Pokemon: Goodbye Ash Ketchum, hello Liko! New animated series announced

Image source, Pokemon

Image caption, The new series will follow characters Liko and Roy on their journey

So long Ash Ketchum, hello Liko and Roy! Pok茅mon has announced a new animated series.

The new series will follow brand new characters Liko and Roy on their adventure through the world of Pok茅mon.

It's after the long-running main character Ash Ketchum finally became a Pok茅mon Master after 25 seasons with his best buddy Pikachu!

The new series will also feature new starter Pok茅mon Sprigatito, Fuecoco and Quaxly from the Pok茅mon Scarlet and Pok茅mon Violet video games, as well as the Legendary Pok茅mon Rayquaza in its Shiny form.

The series will launch in 2023 after the current season of Pok茅mon Ultimate Journeys: The Series finishes.

Image source, the Pokemon company

Image caption, Ash Ketchum became the world's greatest Pok茅mon trainer earlier this year in the animated series

For fans of Ash and Pikachu, fear not! - a collection of 11 special episodes will also be released early 2023, which will pay tribute to their journey over the years.

These special episodes will feature fan-favourite Pok茅mon and characters, including Misty and Brock.

They will also give fans a look at what the future might hold for the world's strongest Pok茅mon Trainer in the final chapter of Ash and Pikachu's story.

The Pok茅mon Company says that these special episodes will not only celebrate Ash's achievements, but also: "act as an expression of gratitude from Pok茅mon to all the fans who have joined him and his partner Pok茅mon Pikachu along the way."