I always got the impression that the pokemon anime was a lot like Sesame Street. At least in the sense that it's an ongoing series for children. The show never really grabbed me, but I was older than the target demographic at the time. I imagine that Ash's removal from the series is going to be a lot like that time big bird finally proved Snuffleupagus was real: It'll be a news story for a few weeks, then nobody will give a shit. 

Also Vinland saga is worth watching. Kinda weird how the main character becomes a secondary character in his own story, but hopefully that gets fixed in season 2, whenever that airs over here.