As Pokémon prepares to retell its "Indigo League Saga" for the 21st Century, creators of the anime movie have decided to retcon two major human characters. Although Ash Ketchum will still be the focus characters, both long-term traveling companions Brock and Misty will not be returning.

Loosely remaking the first 80 episodes of the original series, Pokémon the Movie 20: I Choose You! is swapping out Brock and Misty for two new characters called Souji and Makoto. It seems that dropping characters won't be the only change from the anime series, and Pokémon from across the entire run will be popping up. Souji's Pocket Monster companion is the fourth generation Lucario, and Makoto will buddy up with a Piplup.

As two gym leaders - and then later friends of Ash - they appeared in dozens of episodes and several feature-length movies. Given that Misty appeared in the very first episode, and Brock in the fifth, fans are rightly outraged by the decision to omit them from Ash's new/old adventures. Other well-known characters like Professor Oak, Nurse Joy, and Gary will all be getting cameos in Pokémon the Movie 20: I Choose You!, but is that really enough?

Misty eventually departed the series for good in 2006 and Brock in 2013 (apart from flashbacks), but with I Choose You! being a retelling of the first season, it seems odd that they have been omitted. As definite fan-favorites, Brock was known for his lustful longing to find himself a woman, while Misty was the fiery red-head who matched Ash for sheer determination. Thankfully, Twitter user Alex Aniel has some slightly better news, saying that the two will be tacked on the end credits with Ash's old friends. Other removed relics from the past appear to be Tracey, May, Max, Dawn, Iris, Cilan, Serena, Bonnie, and Clemont:

Just saw Pokémon I Choose You. See image for appearances/cameos (spoilers). pic.twitter.com/jYHizUqBsX— Alex Aniel (@cvxfreak) July 6, 2017

In another strange turn of events, it appears that the anime also won't be addressing the fact that Ash Ketchum has been a 10-year-old for the past 20 years. However, despite Brock and Misty getting a namecheck, it hasn't taken Twitter long to clock that the duo will be missing in action this time around:

Re: Brock and Misty not being in the movie remake of the first episodes of the first Pokemon season; what...? Also why? pic.twitter.com/gkqbanAIJX— Wayfarer V (@victorialeeder) July 10, 2017

You get rid of Brock and misty. How dare you?! #boycottnewpokémonmovie— Oh_me? (@_Thisguyreally) July 10, 2017

Ash: Misty and Brock who?? pic.twitter.com/JXsqlYzkLo— Red (@Incineroarz) July 8, 2017

Ironically, the new film will also reenact several big Brock and Misty moments, including the iconic scene where the young trainers set Butterfree free in "Bye-Bye Butterfree." Even if the 20th-anniversary movie isn't classed as a full remake, it seems unusual to swap out two of the most integral characters but keep others.The jury is still out on whether Souji and Makoto will be as memorable as Brock and Misty, but being featured heavily in the trailer and promotional material, it looks like the movie will bring a lot of screen time for the newcomers.

Source: Alex Aniel