Pokémon Horizons – Rising Hope, known in Japan as Pocket Monsters: Mega Voltage,[a]Pocket Monsters Episode: Mega Evolution[b] and Pocket Monsters: Rising Again[c] is the twenty-eighth season of the Pokémon anime series and the third season of Pokémon Horizons: The Series, known in Japan as Pocket Monsters (ポケットモンスター, Poketto Monsutā). It is directed by Saori Den and produced by OLM. The season began airing in Japan on TV Tokyo from April 11, 2025, and will be distributed by Netflix in the United States, scheduled to release on January 6, 2026.[1][2]
The season contains multiple story arcs. The first arc, "Mega Voltage", spanning the first 22 episodes, focuses on the protagonists Liko and Roy, alongside Dot, as they reform the Rising Volt Tacklers, while introducing Uruto, who joins the group one year[d] after the collapse of Laqua.[4] The second arc, "Episode: Mega Evolution", covering episodes 23 to 25, focuses on the backstory of Roy and Uruto.
Over a year later, Roy is still actively searching for the Black Rayquaza. However, he receives a call from Dot, who informs him that the Laquium has not completely disappeared. Roy encounters a Slaking that is acting strangely, but he is interrupted by a boy named Uruto, who declares that the Black Rayquaza will be his. Uruto's Sableye provokes the Slaking, making it hostile. After a battle, the Slaking is defeated. That night, Roy sneaks away from Uruto. Meanwhile, Liko is at Indigo Academy and has a conversation with her friend Ann. The following day, on a rooftop, Liko hears someone and looks up to see Roy and Cap.
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"To the Skies Once More, Part 2" Transliteration: "Ōzora e Mukatte, Futatabi Kōhen" (Japanese: 大空へ向かって、再び後編)
Masatsune Oi
Dai Satō
Yuki Kitajima, Kiah Chen, Brokerage, Lu Qing Yun, Kennedy Freeman, Imani Brown, Federico Iglesias, Park Song Hwa, Heo Jae Young, Park Ji-yun, Kim Jeong-woo & Noeko Kashiuchi
Liko and Roy talk with Ann about what happened at Rakua. Despite their efforts, they couldn't find their missing member, and the Rising Volt Tacklers disbanded. To cheer them up, Ann suggests a battle. Roy defeats Ann's Samurott, then asks Liko to battle. She agrees, but her Meowscarada is defeated. Later, several students ask Roy if he is part of the Rising Volt Tacklers. He does not deny it, prompting them to talk to Liko, who proudly confirms she is a member. At a bus stop, Liko meets Roy and joins him to uncover the truth about the Explorers. Meanwhile, Spinel has captured the Six Heroes, except the Black Rayquaza.
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"Follow the Rakurium Signs" Transliteration: "Rakuriumu Sain o Otte" (Japanese: ラクリウム・サインを追って)
After searching for Roy at a train station, Uruto spots him with Liko. They contact Dot, who informs them of the next Laquium sighting. Liko and Roy search for the Laquium, unaware that Uruto is following them. He falls into a hole and encounters an aggressive Steelix. Liko and Roy engage in a battle, and another Steelix joins the fray. They notice the two Stellix start fighting each other before turning their attention to Liko. Just then, Pagogo emerges from its Poké Ball and saves her, much to her delight. After Hattrem calms the situation with Heal Pulse, Roy introduces Uruto to Liko. Meanwhile, Hamber assigns Zirc and Onia a mission to find Gibeon's White Zygarde using the Zygarde Cube.
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"Super-Stans?! A Gurumin Fan Battle!!" Transliteration: "Gachi Oshi!? Gurumin Fan Taiketsu!!"" (Japanese: ガチ推し！？ぐるみんファン対決！！)
The trio travels to Chaba Town, where they meet a girl named Nyabiko, who is a big fan of Nidothing. After Roy indirectly reveals that he was a part of the Rising Volt Tacklers, Nyabiko immediately refuses to help them find the last sighting of the Black Rayquaza. She then challenges Liko to a battle with her Incineroar. However, during the fight, Uruto interferes after running from a group of Dodrio, including a pack of Fearow. After calming them down with a song, Nyabiko, who saw Liko and Roy try not to hurt any of the Fearow and now believes Rising Volt Tacklers are actually good guys, admits that she hasn't seen the Black Rayquaza and only wants Nidothing's attention, leaving the group disappointed. However, Nidothing understands her. The group then continues their journey.
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"The Pokémon Center Lady" Transliteration: "Pokémon Center no Oneesan" (Japanese: ポケモンセンターのお姉さん)
At a Pokémon Center, Mollie, now working as a nurse, sees that a group of Pokémon has been injured in a forest and rushes to help them. Meanwhile, after overhearing someone explain what is happening in the forest, Liko and Roy decide to check it out for themselves. There, they come across Mollie and have a conversation. In a flashback, after the team discusses their futures and accepts that there is nothing more for them to do, the Rising Volt Tacklers disband. Shortly after, they encounter more Pokémon affected by poison and eventually spot a Vileplume that has been affected by Laquium. After battling the Vileplume, Hattrem learns Healing Wish to calm it down. Following that, Cap spots a facility belonging to Exceed.
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"The Strong Sphere" Transliteration: "Strong Sphere" (Japanese: ストロングスフィア)
Arriving at the site, Liko and Roy spot Uruto exiting a bus. Nearly mistaken by a security guard, they head inside, where they see a former student named Doc defeating an Exceed employee with her Swanna using a Strong Sphere. Shortly after, Coral and Onyx appear on the battlefield. The latter notices Liko and Roy and alerts Coral, inviting them to join the battle. Liko and Roy are overpowered by Coral and Onyx and are defeated. However, Uruto steps in, breaks the Strong Sphere he had taken earlier, and escapes with Liko and Roy. Pagogo then senses something coming from a cave, prompting the trio to decide to explore it.
Liko, Roy, and Uruto see that Pagogo is attentive toward a mountain. On their way, they decided to build a campfire and sleep in for the night. In the morning, the trio is warned by a traveler about the Dragon Rampage Gang, whom they later encounter, with three masked people each riding a Cyclizar. They believe that Roy is a part of the Wiggling Gang, their rival, resulting in a battle before taking off. Later on, the group sees someone stealing a Dratini and placing it into a cage. They then battle the person, who is a member of the Wiggling Gang, and are able to defeat them, rescuing the eggs. The gang lets the group see the Black Rayquaza, but Uruto is left unimpressed. Meanwhile, Dot receives a call from Iono.
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"The Mischievous Maggyo's Lovely Smile?" Transliteration: "Itazura Maggyo no Ii Egao?" (Japanese: いたずらマッギョのイイ笑顔？)
Dot receives a call from Iono and travels to Levincia to investigate a prankster scaring Pokémon. She discovers a Stunfisk enhanced by a Strong Sphere, used by a trainer named Stunfisk to create viral videos. Dot battles him, during which her Tinkatuff learns Metal Claw and Terastallizes into a Steel type. After winning, Dot convinces Stunfisk to stop using the Strong Sphere, and she heads to Cortondo to rejoin Liko and Roy.
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"Cercle Town, Site of Reunions!" Transliteration: "Saikai no Serukuru Taun!" (Japanese: 再会のセルクルタウン！)
Liko, Roy, Dot, and Urto arrive in Cortondo to meet Murdock and share news that the Rising Volt Tacklers have been re-formed. They also reveal their investigation into Laquium, which unsettles Murdock. During their visit, Gym Leader Katy challenges Liko to a battle, setting the stage for a showdown in the heart of Cortondo.
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"A Flightless Orio and..." Transliteration: "Tobenai Orio to" (Japanese: 飛べないオリオと)
Directed by: Hye Jin Seo Storyboarded by: Ichizō Kobayashi
Liko, Roy, Dot, and Uruto travel to Galar to visit Orla at Karna’s Poke Ball factory, hoping she’ll build them an airship. When they ask, she refuses, telling them to look elsewhere. Disheartened and unsure what to do next, they press on—until Cap senses something in a nearby forest. They rush after him, discovering to their surprise that the Brave Olivine airship they thought had been dismantled is actually still intact and waiting for them.
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"We Are the Rising Volteccers!" Transliteration: "Warera Raijingu Borutekkāzu!" (Japanese: 我らライジングボルテッカーズ！)
Two members of the Explorers, Indy and Rubella, challenge the group for a battle with their Paldean Kentauros. They are then defeated and take off without the Strong Spheres. Not long after, Orla asks the group for three days to make sure that Brave Olivine is in good condition, in which they agree to help clean up. Later, Dot receives an undisclosed voice message, where they are appalled upon hearing Friede's voice. After finishing the message, everyone celebrates with Uruto officially joining them. Eventually, the Brave Olivine takes off for the first time in over a year.
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"Fight! Terastallization VS Mega Evolution!!" Transliteration: "Tatakae! Terasutaru tai Megashinka!!" (Japanese: 闘え！テラスタル対メガシンカ！！)
In Japan, CoroCoro Comic released a first look at the "Mega Voltage" arc, which teased a timeskip.[31] The following day, The Pokémon Company announced that the new arc of the Pokémon anime would begin airing on April 11 of that year.[32] A new trailer and poster were released a week later on March 21, showcasing the return of Mega Evolutions and a new male character named Uruto.[33][34] On August 22, 2025, a three-part special arc titled "Episode: Mega Evolution" was announced, along with a trailer and poster.[35] After the conclusion of the "Mega Voltage" arc, The Pokémon Company revealed that a new arc, titled "Rising Again", would began broadcasting on October 31, focusing on the group's adventures at Blueberry Academy.[36][37]
In the United States, The Pokémon Company announced that a third season of Pokémon Horizons, titled Pokémon Horizons: Season 3 – Rising Hope, was scheduled for release on the streaming service Netflix on January 6, 2026.[2] In the United Kingdom, Rising Hope is set to release on BBC iPlayer on October 27, 2025.[38][39]
Music
The Japanese opening theme is "Get Back" (ゲット・バック, Getto bakku) by Yuzu.[40][41] The Japanese ending theme is "Ready Go" by Me:I.[42]
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