Pokemon has always existed in some form of bizarre anime vortex. Time doesn’t pass in this universe like it would in reality. In fact, I don’t think it passes at all. Unlike other anime shows where the passage of time is fairly linear, and we see characters age as events take place, Pokemon operates very differently. Consider it on the level of The Simpsons or Family Guy.
Ash Ketchum has been ten years old for three decades, embarking on an eternal quest to become Pokemon Champion that only ended a few short years ago. Now, the torch has been passed to a new generation of heroes, after Ash went through several generations himself (without aging) as he made new friends, recruited new Pokemon, and saw everything the world had to offer. Now, after refusing to let Ash grow up for his entire run, Horizons is set to introduce a time skip that could change the fabric of Pokemon forever.
Pokemon Horizons’ Time Skip Is A Pretty Big Deal
For my entire life, watching the Pokemon anime has centered around a perpetual infant who has saved the world multiple times without so much as ageing a day. It makes sense for a franchise that appeals primarily to children and needs a young protagonist to carry that weight across each new generation, but in growing up there is even further possibility for exploration. While its cast isn’t nearly as tenured just yet, Horizons is willing to take that risk.
Pokemon Horizons first premiered in April 2023 and is the first mainline anime without Ash Ketchum as the protagonist. It also sports a different and somewhat more colourful style.
If you aren’t caught up with Horizons, it follows three characters called Liko, Roy, and Dot. I’d say Liko is closest to being the new Ash Ketchum in how she wears a hairpin carrying the insignia found atop his iconic baseball cap, while also being frequently framed as the young hero willing to take on all adversity that comes her way. She’s a great character, and now she, Roy and Dot have been aged up to 13. We are now dealing with Poke Ball slinging teenagers.
Illustrations of their updated designs were first shared by CoroCoro earlier this month, along with confirmation that the upcoming Mega Voltage arc will include new and returning Mega Evolutions, so perhaps we will catch a glimpse of what’s to come in Legends: Z-A. There is something so fascinating about their updated designs and seeing characters grow up in this universe when for decades it has been obsessed with keeping things exactly the same.
What Could This Time Skip Mean For Ash Ketchum?
The Mega Voltage arc will begin airing in Japan on April 11, so we probably have a little bit of time until it becomes available internationally, but you can guarantee plenty of information will surface the second it drops on television. One thing that many haven’t considered with this time skip is that this Pokemon anime still takes place in the same universe that Brock, Misty, Ash, and everyone else we’ve met over the years have called home.
So, if this time skip has taken place and aged up the characters of Horizons, surely this will mean that Ash has grown up alongside them? He’d actually be the same age, also 13, so could we be looking at potential cameos in the coming months that provide our first glimpse at Ash in his teenage years? It’s certainly a possibility, and I would love to see how such a character evolves after all this time. Even an appearance in the background would be enough to let my imagination run wild, since I’d hate for the focus to be taken away from Liko and friends.
Pokemon Horizons has always been a fun show, breathing new life into the franchise while risking a new adventure without Ash Ketchum at the helm. But with this time skip it is clearly willing to take risks, which is exactly what this series, and the entire Pokemon property, is in dire need of right now.
Pokémon Legends Arceus
- ESRB
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e
- Publisher(s)
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Nintendo, The Pokemon Company
- Engine
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Proprietary Engine