An emotional clip has Pokémon fans in tears as it shows Ash and Pikachu’s final moments together in the iconic anime series.
The Japanese media franchise has gone from strength to strength ever since its inception in 1996, having branched out into all kinds of video games, collectables, entertainment and toys over the years.
But one property that has kept going all these years is the OG anime TV series, which earned itself the accolade of being one of the most successful video game adaptations of all time.
Pokémon protagonists Ash Ketchum and his trusted sidekick Pikachu have continued to delight audiences, which is why fans were heartbroken to learn that their journey would be coming to an end.
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Last December, the company announced that for the first time in 25 years, the main storyline in the anime won’t feature the fan fave duo.
As said on the official Pokémon YouTube channel: "Ash and Pikachu have had many encounters, many battles and many exciting and memorable times."
But to make way for new characters, the company said it was time for the pair's final chapter.
The latest episode of Pokémon Ultimate journeys: The Series aired today (March 24) in Japan, bringing all the feels as it reached this monumental moment in Pokémon history.
And while it may be some time before the episode reaches the US due to the anime's contract with Netflix, the final scene has been shared online.
As you'll see in the clip, the pair walk through a scenic backdrop before reaching a crossroads as they both agree to embark on a new adventure together.
At least they get a happy ending, even if we don't get to see it.
Ash, known as Satoshi in Japan, had his first appearance in 1997, going on to become one of the most recognisable fictional characters of all time due to his huge popularity and the success of the franchise.
One of the criticisms about his character had been his inability to win any major Pokémon leagues, but this all changed in the 22nd season of the anime when he finally became the world’s top Pokémon trainer.
But, ultimately, the true victory for Ash has been making friends with the little critters along the way, something that is highlighted in his last episode, according to Kotaku writer Kenneth Shepard.
"Ash lost a lot of battles to get to this point, but it was worth it because he met so many new friends and Pokémon along the way," he said.
"It’s a nice acknowledgment that despite being a champion now, the real win was meeting all the people and Pokémon he’s met in his journeys, and while we might not be following him in the future, it looks like that journey will continue."
I'm not crying, you're crying.
The fans feel much the same, with one writing on Twitter: "The journey is over, the end of era, goodbye to our iconic childhood trainer and the greatest partner ever, thank you for the memories!"
"All good things must come to an end," said another alongside a shot of Ash with a smile and a tear rolling down his face.
Others feel optimistic about the move, especially as it paves the way for new protagonists including Liko and Roy.
"I feel like this definitely isn’t the end of their journey and Ash/Pikachu will be back in time," said one. "But I’m excited to see what some changes bring!"
Topics: Pokemon, Film and TV, Anime
Daisy Phillipson