After 26 years of thrilling adventures in the Pokémon anime, the iconic protagonist Ash Ketchum, who remained perpetually 10 years old throughout the series, has finally stepped aside. However, in a groundbreaking move, The Pokémon Company is introducing a significant change in Pokémon Horizons by allowing its new protagonists, Liko and Roy, to age up. This development marks a notable shift in the franchise's storytelling approach.
The recent CoroCoro magazine reveal of the upcoming arc, Mega Voltage, has confirmed that this new storyline will feature a "time skip" that ages Liko and Roy by approximately three years. Accompanying this news are new character designs that depict Liko, Roy, and Dot as noticeably taller and more mature:
All the new arc 5 pages from CoroCoro today!
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Interestingly, Liko and Roy share the same universe as Ash Ketchum, even though he is not currently featured in the anime. This implies that Ash, along with other beloved characters like Misty, Brock, May, Dawn, Serena, and the rest, have also aged three years off-screen. The big question on fans' minds is whether we will see a grown-up Ash Ketchum in this arc or in future seasons. Speculation is rife, and the excitement is palpable.
The Mega Voltage arc will also see the return of Mega Evolutions, aligning with the reintroduction of this mechanic in the upcoming game, Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Additionally, Liko's Floragato has evolved into Meowscarada, while Roy now boasts a shiny Mega Lucario.
One notable omission from the reveal is Friede, the captain of the Rising Volt Tacklers. His partner, Pikachu, appears with Friede's goggles, which show signs of damage, sparking concerns 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, though viewers in the United States will have to wait a bit longer due to the delay in the English dub. Our previous reviews have been somewhat lukewarm on the series, rating Pokémon Horizons Season 2 a 5/10 for "refusing time and again to commit to its strengths." With the introduction of the time skip, there's hope that this new arc will bring fresh energy and renewed vigor to the adventures of the Rising Volt Tacklers.
