Embarking on a New Journey: 'Pokémon Horizons: The Series' Set to Debut on Netflix
The Pokémon world continues to expand beyond the adventures of its most iconic character, Ash Ketchum. After Ash's triumphant victory in the Pokémon League, marking the end of his journey as a competitive Pokémon trainer, fans speculated about the future of the Pokémon anime series. However, the story is far from over, as Netflix has announced the release of a brand-new series, "Pokémon Horizons: The Series."
Initially set for a February 23rd premiere, the release date has been slightly pushed back, now slated to debut on Netflix on February 23rd. This new series ventures into the Paldea region with fresh faces Liko and Roy as the lead characters. Their quest? To find the legendary Pokémon, Rayquaza. Accompanying them on this journey are Pokémon Professor Friede and his sidekick, Captain Pikachu. True to the spirit of the Pokémon Scarlet and Violet video games, the series features the three starter Pokémon: Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly.
While the Western audience eagerly awaits its Netflix release, viewers in Japan have been enjoying "Pokémon Horizons" since its initial release in April 2023. The series has already progressed into its second story arc, which began airing on October 27th, giving Western fans a substantial amount of content to look forward to.
The delayed arrival of Pokémon anime series in the West compared to Japan is a familiar pattern for fans of the franchise. With the upcoming release of "Pokémon Horizons," viewers will soon have the opportunity to dive into the post-Ash era of Pokémon, exploring new regions and adventures. The series promises a shift in focus from competitive battles to exploration and discovery in the vast Pokémon universe, introducing new characters while retaining some nostalgic elements in different forms.