Pokémon Horizons is doing well. The new series is story-focused and moving fast. The main characters, Liko and Roy, are strong enough to carry the show, and fans still get to see Pikachu regularly.
However, many fans want to see Ash return in some way, even if it risks taking attention away from the new characters.
Ash Must Age When He Returns
Fans want to see Ash older when he comes back. Many hoped that his final episode would show an older Ash still training after many years, but that didn’t happen. The reason the show hasn’t let Ash age is because of a fear that he won’t connect with younger viewers.
However, this worry is not needed. Other anime, like Naruto and Dragon Ball, successfully aged their main characters and became even more popular.
Ash Doesn’t Have to Be an Adult
Some fans want Ash to be an adult, but that’s not necessary. Ash could be just a few years older than his ten-year-old self, and that would still show growth.
He could be around 15 years old, like Brock was when he started. The important thing is that Ash should look different and show signs of growth during his time away.
Why Aging Ash Matters
If Ash returns, viewers need to see that he has grown stronger. The easiest way to show this is by making him physically older. This would also allow Ash to mentor Liko and Roy if he appears in Pokémon Horizons.
If Ash comes back in a movie, aging him would attract new fans too. For Ash’s return to be more than just a cameo, the show must let him age.
