Pokémon’s leading man has gone through plenty of changes in his two decades of screen time.
There aren’t a lot of constants in the Pokémon anime. Since the animated arm of the franchise needs to match step with its video game installments, whenever a new game comes out the anime also needs to introduce a new setting and its associated Pocket Monster species.
But one thing you can count on in the mainline Pokémon anime is the presence of Ash, or Satoshi as he’s called here in Japan. While the members of his group of travelling companions may come and go, Ash is always at the center of the action, with his determined eyes starting out at the ever-evolving world from beneath the brim of a sporty cap.
Still, Ash’s design isn’t completely static. It gets at least a subtle freshening up with each new arc, and with as many sagas as he’s seen after 20 years of anime adventures, there are now more than a half-dozen visual versions of the character. So to help everyone keep track of which Satoshi is which, Japanese Twitter user @maboroshi_mochi has put together this handy comparison chart.
▼ Top row (left to right): original Pokémon early episodes, original Pokémon late episodes, Advanced Generations, Diamond & Pearl
Bottom row: Best Wishes!, XY, Sun and Moon, I Choose You
歴代サトシ早見表描きました pic.twitter.com/w214k0bSnV
— まほろ🍷 (@maboroshi_mochi) July 11, 2017
Aside from amassing a large collection of hats, Ash’s eyes have generally become more expressive as the series has gone on. By XY, his irises are noticeably larger and more colorful than they were when he made his anime debut, and his cheekbones have also become taller, giving him a more mature experience.
The most dramatic shift comes with the currently airing Sun and Moon, which gives Ash much softer features and also uses flatter colors with less shading, perhaps as a visual metaphor for the bright sunshine of the arc’s tropical Alola region setting. The squiggles under his eyes also become much more pronounced, and since they now stretch much closer to the center of his face, more than a few online commenters seem to interpret them as an awkwardly high mustache, prompting comparisons to much-maligned anime mecha Turn A Gundam.
時が未来に進むと 誰が決めたんだ (歌:西條秀樹) pic.twitter.com/poodsKZsPq
— 尻に火が付いたミカサちゃん (@black_hawk1215) July 11, 2017
But it looks like the handlers of the Pokémon anime aren’t ready to go entirely all-in on Satoshi’s Sun and Moon design. As shown in the last illustration on @maboroshi_mochi’s chart, for the upcoming I Choose You Pokémon theatrical feature, Ash is looking like his old, original self (though once again with a new hat). Of course, since I Choose You is a flashback to the very start of Ash’s adventures, this may or may not mean that his Sun and Moon redesign will be undone in whatever TV arc comes after Sun and Moon, but at least I Choose You audiences will have one familiar face waiting for them.
Source: Twitter/@maboroshi_mochi
Follow Casey on Twitter, where Shin Tenchi Muyo/Tenchi in Tokyo was the first time he got really upset about redone character designs.

Not just Ash – New Pokémon anime reveals it will have two protagonists【Video】
Pokémon plushie of “Ash’s butt” enthralls the Japanese Internet
Pokémon’s Ash FINALLY wins a Pokémon tournament championship!
Ash is going to look very different (again) in the new Pokémon anime movie【Video】
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Japan’s cheap beef bowl chain goes upscale with Matsuya Premium, but is it worth the higher price?
7-Eleven Japan joins the craze for Korean Gamja Cheese Balls
Starbucks Japan releases special limited-edition summer drinks… at only 30 stores
Lawson transforms convenience store food with massive katsu burger and an insane curry bread
Two of Kyoto’s famous temples tackle streetside trash with solar-powered trash cans
Anne Hathaway creates PR frenzy in Japan after mentioning Tottori in Devil Wears Prada interview
East Japan Railway announces plans to abolish magnetic-strip tickets
Luxury houseplant fraud leads to arrest of Takamatsu man
Super Mario Galaxy Happy Meal toys now available at McDonald’s Japan
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
New Square Enix Cafe reveals Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, Nier, and Fullmetal Alchemist menu items
Ghibli’s No Face continues to demonstrate his generous character growth by dispensing soy sauce
Japanese rice cooker recipe gives us a tasty new way to enjoy vegetables and wieners
Family Mart commits “reverse fraud” in new Giant All-Star Festival, and we couldn’t be happier
New Tokyo sweets shop offers 648 different mochi ice cream dumpling combinations
Colour Hunting: The hot new street photography trend changing how we see Japan
Body of missing American college student found in Kyoto mountains
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
New official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
Japanese convenience store Lawson launches new “mini supermarket” chain, L Minimart
Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]
Kyoto public junior high school becomes first in Japan with a hoodie school uniform
Japanese convenience store shows us how to dress for the rainy season
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
New Pikachu character coming to Pokémon anime series after Ash’s retirement
Satoshi/Ash’s voice actress almost couldn’t make it through final Pokémon anime recording session
Ash and Pikachu are stepping down as the main characters of the Pokémon anime【Video】
Ash is going to look very different in the new Pokémon anime arc【Video】
Ash Ketchum wins Pokémon World Championship!
Ash’s Japanese voice actress nails Pokémon anime theme one last time before retiring from role【Vid】
Special Ash cap Pikachu added to Pokémon GO for game’s first-birthday celebration
After 19 years, Ash Ketchum keeps streak alive with an as-expected performance in Pokémon League
New Pokémon anime movie looks like it’s going to reboot the franchise【Video】
Is Ash no longer 10 years old?! Serena kisses Ash in latest Pokémon episode 【Video】
New Pokémon anime series promises to include all eight regions, has throwback title