"Pokémon Anime Ages Up Main Cast After Nearly 30 Years"

After 26 years of thrilling adventures, the iconic Pokémon anime protagonist, Ash Ketchum, has finally hung up his hat at the seemingly eternal age of 10. However, The Pokémon Company is now breaking the mold with its new series, Pokémon Horizons, by allowing its fresh faces, Liko and Roy, to experience the passage of time.

The latest reveal from CoroCoro magazine has confirmed an exciting new arc titled "Mega Voltage" in Pokémon Horizons, which will feature a time skip. This narrative leap forward will age Liko and Roy by approximately three years, introducing new designs that showcase a more mature and taller appearance for the duo and their friend Dot. Here's a glimpse of the new designs:

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These characters share the same universe as Ash Ketchum, implying that off-screen, Ash and his friends like Misty, Brock, May, Dawn, and Serena have also aged by three years. While it's uncertain if we'll see a grown-up Ash in this arc or in future episodes, fans are buzzing with speculation about the possibility.

The Mega Voltage arc will reintroduce Mega Evolutions, aligning with the return of this mechanic in the upcoming game, Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Additionally, Liko's Floragato has evolved into Meowscarada, and Roy now boasts a shiny Mega Lucario.

A notable omission from the reveal is Friede, the captain of the Rising Volt Tacklers. His Pikachu appears with Friede's goggles, which show cracks, hinting at a possible unfortunate event involving Friede that has fans concerned.

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The Mega Voltage arc is set to premiere in Japan on April 11, though viewers in the United States will have to wait a bit longer due to the lag in the English dub. Previously, we've been somewhat lukewarm towards the series, rating Pokémon Horizons Season 2 a 5/10 for its reluctance to fully embrace its potential. With this time skip, there's hope that it will breathe new life into the adventures of the Rising Volt Tacklers.