Featured Image Credit: TV Tokyo
Topics: Film and TV, Pokemon
Anish Vij
So it turns out there's a mind-blowing reason why Pokémon's main character is called Ash Ketchum.
Known for his constant battle to become the greatest trainer in the world, the character has easily one of the most recognisable faces in cartoon history.
The show, which was originally broadcast back in 1997, has been watched all around the world and its revolutionary card-game has withstood the test of time.
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I mean, the franchise itself is estimated to be worth a whopping $92.121 billion (£78.60 billion).
However, without Ash Ketchum, none of this would be possible - and the reason why he's named 'Ash Ketchum' is pretty mind-blowing.
In the original Japanese version, before being dubbed into English, the character was called 'Satoshi', named after the creator of Pokémon, Satoshi Tajiri.
But when the show came over to America in 1998, the studio decided to change the main character's name to something that sounded more American.
His last name 'Ketchum' was based on the motto of the Pokémon franchise, 'Gotta catch ‘em all', whereas 'Ash' is apparently the Anglicised form of Satoshi.
Well, after 25-years of non-stop graft, Ketchum finally became the top trainer and official Pokémon world champion.
On a recent episode of Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series, which aired in Japan on Friday 11 November, Ketchum and Pikachu completed their life goal of becoming the very best there is, the best there was and perhaps the best there ever will be.
Since 1997, fans have followed Ketchum's quest and many were able to witness their childhood hero achieve his long-awaited goal.
Ketchum and Pikachu were victorious after winning the Masters Eight Tournament of the Pokémon World Coronation Series.
Announcing Ash's victory, Taito Okiura, the vice president of marketing for The Pokémon Company International stated: "Ash Ketchum’s determination and perseverance to achieve his goal of becoming the world’s top Pokémon Trainer over the course of 25 seasons represents the very best of what it means to be a Trainer."
Okiura added: "We cannot wait to celebrate this moment with Pokémon fans when the newest season of Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series and this adventure-defining episode air around the world in the coming year.
"This is a season fans won’t want to miss!"
Pokémon Ultimate Journeys is available to stream on Netflix in the US, with the English-language version of Ash’s victory set to stream later this year.