The Pokémon Anime Is Finally Aging Up Its Main Cast After Almost 30 Years

After 26 years of adventures in the Pokémon anime, Ash Ketchum, the perpetually 10-year-old protagonist, has finally hung up his hat. However, after steadfastly refusing to age its hero for most of the anime's run, The Pokémon Company is surprisingly embracing change in Pokémon Horizons, allowing its new protagonists, Liko and Roy, to grow up.

This news comes from a recent CoroCoro reveal of the next arc in Pokémon Horizons, titled "Mega Voltage," which confirms a significant time skip. Liko and Roy will age approximately three years, sporting new, noticeably taller and more mature designs, alongside Dot. An image showcasing these new designs was shared on Reddit:

All the new arch 5 pages from coro coro today!
by u/BikeOk4256 in pokemonanime

Interestingly, these characters share a universe with Ash Ketchum, even though he's currently absent from the anime. This implies that Ash, Misty, Brock, May, Dawn, Serena, and the rest of the supporting cast have also aged three years off-screen. Will we see a grown-up Ash in this arc, or ever? Speculation among fans is already running wild.

Mega Voltage will also feature the return of Mega Evolutions, likely coinciding with their return as a mechanic in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. We see Liko's Floragato has evolved into Meowscarada, and Roy boasts a shiny Mega Lucario.

One notable absence in the reveal is Friede, captain of the Rising Volt Tacklers. His partner Pikachu is present, seemingly wearing Friede's goggles, which appear cracked, hinting at a possible unfortunate event for Friede.

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The Mega Voltage arc will premiere in Japan on April 11th, 2024. The English dub, however, lags behind. Previously, we gave Pokémon Horizons Season 2 a 5/10 rating, criticizing its inconsistency. This time skip, hopefully, will inject some much-needed energy into the Rising Volt Tacklers.