After reading last few pages of discussion i agree with rest how it would be exaggeration to say how pokemon anime is dying, though there is no denying how it saw better days compared to status it has now.
Truth to be told ratings which circulate between 3.2 and 4.0, 4.5 isn't something to write home about imo with this show being appealing to much wider group of fans couple of years ago with more people being interested in its story, characters and principles it promotes.
Surely its not to expect that hype and viewing figures stay same like they used to be in its golden era, especially after running over decade and half. But depending on writing quality and how exciting certain show is can certainly affect at what speed series are going to decline and lose interest.
Because in every TV show which experience downfall in number of viewers there is never responsible only one, but several factors being common sense how in marketing and business if customers aren't satisfied with product this will lead to lower of people interest.
As such pokemon show popularity was over the years affected by factors such as how successful advertizing is, word of mouth from its viewers and their loyalty.
And as such basing on people reception accompanied with consistent talk and complaining about what they like, dislike about anime , there are various things i noticed which led toward drop of people interest for this anime over the years such as fad dying out, attention dwindling out over time, change of voice actors when PUSA took over, constant cast replacing leaving characters abandoned and unresolved( no pun intended but biggest backlash happened when Misty left) ,lack of continuity and more consistent storyline which along with protagonists don't move forward, abandon of important plots(like GS ball), repetitive start at every new saga etc.
Granted i already heard excuses how reason why ratings are dropping is because "less children is born" and while we can certainly not ignore this as being one of factors, way i see it its not the only one which lead toward show losing its reputation and appeal over the years(especially when talking about fandom outside of Japan on global scale). Quality can certainly play difference in how many people are be willing to watch certain Tv show and maintain their interest toward it with either negative or positive critic and impressions about it influencing how long series will be successful and attracting toward its watchers. Im of opinion how it might be one, but certainly not only factor judging by deepening of people disappointment, quitting with anime and with each gen even bigger culvert happening among fans i see happening with each passing generation.
Writers aren't doing best they could nor same approach can work forever in my opinion so while pokemon anime is still doing depending on how you look at it good, as loyal and avid watcher of this show it would be impolitic for me to say how im not worried about its future.
p.s. Additionally while marketing can play factor in return of popular older pokemon and characters , i believe their revival is also done for fanservice purposes and to attract more of older fans toward this show. Because quite frankly there is no reason to bring them back for new fans which might not even be familiar with what happened in previous sagas,.
Surely its to expect merchandize getting released around time when certain pokemon or character is planned to return with attempt of increasing sales with writers and game producers being in contact, but in end its writers call who is going to be included in show and who wont.
Which is nothing new in TV industry when it comes to long running series etc being done all the time to refresh hype,maintain viewers interest through unpredictable surprises and gain more of series followers through such action with attempt of either increasing or stabilizing ratings.
