If you've not been mentally and emotionally preparing for Ash and Pikachu's departure from the Pokemon anime since the second we found out about it, more fool you. Especially now that ticking clock has a definitive end date as Pokemon has revealed the new series of the anime, complete with new protagonists, will air on April 14, 2023, in Japan.Revealed via the official Japanese Pokemon account (thanks, Nintendo Life), a very short clip shows Liko, the new trainer who will be tasked with filling Ash's very big shoes. Focusing on Paldea for the first time in the anime's run, the clip and the tweet's focus is on Liko's pendant, although it doesn't explain why exactly the artifact is important.Also unclear for the time being is which Pokemon, if any, will be assuming the Pikachu role. After first appearing as Ash's sidekick 25 years ago, and becoming the star of Pokemon Yellow shortly after that, Pikachu quickly became and has remained the most recognizable Pokemon in the world. The clip does show the three Scarlet & Violet starters. Perhaps Liko's lead Pokemon will be one of those. Sprigatito would certainly be a strong choice.
Ash and Pikachu won't immediately disappear from the face of the Pokemon universe, but their final run of episodes will come to an end before Liko's adventure begins. Their final series is currently airing in Japan, and a new batch of episodes will be available on Netflix in the US very soon. Release dates for Ash's very last episodes and Liko's first ones outside of Japan have not yet been announced.
If you've been a Pokemon fan for 25 years, or you've picked up Ash and Pikachu's journey somewhere along the way, prepare for an emotional couple of months. Not only is it almost time to say goodbye, but teasers for Ash's last run have confirmed the trainer will be reunited with the Butterfree he set free during season one. And you thought the Bill and Frank episode of The Last Of Us was going to be the most you cried over a TV show this year.