The latest film to join the Pokemon franchise, Pokemon the Movie: Coco, debuted on Christmas Day in Japan. As eager fans wait in anticipation of the movie’s stateside debut, a novelization of the film has shed some light on a long-debated topic within the fandom: Who exactly is Ash’s dad?
Pokemon the Movie: Coco marks the 23rd Pokemon movie, and it exists within an alternate timeline established by Pokemon the Movie: I Choose You! The film follows Ash and Pikachu as they encounter the jungle-dwelling Coco, who shares a special connection with Pokemon Sword and Shield’s new Mythical Pokemon Zarude. While the latest installment has not seen an English release, a translated excerpt from the film’s novelization has revealed Ash may know a lot more about his dad than previously thought.
The scene features a brief conversation between Ash and Coco, where Ash shares some insight on the topic of dads as Coco finds himself at odds with his own father figure, Zarude. It is here when Ash shares a fond memory of some advice his own father gave him, saying if Ash did not follow his dreams they would never come true.
This dialogue marks the first time Ash has mentioned his dad in 20 years. Whether any more details about the mysterious Mr. Ketchum is revealed remains to be seen, though the film’s director Tetsuo Yajima discussed how Pokemon the Movie: Coco would explore the backstory of Ash’s father. As a recent father himself, Yajima sought to create a movie inspired by the love between parent and child. The relationship between Ash and his dad, as well as Coco and Zarude’s bond, will be the cornerstone of Pokemon’s latest film.
Tons of fan theories have surfaced over the years in an attempt to solve the mystery, with top suspects including everyone from Pokemon Chronicles‘ Silver to the leader of Team Rocket, Giovanni. This also seems to crush the popular theory that Professor Oak is Ash’s father. Given Oak’s extensive history within the franchise, him turning out to be Ash’s father would have certainly been plausible.
Prior to Pokemon the Movie: Coco, much of what was known of Ash’s father comes from a short phone call with his mother, Delia Ketchum. According to the second episode of the original Pokemon anime, “Pokemon Emergency!,” Mr. Ketchum set off on a Pokemon training journey of his own. His whereabouts are unknown, though some fans have theorized that the shame of seeing his own son accomplish what he could not kept him from returning to Pallet Town. Hopefully, the series’ new timeline will provide solid answers concerning the Ketchum family line.
Pokemon the Movie: Coco is slated for international release in 2021.
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