Aging in the anime: Difference between revisions

One common theory is that, like in many cartoons, the characters never age and are trapped at the age of their first appearance.  However, this seems strange in light of the fact that the passage of time is pointed out from time to time, and [[Ash Ketchum|Ash]] has supposedly done many things without celebrating a birthday.  The fact that the anime has directly pointed out ''years'' of time passing makes this even more questionable.  One of the most common supports for this theory is that Ash and [[May (anime)|May]] are supposedly the same age when May begins her journey, even though Ash has traveled through three regions and competed in their leagues before she received her first [[Pokémon]].

Another common theory is that, because only one half-hour episode airs approximately each week, the flow of time in the anime is considerably slower than in real life.  This theory has such facts supporting it as the apparent, though minimal, growth of the characters, as well as the noted marks of time.  The common estimate is that three real years will translate to one year in the anime.  However, this theory still faces the same problems as the Eternal Youth theory.