Pokémon Horizons – we swear this is a new character and not just Ash’s Pikachu in a fancy hat (pic: The Pokémon Company)
Following Ash’s final episode in the Pokémon anime, the series has got a new title and trailer to herald its next saga.
It’s finally happened. After all the build-up, Ash Ketchum and his partner Pikachu have had their swansong and exited the Pokémon anime after 26 years.
An English dub of the final episode has yet to air, but it marks a major turning point for the franchise; one without Ash as its lead protagonist.
The Pokémon Company has steadily been sharing more info about the future of the anime and, in the wake of the recent episode, debuted a proper trailer and a new title: Pokémon Horizons.
Starring dual protagonists Liko and Roy, Pokémon Horizons will take them on a globetrotting adventure rather than confine them to Paldea, the newest Pokémon region which was introduced in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet.
That said, the series is clearly drawing from the new games as it’s set to feature newly introduced pokémon and, at one point, you can see a shiny Rayquaza terastallising, which is a new mechanic from Scarlet & Violet.
Liko will be paired up with grass cat pokémon Sprigatito (even though her colour scheme matches up with water type Quaxly) while it looks like Roy has the fire crocodile Fuecoco, judging by the trailer and his love of the colour red.
Although Ash’s Pikachu has retired from the show, a new Pikachu dubbed Captain Pikachu looks to take his place alongside Friede, the leader of a group of pokémon trainers interested in uncovering the mysteries of the pokémon world.
The trailer also features a character named Amethio and his partner Ceruledge, who are part of a separate organisation called the Explorers. Not much is known about them, but the trailer sets Amethio up as a new antagonist and not a comical one like the bumbling Team Rocket (who have also left the show).
There’s mention of a popular video streamer named Nidothing (literally someone in a dopey looking Nidoran costume) as well, although what sort of role they’ll have in the story is unclear.
‘Pokémon Horizons: The Series is set to be a thrilling journey that explores new wonders and makes fascinating discoveries about the pokémon world,’ says Taito Okiura, The Pokémon Company International’s vice president of marketing.
‘The latest Pokémon Horizons: The Series trailer sheds further light on the mysterious adventures that await Liko and Roy, and we invite trainers to join in unravelling these secrets when the series begins premiering outside of Japan later this year.’
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An exact air date for the first episode hasn’t been shared yet (it’s meant to begin in April) nor have any of the English voice actors for the new characters.
While this is exciting new ground for the series and fans, there’s no telling how popular Pokémon Horizons will be and whether its cast will become as iconic as Ash and his friends.
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Following Ash’s final episode in the Pokémon anime, the series gets a new title and trailer to herald its next saga.