Pokemon Horizons Episodes 5-8: A Captivating Continuation

The highly anticipated Pokemon Horizon: The Series marks a new chapter in the Pokemon anime, and the first story without the beloved character Ash Ketchum. Despite this, the series promises engaging new tales with great character work, stunning animation, and the potential for fresh stories.

For a franchise focused on evolution and generation, one element has remained steadfast: beloved protagonist Ash Ketchum. As a constant cultural touchstone for fans of the games and cards, he has been almost frozen in time.

The march of time is unstoppable, and now Avatar 2 is a reality. As a Pokemon fan, it's exciting to see Ash's adventures come to a natural conclusion after 25 years with the new series, Pokemon Horizons: The Series. While it has been available in Japan, UK fans can now watch the anime on BBC iPlayer.

We recently had the opportunity to view the initial four episodes, and although it's early to predict the direction of the series and whether it will tackle current issues, we were thoroughly impressed. The introduction of new characters, Pokemon, and a revitalized sense of enthusiasm are evidently making a positive impact.

A battle with confidence

Pokemon Horizons begins with the introduction of the new protagonist, Liko, a young girl from Kanto who is on her way to Indigo Academy to learn about Pokemon and gain experience in Pokemon battles. What sets Liko apart from previous protagonists is her intelligence and passion, as well as her extreme shyness, which is evident as she struggles to connect with those around her.

Alejandra Reynoso voices Liko, infusing the character with a quiet confidence that is often overshadowed by doubt. Upon enrolling in Indigo Academy, Liko meets her Pokemon, Sprigatito, a charming grass-type cat from Paldea. Their initial struggle to bond could have been a familiar dynamic, but Sprigatito's delightful personality, brought to life by both the animation and VO (voiced by Kira Buckland, a JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure alumni), makes their interactions captivating.

The dynamic between Liko and Sprigatito is what makes their relationship work so well. The grass-type Pokemon behaves like a cat, often aloof and focused on their own mission, but occasionally welcoming Liko's company. As the two characters bond, they bring out the best in each other. Liko's efforts to care for Sprigatito are rewarded, as the foliage-based feline also helps boost Liko's confidence, encourages her to speak her mind, and ultimately to be more independent.

The Pokemon Company

Team Rocket has blasted off forever

Without conflict, the story wouldn't be very interesting. In the first few episodes, Liko is quickly targeted by strangers who are after a family heirloom. The details surrounding the heirloom are mostly a mystery, but a flashback shows that Liko's grandmother left her a mysterious pendant. Instead of going home for a school break, Liko remains at Indigo Academy, where she is pursued by a group of nefarious strangers known as the Explorers, led by the quietly terrifying Amethio, who are hoping to snatch the unusual piece of jewelry.

Friede, the quirky new character, arrives on the scene riding a Charizard to save the day when confronted. The series doesn't focus much on Pokemon battles initially, but the ones we do see are stunning. Despite being a quarter-century removed from the original Pokemon anime, it's impressive to witness the dynamic and entertaining nature of today's Pokemon battles. In an early battle, Friede and his Charizard face off against Amethio and their Ceruledge, resulting in an intense and fiery showdown.

In later episodes, Sprigatito displays bursts of botanical power during battles, adding to the excitement with both direction and attention to detail. The impactful blasts and intricate details, such as leaves encompassing the Pokemon, showcase the effort put into the visual presentation of battles, leaving us eagerly anticipating even more visually captivating scenes.

Leaving on an airship

Pokemon Horizons places its focus on Liko, with eventual attention shifting to the other protagonist Roy. However, if you have seen the promotional materials, you may have noticed a new element in the form of a hovering airship and its crew, named the Rising Volt Tacklers.

Friede and his lovable companion, Captain Pikachu, are part of a welcoming crew on a floating ship. Alongside them are the gruff chef Murdock, the quiet yet compassionate Mollie, the spirited mechanic Orla, and the senior fishing fan Ludlow. Liko is swiftly brought on board the airship by Friede, and the experience of meeting an established group of characters all at once is a bit overwhelming.

One of the original Pokemon anime's notable strengths was the gradual introduction of each character, such as Brock who had a complete story arc before officially joining the crew. If this is the group we'll be adventuring with in the future, I hope we have more opportunities to understand and appreciate each of them.

The Pokemon Company

With a Liko bit of luck

This leads us to another small issue, as the quick introduction of Liko to the Rising Volt Tacklers is portrayed in a humorous way, with characters like Mollie scolding Friede for not adequately briefing Liko on their mission. However, it also gives the impression that the early episodes are in a hurry to get the adventure started.

Liko's swift adoption into the Rising Volt Tacklers and separation from her school and friends feels almost jarring, leaving her with little say in the matter. While her early characterization, particularly her bond with Sprigatito, was impressive, she seems to become more of an observer as other characters take the lead in the story. It is hoped that she will have more control over her own actions in the future.

Thankfully this is a minor complaint, as soon she meets the young adventurer Roy, and Liko gets another chance to show why she’s a deserving protagonist. It’s clear that Liko isn’t the obnoxious optimist that Ash was early on, instead, she’s an intelligent and caring young girl, whose biggest flaw is her self-confidence.

Everybody loves Roy

Liko finally encounters Roy, a young boy stranded on an island, who dreams of a grand Pokemon adventure. Voiced by Anjali Kunapaneni, Roy is a charming and hopeful character who demonstrates a deep understanding of the Pokemon world.

Among the companions of the Rising Volt Tackler is the Pokemon Fuecoco, a fiery croc who one morning is caught singing to itself before fleeing in embarrassment.

Deep in a nearby jungle, Fuecoco encounters Roy, who goes out of his way to make Fuecoco feel at home. Displaying his kind nature, Roy often uses stones to create sounds in the jungle, and when Fuecoco accidentally eats some nearby Pokemon’s food, Roy uses this clever technique to come to their rescue.

As their friendship develops, it becomes evident that Liko and Roy’s dynamic is the focal point of the show. Along with the lovable Sprigatito and their endearing cat-like demeanor, and the eccentric Fuecoco with its questionable singing, the core group is a delight to be around.

A whole new world

Meanwhile, Liko possesses a mysterious pendant that is bound to propel the plot forward, while Roy also possesses an ancient Poke Ball, both serving as intriguing plot devices in their own right. Hopefully, both McGuffins will be given enough substance to captivate and impress equally.

Despite minor story quibbles, the first four episodes serve as a fantastic kickoff to a grand new adventure, even if they feel a bit rushed. Whether Liko will get more opportunities to steer the story remains to be seen, but for now, she is a charming new hero with a unique mission.

The visual style is an element that truly does not disappoint. Despite the early episodes jumping through various locations, each is beautifully depicted with a sense of variety that brings the Pokemon world to life.

The environment and backgrounds in Pokemon Horizons are truly breathtaking, from the soft tones of a sunset to the brewing clouds of a brutal storm. This new adventure is dedicated to delivering beautiful moments in every episode. Along with impressive battle animations, the detail added to Pokemon like Sprigatito gives the new world of Pokemon Horizons an overwhelming amount of charm and captivation.

Pokemon Horizons review score: 4/5

Introducing a clean slate full of promise, Pokemon Horizons brings a charming refresh that quickly acquaints viewers with an endearing new cast of characters, and presents intriguing mysteries for our new heroes to solve.

The series clearly displays a great amount of love and attention, with impressive animation and vocal performances introducing new characters like Liko, Roy, and their Pokemon in a fantastic way. Although we still have much to learn about the motivations of the main characters and the crew, Pokemon Horizons already offers plenty to love, with each episode featuring detailed animation and a wide range of beautiful environments and effects.

Discover a fresh cast of characters and new regions in Pokemon Horizons, bringing to life a world filled with vibrant personalities, adorable new Pokemon, and intriguing mysteries. Liko serves as a wonderful guide for the next generation of Pokemon enthusiasts, while Horizons introduces a plethora of captivating and enchanting reasons to embrace the Pokemon universe. Watch episodes 1-6 of Pokemon Horizons on BBC iPlayer, with the series coming to Netflix in the US in February 2024.

Editor's P/S

Pokemon Horizons: The Series is a refreshing addition to the Pokemon anime franchise. The new protagonist, Liko, is a relatable and endearing character, and her journey is both exciting and heartwarming. The animation is stunning, and the battles are thrilling.

Overall, Pokemon Horizons: The Series is a great start to a new era for the Pokemon anime. It is a must-watch for fans of the franchise and newcomers alike.