Phasing out Ash Ketchum is, simply put, one of the biggest surprises Pokémon has ever hoisted upon its viewers. Ash Ketchum is iconic; literally, he functions as an essential part of Pokémon's iconography. Countless fans of the franchise grew up with Ash, Misty, and Brock. Together and apart, the trio serve as an immediate emblem of the franchise, even for those who haven't played a single game.

After 25 seasons, Pokémon decided it was time to let Ash go with the conclusion of Pokémon Journeys. This decision has met a fair share of controversy, and for good reason. Although it's understandable in a certain way, letting Ash go completely is the worst decision that Pokémon's anime has ever made. It also has major consequences for Pokémon as a franchise.

Pokémon Wouldn't Have Been The Same Without Ash

After all, Pokémon is a very tricky franchise to define. One could say that it derives its identity from the games at its core, and that's true to an extent. Outside the games, Pokémon's various media have always been defined by the games they're supposed to promote. The Pokémon TCG and anime alike correspond to the current generation of games. It's always been that way.

However, there are very few things that actually link the franchise entries together aside from locations, some core mechanics, and the Pokémon themselves. Pokémon is a series that has never been afraid to experiment. From the Shadow Pokémon in Pokémon Colosseum and Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness to the energy mechanic in the TCG, every entry in the franchise outside the mainline video game series has a unique identity.

The fact that Ash exists at all is one example of this. From the very first episode of Pokémon's anime, the disconnect between the anime and the games themselves is immediately clear when Ash, late to receive his Pokémon from Professor Oak, is literally unable to receive any of the three starter Pokémon and is instead given a Pikachu. Ash's unique personality and infectious love for Pokémon immediately drew viewers into the series, and it also marked that Pokémon's anime is fundamentally different from the games. For better or worse, Pokémon is all over the place. Ash has been a reliable pillar of the franchise for decades.

Ash's Departure Is One Of Pokémon's Biggest Mistakes

Even if one hasn't played the latest games and doesn't recognize the Pokémon or the cast of characters Ash finds himself alongside, one will always recognize Ash himself. Ash might be frustrating, but the simple fact is that he's synonymous with Pokémon in his own way. Ash represented everything about the franchise that long-time fans would come to love: a sincere adoration for a game that strives to capture a naive fascination with the world, inspired by something as simple as childhood bug collecting.

Once Ash left, Liko and Roy would take his place as protagonists of the franchise. In many ways, they do mirror Ash's childlike sensibilities, heart of gold, and indefatigable toughness in hard circumstances. Their presence also mirrors the fact that Pokémon is a living, breathing franchise, and they serve to beat back the sense many detractors have of the franchise being a repetitive series of cynical cashgrabs. They're a worthy change, and Liko stands out on her own. But here's the important thing: putting emphasis on a new generation of characters doesn't have to mean Ash's departure, either. Ash could have stayed on in an active but ing role, serving as a mentor to the next generation of Pokémon trainers.

This really wouldn't be all that different from Professor Oak literally ing on his love for Pokémon to Ash when he handed him Pikachu. The heart of Pokémon is its universal appeal: the fact that, within its world, people young and old can appreciate Pokémon. It simply doesn't make sense to disconnect a generation of Pokémon viewers by taking away an icon of the franchise they grew up with. People who watched Ash's Kanto adventures long ago might feel alienated now as their own kids stumble upon the series, tuning in and seeing almost nothing familiar. Even if the emotional beats that drew children into the series are still there, some of the familiarity and universal appeal has faded.

Furthermore, Ash's many different versions lead to a situation where, often, viewers who followed Ash beyond Kanto would end up maturing alongside him. Although Ash and Pokémon's target audiences wouldn't always grow in lockstep, there's a potent shared experience there despite Ash infamously being "forever 10". In sending Ash off, Pokémon elicits a response from adult viewers to see their own days with Pokémon as a nostalgic remnant of the past which just served to pave the way for a new generation. This is anathema to the franchise's central emphasis on a cross-generational appreciation of Pokémon and on the idea that finding beauty in the world like a child is something that doesn't have an age ceiling.

Pokémon Can't Let Go Of Ash Either, And There's A Reason For That

As one could probably expect when such a beloved character disappears, Ash's goodbye didn't go over smoothly with the fan base. Ever since his departure, there has been a clamor for the spunky icon to return. However, it isn't just fans who want to see that happen. The Pokémon Company itself has come out saying that Ash will be coming back at some point. For long-term Pokéfans, this news might come as welcome relief.

The of Ash's revival aren't going to make everybody happy—for example, many fans want to see Ash aged when he eventually appears, but that seems unlikely based on what information is available right now. Furthermore, there's a total dearth of information as to what Ash's return would actually entail: will it be a simple cameo, or will Ash in on Liko and Roy's adventures? Much remains to be seen. What is certain, though, is that bringing Ash back is something The Pokémon Company wants to do, and that's only natural: taking Ash out of Pokémon entirely is their biggest mistake.