Pokémon Anime Ages Up Main Cast After Nearly 30 Years

After 26 years of adventures in the Pokémon anime, the iconic protagonist Ash Ketchum, who remained perpetually 10 years old throughout his journey, has finally bid farewell. Now, The Pokémon Company is taking a bold step in Pokémon Horizons by allowing its new protagonists, Liko and Roy, to grow up.

The latest reveal from the CoroCoro magazine introduces the next arc in Pokémon Horizons, titled Mega Voltage, which will feature a significant "time skip." This time skip will age Liko and Roy by about three years, showcasing new designs that depict them as taller and more mature. These updates have sparked excitement among fans.

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Interestingly, Liko and Roy exist in the same universe as Ash Ketchum, even though he is not currently featured in the anime. This means that Ash, along with other beloved characters like Misty, Brock, May, Dawn, and Serena, have also aged three years off-screen. Speculation is rife about whether we will see a grown-up Ash Ketchum in this arc or in future seasons.

The Mega Voltage arc will reintroduce Mega Evolutions, aligning with their return as a mechanic in the upcoming game, Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Additionally, Liko's Floragato has evolved into Meowscarada, and Roy now possesses a shiny Mega Lucario, adding to the excitement of the new developments.

A notable absence in the reveal is Friede, the captain of the Rising Volt Tacklers. His partner Pikachu appears with Friede's goggles, which show signs of damage, leading fans to speculate about Friede's fate.

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The Mega Voltage arc is set to begin airing in Japan on April 11 of this year. However, fans in the United States will have to wait a bit longer, as the English dub is significantly behind. Previously, we gave Pokémon Horizons Season 2 a 5/10 rating, 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 enhance the series' appeal.