Despite the fond reception forPokémon Horizons: The Series, the latest anime in the franchise featuringtwo new protagonists, some fans miss the original main character, Ash Ketchum. Ash and his buddy Pikachu have been the central figures of thePokémonanime since its debut in 1997 and remained so until the end ofPokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Seriesin 2023, when Ash finally became Champion.
Although the new series is available on Netflix, many seasons of the long-runningPokémonanime are scattered among several streaming serviceslike Prime Video, Hulu, and Tubi. However, there is a way to watch the earliest adventures of Ash, Pikachu, Brock, and Mistyin only one place for free.
Here’s How To Watch the Classic Pokémon Anime for Free
Access to Pokémon TV Is Easier Than You Think
The first two seasons ofPokémon, The Indigo League and Adventures in the Orange Islands, are available for free on thePokémon TV YouTube channel.Pokémon TVfeatures the first 52 episodes of season 1 and the first 22 episodes of season 2. Although it currently doesn’t have every episode from the first two seasons, that may change as the channel continues to upload more videos.
The first season ofPokémon, “The Indigo League”, showcases Ash and Pikachu’s humble beginnings as partners and their first encounters with their future best friends, gym leaders Brock and Misty, before embarking on their journey together. The second season, “Adventures in the Orange Islands”, sees Ash, Pikachu, and Misty leave the Kanto region to compete in the Orange Islands League and meet their new buddy, Tracey Sketchit, along the way. The Pokémon TV YouTube channel offers a quick summary of the second season, as follows:
Ash’s journey to the top of the Indigo League continues—but will his friendship with fellow Pokémon League competitor Richie endanger his chances? With his Kanto journey completed, Ash finds there’s still plenty to see and do when Professor Oak sends him and his friends to the Orange Islands. Brock falls head-over-heels for the attractive Professor Ivy and decides to stay with her, leaving Ash and Misty alone as a dynamic duo—at least until they meet intrepid Pokémon watcher Tracey Sketchit!
Although it’s previously been hard to pin down which series is on which streaming service, fans, old and young alike, would journey far and wide to watch more of Ash.
Why Ash Ketchum Is so Important
Ask And Pikachu Have Represented the Fandom For Almost Three Decades
The new protagonists ofPokémon, Liko, and Roy, are well-received enough, but it will take a long time for them to come close to the status of Ash. Although Pikachu is the mascot,Ash is easily the second most recognizable figure within the franchise. Ash Ketchum, a clever pun of the series’ “Catch ‘Em All” slogan, represents the first 25+ years ofPokémon,and fans have seen him grow throughout the years through each iteration of the show.
ThroughoutAsh’s countless wins and devastating losses, the fandom has grown alongside the perpetual 10-year-old protagonist for decades. Not only have fans grown to love the development of Ash’s arc from a brat to a competent Pokémon trainer, but his win against Leon, “the strongest Pokémon trainer” inUltimate Journeys,represents the closing chapter of the fandom’s childhood. The first generation ofPokémonfans have become adults, andwatching Ash complete his journey is a payoffand reminder to stay just as vigilant, no matter how long it takes for audiences to fulfill their lifelong goals.
Ash Never Deserved to Win The Indigo League Championship
Although Ash has grown as a Pokemon trainer, his loss in the Indigo League shouldn’t have surprised anyone based on his Gym badge record.
However, no matter how far people progress in life, there are times when the longing for the past kicks in, and nostalgia matters more than it once did. Ash has become that for thePokémoncommunity, as has the original series theme song. And given thatPokémonis the number one most popular franchise globally, Ash and his yellow electric mouse mean a lot to a widespread audience, not just anime fans. The duo is as socially relevant in terms of anime representation asDragon Ball’s Goku, and those two may be even more recognizable than him.
Ash and Pikachuwill forever remain a part of pop culture history around the world. And although this is goodbye for now, the last appearance of the duo didn’t close with a definitive ending, meaningPokémonfans may see the two a lot sooner than they think.
