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

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

The recent CoroCoro reveal of the next arc in Pokémon Horizons, "Mega Voltage," confirms a significant time skip, aging Liko and Roy approximately three years. New character designs show Liko, Roy, and Dot noticeably taller and more mature. A Reddit post showcasing these designs highlights the change:

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

This shared universe with Ash Ketchum means he's also aged three years off-screen, along with Misty, Brock, May, Dawn, Serena, and the rest of the familiar faces. Will we see the grown-up Ash? The speculation is already rampant among fans.

Mega Voltage also marks the return of Mega Evolutions, likely coinciding with their return as a mechanic in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. 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 a possible mishap for Friede.

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The Mega Voltage arc begins airing in Japan on April 11th, with the English dub expected later. Previously, we gave Pokémon Horizons Season 2 a 5/10 rating for its inconsistent execution. This time skip may inject the needed energy into the Rising Volt Tacklers.