The Pokémon anime is one of the most influential children’s anime of all time. This would never have been possible without Ash Ketchum and his influential journey. Ash might not have become a Pokémon Master quickly, but his accomplishments captivated an entire generation of anime fans. Despite his significant regressions, many original fans tuned in to see him finally defeat Leon. He truly lives up to his dream of being a Pokémon Master.
Despite the franchise’s popularity, Pokémon Horizons has lost much of the influence held by the original. Its protagonists are significantly less engaging than the original protagonist. The anime has even attempted to change its existing protagonists to make them closer to Ash Ketchum. This is most apparent in individuals like Roy. Although newer fans are quick to call it nostalgia, the fact remains that the Pokémon anime was better when we were children.
The Pokémon Anime Has Had Significant Changes Since Its 1997 Origins
Ash Ketchum Captivated an Entire Generation of Fans
The original Pokémon anime first debuted in 1997 to an entire generation of adoring fans. The series is often touted as many anime fans’ first experience with the genre. Ash Ketchum’s childish mindset allowed him to be a relatable protagonist for many younger audience members. Despite beginning in the Kanto region, he travels throughout the Pokémon World. Many fans have their favorite season of the anime, but the series had the potential to end after the Sinnoh Saga.
Ash only loses the Sinnoh League due to Tobias’ legendary Pokémon. The anime initially refused to allow Ash to accomplish his dreams out of fear of losing their dedicated audience. This would eventually cause Ash to receive many significant regressions throughout the series. The Black and White era of the series is often touted as the worst part of the entire anime. Ash receives the opposite of character development and struggles to battle even rookie trainers.
Ash might have defeated Trip at the end of the saga, but he loses to a completely random rookie trainer. Cameron is one of the only examples of Ash’s opponents receiving plot armor. Ash’s journey is a slow burn that many fans believe took too long. Yet, Ash’s fluctuating journey mirrors the source material games. Ash Ketchum travels to a new region for every new game during his career. That said, his journey had a definite endpoint, and the series has never been the same since.
Pokémon Horizons Anime-Only Changes Have Not Been Well Received
Pokémon Horizons Is Much Less Popular Than Its Predecessor
Pokémon Horizons is significantly less popular than the original. The series has a much less entertaining concept and cast of characters. Although the series features much faster character development, the large cast of characters is one of the anime’s largest criticisms. There are three distinct protagonists, making it extremely difficult for any of them to find significant ground. Liko and Sprigatito are the initial main focus of their series, but fans weren’t as interested in their journey to find Laqua.
Liko doesn’t even want to take part in battles initially. She embarrassingly has her Sprigatito use a single move for most of the first season. Many fans only tuned into the series after it wrapped up. The hype around Pokémon Horizons: Mega Voltage is the most significant engagement the newer series has received. Overall, Pokémon Horizons has failed to receive the same following as its predecessor. Many fans of the newer anime claim this is due to nostalgia alone. Yet, the original was just a much better series.
Even comparing their initial seasons, Ash accomplishes much more on his first Pokémon League journey. He already had a full team of Pokémon by the time he challenged the Indigo League. Pokémon Horizons remains in constant flux, just like the original series, yet the newer anime does so in a much less engaging way. Instead of tasking its protagonists with a typical journey, the new anime often does its own thing even when it does not know what it’s doing. Liko’s search for Laqua seems inconsistent at best and highly irresponsible at worst.
Ash Ketchum's Ultimate Quest Was to Be a Pokémon Master
The Pokémon Franchise Has Not Been the Same Since Ash Accomplished His Dreams
Ash’s original dream is to become a Pokémon Master. He takes years, but he eventually accomplishes his dream. He trains, struggles, learns, and improves. All things considered, his overall journey reflects a realistic transition in anyone attempting to maintain the top of their career. Even the greatest and most proficient chess champions don’t win every game. Liko and Roy’s journeys are much less engaging by comparison. Dot has easily the best development out of the protagonist trio, but her journey is rarely given the proper focus.
She struggles from the same battling flaws as many other rookie trainers. She often uses the same move and fails to consider their Pokémon’s feelings without significant training. The overall series, not just the battling, has suffered significantly since Ash became the Pokémon World Champion. Yet, the lackluster battles are one of the clearest indicators that the series is struggling. For a series whose foundation is built on battling, it is one of the least covered aspects of the newer anime.
Professor Friede protects the Young Rising Volt Tacklers, but prevents them from any significant battle development. Professor Friede is consistently saving the other protagonists is one of the larger reasons he was removed from the latest season. The most recent adaptation has finally attempted to return to its battling roots. After having the only time skip in the entire franchise, Roy is now touted to be the anime’s main character. The anime promises to uphold the battling focus that the anime was once known for.
Pokémon Horizons Has Shifted to be More Similar to the Original Series
These Changes Could Be Too Late to Save the Anime Series
Pokémon Horizons: Mega Voltage will likely be a carbon copy of the original anime. The Mega Evolution focus mirrors Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Yet, Mega Evolution has been a major part of the anime since its introduction. This, coupled with several other significant character changes, could cause the anime to finally rival the original’s popularity. Roy is slowly becoming more like Ash Ketchum than ever before.
Roy has a new goal of being a supremely capable trainer and spends an entire year training to become stronger. He even develops a significant rival in Ult. He even has some surprising Pokémon additions that bear a striking resemblance to the original protagonist. After Friede’s disappearance, Roy takes on training Captain Pikachu. Like Ash and his partner, Cap is easily the strongest Pokémon on Roy’s team. He will likely maintain his heavy-hitter status leading into the newer series.
Roy might have spent an entire year training to become a stronger trainer, but it’s unlikely he will be strong enough to fully use Cap in battle. It seems like Roy has become nothing more than an amalgamation of Roy and Friede. Overall, the Pokémon anime was better when we were children, and it isn’t just nostalgia. The recent series even attempts to mimic the original to cause many dedicated members of the fanbase to return. Yet, it’s unlikely the series will ever be as popular as the original.
