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Despite running for 25 years, the classic Pokémon anime only had one real spinoff of substance, but that spinoff helped prove the potential that the Pokémon world holds. If Horizons is ever to have a spinoff, it would do well to follow in the footsteps of its predecessor.
The Pokémon anime's 2005 spinoff series, Pokémon Chronicles, was actually an assembly of specials and other Pokémon media made into a series in the West, but it was noteworthy for not featuring Ash in any significant capacity. Instead, Pokémon Chronicles focused on the many characters whom Ash had met and left behind, revealing what they're up to now. That includes major figures like Brock and Misty, as well as more minor characters like Casey and even completely original characters. This decision helped reveal new corners of the Pokémon world, and gave fans a taste of the series without Ash.
Pokémon Chronicles Put Fan-Favorites in the Spotlight
Without Ash, These Fan-Favorite Characters Could Shine
Pokémon Chronicles put Ash's supporting cast in the starring role, and many of them flourished when given the chance to take the lead. The series was set in continuity with the main series, so events that occurred in Chronicles would eventually be present in the main anime, such as Misty overcoming her fears and catching a Gyarados. It allowed for different types of episodes as well; one episode, for example, is a flashback to Team Rocket's training, revealing how the trio came together.
While it often echoed the main series' plots, and used Team Rocket's Butch and Cassidy a little too often, simply having someone other than Ash in the spotlight made them a refreshing watch. Episodes deal with subjects that have never really come up before, such as where Gym Badges come from, or the Pokérus, a mysterious Pokémon virus. It also changes the dynamic a lot to not have Ash and Pikachu around, as the two have a tendency to hog the spotlight over other characters. It's just plain fun to catch up with side characters who won't show up again as Ash travels farther away.
Pokémon Chronicles Was a Perfect Testing Ground for Other Spinoffs
Chronicles Could've Provided a Place to Debut New Potential Protagonists
Because of its episodic structure and focusing on different characters each episode, Pokémon Chronicles made for an excellent way to test the marketability of certain characters. The first episodes of Chronicles, for example, focus on a new character named Jimmy and his friend Marina as they attempt to stop Team Rocket from getting their hands on a Raikou. Had Jimmy and Marina been substantially popular, it would've been easy to have them appear again, and potentially even become leads of a spinoff anime.
The series' nature of having rotating protagonists made sure that things changed from week-to-week, so it never got stale. While it only ran for 22 episodes, many of the events in this series would have a surprising impact on the main series moving forward, when some of these characters did finally reappear. Chronicles just felt a little less restrained by formula than the main series, and that made it a joy to watch overall. It gave the writers a little more freedom than when writing about Ash, and that led to some excellent episodes.
A Chronicles-Like Spinoff Would Work Great for Pokémon Horizons, Too
Horizons' Format Makes a Chronicles-style Spinoff a Brilliant Idea
Pokémon Horizons, with its globetrotting premise, leaves characters behind constantly, as not everyone can join them and travel on the ship. However, this makes it arguably even better for a Chronicles-like spinoff than even the original series. The series has introduced and gotten to know a great number of characters who would be interesting to watch, from video game favorites like Nemona to original characters like Liko's grandmother, Diana. It could even potentially have episodes that actually feature Lucius, the Ancient Adventurer, back when he was active.
A spinoff like this would also help with the relative absence of Paldea and its Pokémon from Horizons, allowing it to focus more on Liko's home region, the way Ash's series might've handled it. Horizons should absolutely stick to its overarching plot, but a spinoff wouldn't be beholden to the plot of its parent series, and would be free to explore the world in whatever way it sees fit. This would give it a chance to answer some of the complaints about Horizons, while also giving these popular characters the focus they deserve. Pokémon Horizons is simply a perfect set-up for a Pokémon Chronicles-style spinoff, and would benefit immensely from its existence.
Ash Ketchum, a ten-year-old from Pallet Town, embarks on an adventure to become a Pokémon Master. With his first Pokémon, Pikachu, Ash sets out to capture and train Pokémon while battling other trainers in Pokémon Gyms to earn badges. Joined by his friends Brock and Misty, Ash consistently thwarts the plans of the nefarious Team Rocket, all while making new friends and encountering Pokémon across various regions.
Cast Rica Matsumoto , Mayumi Iizuka , Yūji Ueda , Tomokazu Seki , Kaori Suzuki , Fushigi Yamada , Megumi Toyoguchi
Character(s) Pikachu (voice) , Satoshi (voice) , Aipom (voice) , Pichu Younger Brother (voice) , Self , Pichu Older Brother (voice) , Kasumi (voice) , Gou (voice) , Narrator (voice) , Serena (voice) , Haruka (voice) , Shigeru Oak (voice) , Dent (voice) , Citron (voice) , Eureka (voice) , Iris (voice) , Hikari (voice) , Maamame (voice) , Mao (voice) , Suiren (voice) , Kaki (voice) , Wanpachi (voice)
Release Date March 7, 1992
Seasons 25
Network TV Tokyo , TV Osaka , TV Aichi , TVh , TVQ , TSC
Writers Takeshi Shudo , Junki Takegami , Atsuhiro Tomioka , Aya Matsui , Shoji Yonemura , Dai Saito
Directors Kunihiko Yuyama , Daiki Tomiyasu , Jun Owada , Saori Den
Main Genre Adventure
Creator(s) Naoko Takeuchi
Producers Takemoto Mori , Tsunekazu Ishihara , Keisuke Iwata
English (US) ·