So Ash is about to be on his 5th female travel companion

[Lady Vulpix]

Well the games are the same 8 Gym quest over and over, so of course the anime would be.

But I agree with you, its hard to believe its been over a decade since the original series ended. I didn't stop watching the anime though, but even then it amazes me that May is now a decade old character in the show. Its really unbelieveable that Ash has traveled with 5 main girl characters already...

Except the games are about different characters. I'd figure they'd all do something else with their lives after the games, not get a reset and start their quest all over again with new Pokemon and companions.