Pokémon Horizons has been running for nearly 2 years now, and the series is getting close to wrapping up its first major story arc, the Search for Laqua, in Japan. Some early leaks have indicated that Horizons may be in for some major changes, which could mean a lot for the series as a whole.

Pokémon Horizons is currently on its 87th episode, having started airing in April 2023, and is presently tied up in the climax of the story, with Liko, Roy, and Dot confronting the antagonistic group known as the Explorers for the fate of Laqua. That's exciting enough on its own, as it's the culmination of everything that's come before, but rumors of the next story arc have given fans a new reason to be excited, as the series will essentially be kickstarting a brand-new storyline, and this one is said to focus on the popular mechanic known as Mega Evolution.

Pokémon Horizons Rumors Claim Liko and Roy Will Age Up

The Anime is Getting Ready to Do What It Never Did with Ash

The leak, as reported on X (Formerly Twitter) by @CentroLeaks, can be traced back to an early release of Japan's Coro Coro magazine, which is well-known in Pokémon fan circles for providing information. The leak claims that Liko, Roy, and Dot will still be featured in the next story arc, but that they will be aged up a few years, meaning there's a timeskip in store between the end of the Laqua storyline and the start of this new story. Reportedly, Dot's appearance will change the most, as she has come out of her shell and developed a newfound confidence in her abilities thanks to Quaxly.

The leak also claims that Roy will obtain a Shiny Lucario, which he will be able to Mega Evolve using a new Mega Ring that he's obtained. Roy won't be the only one to Mega Evolve, however; the leak indicates that Roy will have a new rival, currently known only as "Ult" or "Ulto," who will battle with a Mega Sableye. One confusing point in the leak claims that Captain Pikachu, Friede's Pokémon, will be under the command of Roy, and there is no sign of Friede in the new information. It's unclear what may have happened with Friede at this point, so a major element of mystery remains.

Does Pokémon Horizons' New Arc Tie In to Legends Z-A?

The Use of Mega Evolution Suggests A Connection to the Game

The name of this story arc is "Mega Voltage," or something similar, furthering the connection to Mega Evolution as a phenomenon. With Mega Evolution making its grand return to the Pokémon video games this year in Pokémon Legends Z-A, it seems likely that this new story arc of Horizons is intended to tie into the new game. That might also suggest that Liko and Roy will be paying a visit to the Kalos region, an area that hasn't been seen much since the end of Ash's XY series. Legends Z-A is set in Kalos, specifically the large Lumiose City, so that connection seems likely.

With Legends Z-A due out at the end of the year, it does raise some questions as to exactly what Horizons will be doing up to that point. The anime and games often time releases to match up with one another; for example, the Pokémon Sun & Moon anime debuted just a few days before the release of the games of the same name. There's not much story left to explore in the Laqua storyline, so it seems likely that this new arc will begin relatively soon, but the gang are unlikely to reach Lumiose much before Legends Z-A is due out in November. There's also the question of how Liko and Roy will travel without Friede and his airship.

Pokémon Horizons can certainly keep itself busy with the expansive Pokémon world for the time being, but one has to wonder what Liko and Roy's new goal will be, now that Laqua is behind them. "Mega Voltage" doesn't provide much insight into what the storyline might be about, but perhaps it will simply be about mastering Mega Evolution. That makes some sense for Roy, but would leave Liko in a strange position, as her character was so distinctly tied to the Laqua storyline.

Whatever the case may be, these leaks indicate that Pokémon Horizons is more than willing to try new things, which the anime under Ash was often afraid to do.