Pokémon Officially Announces Ash's Comeback, But With a Major Twist
Ash's triumphant return to Pokémon is teased by the director, sparking excitement among fans Will our beloved hero finally age up, or will he continue his timeless adventure? Find out more about the highly anticipated comeback
Article Overview
Ash's departure from the Pokemon anime doesn't mean he won't return, as the executive director suggests it's only "a matter of time" before he and Pikachu reappear.
Ash is often perceived as being perpetually 10 years old, which suggests that if he were to make a comeback, he would remain unchanged and not age into an adult.
Although the possibility of Ash returning to the Pokemon Horizons anime may not be immediate, it would undoubtedly generate significant excitement and potentially overshadow the introduction of the new protagonists. Therefore, the creators would likely prioritize establishing the new characters beforehand.
The Pokémon anime is reaching its final episodes, as Ash prepares to leave and a new generation of trainers are introduced to become Pokémon Masters. However, even before his departure, it has been hinted that Ash may not be gone permanently.
In an interview with executive director of the Pokémon anime, Kunihiko Yuyuama, featured in the Japanese magazine Otomedia and reported by comicbook.com, it was suggested that it is only a matter of time before Ash and Pikachu make a return in Pokémon. Yuyuama also expressed that he envisions Ash as forever remaining 10 years old, implying that if Ash were to reappear, he would not have aged and remain true to his familiar character.
Pokémon Still Refuses to Age-Up Ash
Although it may seem early to discuss Ash's comeback, the mere possibility raises intriguing points. Firstly, it confirms that Pokémon Horizons takes place in the same world as the original, implying that numerous other characters, such as Team Rocket, could potentially appear before Ash does. Additionally, Yuyuama's statement about Ash being eternally ten years old debunks various fan theories concerning Liko and Roy, the protagonists of Horizons, being Ash's children or his mentors in the series. If Ash does interact with Liko and Roy, it will be on an equal footing, just one young trainer to another.
Naturally, these statements do not guarantee anything solid; they merely provide an overall understanding of the Pokémon anime creators' mindset. It is most likely that Ash will not make his debut in Horizons for a considerable period of time. If Ash were to appear, it would likely overshadow the new protagonists, which is certainly not the intention of the creators as they are still establishing these characters. However, when Ash does eventually return, fans can anticipate it being a significant event.
How Long Should Pokémon Wait Before Bringing Ash Back?
Fans continue to hold a special place in their hearts for Ash, leading to numerous online posts speculating about his potential return. However, for Ash to make a comeback in the series, there needs to be a compelling reason that goes beyond a chance encounter on the road. Additionally, it is likely that the creators will provide Ash with a break, allowing anticipation to build around his potential return. Realistically, it could be well over a year, or even up to two years, before there is a genuine possibility of Ash resuming his role in the Pokémon anime.
While bidding farewell to the classic Pokémon anime and its beloved characters, including Ash and Pikachu, fans can take solace in the fact that the opportunity for Ash's return remains open. Although he may no longer grace our screens on a weekly basis, Ash continues his adventures, with the show eventually catching up to him in due course.
Source: Comicbook.com
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z netizen, I grew up watching the Pokémon anime and Ash Ketchum was always my favorite character. I was really sad when it was announced that he would be leaving the show, but I'm also excited about the possibility of his return.
I think it would be really cool if Ash came back to the show as a mentor to the new protagonists, Liko and Roy. He could help them learn how to be Pokémon trainers and give them advice on their journey. I also think it would be fun if Ash had a new Pokémon team, with some of his old Pokémon and some new ones.
Overall, I'm really excited about the possibility of Ash's return to the Pokémon anime. I think it would be a great way to bring back some of the old fans and introduce new fans to the show.
