Amrito 
The question on many longtime fans’ minds is simple: Can Pokemon Be Made as shonen with Ash ? The franchise’s legacy is undeniable, but so is the frustration felt by its original audience—many of whom are now in their 20s and 30s. Despite its vast world, mature themes, and unforgettable characters, Pokemon has primarily remained a kids’ anime. It may be time for that to change.
Table of Contents
Why the Demand Exists
First of all, The demand to make Pokemon as shonen with Ash Ketchum stems from a generational shift. Fans who grew up watching Ash’s journey now crave deeper storytelling, emotional arcs, and intense battles that modern shonen anime like One Piece, Dragon Ball Super, and Naruto consistently deliver.Interestingly, Season 19 of Pokemon was peak storytelling, with Ash, Serena, and Clemont portrayed as almost adults. But the Alola season (Season 20) regressed Ash’s character, making him with a more childlike look, disappointing long-time viewers.
This tonal shift alienated many, especially those who had been loyal since the Indigo League. The fandom’s plea is clear: a version of Pokemon that grows up with its audience.
The Power of Nostalgia and Story Potential
Can Pokemon be made for adults with Ash? Absolutely. The franchise has a treasure trove of narrative threads that remain unexplored. Imagine revisiting Ash’s journey with matured storytelling — exploring his rivalry with Gary, unfinished arcs with Serena, or uncovering the deeper lore of legendary Pokemon like Mewtwo, Lugia, and Arceus.
Moreover, popular characters like Charizard, Greninja, and Pikachu have enough history and power to headline arcs that explore loyalty, loss, and sacrifice. Such a reboot could even introduce new regions, mega evolutions, and multiverse threats to spice up the worldbuilding.
Most importantly: Unfinished arcs with Serena, or uncovering the deeper lore of legendary Pokemon like Mewtwo, Lugia, and Arceus.
Global Popularity and Indian Audience's Role
Furthermore, One strong argument in favor of relaunching Pokemon for adults with Ash is the phenomenal popularity it continues to enjoy in regions like India. The official Pokemon Asia (Hindi) YouTube channel boasts over 35 million subscribers and individual videos garner over 200 million views. Clearly, Pokemon’s reach isn’t limited to children.
That being said India’s anime fandom, which actively engages with titles like Jujutsu Kaisen, Attack on Titan, and One Piece, proves that a serious Pokemon reboot could find massive success among teenagers and adults alike.Therefore, The question isn’t if fans want it — it’s whether the creators are willing to listen.
Reintroducing Ash with a Mature Storyline
Can Pokemon be made for adults with Ash? Let’s envision how that might look:
- Ash as an adult: A mentor to new trainers while chasing unfinished personal goals.
- New Rivals and Regions: Introduce evolved Gym Leaders, new champions, and original villains.
- Mega Evolutions and Lore: Dive deeper into ancient Pokemon lore and world-building.
- A darker Team Rocket: Reimagine them as formidable antagonists, not comic relief.
Additionally These elements wouldn’t just reignite interest among old fans but would likely attract new viewers who crave storytelling depth.
Animation and Shonen Structure: A Winning Combo
As a result, Series like My Hero Academia and Demon Slayer have proved that animation quality and mature themes can capture hearts globally. Pokemon has the infrastructure and the legacy. With enhanced animation and a shonen-style arc structure, Ash’s journey can be reborn with stakes that matter.
However, Imagine Ash facing a multi-world crisis where legendary Pokemon are turning rogue, or even a scenario where Pikachu is missing, leading to a deeply emotional search.Thus Add cinematic battle choreography, complex villains, and layered emotions, and you’ve got a potential global hit.
What About the New Characters?
The introduction of Liko and Roy in Pokemon Horizons marked a new chapter. But fans have shown lukewarm reception. Thus According to feedback on forums like Reddit and X (formerly Twitter), many miss Ash and feel a void. While it’s okay to introduce new characters, sidelining Ash completely made a misstep.
Additionally a dual-series strategy could work: one focused on fresh faces for kids and one, perhaps called Pokemon Legends: Ash’s Return, crafted for older fans.
Indian Anime Community Wants Ash Back
Notably With growing anime expos, fan pages, and cosplay communities in India, there’s no denying that Pokemon continues to be a cultural cornerstone.
Not only that We’ve seen how nostalgia-powered reboots succeed — from Boruto to Dragon Ball Super.Thus A Pokemon reboot with Ash for adults has similar potential.
Final Thoughts: Can Pokemon Be Made as shonen with Ash ?
To summarize, The answer is a resounding yes. Can Pokemon be made for adults with Ash? Not only is it possible — it’s necessary. Just like one piece is making new series with luffy’s story. Fans crave depth, action, and emotional arcs. Ash Ketchum deserves the kind of narrative that honors his 25-year legacy. So does the global audience that grew up with him.
To conclude, If Pokemon Company takes the risk, they might just achieve something rare: making lightning strike twice.
FAQ
❓ Why do fans want Pokemon to be made as shonen with Ash?
Longtime fans who grew up watching Ash now seek a more mature take on his story. They want character development, intense battles, and serious themes, similar to anime like Naruto or One Piece. ( TFJ )
❓ What changed after Season 19 that disappointed older fans?
was reanimated with a childish look to target kids, which led to a loss of the older audience
Amrita Sarkar (pronounced Aam-ri-to), is a content creator, B.Com graduate, CA aspirant, and PGDM student who has discovered a fresh passion for digital writing. With a sharp eye for trends and a deep curiosity for how the internet shapes our lives, Amrito writes insightful pieces on digital media, internet culture, and personal observations. This blog is his creative outlet—where analysis meets storytelling.
