After 26 years of adventure in the Pokémon anime, Ash Ketchum finally retired while remaining eternally 10 years old. However, after decades of resisting character aging, The Pokémon Company is breaking tradition in Pokémon Horizons by allowing its new protagonists, Liko and Roy, to mature over time.

The announcement comes from CoroCoro's preview of the upcoming Mega Voltage arc, which confirms a three-year time skip for Liko and Roy. This progression is reflected in their redesigned appearances, showing visible physical growth and maturity:

All the new arch 5 pages from coro coro today!
byu/BikeOk4256 inpokemonanime

Interestingly, these young trainers share the same universe as Ash Ketchum, even though he currently doesn't appear in the series. This implies that Ash and other familiar characters like Misty, Brock, and Serena have also aged three years off-screen. While it's uncertain whether we'll see an older Ash in this arc, fans are already theorizing about potential appearances in future seasons.

The Mega Voltage arc will reintroduce Mega Evolutions, likely aligning with their return in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Evolution milestones include Liko's Floragato becoming Meowscarada, while Roy now commands a shiny Mega Lucario.

Notably absent from promotional materials is Friede, captain of the Rising Volt Tacklers. His Pikachu appears wearing Friede's goggles, which show visible cracks - prompting fan speculation about the captain's whereabouts and condition.

Which Mainline Pokémon Game Reigns Supreme?

Choose Your Champion

New duel1ST2ND3RDCast your voteView community results

The Mega Voltage arc premieres April 11 in Japan, though English audiences will experience delays due to the dubbed version lagging behind. Our review of Pokémon Horizons Season 2 awarded it 5/10 for "failing to capitalize on its potential." This time skip may provide the fresh momentum the Rising Volt Tacklers need.