Pokémon (Johnson version) (Johnsonverse)

Pokémon is an American anime series based on the video game franchise of the same name by Gamefreak and Nintendo. It has aired on WBC since January 10, 2016.
The series is very different from the anime that has aired since 1997. Although it has the same main protagonist (Ash Ketchum), it is vastly different from the original version, namely taking place on a planet in the Star Wars: Alternity universe named Eanet. The series is currently in the Hoenn Arc. Episodes are released on a regular basis on Netflix.
A rough idea of the series can be found here, though note Lucas' absence in the linked fanfiction.
==Premise==
The series is a darker, more realistic take on the anime. Themes such as death, rape, abuse, and other mature themes are often brought up. One major difference is that Serena moved from Kalos to Kanto, instead of the other way around.
==Characters==
=== Humans ===
==== Main ====
* Ash Ketchum (Veronica Taylor) - The main protagonist, Ash is a Pokémon Trainer from Pallet Town in Kanto. Unlike his original counterpart, this Ash is much smarter, more mature, and knows about his Aura much earlier, being able to talk to Pokémon using it.
* Serena Yvonne (Haven Paschall) - Ash's childhood best friend and eventual girlfriend, Serena started her journey not knowing what she wanted to do. In Kanto, she participated in and won the Battle Chateau Challenge, and also won the Johto Grand Festival, moving on to Pokémon Showcases in Hoenn. During the Johto arc, she unlocked her latent ESP, becoming able to talk to Pokémon telepathically.
* Brock Takeshi (Eric Stuart) - The Pewter City Gym Leader. He is much like his canon counterpart: a big brother figure to Ash, and a hopeless bachelor who flirts with every woman he sees.
* Misty Waterflower (Rachel Lillis, 2016-2024; TBA 2024-onward) - The Cerulean City Gym Leader. She is explicitly several years older than Ash, but otherwise has the same characterization as her original counterpart, aside from pursuing a relationship with Orange Islands Gym Leader Rudy.
* Lucas Kouki (Tim Johnson) - Arguably the true star of the show, Lucas is both a Pokémon Trainer and a Knight of the Force. As Lucas never appeared in the original series (outside of a cameo in the opening for the eleventh movie), Tim Johnson created a characterization for him. Lucas is incredibly flamboyant, hammy, over-the-top, and constantly breaking the fourth wall, usually by looking at the episode's script, commenting on a character's voice actor, picking apart cliches, and directly addressing the audience. Of all the main characters, Lucas has the single-most overpowered Pokémon team, which he attributes to his training method: sending his Pokémon to beat up every single Wild Pokémon in sight, and picking fights with every other trainer he sees. Most of the time, Lucas is rather goofy, but he is, by no means, an idiot. In fact, he is actually the smartest, though his methods for taking care of a problem usually involve the use of a lightsaber or the Force. He also hides an incredible amount of sadness about having to be away from his best friend, partner, and love interest, Dawn Hikari (Emily Jenness) for such a long period, especially when he witnesses Ash and Serena (whose relationship he fanatically supports, to the point he will attack anyone he perceives as a "homewrecker") being intimate. Whenever he gets serious, he is incredibly scary. Lucas is the personal apprentice of Knights of the Force Grandmaster Holden Quist, and is one of the most powerful members of the order.
* May Haruka (Veronica Taylor) - A rookie Pokémon Coordinator, daughter of Petalburg City Gym Leader Norman, and another Knight of the Force. May was initially similar to Serena, in that she didn't know what to do, eventually becoming inspired to be a Coordinator after sitting in on a class at the Rustboro City Pokémon Trainers' School. She isn't as powerful in the Force as Lucas, though she is by no means weak.
* Max Haruka (Amy Birnbaum) - May's younger brother. His characterization is the same as the original series.
==== Recurring ====
* Drake Ketchum (Sarah Natochenny) - Ash's twin brother created new for the series. He started the series as a very gruff person who wanted to prove he was as good as his and Ash's father, Red. To that end, he even wore the same clothes Red wore during his journey as a kid. He eventually softened, but he is prophecized to become a grave threat to the world.
* Gary Oak (Carter Cathcart) - Grandson of Professor Oak and one of Ash's childhood friends. His characterization is the same as the original series, starting as a cocky rival before greatly mellowing. He once claimed to have obtained ten gym badges, but had his ego deflated when Lucas pointed out that two of his badges were fakes, since Pokémon League regulations mandate a maximum of eight gyms per region.
* Leaf (Elsie Lovelock) - Another of Ash's childhood friends, Leaf is a sort of sister towards him and Gary. Her goal was originally to fill the pages of the Pokedex, and she was involved in a love triangle with Drake and Gary. Drake rejected her, much to her despair, and she is unaware of Gary's crush on her. After the Johto Arc, she went on sabbatical to write a book about her journeys. The end of the Johto Arc implies that she may be Force-sensitive.
* Professor Oak (Stan Hart) - Professor of the Kanto region. His characterization is the same as the original series.
* Delia Ketchum (Veronica Taylor) - Ash and Drake's mother. Her characterization is the same as the original series.
* Looker (Jason Griffith) - An agent working for Republic Intelligence, Looker was dispatched to Eanet to follow up on rumors that Team Rocket was associated with the Galactic Empire.
* Silver (Matthew Mercer) - A mysterious boy waging a one-man war against Team Rocket. He outright kills Team Rocket grunts by ordering his Feraligatr to savagely tear them apart. He is killed after being shot by Giovanni during Team Rocket's final stand.
* Paul Shinji (Julián Rebolledo) - Ash's current rival, Paul is much like his main series counterpart: cold, cruel, seeing Pokémon as mere tools for achieving victory, and valuing strength above all else. He has a very low opinion of Ash, viewing friendship as weakness. He is, however, very intimidated by Lucas, acknowledging him as incredibly strong and making sure not to give Lucas a reason to kill him, as Lucas has made it clear he would at the drop of a hat.
* Nurse Joy (Megan Hollingshead) - The head nurse of every Pokémon Center. This series explains that the reason every Nurse Joy is identical is because they are a series of clones produced on Kamino.
* Officer Jenny (Lee Quick) - The primary law enforcement of Eanet, Officer Jenny is another series of clones produced on Kamino.
==== Antagonists ====
* Team Rocket - A criminal organization operating in Kanto and Johto, Team Rocket was initially seen as just another band of crooks, before it became clear they were a proxy for Darth Sidious' Galactic Empire. Their ultimate goal was to take over Eanet for the Empire.
** Giovanni (Ted Lewis) - Leader of Team Rocket. He is convinced that he is Force-sensitive, and wormed his way into Darth Sidious' good graces in hopes of receiving training. He is eventually apprehended by Lucas during Team Rocket's last stand, and taken to Hosnian Prime to be interrogated and executed.
** Domino (Kerry Williams) - An elite officer within Team Rocket who became a particular thorn in the side of Ash's group in Johto. She was among the thousands of Team Rocket members killed by Lucas during his rampage through their headquarters in Mahoghany Town.
** Jessie, James, and Meowth (Rachel Lillis, Eric Stuart, and Carter Cathcart) - The TRio, as they are often called by the fandom, play a much smaller role than their original series counterparts. The Johnson version presents them as even more inept, to the point they eventually become spies working for Looker and get full pardons for their intelligence playing a decisive role in taking down Team Rocket.
* J (Sonny Dey) - Better known as "Pokémon Hunter J", this mysterious woman travels the world in an airship, capturing Pokémon and even stealing them from trainers for the right price. Her airship is equipped with several Sith Fighters, indicating she gets funding from Darth Revan. As of the Hoenn Arc, she has yet to be caught, having killed Ranger Mason with a blaster bolt to the head, dropped a Tyrannitar to her death and left Ash and Serena to find the grisly aftermath, and stole Serena's Ledian.
* Count Dooku (Corey Burton) - A member of the Council of Darths, Count Dooku of Serenno is a powerful Sith Lord. He was first encountered by Ash and co. in the Kanto Safari Zone, where he barely escaped with his life after dueling Lucas.
=== Gym Leaders ===
==== Kanto ====
* Brock Takeshi - See above
* Misty Waterflower - See above
* Lt. Surge (Patrick Seitz)
* Erika (Leah Applebaum) - Like in the original series, Erika bans Ash from her Gym for insulting her perfumes. She also bans Lucas for associating with Ash, which sends Lucas off the deep end, this being the first demonstration of his power in the Force and just how scary he can be, as many fans found the scene extremly unsettling. He not only Force Chokes Erika, he also reminds her that she's breaching Pokémon League regulations, and even kills all of her perfume shop employees, telling her that he will do the same and make it look like a Sith did it. She relents after hearing this, and is also sworn to silence so that the authorities don't hear about it.
* Koga (Stan Hart)
** Janine (Cassandra Lee Morris) - Janine never appeared in the original series. She is depicted here as openly flirting with Ash, angering Serena (for the fact that she would dare to do so), and causing Lucas to Force Choke her for being a "homewrecker".
* Sabrina (Lisa Ortiz)
* Blaine (Michael Haigney)
==== Orange Islands ====
* Cissy (Jennifer Hale)
* Danny (Jim Malone)
* Rudy (Matthew Mitler) - Unlike the original series, Rudy plays a much larger role in this version, becoming Misty's boyfriend who gives up his position to move to Cerulean City.
* Luana (Kayzie Rogers)
* Drake (Scottie Ray)
==== Johto ====
* Falkner (Matthew Mitler)
* Bugsy (Cristina Valenzuela)
* Whitney (Sarah Anne Williams)
* Morty (Andrew Rannells)
* Chuck (Hulk Hogan)
* Jasmine (Tara Jayne)
* Pryce (Alan Oppenheimer)
* Clair (Megan Hollingshead)
==== Hoenn ====
* Roxanne (Sarah Miller-Crews)
* Brawley (Jason Griffith)
* Watson (Ed Asner) - This was one of Asner's final roles before his passing.
* Flannery (Laura Post)
* Norman Haruka (Dan Green) - May and Max's father.
* Winona (TBA)
* Tate & Liza (TBA) - It has been confirmed that both will be recruited by Lucas into the Knights of the Force.
* Wallace (Sean Rayes)
WORK-IN-PROGRESS
=== Pokémon ===
* Pikachu
==Development==
In
===Casting===
==Seasons==
==Broadcast history==
==Reception==
Category:Johnsonverse