The original Pokemon Anime starring Ash Ketchum came to an end in 2023, with Ash walking off into the metaphorical sunset, ready for the next adventure. Many fans did not particularly enjoy the open, “The Adventure Continues”-style ending for the beloved character, but the truth is that there really was no other way for the series to end if it wanted to stay true to its themes.
This open-ended conclusion to Ash’s story led to no small amount of fan joy, especially from those who wanted to see an older Ash after being drawn into his life for the first time in 25 years. Although it is understandable why older fans would have wanted to see such an ending, to match with how they have moved in their own lives, it is just destined to never happen, and the creators of the series tried to make this clear in interviews. In order to deliver on the promise that the Pokemon Franchise represented for all these years, there was only one possible ending.
Ash’s Pokémon Ending is secretly symbolic of the entire franchise’s message
The franchise has always been about adventure
Ash’s ending sees him continue to explore and meet new Pokemon, just like he always did. Becoming world champion did not change, because being the champion was never Ash’s goal. This is something that is illuminated in the final episode, as Gary asks Ash just how close he is to being a Pokemon Master now. Ash ponders this question for a while, eventually coming to the conclusion that being a master means knowing and freeing every Pokemon, a task that can never be accomplished..
Despite all his progress and growth over the many years the series has been around, Ash is hardly closer to being a Pokemon master in the final episode than he was in the first. The Pokemon world is one of unlimited mystery, ever expanding and growing, so of course Ash’s adventure would be the same way. Fans of the games should be familiar with the feeling by now – even if you’ve caught every Pokemon there is to catch right now, there are always more new ones around the corner, just waiting to be revealed. “Gotta Catch’em All” is just as endless a quest as Ash.
Ash can’t grow up because pokemon can never grow up (despite how much fans want it to)
Pokemon has always been the embodiment of a child’s imagination
Ash’s journey represented every child’s dream, since the first Pokemon Games came out on the Game Boy all those years ago. It was a story full of adventure and action, and was always reflected in a somewhat childish way. Ash never had to worry about resources or money on his journey; He always had just what he needed to get through. The real concerns and dangers of adventure are rarely acknowledged, no matter how many times Ash unnecessarily risks his life.
Ash’s Pokemon Adventure is a child’s imagination of what exploring the world is like, and it always has been.. From this moment Red And Green debuted in Japan, Pokemon Promised players that fantasy, and the anime was no different, simply a reflection of the original games that slowly developed over time. While older fans may want to see the franchise grow with them, the “childish” element of the series, a rosy view of what adventure is like… it’s an essential element of what Pokemon Is. To deny that is to reject a core part of Pokemons appeal.
Related
That doesn’t mean Pokemon Is just for kids, of course. It’s something that can be equally enjoyed by everyone, and that’s part of what makes it special. The franchise growing and adding in more mature elements would put that at risk, so it’s no wonder the powers that be are so hesitant to embrace what fans so desperately want them to. Ash’s conclusion is a never-ending Pokemon adventure that is simply happening off-screen now is perfectly in line with the values ​​the franchise has always espoused.
Ash’s Evolution reflects how the Pokemon franchise has changed over time
Ash has evolved over time, but in his heart he is the same
There is no doubt that Ash’s character has changed over the course of the series; Just compare the hot-headed, insult-slinging Ash of the first season to his calmer, more mature counterpart in the final season of Pokemon Journeys To see how different his character has become. Ash has, to a certain extent, been re-imagined for each era Pokemon has passed, reflecting the changing times and attitudes of the children who are its primary audience. As it turns out, with his rotating cast of companions, Ash has evolved to be the character the kids of the day needed.
Different eras of Ash, and of the series, reflected changes in the way the entire franchise approached its own development. When Pokemon tried to have a darker story with X And JAsh got a little taller, and a little older-looking, to reflect the kind of protagonist that such a story would need. When things got lighter and softer Sun and MoonAsh’s design was similarly changed to be more cartoonish and expressive, to better suit the more comedic tone. Journeys represented something of a midpoint, and his design is between the extremes of XY And Sun and Moon.
But even with all the changes, Ash was still the boy who rode Pikachu all those years ago. Ash, like Pokemon In general, is and will always remain that child’s fantasy of endless adventures with one’s best friends. To keep the adventure going, even after Ash’s time as the star of the anime came to an end… it’s really the only option for ending the series. Over the past year, fans have been speculating what Ash might be up to now, and that’s exactly the point. His story will never end as long as these Pokemon Dream continues.