[Subbed] Why Ash's formerly owned Greninja hasn't actually appeared?

[Thomas Wiencek]

What's up, everybody? I'm just wanting to know why you think Greninja, the one that Ash had released back in the wild, hasn't actually appeared in the original Japanese version of the Pocket Monsters 2019 new series episode, 'A Battle Festival Exploding With Life! VS Mega Lucario!!'? Do you think Ash's formerly owned Greninja will later appear in this subbed series right after this subbed episode? Why? Please let me know, thanks. ;)

 

[Palamon]

He's not going to. He was released. That's the end of it. We'll never see him again.

 

[Thomas Wiencek]

Well? Did you mean that Greninja have already died or retired from the anime?

 

[BH]

He's not going to. He was released. That's the end of it. We'll never see him again.

That explains why his Pidgeot and Butterfree never returned☹️

 

[PB]

I think it's unfair to say it will never return, as unlikely as it is D:

Butterfree and Pidgeot had nowhere nearrr the amount of focus/popularity Ash-Greninja did, and with the polls that came out proving it is indeed the #1, and the promotion it received so much that it had its own in game event and transformation... I don't doubt them reviving it somehow. It'd be smart imo!

However something to mind with Journeys/Pokémon 2019 is that just because an episode takes place in a region, it does not promise the possibility of a former character/Pokémon from that region appearing in said episode. AFAIK Korrina, Lt. Surge? and Lance are the only returning cameos we've seen so far (and there'll likely be more!) but we've been to all 8 regions so far and only those three have appeared. But with the championships that could def start becoming more of a thing :D

 

[Palamon]

Well? Did you mean that Greninja have already died or retired from the anime?

Neither. It's just that beyond Ash mentioned he used to own his released Pokemon, he never mentions them again. The only Pokemon Ash has released that has ever returned for even a cameo was Lapras, so. Goodra & Naganadel were a different case and only brought back for the league, so.

That explains why his Pidgeot and Butterfree never returned☹️

Ash did mention he had a Butterfree in the anime at some point, and I think the writers forgot he ever had a Pidgeot? I do remember there was an explanation somewhere why Pidgeot will never return, I just forgot where I saw that & if it was a reliable source.

 

[Kuzehiko]

He's not going to. He was released. That's the end of it. We'll never see him again.

Basically this.
I doubt we will ever see him again although it's not impossible.

 

[Iceshadow3317]

Journeys is doing a lot of things differently, so just because it has happened before, doesn't mean it won't happen now. For all we know, Riolu could have a Bond Phenomenon as well. Ash is an Aura Guardian for the most part unlike most Lucario trainers we have seen. If that happens, he may need Greninja's help.

I think if Ash brings Greninja back, it will be far later into the series as it is far too powerful right now and already has a lot of focus just like Charizard, but it still came back. They are focusing on his newer pokemon which are fully evolved.

With us hopping around, we don't know how long this saga will last. It could go beyond Gen 8 for all we know. Because that seems like how they set it up so there isn't a 100% story following the games so they can continue it.

 

[BH]

I think the writers forgot he ever had a Pidgeot? I do remember there was an explanation somewhere why Pidgeot will never return, I just forgot where I saw that & if it was a reliable source.

Hmm according to Dogasu Backpack Satoshi/Ash NEVER intended to go back for his first bird https://dogasu.bulbagarden.net/comparisons/orange/ep081.html so it's 4kids doing the whole "sugar coating the sad reality"

Also yeah seeing as Ash releases most of his evolved pokemon, that explains why pikachu doesn't want to be the ol powerful Raichu, becuase i doubt Ash will get cocky like Paul. Satoshi/Ash was based off Goku from DB, a nobody who trained hard to be the best with the power of his friends

As for Butterfree i never understood the 4kids's Ash "Don't worry we tell everyone you went on an trip" even thought it was falsy rumored that HE (yeah suck it Bulbapedia, his Butterfree is male) died just like real life Butterflies

 

[TheForgotten1]

I can possibly see them bringing his Greninja back at some point, but it'd be more or less like Charizard where he'd appear for 1 or 2 episodes and that'd be it for awhile.

 

[BH]

but it'd be more or less like Charizard where he'd appear

Actually my man, the only kanto starters of Ash's team who were confirmed genders were Squirtle and Bulbasaur (both males) Charizard being an guy is dub only, althought seeing as it ignored Ash in the first seasons, i think it's a girl

 

[PB]

It's not really explicitly stated, but I think it is at least implied? I'm not assuming much, but there was the relationship dynamic between it and Charla (Liza's Charizard, even though it seemed one sided). Do mind that there's not many opportunities to reveal a Pokémon's gender in the anime apart from Attract, romantic centered episodes around another Pokémon, and gender differences afaik

The 7-ELEVEN Japanese event for Movie 20 that released a in-game representation of it is also locked to being male, and those usually stay true to the source material when possible

 

[BH]

The 7-ELEVEN Japanese event for Movie 20 that released a in-game representation of it is also locked to being male, and those usually stay true to the source material when possible

Mhm i see, so that's why the japanese wikipedia lists it's gender as male