Pokemon Aim for a fresh start with launch Pokemon Horizons: The Series The spotlight then turned to Liko and Roy, the new heroes of the franchise, replacing Ash Ketchum and Pikachu.
Liko and Roy are two wannabe Pokémon trainers who will be paired with Sprigatito, a grass cat, and Fuecoco, a fire crocodile, as they travel through the Paldea region (which players first visited in 2022). Pokemon Scarlett And Violet).
The decision to focus on a female protagonist has been predictably divisive, but many fans are intrigued and excited in equal parts to see what happens when these two cross paths with the Rising Volt Tacklers, a group that solves puzzles while catching Pokemon… side by side. “Captain Pikachu.”
Variety (via Toonado.com) recently spoke with Pokémon Company International executives Andy Goss, senior director of media production, and Taito Okura, vice president of marketing, and asked why now is the right time to move on from Ash.
“Ash and Pikachu have had a fantastic run, they're very iconic and have been the entry point for a lot of people into the brand over the years.” Goss explains. “We've got this multi-generational influence where people have grown up with them, and they're sharing it with their children and their nephews and nieces.”
“We've grown with them, and it feels like there's more of the world and more characters to explore. So, 28 years later, it's like why not meet some new people in the world and experience the adventure of the 'Pokémon' world through a different lens?”
Okura adds, “The Pokemon species has a mandate: we evolve. I'm personally passionate about Ash and Pikachu; “But still, over the course of 28 years, Pokémon has evolved into multiple forms, including into a video game, a trading card game and other exciting new games.”
“Now there will be a potential opportunity for the field of animation to evolve. We are very excited to have this introduction with new heroes, especially a female hero.”
Asked if we've already seen the last of Ash and Pikachu, Goose noted, “We said goodbye. Ash is still in the world. Anything is possible, I think. In the world of Pokemon, there are a lot of possibilities.”
Okura shared similar sentiments when he said, “We hope that Ash and Pikachu will continue on their journey. Their journey continues somewhere in the Pokémon world. It is entirely up to the imagination of our fans. For now, we would like to focus on the new story of Liko and Roy. 'Horizons' calls for a new beginning.”
Something tells us that Liku and Roy will eventually meet up with Asha and Pikachu, but for now, we say focus on Pokemon Horizons: The Series'New leads is a smart move.
Pokemon Horizons: The Series It's now streaming on Netflix in the US
