For more than 25 years, Ash Ketchum was the face of the Pokémon anime franchise, bringing joy to viewers everywhere around the world. Most fans of this iconic series know that the protagonist is a confident, joyful, and energetic boy with an unbreakable will. Throughout the show, the hero was rarely seen saddened or worried, as he preferred to be as optimistic as possible.

Yet, behind his smile and jokes, Ash hides a deep pain that was never addressed in the original series. This trauma was better seen in the special episode titled Distant Blue Sky!, which is based on the alternative version of the hero from the Pokémon: I Choose You! reboot timeline. After seeing this episode and the impact that his dad’s absence had on the boy, many things about his personality became clearer.

Ash Is Haunted by His Father’s Absence

Every Day He Fights Against This Sadness Throughout His Pokémon Journey

Distant Blue Sky! is the fifth special episode of the Journeys season, which is often considered one of the best in the franchise. The episode follows an alternative version of Ash, one whose journey did not lead him down the same path as the original television show. The episode begins with him talking with his mother, who asks Ash to meet with her at the nearest Pokémon Center as she has a surprise waiting for him. It is revealed that Ash’s dad was visiting, and this was the first time in many years they would see each other.

During his trip to the meeting place, Ash comes across several obstacles, which cause him to be late for the reunion. By the time he arrived, his dad was already gone and had been called back to work due to an emergency. Ash is given a new cap, one that his father bought as a gift, and he decides to wear it from that point onward. Shortly after receiving the news, he begins crying as he unpacks the other goodies, despite claiming he does not know what is making him sad. The episode strongly hints at Ash being devastated about not seeing his father.

When thinking carefully about his life, it becomes clear that the lack of care and affection from his dad has greatly affected Ash and his outlook on life. The boy seems to crave time with his missing parent, like any child his age would. Ash might be among the strongest trainers in the series, but he is still a 10-year-old kid who desires to be with his family. His feelings about his dad are rarely ever addressed in the anime, but this episode shows just how affected he is by the adult's absence.

Pokémon's Original Ash Likely Feels The Same Way

The Alternative Timeline Does Not Change Much About Ketchum

Even though the damage caused to Ash by his father’s long absence can be attributed to the alternative timeline, the possibility of this also occurring in the original cannot be ignored. Both versions of the protagonist are quite similar in personality and motivations. The biggest difference between the two is their goal, with the original wanting to become a Pokémon master and the alternative wishing to find one of the rarest legendaries in the series, Ho-Oh. As such, assuming that their feelings towards their father are similar is not an outlandish claim.

The original Ash never seemed too concerned about his father’s whereabouts, but he still held their memories together dearly. It is possible that Ash decided to ignore the pain of the adult’s abandonment and hide it deep inside, a coping mechanism often seen in children who live in similar situations. This would explain many of the hero’s less-than-stellar behaviors. When Ash was first introduced, he was rude, brash, and held little respect for authority. He was also quite reckless, not considering the risks of any decision, hinting at his father never teaching him about the dangers of the world.

Ash’s Friends Helped Him Heal

By the End of the Pokémon Series, Ketchum Had Found a Real Family

There is no denying that Ash’s father stepping away from his life might have left deep wounds in the boy’s psyche. Nevertheless, despite how tragic his origins might be, Ash overcame the sadness and emerged as the best trainer the world had ever seen. Ash's friends and amazing companions were vital to his development, helping him learn from defeat, encouraging his dreams, and being there during his lowest points. Ash might not have been able to see his father, but he had a loving and enormous family by his side when the Pokémon anime ended.