Pokémon fans in the U.S. will finally see the continuation of Ash’s quest to become World Champion in June.
The Pokémon Company International has announced the next batch of Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series episodes will launch exclusively on Netflix in the U.S. on June 23, 2023. A teaser trailer has also been released, featuring Ash’s battles against the other trainers competing at the World Championships, including Steven, Cynthia and Leon. While the number of episodes for this third batch has not been confirmed, it is likely it’ll contain approximately the same number as the first two rounds. Fans will also have the opportunity to watch a collection of special episodes commemorating Ash and Pikachu’s journey at the end of Ultimate Journeys.
In December 2022, the Pokémon Company revealed Ash and Pikachu’s journey would come to a close, marking the end of a 25-year legacy. The announcement came shortly after the duo had been crowned World Champions, fulfilling the dream Ash has had since the beginning of the series. The final episode, titled “The Rainbow and the Pokémon Master!” aired in Japan on March 24, 2023.
The End of the Road for Ash and Pikachu
Fans have shed tears, both of the happy and sad variety, watching Ash and Pikachu claim victory at the World Championships and their last episodes of the franchise. Sarah Natochenny, the English dub voice actor who has been portraying Ash for 17 years, left fans with a message: “If I could speak as Ash Ketchum, I would say what Sarah Natochenny would say, and that is to quote Jason Page’s song, ‘Be the best like no one ever was.'” Rika Matsumoto, Ash’s Japanese voice actor for the past 26 years, almost couldn’t get through the final recording as her emotions nearly overwhelmed her. Matsumoto wrote a heartwarming message to fans, saying, “I’ll be happy if Satoshi [Ash] can live on in everyone’s hearts.”
Following the reveal of Ash and Pikachu’s last adventure, Pokémon also announced a new series called Pokémon Horizons: The Series, based on Scarlet and Violet’s Paldea region and featuring two new characters. Pokémon Horizons follows Liko, who wears a mysterious pendant around her neck, and her partner Sprigatito along with her friend Roy, who possesses a mysterious Pokéball and hopes to defeat “the Pokémon from the legends.” The two also meet Professor Friede and his partner, Captain Pikachu.
The final episodes of Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series will premiere exclusively on Netflix on June 23.
Source: The Pokémon Company, YouTube
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