Despite my joke I didn't actually expect them to wrap up Ash's story. Looks like we're at the end of an era:
The most efficient way probably involves a heavy blow to the head, so might be best to just wait it out.Can someone tell me how to fast forward to April 2023? Asking for a friend.
I'm pretty much in the same boat, as you might be able to tell from the pfp change. I don't wanna get too ranty about my pokeani feelings, but frankly for a good while now I've assumed that the show was simply too set in its ways, too rigidly tied to branding for a change of this magnitude to occur. I had accepted that for better or worse, Ash was too much of an ambassador of Pokemon as an IP for his retirement to ever be a serious option on the table. That his neverending story would continue to play out for generations to come, the attempts at finality Journeys made being a well-intentioned but ultimately horribly short-sighted gaffe, a grand finale that could never be. I believed with all my heart that they would lackadaisically stumble into some Best Wishes-esque narrative nightmare where he would be sent on schoolboy hijinx to Paldea with not a care as to his previous accomplishment. But in the end, it appears as if that comically bleak, cynical attitude was thoroughly thwarted. I must say, I couldn't be happier.This feels like a running meme/joke the fandom had about Ash leaving for the last 20 years actually happening. In retrospect Ash beating Leon, and most of his old companions returning this series, were very obvious signs we were in the "endgame" of the series. I just never believed they'd do it.
Yeah I'm in fact glad, I think a new character was much needed I feel like DP was probably around the time Ash should've been retired.Surprising they’re ending the Ash arc, but honestly felt like this should’ve happened after DPP or BW seasons.
I also thought Goh was shaping up to be a natural successor to Ash given how well his character played in Journeys.
Makes sense Pokemon like Haunter, Raticate, & Beedrill aren't there as Ash didn't really spend any significant time with them. Haunter wasn't really "with" Ash but more agreed to follow him but as soon as it felt like it it left to do its own thing (and came back when it felt like it but not to really help Ash but more cause mischief; luckily Sabrina found it funny). Ash regretted trading Butterfree for Raticate and had it reversed (even when on a sinking ship) so probably not good memories there. And Ash just gave Beedrill to Casey cause it fit her team better than his.I wonder if the only reason Haunter isn't here or the flashback is beacuse he has Gengar and they dont want to double up lol.
Probably to shake things up. Back in Best Wishes you can begin to tell the anime team were starting to get a bit tired. It's why XY felt more like a shonen series at times, Sun & Moon was a slice of life (mixed with other things on whatever the writers whims were), and finally Galar just tossing the region idea out and having a world tour. Wouldn't surprise me this was all planned sometime during Sun & Moon, liking not being restricted so decided to make Ash Champion so that he could next gen then compete in a Champion League to become the Top Champion to finally end his story (and it just so happened Gen VIII gave them the perfect story & character(s) to do that with).All that said, I can't help but wonder what has compelled them to take this gamble.
Especially as this now means we can give more focus on the actual villain teams of that gen. I'm not as sour on the Rocket Trio, they mean as much to the anime as Ash did, and hopefully in those 11 specials they also give them a nice send off (apparently you can comfortably retire from Team Rocket as the recent appearance of Cassidy & Butch showed; Infact I'm surprised Giovanni never tried forcing the Rocket Trio into an early retirement just to get them off his back).This might be a supremely hot take, but I'm super glad this also likely means the retirement of the Team Rocket Trio.
What I'm shocked about is Pikachu is also being retired
Place your bets, PLACE YOUR BETS!I'm just going to assume they're just going to give one of the new characters a Pikachu anyway