Fans share emotional stories and memories as Pokemon anime comes to a close
Ash Ketchum retires after 26 years in the Pokemon franchise. Fans react to the final episode ‘The Rainbow and the Pokemon Master’ on March 24, 2023.
After 26 years of being a part of the Pokemon franchise, Ash Ketchum is finally hanging up his hat. The final episode of the Pokemon anime, titled 'The Rainbow and the Pokemon Master,' will air on March 24, 2023, in Japan. Fans have been eagerly awaiting the finale to see how Ash's story will come to an end.
Childhood memories and lasting connections: Fans reflect on the end of Pokemon
Pokemon has influenced many of us growing up, and it has become an integral part of our childhood memories. Fans have taken to Reddit to share their stories and emotions about the series ending. It was a significant influence in some childhoods, inspiring imagination and leading to the exploration of other anime. For others, it was a source of connection with friends and roommates in college. Ash's journey has been a constant in their lives, and it feels surreal to see it come to an end. For those who didn't have cable TV growing up, it was a source of joy through excessive rewatches of episodes on DVD or through the movies. Pokemon has brought many of us together and created lasting memories.
How to watch the Pokemon Finale outside of Japan
There are no legal streaming options outside of Japan, so many fans will be forced to watch the episode through illegal means. Fans outside of Japan are anxiously waiting for the finale to be released in their region. In the United States, Netflix has the license for Pokemon, but they're still working on the English dub of the latest series, Pokemon Journeys. Netflix US to stream the final episode of Pokemon featuring Ash Ketchum by mid-May 2023. Fans in the UK can purchase the latest episodes on Amazon UK, but they're only up to the beginning of Ash's Masters Eight finale match against Leon. Unfortunately, there are no legitimate ways to watch the show with English subtitles, so fans may have to resort to piracy.
What's next for Pokemon? Fans hope for Ash's return and look forward to a new series
Fans are hoping that Ash Ketchum will make a return to the Pokemon anime at some point in the future. The recent Master Eight Tournament has left many fans with the impression that Ash's story isn't over just yet. Some fans believe that Ash will be back in the franchise in some form or another, even if it's not as the main protagonist.
With Ash's story coming to a close, fans are left wondering what the future of the Pokemon franchise will look like. A new series titled Pokemon is set to debut on TV Tokyo in Japan on April 14th, and it will be set in the Paldea region. Fans eagerly await to see where the Pokemon franchise will go next without Ash, as new heroes Liko and Roy lead the upcoming anime.