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 series, The Pokémon Company is finally embracing change in Pokémon Horizons, allowing its new protagonists, Liko and Roy, to grow up.

The recent CoroCoro reveal of the next arc, "Mega Voltage," confirms a significant time skip, aging Liko and Roy approximately three years. New character designs showcase a noticeably taller and more mature Liko, Roy, and Dot.

Interestingly, these characters share a universe with Ash Ketchum, albeit currently absent from the anime. This implies Ash, Misty, Brock, May, Dawn, Serena, and the rest of the familiar faces have also aged three years. Will we see the grown-up Ash in this arc or a future season? Only time will tell, but fan speculation is already running wild.

Mega Voltage also marks the return of Mega Evolutions, likely coinciding with their reintroduction 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 is Friede, captain of the Rising Volt Tacklers. His partner Pikachu is present, wearing Friede's goggles, which appear cracked, hinting at potential trouble for Friede.

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The Mega Voltage arc premieres in Japan on April 11th, but the English dub will likely lag behind. Previous lukewarm reception to Pokémon Horizons Season 2 (rated 5/10 for failing to fully capitalize on its strengths) makes this time skip a potentially significant boost for the Rising Volt Tacklers and the series as a whole.