No. The Pokémon anime did not end after 25 years. Ash Ketchum and Pikachu’s long-running story concluded, but a new series, Pokémon Horizons: The Series, began in 2023 with new leads Liko and Roy. The headline refers to the end of Ash’s era—not the end of Pokémon animation.
Why did people think Pokémon was ending?
After Ash became a World Champion, The Pokémon Company International announced special episodes to conclude his journey and introduced plans for a new animated series with different protagonists. That announcement marked a change in the anime’s lead characters, not the cancellation of the franchise’s animated series. The Pokémon Company International’s 2022 announcement described Ash’s preceding run as 25 seasons.
The original television anime began in 1997 and followed Ash—known as Satoshi in Japan—and Pikachu. Pokémon Parents describes their series as spanning more than 25 years and more than 1,000 episodes. The Pokémon Company says it was broadcast in over 190 countries and regions. Those figures show the scale of Ash’s era, but they do not mean every episode was available in every market at the same time. The Pokémon Company’s figures page is marked as of May 2026; Pokémon Parents also describes the series’ length.
Is Ash leaving Pokémon?
Ash’s starring journey reached its conclusion in the special episodes announced after his World Champion victory. That is the basis for saying Ash’s story ended. It is more precise to say that the anime moved on to new protagonists than to claim Ash can never appear again: the cited announcements establish the change in leads, not a guarantee that he will never return.
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What comes after Ash Ketchum?
Pokémon Horizons: The Series began in 2023, 26 years after the original anime launched, according to The Pokémon Company. It follows Liko and Roy, with Sprigatito and Fuecoco as their partner Pokémon. The official series site describes it as a new story centered on their adventures and the friends and foes they encounter. Visit the official Pokémon Horizons site.
How does Pokémon Horizons differ from Ash’s series?
| Feature | Ash’s era | Pokémon Horizons |
|---|---|---|
| Lead characters | Ash Ketchum and Pikachu | Liko and Roy |
| Story | Ash’s long-running journey, which concluded in special episodes after his World Champion victory | A new adventure featuring Liko, Roy, their partner Pokémon, and the friends and foes they encounter |
| Start | The original television anime began in 1997 | The new series began in 2023 |
The dates and series history are from The Pokémon Company; the transition announcement is from The Pokémon Company International; and the Horizons characters and premise appear on the official series site.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Where can you watch Pokémon Horizons?
The official US Pokémon Horizons page links viewers to Netflix, and Netflix has a Media Center page for Pokémon Horizons: Season 2: The Search for Laqua. The Netflix listing does not establish that the same episodes are available in every country, or that availability will remain unchanged. Check the catalog in your own region. Netflix Media Center: Pokémon Horizons: Season 2: The Search for Laqua.
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