My first anime was technically either Sailor Moon or Pokemon, back when I was a kid and I had no idea what anime was. I knew them as cartoons.
The show that got me interested in anime as an older person was Avatar: The Last Airbender, though I know it's disputed whether or not it's a true anime. I don't care about the distinction, but that's what made me more aware of anime. The first true anime I watched was Soul Eater.

I don't really have an opinion on the whole no-more-Ash thing; I think I accept that the showrunners decided that Ash was done as a character and that Pokemon just isn't a show for me anymore. I think it's for the new generation of Pokemasters. Hope they enjoy it!