10 Reasons Pokemon Horizons Is the Best Pokémon Anime Yet (2024)

While the original Pokémon anime focusing on Ash and Pikachu is by far the most popular, there have been other series showcasing different sides of the Pokémon world. Recently, Pokémon Horizons took over where the original Pokémon series left off.

Ash and Pikachu's adventures may have come to an end, but they paved the path for Liko and Roy to set off on their very own Pokémon journey in a more plot-based approach to Pokémon anime. While the original Pokémon series may have been the king of Pokémon anime for many years, it seems this new anime is ready to dethrone the original anime as the best Pokémon series yet.

10 Ash Lives On in Friede's Spirit

Fans of the Original Series Have a Professor They Can Admire

Fans of the original Pokémon anime grew up with Ash Ketchum as he traveled the world with his Pikachu, going on adventures and collecting gym badges. They watched as Ash formed a bond with Pikachu deeper than words can express. Ash's Pokémon evolved and changed along the way. Fans of the original series may be disappointed to see their hero finally retire.

Pokémon Horizons keeps his spirit alive in the character of Friede. This Pokémon professor left the lab behind to study Pokémon in his own way and see sights no one has ever seen before. Along the way, Friede was joined by a special Pikachu, named Captain Pikachu. Much like Ash, Friede also has a loyal Charizard companion who he uses in battles.

9 Sprigatito Is Liko's Perfect Partner

This Grass-type Cat Takes a Page from Pikachu's Book

When Liko began her Pokémon journey at the Indigo Academy, she didn't know what kind of trainer she wanted to be or what Pokémon she might raise along the way. The school partnered her with Paldea's Grass-type starter, Sprigatito. At first, Sprigatito was an independent soul, content to do things its own way without following Liko's orders.

After escaping from the Explorers and rescuing Sprigatito from their clutches, Liko becomes close friends with her very first Pokémon. The two have been through thick and thin together, taking on Pokémon battles and going through life's many adventures by each other's side. Sprigatito even journeyed where Pikachu would not. It chose to evolve so that it could get stronger and better protect Liko.

8 Captain Pikachu Is a Respectable Electric Mouse

Ash's Pikachu Gets a Worthy Upgrade

Fans of the original series may be sad to see Ash's Pikachu go, but that doesn't mean there's no electric mouse representation for Pokémon Horizons. Captain Pikachu replaces Ash's Pikachu, serving as Friede's long-time Pokémon partner and the true captain of the Brave Olivine.

This Pikachu is a capable battler. Cap can use Double Team to create replicas of itself to confuse its opponents with, and its speed is unmatched. It has high stamina to take hits from even a tanky Pokémon like Umbreon, and its Electric-type attacks can shock any opponent, provided they're not a Ground-type Pokémon. Cap may be unevolved, but, just like Ash's Pikachu, this electric mouse is not to be taken lightly.

7 The Show Abandons Its Episodic Structure

This Plot-Focused Series Provides Plenty of Room for Growth

The original Pokémon anime followed an episodic structure, where Ash and his friends would reach a new location each episode to take care of some specific problem or quest there before moving on. Team Rocket would show up, only for Pikachu to send them blasting off again. Sometimes, a plot point would last a few episodes but, for the most part, the closest thing this series got to an overarching plot was Ash's journey to collect all the badges and become a Pokémon master.

Pokémon Horizons abandons that episodic structure in favor of a more plot-focused story. The series centers around the mystery of Liko's pendant, tying the plot back to an ancient explorer and trainer named Lucius, the Legendary Pokémon Terapagos, and the Six Pokémon Heroes that joined Lucius on a journey to a place called Laqua. Now, Liko and her friends are trying to gather the Six Heroes in hopes that Terapagos can return to its full strength and guide them to Laqua. The road ahead may be long, but a journey with Pokémon is always fun.

6 The Rising Volt Tacklers Are Lovable Heroes

This Ensemble Cast Feels Like Family

Liko and Sprigatito aren't alone on their quest either. Instead of having two or three companions to join the two on their quest, like Ash had with his traveling companions, Liko is joined by the crew of the Brave Olivine, known as the Rising Volt Tacklers. Led by the Pokémon professor Friede and Captain Pikachu, the Rising Volt Tacklers travel the world, following their dreams and living freely. This ensemble cast features a unique crew that feels like a found family.

In addition to Liko, Friede, and Cap, there are several other members of the crew. Roy was a newbie Pokémon trainer who joined the crew shortly after Liko and hopes to have tons of fun adventures with his Pokémon parnter, Fuecoco. Dot is the intelligence expert aboard the Brave Olivine who doubles as a Pokémon streamer, known as Nidothing. Mollie is a Pokémon nurse who left Pokémon Centers behind in order to help wild Pokémon. Orla is a mechanic who keeps the ship running and repairs it when there are issues. Murdock is an energetic and kind cook who is also Dot's uncle and temporary guardian. There's also an old fisherman named Ludlow, who seems to just be along for the ride. Together, the Rising Volt Tacklers band together to take on any obstacle that comes their way.

5 Legends Come to Life

Legendary Pokemon Are Central to the Plot

In the original Pokémon anime, Legendary Pokémon were rare and mysterious creatures that rarely made their way into the main series. Often, they were reserved for the movies tying into the main series to highlight specific Legendary and Mythical Pokémon who could later be given out as mystery gifts in the main games. Although Ash encountered many Legendary Pokémon, they rarely had plot significance outside their roles in the movies.

Pokémon Horizons instead brings Legendary Pokémon to the center of attention. Liko's pendant that drew the Explorers to her is actually the Normal-type Legendary Pokémon Terapagos. Terapagos desperately wants to go back to a place called Laqua, though no one knows where it is or how to get there. A shiny Rayquaza was once one of the Six Heroes, though it flew away after being released from Roy's ancient Pokéball. It doesn't seem ready to rejoin the team until Terapagos returns to its full strength. The Legendary Pokemon Galarian Moltres is another of the Six Heroes who was filled with grief at the loss of the adventurer Lucius. At the end of the first season, it was revealed that the Explorers had a shiny Zygarde in its 10 percent form, serving as their leader's partner Pokemon. Legendary Pokémon are key to the plot, and Pokémon Horizons wouldn't be the same without them.

4 The Explorers Can Be Taken Seriously

No More Fooling Around with Team Rocket

When Ash began his Pokémon journey, he quickly made enemies of two Team Rocket grunts and their talking Meowth. While at first these villains were serious foes who seemed to be having a bit of an unlucky streak, this quickly devolved into Jessie, James, and Meowth being more of a comedic force who would surely blast off again at the end of each episode. Their boss, Giovanni, couldn't even be taken seriously, despite his skill in the world of crime, due to the three main Team Rocket characters often dreaming up silly ways to make their boss happy. Over time, Team Rocket ended up as anti-villains who worked for the bad guy but often found ways to help Ash when he needed it most.

The Explorers, however, shouldn't be taken lightly. This mysterious set of villains is an anime-only organization led by a man named Gibeon. The six main members of the Explorers that show up throughout the show aren't grunts to scoff at, but rather competent admins and the second-in-command of the group. These trainers are capable battlers, each with their own distinct method of dealing with their enemies. For example, Amethio is straightforward and adamant, while Spinel prefers a more sneaky and devious method. The serious and straight-laced Sidian is often paired with the impulsive Coral. The second-in-command, Hamber, gives orders when their leader cannot. Even the Rising Volt Tacklers know better than to take their opponents lightly, giving the Explorers the gravity they deserve.

3 Fresh Faces Bring New Life to an Old Series

Liko and Roy Begin Where Ash Left Off

The original Pokémon anime lasted for many years, allowing fans to grow attached to Ash and his Pikachu. However, it also created a formulaic approach to the series where fans could grow to expect certain things. Ash would seek out eight gym badges, accompanied by a few familiar faces from the games. Usually, the heroine fighting by Ash's side would be the female protagonist from the games, although Misty and the crew from Alola proved this wasn't always the case. Team Rocket would try to steal Pikachu, only to blast off again. Over time, the series grew stale. It needed something fresh to jumpstart some life into the beloved anime.

Pokemon Horizons does just that by featuring an all new cast. Though some familiar faces - including Kabu, Brassius, and Iono - make appearances throughout the series, they aren't main characters, but rather guides leading our heroes onward in their quests. Instead of featuring the familiar formula for a cast fans have grown to love, both the heroes and villains were replaced by the Rising Volt Tacklers and the Explorers, respectively. No one wants to become a Pokemon master, and no one wants to steal a Pikachu. Instead, each member of the cast has their own unique goals and dreams, setting them apart from the previous cast.

2 The Series Has Its Own Original Plot

This Time, the Plot from the Games Isn't Being Adapted

Ash's adventures seemed formulaic, and there was likely a reason for this. Ash's adventures, gathering the gym badges and facing off against evil teams, come straight from the games. In Kanto and Johto, where Team Rocket was the only threat, Team Rocket were the only villains Ash had to deal with. When others were relevant to the plot, like Team Magma and Team Aqua in Hoenn, they were added to the story. Although Ash's adventurers in Alola and Galar leaned further from the source material, remnants of the original plot still remained.

Pokémon Horizons leans further from the anime that preceded it by having an original plot never before seen in the games. The Rising Volt Tacklers and the Explorers are both groups original to the anime. Likewise, Lucius, his precious Pokémon companions, and the mythical land of Laqua were never a part of Pokémon: Scarlet and Violet or its two DLC packs. This original plot leaves fans guessing about what will happen next. No one knows what to expect from the heroes or the villains, making every moment exciting with each new experience.

1 Three Main Characters Increase Possibilities Trifold

Liko, Roy, and Dot Lead the Charge for the Rising Volt Tacklers

When the original Pokémon series came to an end, so too did Ash's adventures. He went his separate ways with each of his traveling companions after finally achieving his goal of becoming a Pokémon master. However, the anime always followed his adventures until Pokémon Horizons decided to break the mold by introducing a new protagonist. While Liko takes Ash's place as the main protagonist, she's not the only Pokémon trainer growing on her adventures. Roy and Dot are also new to being Pokémon trainers.

While these three may all be new, their goals are all different as well. None of them want to become a Pokémon master like Ash did. Liko wants to better understand Pokémon's feelings in order to help them and get along with them. Roy has a blast living every day to the fullest with Fuecoco by his side, but he wants to see all the new sights he can and make tons of Pokémon pals. Dot struggles with going outside her room, but seems to gain courage when she takes on the role of the streamer Nidothing. Together, these three trainers provide the focal point for fans to enter the world of Pokemon with the Rising Volt Tacklers.

Pokémon Horizons

TV-Y7

Action

Adventure

Animation

Release Date

April 14, 2023

Cast

Alejandra Reynoso , Crispin Freeman , Anjali Kunapaneni , Mara Junot , Michael Allan Schneider

Main Genre

Adventure

Seasons

1

Writers

Dai Sato

Streaming Service(s)

Netflix

Franchise(s)

Pokemon

Directors

Saori Den