pokemon horzion
The Pokémon anime has entered a bold new chapter with Pokémon Horizons: The Series, marking the franchise’s first major reboot in 25 years after Ash Ketchum’s departure. This comprehensive guide covers everything about the new series—from its dual protagonists and story arcs to global release dates, key themes, and future developments.
1. Overview: A Fresh Start for the Pokémon Anime
Pokémon Horizons (Japanese: Pocket Monsters: Liko and Roy’s Departure) premiered in Japan on April 14, 2023, as the 26th season of the Pokémon anime. It introduces:
- New protagonists: Liko (a shy girl from Paldea) and Roy (an adventurous boy from Kanto) 3.
- A narrative shift: Focused on exploration, ancient mysteries, and the organization “Explorers” instead of Gym battles 36.
- Global streaming: Distributed by Netflix (U.S., Brazil, Mexico) and BBC iPlayer (UK) 19.
Why It Matters
- Ends Ash’s 25-year storyline, appealing to new and returning fans.
- Ties into Pokémon Scarlet/Violet’s Paldea region and Terastallization mechanic 6.
2. Story Arcs & Seasons
Season 1 (2023–2024): “Liko and Roy’s Departure” & “The Sparkling of Terapagos”
- Episodes: 45 total, split into two arcs 3.
- Part 1 (Episodes 1–25): Liko and Roy join the airship crew “Rising Volt Tacklers” to evade the Explorers, who seek Liko’s pendant (later revealed to contain Terapagos) 3.
- Key moments:
- Liko’s pendant summons a black Rayquaza (Episode 6) 3.
- Roy bonds with Fuecoco and aims to catch Rayquaza 3.
- Key moments:
- Part 2 (Episodes 26–45): Focuses on Terapagos’ secrets and the Six Hero Pokémon linked to ancient Trainer Lucius 6.
Season 2 (2024–2025): “The Search for Laqua”
- Episodes: 48 (ongoing) 6.
- Three arcs:
- Terastal Debut: Liko, Roy, and Dot train at Paldea’s Naranja Academy, battling Gym Leaders (Episodes 1–22) 6.
- Rayquaza Rising: The crew searches for Lucius’s Six Heroes and the mythical land of Laqua (Episodes 23–44) 6.
- Mega Voltage: A time-skip arc featuring Mega Evolutions, tying into Pokémon Legends: Z-A (Premieres April 11, 2025, in Japan) 78.
3. Characters & Pokémon
Protagonists
- Liko: Starts with Sprigatito (evolves into Floragato). Her pendant is central to the plot 3.
- Roy: Partners with Fuecoco; dreams of catching the black Rayquaza 3.
- Dot: A streamer (“Nidothing”) who joins later with Quaxly 6.
Antagonists: The Explorers
- Led by Gibeon, with commanders like Amethio (Ceruledge user) 3.
- More nuanced than Team Rocket, with morally gray motives 4.
Notable Pokémon
- Black Rayquaza: A key legend tied to Lucius 6.
- Terapagos: Resides in Liko’s pendant; connects to the Terastal phenomenon 6.
- Captain Pikachu: Friede’s partner, wearing a hat and bandana 8.
4. Global Release Schedule
| Region | Platform | Season 1 | Season 2 (Part 1) | Season 2 (Part 2) | Mega Voltage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | TV Tokyo | Apr 2023 – Mar 2024 | Apr 2024 – Present | – | Apr 11, 2025 7 |
| U.S. | Netflix | Mar–Nov 2024 | Feb 7, 2025 1 | Apr 25, 2025 2 | Oct 2025 (est.) 7 |
| UK | BBC iPlayer | Dec 2023 – Present | Jan 13, 2025 6 | – | TBA |
Note: English dubs release in batches every 2–3 months on Netflix 7.
5. Key Themes & Innovations
Game Integration
- Terastallization: Central to battles in Paldea 6.
- Mega Evolutions: Returning in Mega Voltage to promote Legends: Z-A 7.
Narrative Depth
- Explores found family (Rising Volt Tacklers) and identity (Dot’s streaming persona) 46.
- Villains have complex backstories, unlike Team Rocket’s comedy 4.
6. Future: “Mega Voltage” Arc (2025)
- Premise: A time-skip shows older Liko/Roy, with Mega Evolutions as a focus 8.
- Tie-ins: Connects to Pokémon Legends: Z-A (2025) and potential Kalos region visits 7.
7. Merchandise & Events
- Pokémon GO Event (Apr 2025): Features Tinkatink, Floragato (with Liko’s hat), and Terastal-themed raids 59.
- Trading Card Game: Sets inspired by the Six Heroes and black Rayquaza.
8. Why Fans Love It
- Fresh yet familiar: Keeps Pokémon’s core themes (friendship, adventure) while innovating 4.
- Stunning animation: Ufotable-level battles (e.g., Rayquaza’s debut) 3.
- Diverse appeal: Dot’s introversion resonates with fans, while Roy’s energy charms kids 4.
9. How to Watch
- Legal Streams:
- Netflix (U.S., Mexico, Brazil) 1.
- BBC iPlayer (UK) 9.
- TV Tokyo (Japan) 3.
- Avoid Piracy: Use free tiers (Crunchyroll’s ad-supported episodes for older seasons).
10. Verdict: Pokémon’s Bright Future
Pokémon Horizons successfully reboots the franchise with deeper storytelling, game synergy, and global accessibility. With Mega Voltage and beyond, it’s set to redefine Pokémon anime for a new generation.
Meta Description:
“Pokémon Horizons (2023–2025) is the franchise’s bold reboot, starring Liko & Roy. Explore seasons 1–2, Mega Voltage’s 2025 time-skip, global release dates, and why fans love it!” (160 chars)
For trailers and updates, visit Pokémon Official or Netflix.
