After 26 years of captivating adventures in the Pokémon anime, Ash Ketchum, the perpetually 10-year-old protagonist, has finally bid farewell. Yet, in a surprising twist, The Pokémon Company is embracing change in Pokémon Horizons by allowing its new protagonists, Liko and Roy, to mature.
The recent CoroCoro magazine revealed the upcoming arc of Pokémon Horizons, dubbed Mega Voltage, which will introduce a "time skip" that ages Liko and Roy by approximately three years. Accompanying this news are new character designs showcasing Liko, Roy, and Dot as taller and more mature individuals:
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Interestingly, Liko and Roy share the same universe as Ash Ketchum, meaning that, off-screen, Ash and his friends, including Misty, Brock, May, Dawn, and Serena, have also aged three years. While it's uncertain if we'll see a grown-up Ash in this arc or future seasons, fans are buzzing with speculation about potential appearances.
The Mega Voltage arc will reintroduce Mega Evolutions, aligning with their return in the upcoming game, Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Notably, Liko's Floragato has evolved into Meowscarada, and Roy now possesses a shiny mega Lucario.
A curious omission from the reveal is Friede, the captain of the Rising Volt Tacklers. However, his partner Pikachu appears, donning Friede's goggles, which show signs of damage. This has sparked concern among fans about Friede's fate.
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The Mega Voltage arc is set to premiere in Japan on April 11 of this year, although fans in the United States will have to wait longer due to the delay in the English dub. Our previous review of Pokémon Horizons Season 2 scored it a 5/10, criticizing its reluctance to leverage its unique strengths. Hopefully, the time skip will inject fresh energy into the adventures of the Rising Volt Tacklers.
