Few topics divide the Pokémon anime fandom like Ash’s romantic prospects. While some fans prefer Ash and Misty as a couple, the anime series itself heavily teased that Serena was the only girl with a legitimate shot at Ash’s heart. Despite the handful of teases, however, Ash and Serena left as just friends.
Now that Ash is officially retired from the anime, Pokémon fans are wondering what it would have looked like if the series had done more to develop the romantic side of the world’s most famous Pokémon trainer. One key person who agrees is Ash’s English voice actress, Sarah Natochenny.
Fr. Pasadena 2025 animeScreenRant spoke to Natochenny about Ash’s development and growth as a character. In response to a question about things Ash didn’t get to accomplish during Natochenny’s run, the iconic actress shared that she had always wanted to see the anime series do more with Ash and Serena’s relationship.
We got to see so many sides of Ash — all his friendships, all his adventures — but I think I would have loved to see a little more development between him and Serena.
I mean, he’s ten years old, so obviously he would have to stay age-appropriate, but that connection was something really special. I think a lot of fans would have loved to see where that relationship might have gone.
Sarah Natochenny Wants To See Ash and Serena’s Relationship Grow
Although the Pokémon anime has teased a few potential love interests for Ash, such as Misty, Melody, and Bianca, those are mostly one-sided crushes that Ash appears completely oblivious to. Serena, on the other hand, is the only one of Ash’s companions who has actually kissed him.
This, combined with their shared backstory of having met when they were young, makes it clear that the anime series was strongly hinting that Serena had more of a chance with Ash than anyone else seen in the series.
As Natochenny rightfully points out, this could have been a significant area of development for Ash. While both of the characters are still 10, making an actual full romantic relationship unlikely, Ash’s feelings for Serena as a potential romantic partner are never made clear.
Serena Could Have Been The Key To Ash’s Final Pokémon Journey
Ash’s final Pokémon episode was controversial, given that it left him in pretty much the same place every new series leaves him. While the XY series hinted that Ash and Serena might share a special bond, this isn’t something explored in Ash’s final adventure.
It was probably the right choice to have Ash team up with Brock and Misty for To Be a Master given how it calls back to the character’s roots. However, it would have been a great show of Ash’s development to have him reflect on his relationship with Serena, or at least for him to think about her, given how close the two became.
Unfortunately, despite the abundant potential for Ash and Serena’s relationship, Pokémon seems committed to keeping Ash the same when he returns. Still, given the bold creative choices at play HorizonsNatochenny’s wish for more out of Ash and Serena may come to fruition when the World Champion returns to the legendary anime.
- Release Date
- 1997 – 2023
- NETWORKS
- TV Tokyo, TV Osaka, TV Aichi, TVh, TVQ, TSC
- Directors
- Shigeru Omachi, Koji Ogawa, Fumihiro Ueno, Hideki Hiroshima, Maki Kodaira, Makoto Ooga, Ayumi Moriyama, Keitaro Motonaga, Shigeru Ueda, Fumihiro Yoshimura, Minoru Ohara, Yoshitaka Makino, Kiyoshi Egami, Makoto Sokuza, Bjarne Heuser, Naoki Murata, Kenichi Nishida, Tomoe Makino, Masahiko Watanabe, Hiroaki Takagi, Tazumi Mukaiyama, Ryohei Horiuchi, Yoshihiro Oda, Hiromichi Matano
- Writers
- Junki Takegami, Atsuhiro Tomioka, Hideki Sonoda, Yukiyoshi Ôhashi, Yuka Miyata, Takeshi Shudo, Shouji Yonemura, Shinzo Fujita, Michihiro Tsuchiya, Deko Akao, Reiko Yoshida, Aya Matsui, Junichi Fujisaku
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Rica Matsumoto
Satoshi (voice)
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Otani is gone
Pikachu (voice)
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