Ash and Pikachu’s 25-year run as the Pokémon anime’s central characters ended in 2023, but the story does not say they have stopped travelling. Their final episode sends them off on another journey. The change is a handoff in who leads the series: Pokémon named Liko and Roy as the protagonists of the new series, Pokémon Horizons.
Why did Pokémon retire Ash and Pikachu?
The transition followed a major milestone for Ash. In the World Coronation Series final against Leon, Pikachu won the decisive matchup and Ash became World Champion, a result The Pokémon Company framed as the culmination of his adventures over 25 seasons. The official account of the final records the victory.
On December 16, 2022, The Pokémon Company announced that Ash’s series would conclude with special episodes celebrating his journey, followed by a new animated story with new characters. The announcement placed the change after Ash’s championship achievement and named Liko and Roy as the new protagonists in its Japanese version. The announcement presents a change of leads, not an explanation that Ash had to leave the fictional world.
Does Ash’s final episode say he is done travelling?
No. In Season 25, Episode 53, “The Rainbow and the Pokémon Master!”, Ash returns to Pallet Town and meets Gary, who asks whether Ash is closer to becoming a Pokémon Master. Ash reflects on the question and then sets out on a new journey with Pikachu. The official episode synopsis therefore supports a narrower meaning of “retires”: Ash and Pikachu stop being the anime’s central leads, while their story ends with them still travelling together.
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Who replaced Ash in the Pokémon anime?
Liko and Roy became the leads of Pokémon Horizons, the successor series. Calling them Ash’s replacements describes their role in the programme, not a fictional succession in which they take Ash’s place in the story. The new series begins with its own protagonists and story.
The handoff has lasted beyond its initial launch. Current official US materials describe Pokémon Horizons Season 3, subtitled Rising Hope, with Liko, Roy, Dot and Ult. The Pokémon Company’s Season 3 notice announced Part 1 for digital purchase through Amazon, Apple TV and YouTube Movies & TV in July 2026. A separate notice announced Part 4 on Netflix for September 18, 2026. That release notice is specific to the US announcement; it does not establish the same schedule or availability elsewhere.
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When and where did Ash’s sendoff air?
The Company’s 2022 announcement promised special episodes to conclude Ash’s run. A later UK notice described the sendoff as the final 12 episodes and listed a POP UK broadcast schedule for September 2023. That schedule is a UK distribution example, not a universal release date. Platforms, episode batches and subscription or purchase options vary by territory, so check the current catalogue for your region before looking for either Ash’s concluding episodes or Pokémon Horizons.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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