During localization of both for North American audiences , the character 's name was changed in the anime to `` Ash Ketchum '' , the first name taken from one of the possible default names players could select for the character in the games , and the surname tying into 4Kids former tagline for the series , `` Gotta catch 'em all ! '' During localization of both for North American audiences , the character 's name was changed in the anime to `` Ash Ketchum '' , the first name taken from one of the possible default names players could select for the player character in PokÃ mon Red and Blue , and the surname tying into 4Kids ' former tagline for the series , `` Gotta catch 'em all ! ''