I couldn't see them getting rid of Ash for anything because of his Pikachu being Nintendo's Pokemon mascot, but that is something to think about. I couldn't see a newer person having a Pikachu as a partner either since Pikachu are "Kanto" specific. I think I mentioned it earlier in this thread how Hikari seems a bit like Satoshi. Even her journey is a parallel to his. It would be something if the writers really phasing his character out. Satoshi is "Red" pretty much. The fact that they managed to keep him (and Roketto Dan) around so long is interesting, especially since with D/P, Satoshi, imo, unless it changes more so later on, has taken a backseat to Hikari compared to his other female companions who have traveled with him. In the later D/P eps, does it still feel that it is Hikari's show and Satoshi and Takeshi are her co-stars as opposed to its being Satoshi's show with Hikari and Takeshi as his co-stars?
I will say this, though. If they got rid of him, I don't think I'd be able to watch the show. I just started up D/P's series last week and I've kind of grown attached to his character again like I did for Kanto/Orange Islands, but that aside, he's just been around too long.
I will say this, though. If they got rid of him, I don't think I'd be able to watch the show. I just started up D/P's series last week and I've kind of grown attached to his character again like I did for Kanto/Orange Islands, but that aside, he's just been around too long.