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.

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

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

Interestingly, these characters share a universe with Ash Ketchum, even if he's currently absent from the anime. This implies that Ash, along with Misty, Brock, May, Dawn, Serena, and the rest of the familiar faces, have also aged three years off-screen. Will we see the grown-up Ash Ketchum in this arc, or at some point in the future? Only time will tell, but fan speculation is already running rampant.

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

One notable absence from the reveal is Friede, captain of the Rising Volt Tacklers. However, his partner Pikachu is present, seemingly wearing Friede's goggles, which appear cracked. This ominous detail has fans speculating about Friede's fate.

Which Mainline Pokémon Game Is The Very Best?

Pick a winner

New duel

1ST

2ND

3RDSee your ResultsFinish playing for your personal results or see the community’s!Continue playingSee results

The Mega Voltage arc will premiere in Japan on April 11th, though the English dub will likely lag behind. Previously, we gave Pokémon Horizons Season 2 a 5/10 rating, criticizing its inconsistent commitment to its strengths. Hopefully, this time skip will inject some much-needed energy into the Rising Volt Tacklers.