The return of the Pokémon franchise in a new anime series 'Pokémon Horizons: The Series' (Pocket Monsters: The Series) in 2023 is not just a reboot or an extension of the original story, but a bold and fresh new chapter. By telling the story through the eyes of new trainers 'Liko' and 'Roy', with Ash no longer the protagonist, this is an adventure full of charm, mystery, and the heart of Pokémon that remains warm and timeless.
Story Summary (No Spoilers)
The story begins with 'Liko', a novice trainer from the Paldea region who receives a pendant from her grandmother. She enrolls at Indigo Academy in Kanto and chooses Nyahoja as her first partner. However, her pendant is stolen by the 'Explorers' group, forcing Liko to join the 'Rising Volt Tacklers' to retrieve it. She meets 'Roy', a boy with Hogator as his partner, who possesses an ancient Poké Ball containing the legendary Pokémon 'Rayquaza'. Their journey becomes a quest to uncover the truth about the pendant and the Poké Ball, while learning about friendship and growing as trainers.
Performance and Characters
The three main voice actors, Minori Suzuki (Liko), Yuka Terasaki (Roy), and Yoshino Aoyama (Dot/Gurumin), bring the characters to life with vibrancy and charm. Liko is shy but determined, Roy is a curious and mischievous boy, and Dot is a knowledgeable YouTuber. Their teamwork creates great chemistry. The villains, Shun Horie (Amethio) and Yuki Onodera (Onyx), are also multi-dimensional and interesting, not just one-dimensional antagonists.
Direction, Visuals, and Music
The visuals are beautiful and fluid, meeting the standards of Studio OLM. Colors are vibrant, and action scenes are thrilling, especially Pokémon battles that blend 3D and 2D animation seamlessly. The music by Conisch retains classic Pokémon vibes while adding modernity. The opening theme 'Aimai na Futari' sung by Yuki Kajiura and the ending theme 'RVR〜Rising Volt Tackers〜' feel warm and exciting.
Editorial Analysis
The editorial team believes 'Pokémon Horizons' succeeds in creating protagonists completely different from Ash. Liko is a girl with vulnerability and fear, making her highly human. The focus on the relationship between humans and Pokémon through the pendant and ancient Poké Ball adds layers of mystery to the series. Although the first episodes may make viewers miss Ash, as the story progresses, it's easy to fall in love with Liko, Roy, and the Rising Volt Tacklers team.
Verdict
For Pokémon fans looking for a fresh perspective and those who enjoy heartwarming adventure anime, 'Pokémon Horizons' is the perfect answer. Though long, it's worth watching.
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👍 Pros
- +New main characters are cute and show clear development
- +Story has intriguing mysteries, not repetitive of previous seasons
- +High-quality visuals and music, vibrant colors
👎 Cons
- −Early episodes may be slow for those expecting action
- −144 episodes may be too long for some
Top Cast
FAQ
No, because it's a new story with a new set of main characters, unrelated to Ash.
In Thailand, it's available on Netflix and some cartoon channels.
Season 1 has 144 episodes, airing since 2023.
