Amidst ongoing Pokemon Day celebrations, BBC News has published an interview with Pokemon Company CEO Tsunekazu Ishihara, discussing the present and future of the colossal multimedia franchise.

During the interview, Ishihara discussed former Pokemon anime heroes Ash and Pikachu, who retired as the main characters of the show back in 2023. Their current whereabouts are one of the “hardest” questions Ishihara gets asked from time to time, and his response is that they are still going on adventures, even if we can’t see them right now.

“Even though the TV camera may not be following them, Ash’s journey is continuing and his partner Pikachu is right next to him.”

When discussing the upcoming 30th Anniversary and future plans for the series, Ishihara said that he believes Pokemon could last for another “50 – 100 years” but only if they keep innovating and don’t get complacent.

“If we continue focusing on our mission, Pokémon can probably continue to its 50th or 100th anniversary. But if we become complacent and go with the flow, that’s when Pokémon will go downhill.”

You can read Ishihara’s comments about other goings on in the franchise in the full interview here.

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