoco, Quaxly, and a Shiny Rayquaza in significant roles. We’re likely to see them venture through Paldea, the region Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are set in.

While the announcement that Ash Ketchum will no longer be the protagonist of the Pokémon series is bittersweet for those of us who grew up with the Pokémon anime, we can hope that the series will give him a beautiful farewell, and that Liko and Roy’s series can successfully capture the hearts of a whole new generation of Pokémon fans.

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A former Gaming Staff Writer at Digital Trends, Tomas Franzese now reports on and reviews the latest releases and exciting…

Gaming

How to start The Teal Mask DLC in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet

Key art featuring new characters and Pokémon that are in The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero: The Teal Mask.

The first of two announced DLC expansions for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet has hit, called The Teal Mask. Both DLCs will introduce new places, items, moves, and, most importantly, Pokémon to catch, train, and befriend. This initial adventure will take your trainer to the Land of Kitakami, but excited trainers might be at a loss for how to actually access the new area and content. Because it's integrated directly into the main game, and not an option you can select from the menu, you will need to know how to reach the DLC. This won't take long, so here's how to access The Teal Mask in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet so you can continue your Pokémon journey.
How to access The Teal Mask DLC

After purchasing and installing the DLC for your specific version of Pokémon Scarlet or Violet, either load up your save or start a new game. You will need to either play up through, or have a save already past, The First Day of School chapter. Once you are past that point, you will automatically get a call from Jacq telling you about an annual trip to Kitakami that you, as it just so happens, will be chosen to attend.

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Pokémon Scarlet and Violet DLC The Teal Mask arrives in September

Some of the new Pokemon from Pokemon Scarlet and Violet: The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero Part 1 - The Teal Mask.

As the final major announcement of the August 8 Pokémon Presents, The Pokémon Company gave a deep dive into the two DLCs that make up The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero expansion for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. The first of these, The Teal Mask, even got a September 13 release date.

Explore beyond Paldea's borders in The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero! ?️

Gaming

Pokémon Presents August 2023: how to watch and what to expect

Pikachu drinks coffee in Detective Pikachu Returns.

The Pokémon Company will hold yet another Pokémon Presents today. This presentation will likely feature games like Detective Pikachu Returns and Pokémon Scarlet and Violet's upcoming expansions. If you want to watch this Pokémon Presents as it airs live today, we've outlined where and how to do that, as well as what you should expect from the livestream.

When is the August 2023 Pokémon Presents
The August 2023 Pokémon Presents airs at 6 a.m. PT today According to The Pokémon Company, the presentation will last about 35 minutes. This makes it the longest Pokémon Presents yet, as these livestreams usually hue closer to around the 20-minute mark.
How to watch the August 2023 Pokémon Presents
Like the Pokémon Presents that came before it, today's showcase will air on The Official Pokémon YouTube channel. You can watch the livestream below.
Pokémon Presents | 8.8.2023
What to expect from the August 2023 Pokémon Presents
The description for the event states that this Pokémon Presents will feature "Pokémon news and a spotlight on the latest happenings across the brand it comes to games." When it comes to upcoming games, there are multiple things that are almost guaranteed to show up here. Detective Pikachu Returns launches on October 6, and our only real look at it so far was in the June Nintendo Direct. As such, this would be an excellent place for a deep dive into its gameplay and story, showing how this game evolves on what the 2018 3DS game established.