Thread: Do you think Ash/Satoshi should be replaced?

I think the only way a show that's been on for a long time would have a main character replaced is if it's a series that involves the characters aging in real time or close to it. There really aren't many animated shows of that nature around, seemingly, and the only one I can think of is Dragon Ball, and even then, the main character wasn't gone for long even though the focus wasn't supposed to have been originally on him for Z or GT.

Originally Posted by Alphaphlare

Cause he is just not as entertaining anymore. And as kids I and other fans cared whether characters were compelling. If we didn't we wouldn't become "whiny nerds on internet" as someone on your side put it. There is so much potential it is not even funny. Just a little tap into it would be nice.


AND come on Gliscor'd quit stalling i'm tire of fighting this almost by myself.

Closure and a story means nothing. Pokemon isn't that type of cartoon shows like Dragon Ball, One Piece, and Bleach have that. There are hundreds of other Anime that have that. Money talks a story means nothing, since this show is nothing but, advertisement for a video game and various other toys and other crap mass produced by Media Factory, Nintendo, and JAKKS Pacific. The show is just for people to buy crap, so since it's working there's no point in changing Satoshi and taking the risk.

The Pokemon cartoon did it's job, it made you buy toys and video games.

@Gliscor'd I still wanna hear why should they replace him?

Originally Posted by Gliscor'd

When the show first started they didn't think the show could work without Misty or Brock either.

They have nothing to do with the topic at hand.

Originally Posted by gotpika

Closure and a story means nothing. Pokemon isn't that type of cartoon shows like Dragon Ball, One Piece, and Bleach have that. There are hundreds of other Anime that have that. Money talks a story means nothing, since this show is nothing but, advertisement for a video game and various other toys and other crap mass produced by Media Factory, Nintendo, and JAKKS Pacific. The show is just for people to buy crap, so since it's working there's no point in changing Satoshi and taking the risk.

The Pokemon cartoon did it's job, it made you buy toys and video games.

@Gliscor'd I still wanna hear why should they replace him?

How are entertainment and potential not points. It doesn't matter if it is ad it should be a good story if it well A STORY. Kids should be treated like they are smart otherwise we wouldn't have the anime! Also out of respect for children it should be good!

Originally Posted by Alphaphlare

How are entertainment and potential not points. It doesn't matter if it is ad it should be a good story if it well A STORY. Kids should be treated like they are smart otherwise we wouldn't have the anime! Also out of respect for children it should be good!

What's the point of replacing him though? Everything's going alright and everything's cool so why replace him?

Originally Posted by gotpika

What's the point of replacing him though? Everything's going alright and everything's cool so why replace him?

He isn't as entertaining anymore. I explained this before. He is now a ideal goody good who's remaining flaws are grating than relate-able. Paul made Satoshi fun to watch again but now :(... they probably won't be able to do that again. A new good different relate-able character can be whipped up in a flash as I proved with Pike. It is not hard. And this can give the show a chance to flex their writing muscles. Remember infinite potential, perfect setting. If you want I can whip up five more and include Pikachu in all of them.

Originally Posted by Alphaphlare

He isn't as entertaining anymore. I explained this before. He is now a ideal goody good who's remaining flaws are grating than relate-able. Paul made Satoshi fun to watch again but now :(... they probably won't be able to do that again. A new good different relate-able character can be whipped up in a flash as I proved with Pike. It is not hard. And this can give the show a chance to flex their writing muscles. Remember infinite potential, perfect setting. If you want I can whip up five more and include Pikachu in all of them.

Except the guy would be the almost exact same thing as Satoshi. Pikachu, Badges, League Loss, Friends, and same Shonen go getter attitude. The show gets great ratings and is selling a lot of stuff, that's the whole point of this show anyway. Why replace him when the show is doing the job it was designed to do anyway? No real point at all, I haven't seen any valid point to even do it, the show is doing great finacially and the franchise is pulling in money. The show is doing it's job, it's making people buy crap and further help the franchise grow they have no reason to replace Satoshi at all. The ratings are stellar, the writers have no reason to risk that, or change things. So why should they replace Satoshi? Will it happen in the future? Maybe it will, maybe it won't. They can replace him. But, why should they replace him is the burning question I've been asking for 10 pages straight. I see no reason for the writers to get rid of him.

Originally Posted by Piplup
This is pretty much what I feel right now... I wrote too much walls of text and I'm repeating myself again and again
So I think I'll just stop replying in this thread - if anyone is interested at my opinion, just read all my replies here again, cause I said everything I have to say about this

Quoted for the Tooth

I think I'm done with this thread, it's run it's course with me. It's done nothing but, sky rocket my post count. I've been repeating and repeating for 10 pages now. Not one person has given or been able to answer me with a logical reason why Satoshi should be replaced with someone else.

*Goes to beat Chargestone Cave Area in Pokemon White Version*

Originally Posted by gotpika

Except the guy would be the almost exact same thing as Satoshi. Pikachu, Badges, League Loss, Friends, and same Shonen go getter attitude. The show gets great ratings and is selling a lot of stuff, that's the whole point of this show anyway. Why replace him when the show is doing the job it was designed to do anyway? No real point at all, I haven't seen any valid point to even do it, the show is doing great finacially and the franchise is pulling in money. The show is doing it's job, it's making people buy crap and further help the franchise grow they have no reason to replace Satoshi at all. The ratings are stellar, the writers have no reason to risk that, or change things. So why should they replace Satoshi? Will it happen in the future? Maybe it will, maybe it won't. They can replace him. But, why should they replace him is the burning question I've been asking for 10 pages straight. I see no reason for the writers to get rid of him.


I think I'm done with this thread, it's run it's course with me. It's done nothing but, sky rocket my post count. I've been repeating and repeating for 10 pages now. Not one person has given or been able to answer me with a logical reason why Satoshi should be replaced with someone else.

*Goes to beat Chargestone Cave Area in Pokemon White Version*

HOW is him being not a entertaining character NOT a logical reason. And pardon my ignorance but WHAT THE **** does shōnen have to do with the anime? The only made two of the dozens of Pokemon mangas if a Bulbapedia shearch of "Shonen" is anything to go by. Speaking of the wiki it doesn't even have a page!
You didn't refute pike. HOW DARE YOU CALL MY REASONS ILLOGICAL!?
O BTW everyone else beat white ages ago I'm gonna get the Musketeer trio!

Originally Posted by Dogasu

See? There is no precedent for this sort of thing, so there's absolutely no reason for the producers to believe that replacing Satoshi would work.

Just because no show has done it before doesn't mean they themselves can't consider it, and that it can't work if pulled of. All things must come to an end, and eventually Ash will meet his own. The writers may have to confront this decision sooner or later. I'd say it's better for it to be confronted sooner so the possibilitiy for damage is less.

Originally Posted by gotpika

I think I'm done with this thread, it's run it's course with me. It's done nothing but, sky rocket my post count. I've been repeating and repeating for 10 pages now. Not one person has given or been able to answer me with a logical reason why Satoshi should be replaced with someone else.

Right cause I wrote nothing.

Ash has been my favorite character for a very long time. I grew up with pokemon (although Ash didn't LOL) and Ash remains one of the most valuable characters to me. I know people are getting tired of him and his brains getting reset at the start of every new region with the same thing happening to Pikachu. But that doesn't mean I'd like him to get the axe. I've said a lot of things wanting Ash to change and win the League this time but I personally want Ash to stay until the end of the series - and see if he actually grows up to be champion material. I'm not talking about age, but character development. DP did a good job, but I have high expectations on BW this time even though I'm complaining a lot about how they reset Ash all over again.

Of course, I won't mind if Ash is replaced with another character either. I haven't read all the postings on this thread, but if there ever is a new boy replacing Ash at Gen 6, I don't think he'll be a crappy character being compared with Ash all the time by the fans. Rather, he COULD be a fresh new character - an unexpected new twist to delight those who want a new main character. These days, anime evolves and so does the characters. There are a lot of unique Shonen manga/anime heros that are not the stereotypical boy that we all know. The possible new boy might have to go around collecting badges and catch pokemon, but that could be an option. Who knows, the story could be something different like the Pokemon Adventures. Not identical, but something unique.


So in short, I don't really mind if there's a new character in Gen 6 (if ever), but still, I would like Ash to remain.

Originally Posted by Kameinu

Do you have any idea of how much material left behind there is? Four generations of material. The writers have already proven they don't intend to go back to it. They have to focus on the now.

And I said nothing of new characters to advertise a new generation. But new characters are needed, people tend to forget the Pokemon themselves are characters. So when I reffer to past characters and concepts I also reffer to the Pokemon. What's going on with Charizard and Squirtle? We may not find out this series. Which is sad.

I never said how it will happen but its doable.When looking back it becomes obvious which characters or pokemon would get priority in coming back before others if writers ever planned to do such thing depending also on how much iconic and popular he is of course.
And yes new characters are needed but examples like Brock,long stay of TR etc with several game protagonists being ignored shows how older characters have marketing potential to promote new pokemon and concepts as well while new characters being introduced through mini arcs.

Another alternative is new chronicles.

Ash's characterization up to DP was amazing. And I believed in all you're saying about his potential, winning a League and traveling afterwards. But Best Wishes has proven they don't really care. So I'd rather see him replaced or rebooted because I don't want his character to waste away in an endless loop without achieving his dream, nor do I want to see the friends that helped him prove to us he is a great trainer be forever forgotten in a never ending series.

And is it hard to believe how in Unova we might see continuation of Ash development once he pick himself up again like it happens with every new region when Ash steps deeper in its territory?
You can say same about Hoenn Ash to lesser extent when he started journey in Sinnoh being hammered down as well.
Judging by his performance in DP Ash has potential to win pokemon league and Unova might be long awaited opportunity for writers to do notable step forward with his story and career as trainer.

Rebooting Ash having him forget about all past achievements and everything he did making it seem like he was replaced would polute different result just angering fans even more becoming very displeased if writers ever do such thing.
This would be also insulting and disrespecting both toward fans and character itself.

Fans dont want brainwashed Ash having him rebooted like shows like Scooby Doo for example does.They also dont want new character starting from zero.

What they want is current already developed character to start making notable steps forward in his story with Ash already having groundwork and material to do such thing,something which wouldnt be possible to accomplish with someone who starts out as rookie with no past achievements or pokemon on which he could rely to go all the way through..

It may seem exaggerating, and I admit, it kind of is. But the way it was done in BW, after the great development in DP, it's unacceptable. Right, a kid who made it to the top 4 looses to a noob. Even if Pikachu's powers got blocked because of Zekrom. It's hard to find it believeable.

Like i said Ash tendency of forgetting things as well pikachu being hammered down happens at start of every new generation with purpose of making his journey to hold more struggle instead of winning left and right moping floor with everyone.Another reason why he use new pokemon leaving older ones behind is because of advertizing reasons.

Ash is type of character who tends to become overly excited and hyped up whenever he starts exploring new region or pokemon acting before thinking.
At least whole Zekrom scenario and prospect of going to such distant region like Unova is actually provided some believable reason behind Pikachu strength being lowered down as well being understandable why excitement got into Ash head starting to do questionable moves compared to his acting and drop of power at start of Sinnoh especially after his triumph over Brandon with Pikachu beating Regice.

Originally Posted by Gliscor'd

What the heck? This guy is a storyboard artist, he's not the "head director" or even writer of the show in any form.

WPM conducted a terrible interview.

Guy who works for pokemon company being its head director until Battle Frontier knowing a lot more about writers plans and how this show works than any of us.

His words hold more credit than random speculation.

Originally Posted by Alphaphlare

He isn't as entertaining anymore. I explained this before. He is now a ideal goody good who's remaining flaws are grating than relate-able. Paul made Satoshi fun to watch again but now :(... they probably won't be able to do that again.

I dont think you can speak in name for everyone else,because many people still find Ash/Satoshi to be entertaining character.Especially new kids/target audience within who Ash is with each new region largely accepted doing surprisingly great.

Whats the point in writers and producers risking everything by replacing Ash with someone who will serve for same purpose like he does when current main protagonist is being already successful?
Do we really need copy of Ash character to be introduced watching basically rerun of original show which follows another 10 year old boy starting all over again as rookie?

Why older fans complain about Ash?Not because he is old but because writers arent doing significant progress with his story like winning league making steps forward.Introducing another main protagonist wont change anything but have him stuck in endless loop like Ash is currently being reset with each new generation starting out fresh.

Problem isnt in character but formula of this show with people wanting to see it changed.You can replace Ash with 10 new characters but in the end it wont mean anything until writers decide to change formula.Watching someone doing same progress like Ash starting from zero is something no one would want to follow with this show already having character full of potential.Problem is writers arent utilizing Ash potential properly.

A new good different relate-able character can be whipped up in a flash as I proved with Pike. It is not hard. And this can give the show a chance to flex their writing muscles. Remember infinite potential, perfect setting. If you want I can whip up five more and include Pikachu in all of them.

Whats the point in replacing Ash with someone who will follow same storyline like he does doing gyms,carrying Pikachu having more or less similar personality so that little kids could easier relate to him?

Writers wont cater to older fans who represent minority which is going way of dinosaurs starting to extinct.Otherwise something would change already. They only care about new kids who dont have any problem with Ash.

Originally Posted by Kameinu

Just because no show has done it before doesn't mean they themselves can't consider it, and that it can't work if pulled of.

It also means it would be a huge risk for them to undertake since, as we've established, no other show has ever done this before. And why in the world would they do that? As others have stated, the series is doing well as it is. The creators have no incentive to replace the main character of their show.

The writers may have to confront this decision sooner or later. I'd say it's better for it to be confronted sooner so the possibilitiy for damage is less.

They obviously confront this decision every time a new generation starts. And the decision, every single time, has been "no, we like keeping Satoshi around."

If the writers had any intention of replacing Satoshi, they would have done so years ago.

Originally Posted by Dogasu

If the writers had any intention of replacing Satoshi, they would have done so years ago.

Replace Satoshi with "Takeshi" and you could have said the same thing about him for every saga before BW. And before you say this is off topic, I'm just saying the writers made the bizarre decision to keep Brock two generations after Johto when they could have dropped him the same time Misty left, so its not any different than their decision for Ash.

Up to DP, the writers wanted Brock around, then they started realizing his character had become dry, so they dropped him when the saga ended. Up till BW, the writers realize they want Ash, but that is not to say they'll always think the same.

Originally Posted by Dogasu

It also means it would be a huge risk for them to undertake since, as we've established, no other show has ever done this before. And why in the world would they do that? As others have stated, the series is doing well as it is. The creators have no incentive to replace the main character of their show.

I'm pretty much now talking in a future sense, since I'm accepted the reality of the present. And as I've said, this show can only keep doing this for so long. 15 years is a massive achievement, it'll be lucky to go on for another 15.

They obviously confront this decision every time a new generation starts. And the decision, every single time, has been "no, we like keeping Satoshi around."

If the writers had any intention of replacing Satoshi, they would have done so years ago.

The massive promotion for BW made this obvious, specially considering BW is a new start, but as I've said, the Ash thing is eventually going to run his course. Sometimes it's best to takes the risk and jump of the train than be in it when it hits the wall.

Originally Posted by Gliscor'd

Replace Satoshi with "Takeshi" and you could have said the same thing about him for every saga before BW. And before you say this is off topic, I'm just saying the writers made the bizarre decision to keep Brock two generations after Johto when they could have dropped him the same time Misty left, so its not any different than their decision for Ash.

Up to DP, the writers wanted Brock around, then they started realizing his character had become dry, so they dropped him when the saga ended. Up till BW, the writers realize they want Ash, but that is not to say they'll always think the same.

Dude quit comparing Brock with Ash. Brock brought nothing on the table, so it made no difference wether he stayed or left. Ash is the image of this anime and the one who runs it.

Originally Posted by Gliscor'd

Replace Satoshi with "Takeshi" and you could have said the same thing about him for every saga before BW. And before you say this is off topic, I'm just saying the writers made the bizarre decision to keep Brock two generations after Johto when they could have dropped him the same time Misty left, so its not any different than their decision for Ash.

Up to DP, the writers wanted Brock around, then they started realizing his character had become dry, so they dropped him when the saga ended. Up till BW, the writers realize they want Ash, but that is not to say they'll always think the same.

I don't understand why you're saying that replacing Ash would be the same as Brock. While he was in the anime for a long time, he wasn't the main star of the show. That would be Ash and Pikachu. Replacing a traveling companion is completely different than replacing the main star since the series follows Ash's journey through different regions, not Brock's travels. I think that you also forgot that Brock wasn't in the Orange Island arc. Since he was already replaced once, it wasn't impossible for him to leave the group again. I also don't think that the writers think that Brock's character had become dry was the reason he was replaced. I'd imagine that they wanted to have Ash only travel with Pikachu and people from the Unova region in order to focus more on new characters from the games and emphasize that the Unova region was so far away from the other regions.