>>51248961They couldn't because Ash being continuously the male protagonists, has cemented himself as the iconic character that is inseparable from the anime, he had chronicled his own story and franchise on it's own way that gives unique story (including memorable other new characters, famous returning characters like Jessie-James that always accompany Ashnime).
As I enjoy Ashnime, I treat Ashnime starting from Unova as standalone "Spin-off" that has no business to be related with story of the main game, manga, other anime whatsoever. Hence, comparing characters between game and ashnime (like Red vs. Ash we have here right now, or easier example: Game Serena vs. Anime Serena), or which version is more canon; are meaningless shitflinging just like genwars. Furthermore, when other anime exist like Generations, or Evolutions; all of these are pretty much a moot point. Ash with decades of appearance made him a "placeholder" protagonist.
Then, as for Masters EX, Red & Ash coexistence is an asspull since Game Freak/TPC being too lazy to straight-up their Pokémon lore by saying multiverse exist (so any asspull they made were all correct, simultaneously exist in parallel).
>Oh well, it happens. No need for explanation, reasons. Just enjoy the game. 
