Pokemon Anime Reveals Two New Protagonists. Says Goodbye to Ash.

The Pokemon Company International announced the new season of the Pokemon anime series, along with a final goodbye arc for long-time protagonist Ash and his partner Pikachu. Two new protagonists will take up the mantle in the new season. It will start airing in Japan on April 2023.

In a big departure for the Pokemon series, Ash and his partner Pikachu will retire from the spotlight in favor of two brand new protagonists. Their names are Riko and Roy in the Japanese version of the anime. Their names in the English dub haven’t been revealed yet. The teaser video showed a mysterious Shiny Rayquaza as well.

We don’t know where this season of the Pokemon anime will take the new protagonists to. However, they will be joined by Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly, the three starters of the Paldea Region in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.

An all-new Pokémon series has been announced!

Join 2 new characters and 3 Paldea starter Pokémon as they adventure through the Pokémon world! Plus, commemorate Ash’s journey with special episodes concluding Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series.

Coming soon in 2023 and beyond! pic.twitter.com/2lrM6W1dgW

— Pokémon (@Pokemon) December 16, 2022

A series of special episodes to commemorate the end of Ash and Pikachu’s adventure was announced as well. The first one is titled “The Faraway Blue Sky,” and it will follow Ash and Pikachu in one of their usual special days. They meet a strange boy in their travels across a forest. It features the classic style of the original 1997 anime. This episode will air in Japan on December 23, 2022.

You can see the Japanese trailer here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAgA6YUoB44

“Pokemon: Becoming a Pokemon Master,” a special 11-episode arc will cap off Ash’s adventures, after having accomplished his dream of becoming the League Champion of the Galar Region in Pokemon Journeys: The Series. This new arc will start airing in Japan on January 13, 2023. The English broadcast will come soon after in early 2023.

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are available on the Nintendo Switch.