[quote author=Agent Zero link=topic=6135.msg109454#msg109454 date=1245845046]
As for Team Rocket, I agree, seeing Ash battle someone other then them, Gym leaders, or Paul would be nice. Team Rocket may be all kinds of WIN but they can be pushed aside every other episode (roughly) for an "antagonist of the day."
They've already done this here and there anyway. Like the one with that Mr. Show guy who beat Pikachu with a Riachu.
Aye. They have been using more random antagonists these days, and to be fair if Ash had a brand new foe
every single episode it'd probably get old just as fast as TR has - possibly much quicker because TR are some of the best characters in the show. With Sinnoh, many times we see a brief appearance of TR before they blast off, then the central theme of the episode takes over. Plus we've got lots of Dawn's story, new rivals, Hunter J., Team Galactic, etc.
Honestly, I find the Sinnoh saga as a whole pretty awesome, and the episodes ARE getting better, so... yeah. Kinda getting off topic here XD[/quote]
Exactly. TR aren't being relied on as the primary villains, and it's helped the overall series. Yeah, they're up to their usual shenanigans, but by far they aren't the only antagonists on the show now. I don't even think that the regular TR duo (Jessie, James, and Meowth) have been the primary antagonists in any of the movies.
Plus they rule and stuff, so ya gotta keep 'em around ;D
As for Ash in general, replacing him would be pointless if they're just going to replace him with another trainer who has the same general goals/attitude/character development.
I don't think it'd be as pointless as you think (even just seeing different Pokemon on a regular basis would make things feel fresher) but I don't mind Ash either. That's why I'll continue to hold out for my Pokemon OAV series x3
True, a different set of Pokemon with a new trainer would be an immediate shot of freshness, but we get that with Ash every time he enters a new region anyway.
I'm just not sure what the point would be in replacing Ash with another kind hearted, talented Pokemon trainer who wants to win a major regional tournament. Not that this characterization is bad in any way, but we've already got a character for it.
Unless we're talking a spin-off, Pokemon: The Ritchie Chronicles
An OAV series would be neat. I'm surprised it hasn't happened actually, at least in Japan.