Ah how well of a mixed bag this last season is for Pokémon. Some saying it was pretty decent at most while others are just getting out their torches and saying that this is not a good finale. Specially due to the fact that after 26 years, this would be the last time Ash would play as the main protagonist for this series.
Now it's time I address on my own opinion for this series. And I'll just straight up say it:
In my opinion, Aim to be a Pokémon Master is really good. Allow me to explain why.
So Aim to be a Pokémon Master is an epilouge that takes place directly right after Journeys ended. To which if you recalled what went down in Journeys (specifically the last episode), Ash and Go had split ways to go embark on journeys of their own.
Now, this continues where we left off. Thus starting this series. Simply put the synopsis of this series being "Ash and Pikachu venturing off to places they have never been to. Meeting new Pokémon and traveling again with some old friends (those old friends being Misty and Brock)." At the same time, this is where we get to see Ash actually rotate his team, using his old Pokémon in which he has used from the past, in which fans have been wanting for a long ass time. This does have some limitations tho, as not all of Ash's Pokémon can make it back, such as Goodra, whose taking care of the swamplands, or Primape, whose possibly still training for god knows how long until he evolves into an Anihilape. And this is basically the rundown of the series until the final episode.
Now something that some fans should've known but completely forgot about because of how much busy they were shitting on this series:
And that's sorta is what the problem with MPM has, there's nothing great or spectacular that goes on in the anime. It's just Ash venturing off to places they've been or not. The only reason as to why some fans feel so let down with this series is because nothing grand happens. It just feels all the same.
On another note:
"NEW PLOT DEVICE: Seeing as to how Pokémon and humans can bond, let's have Latias follow Ash, experiencing what goes on in his daily life. She's the embodiment of how Pokémon and humans can bond, so let's give her Ash's pov.":
Is basically the nutshell explanation of this new plot. See, Latias has a reason as to why she's following Ash. She needs his aid to help out Latios, who's been busy fighting off a Pokémon hunter. Though she can't really bring herself to enlist the help of him. Though, she wants to see what Ash does on his Journey, and seeing as to how he's been helping out all the Pokémon, she's grown to respect Ash because of it. This goes on for 10 episodes until they had to part when Latios is free from hellfire coming from the Hunter that's been chasing him.
Yeah, so that's the rundown as to what MPM is. Hopefully I explained it all in a way you can easily comprehend it, lmao.
Now to explain as to why I like it. Coming to this anime, I had zero expectations other than knowing from the back of my mind that these eleven episodes could literally be anything. It can be some random major Pokémon Battle against an old rival (Let's say it was Gary, as he is the only old rival to which shows up in the anime), some backstory about Ash and co. or even just be Ash helping a Pokémon. Surprise surprise, I was right. But that didn't take away the enjoyment factor that I've had watching this anime. There were some actually good parts of the anime in which I really do like (And a lot of them coincide with all of these 11 episodes), Such as bringing back some old Pokémon that Ash released, namely, Squirtle, Lapras, and Pidgeot. Using some of his older mons like Bayleaf, Kingler, Snorlax, Rowlet, Levanny, ya know, the list goes on as to what Pokémon Ash used in this anime. (Not really a long list tho) Usage of OST's as well. It all reigns across from the anime's lifespan. It's basically what the anime encapsulated throughout these 26 years.
Sure. It can be considered nostalgia bait, but you also gotta understand, it's the original series alone is what made the whole Pokémon anime what it is today. From the very epileptic lights from that one episode with Porygon, to the absolute mass complaining of Ash losing to the Kalos Leauge. From being a wannabe dumb trainer, to a skillfully masterful one. From gaining badges in pity, to rightfully earning them with his element of surprise. Really, if the OS series had not aired, we would've gotten the amazing moments in which we see up until now.
Is it "perfect"? Absolutely not. Especially with all the missed opportunities they had. I won't name them, but know that there are a shit ton of them. But it was still good enough to be at most a solid 8.2. I can only imagine as to the reason why people are not happy with how this series turned out comes from the fact that it's mostly just filler throughout the series, and how some fans expected more of a grand overarchingly finale, specially for a main character that has been the protag for 26 years. But again, I gotta reiterate: It doesn't need to be that grand or amazing. It could literally be Ash finally sinking in his feelings towards Serena and I could guarantee it'd still have good ending. (ok no, that was a shitty example, but it's fine. I'm keeping it, XP)
If I were to come to this with expectations, I'm pretty sure I'd join the loud majority that would say MPM sucks, but thankfully, I didn't, and thus, I thought it was pretty good.
Not perfect, but pretty good.
To conclude it off. I just wanna say. I've been a Pokémon fan ever since I was a 6 year old. And knowing that Ash won't be the main protag anymore after the 13 years of me watching (I'm 19 now as of today), it feels weird. I do personally think that the anime won't be the same without him, but alas "All good things must come to an end" is a true quote. I feel as if OLM decided, it's time to move on now. We've dragged this character on for far too long. It's time we start off with something new. Thus, the new series, Horizons. I'm interested as to see how Liko and Roy's adventures will go.
And as for the boy himself. I will miss Ash. If I ever wanna go back to watching a series with Ash as the protag again, I'll indeed go back to Sun & Moon or XY.
Thank you Ash for 26 years of your service. I know it's not really the end for you (specially how open-ended your ending was), but for now. Sayonara.
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