Pokémon Horizons marks a historic shift in the anime franchise: it’s the first mainline Pokémon series in over two decades that doesn’t feature Ash Ketchum as the protagonist. Instead, two new characters—Liko and Roy—take center stage, embarking on a journey that feels fundamentally different from what longtime fans remember. If you’re picking up the series for the first time, or considering whether it’s worth your attention, the key thing to understand is that Horizons isn’t trying to recreate Ash’s story.
It’s reimagining what a Pokémon anime can be, with a stronger narrative arc, an ensemble cast, and a focus on character discovery rather than championship ambitions. The series debuted in Japan on April 14, 2023, and has since completed two full seasons with 89 episodes between them. Season 3, subtitled “Rising Hope,” launched in Japan on April 11, 2025, and is rolling out globally on Netflix in three parts. For card collectors and Pokémon enthusiasts, Horizons presents something worth understanding—not just as entertainment, but as a cultural marker for where the franchise is heading and which Pokémon and characters are getting renewed emphasis.
Table of Contents
- How Is Pokémon Horizons Different From Previous Series?
- The Characters You’ll Meet in Horizons
- A Female-Centered Story With Real Stakes
- Where to Watch and the Netflix Release Schedule
- Season 3’s Time Skip and What It Means for the Story
- Audience Reception and Long-Term Viability
- Why Pokémon Card Collectors Should Care About Horizons
- Conclusion
How Is Pokémon Horizons Different From Previous Series?
The most obvious difference is the absence of Ash Ketchum, but the departures go much deeper than that. horizons ditched the “monster-of-the-week” episodic format that defined the original series for decades. Instead, it builds a strong overarching narrative with ongoing plot threads, character development, and genuine stakes. This structural shift means episodes build on one another—if you skip around, you’ll miss important story beats and character moments. The original series could be watched in almost any order; Horizons demands sequential viewing.
Another major change is the removal of Team Rocket as recurring antagonists. For 23 years, Jessie, James, and Meowth provided comic relief and predictable obstacles in nearly every episode. Their absence fundamentally changes the pacing and tone. Instead of a familiar formula, Horizons introduces different antagonists and conflicts that emerge from the plot itself rather than from a predetermined villain team. This can feel unsettling for longtime viewers who expected Team Rocket’s bumbling interference as a narrative constant.
The Characters You’ll Meet in Horizons
Liko starts the series without a clear dream or goal—a stark contrast to Ash’s unwavering ambition to become a Pokémon Master from episode one. She’s drawn into the rising Volt Tacklers by circumstance, and her arc is about discovering who she is and what she wants, not about collecting badges or winning tournaments. This introspective character journey appeals to viewers looking for something beyond the familiar formula, though it means the early episodes lack the immediate driving conflict that Ash’s ambition provided. Roy, the second protagonist, plays a complementary role.
He starts as a trainer with confidence and direction, but his character development involves learning humility and questioning his assumptions. Together, they represent a shift toward ensemble storytelling and peer relationships rather than a singular hero’s journey. The English voice cast brings them to life with solid performances—Alejandra Reynoso voices Liko, and Anjali Kunapaneni voices Roy. Supporting characters like Friede (voiced by Crispin Freeman) and Dot round out the main crew, and each has their own arcs that the series explores throughout the seasons.
A Female-Centered Story With Real Stakes
Unlike previous Pokémon installments, Horizons centers around smart and strong young women coming of age with Pokémon. This isn’t incidental—it’s built into the show’s DNA. The series takes its female characters seriously as protagonists and decision-makers, not as support roles or romantic interests.
For collectors, this matters because it signals which characters and Pokémon are likely to remain relevant in official merchandise, promotions, and future content. The series also features a genuine ensemble rather than a solitary hero surrounded by support characters. The Rising Volt Tacklers crew has multiple members with distinct personalities and goals, and the show commits time to developing all of them. This approach creates more characters worthy of collector attention and increases the variety of potential card arts, promotional materials, and character-focused products down the line.
Where to Watch and the Netflix Release Schedule
Pokémon Horizons is distributed globally through Netflix in a three-part seasonal structure. Season 1 aired on Japanese television from April 14, 2023, to March 29, 2024 (45 episodes total), and Season 2 ran from April 12, 2024, to March 21, 2025 (44 episodes). Season 3, titled “Rising Hope,” premiered in Japan on April 11, 2025, with 47 episodes split across three story arcs.
Netflix released Part 1 on January 6, 2026, Part 2 on February 27, 2026, and Part 3 is scheduled for June 26, 2026. The Netflix distribution model means international viewers don’t have to hunt for fan subtitles or wait years for official localization. English dubs are available alongside subtitled versions. However, the three-part rollout means global audiences are on a delayed schedule compared to Japan—a tradeoff that ensures professional localization but can feel slow if you want to jump into the latest developments.
Season 3’s Time Skip and What It Means for the Story
Season 3 introduces a significant narrative shift: a year-long time skip between Season 2 and Season 3. When the season begins, Liko and Roy are working to re-establish the Rising Volt Tacklers as a crew after the events of Season 2 left them without a clear leader. This time jump allows the characters to age and evolve without the show spending 12 episodes showing daily training and filler content. The drawback is that new viewers jumping into Season 3 will be completely lost—this isn’t a jumping-on point.
You need to start with Season 1. Season 3 also introduces new elements like a deeper focus on Mega Evolution and introduces characters such as Roy’s yellow Lucario and Ult, who declares himself Roy’s rival. These additions suggest the writers are committed to keeping the cast fresh and the conflicts evolving, rather than recycling plot beats from earlier seasons. For collectors, the introduction of new Pokémon and character relationships means new card possibilities and promotional tie-ins.
Audience Reception and Long-Term Viability
Horizons has performed at least as well as Pokémon Journeys in terms of ratings, which is significant—it demonstrates that the franchise didn’t need Ash to maintain viewership. Fans who grew up with the original series had legitimate concerns that removing Ash would alienate the core audience, but the numbers suggest the new approach has found its audience. The series maintains a family-friendly rating and tone, so parents and younger viewers can watch without worrying about inappropriate content.
This sustained viewership matters for collectors because it indicates the franchise is committed to this new direction long-term. Official merchandise support, card promotions, and future content will likely continue to feature Liko, Roy, and the other Horizons characters rather than reverting to Ash-centric content. For serious collectors, this makes Horizons cards and character merchandise potentially more stable investments than nostalgia-driven Ash products.
Why Pokémon Card Collectors Should Care About Horizons
For the card-collecting community, Horizons represents a significant shift in which characters and Pokémon will receive official support going forward. The anime drives card sales, promotional content, and collector interest. When a character appears regularly in the anime, they’re more likely to appear in TCG artwork, promo cards, and special collection sets. Liko and Roy’s prominence in Horizons means their associated Pokémon and team members will likely see increased representation in future card releases.
Additionally, understanding Horizons gives collectors insight into the franchise’s strategic direction. The decision to move away from Ash after 25 years signals confidence in new IP and characters. This suggests that upcoming card sets will reflect broader, more diverse character representation rather than relying on nostalgia anchors. For collectors building long-term collections, recognizing which characters have staying power matters—and Horizons’ viewership numbers suggest Liko and Roy are here to stay.
Conclusion
New viewers approaching Pokémon Horizons should expect something fundamentally different from the original series. It’s a narrative-driven story with character development at its center, rather than a formula-based adventure punctuated by familiar obstacles. The removal of Ash and Team Rocket might feel jarring initially, but both departures allow the show to explore new storytelling territory.
The shift toward ensemble characters and female-centered narratives reflects how the franchise is evolving, and it’s worth paying attention to. If you’re a card collector or serious Pokémon fan, Horizons is essential viewing—not just for entertainment, but because it’s shaping the franchise’s future direction. Start with Season 1 on Netflix, go in with an open mind about where the story goes, and you’ll understand why this series matters to the Pokémon ecosystem. The viewership numbers prove it’s found an audience, and the merchandise support will only grow from here.
