'Pokemon Journeys: The Series' Review: Ash and Pikachu are still trying to catch 'em all in this nostalgic ride
Ash Ketchum has returned for another journey, and hats off to all those viewers who've been keeping up with the series for over two decades. To emphasize the point, Season 23 of the beloved series is called 'Pokemon Journeys: The Series', and Ash is journeying around the countryside again with his best bud Pikachu and newfound friend Goh, who is a bit of an annoying and pompous brat, but has his good points...somewhere.
The season begins with a Pikachu prequel, where we get to see Pikachu as Pichu, living with Kangaskhans after being scared off a cliff by some ghoulish Pokemons. Pichu is treated like a baby Kangaskhan, till he realizes that well, he isn't one. Around this time, a six-year-old Ash Ketchum is at Professor Oak's camp, and has woken up late again. He misses the trip to the forest with his other classmates, and so doesn't have the chance to run into Pichu. Nevertheless, the episode focuses more on Goh, who is keen on collecting and discovering new Pokemon. He sees the powerful Mew save a baby Kangaskhan from falling off the cliff, while Pichu and the other Kangaskhans watch in awe.
This spurs Goh's ambitions to learn more about Pokemon, and boy is he determined to do so. In the next episode, he and Ash run into each other, as they're both having the same Lugia adventure. They remember each other from Professor Oak's camp and a friendship blossoms between the two. Ash has had many friends, and most of them have had one or two distinguishing traits, like Brock and Misty, who are fan-favorites as well. Yet, Goh actually seems to have a layer or two, and isn't so obnoxious. He's just a very lonely boy, and is desperate for friendship, not to mention that he seems to be a little too awestruck by Ash and Pikachu's fighting prowess. After some fights, Ash and Goh decide they're friends. If you know the format of Pokemon, you know the drill -- discover Pokemons, maybe battle other trainers, get into trouble with Team Rocket (oh yeah they're never going anywhere), and then a hooray-type celebration and something new is learned at the end of the day. Ash is as over-excited as ever, and that's something that will never change. Pikachu is cute and adorable, and those cheeks seem to have gotten chubbier.
Pokemon fans, this is a treat for you, because somehow despite the franchise running for 23 years, it's still not worn out its novelty. And it's especially a nostalgic trip for older Pokemon fans. Have fun, folks. It's streaming on Netflix. The first episodes of the season are streaming, and the rest will be added quarterly.