Pokémon Introduces New Anime Characters 'Friede' And 'Captain Pikachu,' Internet Reacts Accordingly

You really didn't think they'd make a season of the Pokémon anime without Pikachu, did you?

As announced late last year, the Pokémon anime is getting set to reboot in the Paldea region without its longtime protagonists Ash and Pikachu, and today, Pokémon offered a glimpse at two characters who look like they'll have an important role in the new series — a guy name Friede and his buddy, "Captain Pikachu."

Pokémon promises that the pair will "accompany the protagonists" on their upcoming adventure through what is hopefully a more functional Paldea than the one shown in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Outlets like Serebii have reported that Friede will be the series' "Professor" character, a recurring role previously held by characters such as Professors Oak and Kukui. This may indicate the anime will divert from the game's plot, which already had several "professor" characters at the Naranja/Uva academy.

Of course, when any new Pokémon character is revealed, the traditional question asked by fans is are they hot? In Friede's case, the answer so far seems to be a resounding "yes."

There is still some time until we get more information on Friede and his buddy, but Pokémon has undoubtedly set the table for a wave of Friede fan art and other forms of thirst in the future.