Now that Ash and team are now World Champions, what’s next? With Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet just released, does that mean Ash will set off on a new adventure of exploring Paldea? No.

The Pokémon Company announced that the Pokémon new anime series retires Ash and Pikachu and instead, the series will focus on two protagonists named Liko and Roy. Before their adventure starts in 2023, there’ll be a few more episodes focusing on Ash and his partner Pikachu on the aftermath of winning the World Championship. The final chapter in Ash and Pikachu’s adventure begins Friday, January 13, 2023 for 11 episodes, airing first in Japan. Afterwards, we’ll get to see Liko and Roy start their new adventure as they choose their first partner Pokémon, Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly from the Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet video game.

Fans had to be curious on how the Pokémon Company would adapt Ash into the school-environment of Paldea, since Ash was attending classes during the Pokémon Sun and Moon animated series. Now it makes sense where and how they taking the series. It’s hard to believe that the Pokémon series is closing the book on Ash and Pikachu since their first adventure back in 1997. It’ll be a tear jerker when the last episode airs but hopefully the next adventure will be just as fun. Expect Ash and Pikachu to make an appearance sometime down the road in the animated series.

Source: Pokémon Company