After 26 years of adventures in the Pokémon anime, protagonist Ash Ketchum finally retired at the perpetually young age of 10. However, The Pokémon Company seems to be breaking tradition with Pokémon Horizons, allowing its new protagonists, Liko and Roy, to mature a bit. This exciting development comes from the recent CoroCoro magazine, which unveiled the next arc in Pokémon Horizons, titled "Mega Voltage." This arc will introduce a "time skip" that ages Liko and Roy by about three years, complete with new designs showcasing their taller and more mature appearances:
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Since Liko and Roy share the same universe as Ash Ketchum, this means Ash and his friends, such as Misty, Brock, May, Dawn, Serena, and others, have also aged off-screen. While it's uncertain whether we'll see the grown-up Ash in this arc or in future seasons, fans are buzzing with speculation about his potential return.
The Mega Voltage arc will also feature 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, and Roy now boasts a shiny Mega Lucario.
One intriguing omission from the reveal is Friede, the captain of the Rising Volt Tacklers. His partner, Pikachu, is seen wearing Friede's goggles, which appear to be cracked, hinting at a troubling event that might have befallen Friede.
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The Mega Voltage arc is set to begin airing in Japan on April 11 of this year, although fans in the United States will have to wait a bit longer due to the lag in the English dub. Our review of Pokémon Horizons Season 2 gave it a 5/10, critiquing it for "refusing time and again to commit to its strengths." With the introduction of the time skip, there's hope that it will bring fresh energy to the Rising Volt Tacklers and revitalize the series.
