Since its debut in 1997, the Pokémon anime has followed Ash Ketchum’s adventures across multiple regions, spanning over 1,200 episodes. Despite this extensive journey, one thing has remained constant… Ash’s age. No matter how many leagues he’s competed in, Legendary Pokémon he’s encountered, or friends he’s made, he has never grown older than 10 years old. While this decision has kept the anime accessible for new generations of fans, it has also led to frustrations among longtime viewers and missed storytelling opportunities.

On one hand, keeping Ash forever young has allowed Pokémon to maintain a consistent protagonist who remains relatable to new audiences. A 10-year-old hero embarking on a grand adventure is an ideal entry point for children, mirroring the journey that players experience in the games. Additionally, Pokémon’s marketing strategy benefits from keeping its core characters recognizable, ensuring that merchandise, spin-offs, and promotional material remain familiar and consistent across different generations. However, now that Ash has left the main series, Pokémon faces a new challenge—one that might lead to his inevitable return.

Pokémon Avoids A Crucial Evolution

Stunting Ash Ketchum’s Growth at 10 Years Old Is a Double-Edged Sword

Unlike other long-running Shōnen protagonists like Naruto or Luffy, who mature and evolve over time, Ash’s perpetual youth means he cannot experience true long-term development. While he has gained experience as a trainer and even achieved his dream of becoming a Pokémon Champion, he has remained essentially the same wide-eyed, energetic boy. This decision has also led to continuity inconsistencies, as Ash has traveled through multiple regions, encountered past versions of himself in flashbacks, and even had moments where the age of time was acknowledged.

This issue isn’t just a creative decision but a byproduct of behind-the-scenes conflicts. Recently, leaked conversations between Pokémon’s production team revealed internal struggles over whether or not to age their protagonist. The refusal to let Ash grow up allows Pokémon to remain one of the most accessible anime for new viewers, but it has also limited its ability to tell more mature stories. Some voice actors and animators have expressed their frustrations with the character's static nature, but the decision ultimately falls to executives who prioritize brand consistency over narrative progression.

The Pokémon Brand Is Massive and Requires Tight Control

Now That Ash Is Gone, Pokémon’s Anime Has an Identity Crisis

Pokémon is more than just an anime; it’s a multimedia empire. The franchise spans video games, trading cards, movies, merchandise, and even competitive esports. With such an expansive reach, maintaining brand consistency is critical. That’s why Pokémon's anime has always had to serve two masters: telling engaging stories while also acting as an ment for the latest games.

For years, Ash Ketchum was the franchise’s mascot in the anime world. His journey aligned with each new game release, ensuring that young viewers were introduced to new Pokémon and mechanics in a way that felt natural. However, now that Ash has been retired, and Pokémon Horizons has introduced new protagonists, Liko and Roy, the series is struggling with an identity crisis.

How long can Liko and Roy last before another reset happens?

Unlike Ash, who had the benefit of decades of familiarity, Liko and Roy must prove themselves as compelling leads while carrying the weight of Pokémon’s massive legacy. While Horizons has introduced fresh elements like a more serialized story and a new take on a Pokémon adventure, it lacks the instant familiarity that Ash and Pikachu brought. However, now that the anime is trying to establish new protagonists, the question arises: how long can Liko and Roy last before another reset happens?

Pokémon’s Contemporaries Took Different Approaches to Aging Up Their Characters

Few Rival Series Are as Popular and Prolific as Pokémon

One of the most famous examples of a Shōnen protagonist who is allowed to age is Naruto. When the original series debuted, Naruto Uzumaki was a 12-year-old ninja with a dream of becoming Hokage. After nearly 200 episodes, Naruto Shippuden jumps forward in time, aging him up to 15, and into adulthood by the end of the series. This allows for a natural progression in storytelling, making way for more mature themes like war. The franchise then introduces a new protagonist, Boruto, and Naruto assumes the mentor role, effectively keeping older fans engaged while also attracting new viewers.

Similarly, Dragon Ball ages up Goku over time. The original series follows him as a child, but Dragon Ball Z charts his progression into adulthood, marriage, and even fatherhood. Then his son Gohan becomes the protagonist, grows up, and repeats the cycle. This has allowed fans to grow alongside the characters while keeping the franchise relevant across multiple generations. Even One Piece, with its infamously slow-moving timeline, has implemented a time skip that allowed its characters to mature. Instead of aging Ash naturally, Pokémon introduces soft resets where he gains new companions and reverts to a rookie-like state.

It’s Only a Matter of Time Until Ash Returns

How Old Will He Be, and How Will That Affect His Character?

Given his iconic status, it’s almost inevitable that he will return in some capacity. One approach could be to keep Ash exactly as he was, frozen at 10 years old, as though no time has ed. This would maintain brand consistency but might frustrate longtime viewers hoping for something new.

Ash Ketchum's last appearance in the anime was on November 11, 2022.

The most exciting option would be to reintroduce Ash as a teenager or even an adult. This could be done through a time skip, similar to what Naruto did, allowing the anime to explore his life after becoming a Pokémon Champion. He could take on a mentor role, reappearing as a Professor guiding a new generation of trainers while reflecting on his past adventures.

Alternatively, Pokémon could go the multiverse route. With the franchise already embracing alternate timelines through Pokémon Legends: Arceus and various anime specials, there’s room for a story that explores different versions of Ash—one where he’s older, another where he takes a darker path, and so on. Regardless of how he returns, one thing is certain: Pokémon hasn’t truly said goodbye to Ash.