Character to Lead in Netflix’s Live-Action Pokemon Series (Not Ash)

According to reports, the lead character for Netflix’s live-action Pokemon project has been selected, but it will not be Ash Ketchum who will be the main focus.

According to a report from Variety, news of a live-action Pokemon series coming to the streaming platform was announced in July 2021. It was reported that Joe Henderson, co-showrunner of Lucifer, had been chosen to write and executive produce the series.

For some time, information was limited until pop culture critic Kristian Harloff claimed in 2023 that Netflix was in the early stages of planning a live-action Pokemon project. Harloff revealed on social media at the time that it was expected to be their next major project after Stranger Things.

Despite Netflix’s lack of comment, a recent rumor from Daniel ‘DanielRPK’ Richtman indicates that the show is still being actively developed.

According to a post on Patreon made on August 12 (via ScreenTime), Richtman briefly mentioned a potential hero for the Pokemon project and claimed that sources have confirmed this decision by the streaming company.

Rather than featuring Ash Ketchum or a new character, the main protagonist in Netflix’s live-action series will be Red, who was the lead character in the original Pokemon games. As of this writing, no additional information has been released, official or otherwise.

Red in Pokemon Origins

Despite later being overshadowed by Ash Ketchum, Red, the original Pokemon Trainer, was the main character in Game Freak’s popular games, Pokemon Red and Blue, in 1996. He may be best known for fans of the anime, but Red’s expertise with Pokemon goes far beyond just the first generation adventures.

The Trainer with the iconic red cap is featured as a non-playable character in various games, such as Gold and Silver, Sun and Moon, Let’s Go, Pikachu!, and Let’s Go, Eevee! Furthermore, Red served as the protagonist in the 2013 Pokemon Origins anime series, which followed the storyline of the Red and Blue games.

The approach Netflix will take for the character’s rumored return in a live-action Pokemon TV series is currently unknown. As of now, there is no information on when confirmed details will begin to emerge.