Saying goodbye to Pikachu and Ash, plus how Pokémon changed media forever

It's Been a Minute

NPR

News Commentary, Society & Culture, News, Spirituality, Religion & Spirituality

4.6 • 8.8K Ratings

🗓️ 27 January 2023

⏱️ 38 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

It's the end of an era. After more than 25 years, The Pokémon Company is closing the book on the adventures of Ash Ketchum and Pikachu. To celebrate the cultural impact of this dynamic duo – and of the Pokémon franchise – Brittany Luse sits down with actor Sarah Natochenny, who's voiced Ash since 2006. Sarah talks about growing up with a character who stays 10 years old, and how fans have been the lifeblood of the show. Then, Brittany sits down with Dexter Thomas, VICE News correspondent and Japanese culture critic, and Daniel Dockery, author of Monster Kids: How Pokémon Taught a Generation to Catch Them All. They explore how Pokémon transformed gaming and children's TV in the U.S. and became one of the biggest media franchises in the world.

You can follow us on Twitter @ItsBeenAMin or email us at [email protected].

Transcript

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0:00.0	So recently, my producer played me a throwback jam.
0:03.4	I wanna meet the very best time.
0:06.9	I have not heard the Pokemon theme song in like 25 years.
0:11.0	When an anthem, he just makes you wanna get up in the morning,
0:16.5	go catch some Pokemon, train him, fight.
0:19.2	I'm your friend.
0:21.4	Hey y'all, you're listening to It's Been A Minute From NPR.
0:27.9	I'm Brittany Loose.
0:29.0	If you haven't guessed, today we're talking about Pokemon.
0:33.5	I wasn't much for the trading cards,
0:35.1	but I played the Game Boy game when it first came out in the 90s.
0:39.3	And I also watched the anime.
0:41.1	And even right now on my desk,
0:43.0	there's a pair of Pikachu ears my sister got me in Tokyo a few years ago.
0:47.7	So I felt a little nostalgic when I heard that after more than 25 years,
0:53.0	the Pokemon company is finally closing the book on Ash, Catchum, and Pikachu.
0:58.8	My millennial heart weeps.
1:02.6	Now, if you're not as familiar with Pokemon,
1:05.4	the thing about Ash is that he has one lifelong goal.
1:09.4	To become a Pokemon master.
1:12.2	Very recently, he achieved it.
1:14.2	He has no more mountains left to climb.
	...

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