Pokémon has announced a new manga series starring one of the franchise's new protagonists.
According to ComicBook.com, Pocket Monster-Liko's Treasure is a tie-in with the upcoming anime series, Pokémon Horizons. Created by Kahori Orito, this manga will explore more of Liko's character as she sets out on her Pokémon journey with her starter, Sprigatito. Liko's Treasure will debut in the next issue of Shogakukan's Ciao Magazine, which comes out on May 2.
A New Pokémon Journey
After 26 years, Ash and Pikachu's story finally came to a close with the airing of "Rainbow and the Pokémon Master," the last episode of the Pokémon anime starring the famous duo. Pokémon Horizons will center on Liko and Roy, two brand-new trainers in the Pokémon universe. Like her iconic predecessor, Liko also hails from the Kanto Region. While attending a boarding school called Sekiei Academy, Liko receives Sprigatito as her starter and sets out on a journey to unravel the mystery behind a strange pendant.
Starring alongside Liko is another trainer called Roy, who similarly possesses a unique Pokeball. Horizons' most recent trailer features many of the other characters that will appear in the series, including Professor Friede, his partner, Captain Pikachu. Friede is the leader of the "Rising Volteckers," which travels across the world studying Pokémon in a giant airship. Other members of the crew include a mechanic named Orio, a chef named Murdock, and a medic named Molly, and an elderly gentleman named Randou. Each member of the crew is shown to have a partner Pokémon, with Randou being the only exception.
Farewell to Ash Ketchum
Although Pokemon's legacy will continue through Liko and Roy, the departure of Ash and Pikachu from the anime has had a profound impact on both fans and cast members alike. After Pokémon announced that Ash was officially leaving the series, hordes of Pokémon fans took to social media to bid emotional farewells to the character.
More recently, Rika Matsumoto, Ash/Satoshi's Japanese voice actor, posted an Instagram message discussing her emotions on the last day of recording for the series. Before reading the character's final lines, Matsumoto said that she had to ask the staff for some time to collect her emotions. When she did return, she stated that she "put everything I had into Ash's voice."
Pocket Monsters-Liko's Treasure debuts on May 2. Pokémon Journeys and its subsequent seasons are available on Netflix.
Source: ComicBook.com