Why Pokémon's New Anime Has One of the Best Time Skips in Anime History
Pokémon’s newest anime, Pokémon Horizons, has just pulled off one of the best surprises the franchise has ever seen — a major time skip. This is a big deal because Pokémon has usually been pretty straightforward and episodic for decades. But now, with the start of the new Mega Voltage story arc, things have changed in a big and exciting way.
Pokémon Horizons first started airing in Japan in 2023 and introduced us to new main characters, Liko and Roy, moving away from longtime hero Ash Ketchum. The earlier arc, Rayquaza Rising, ended in March 2025 with a massive battle against Zygarde, leading to serious consequences. Characters like Lucius and Gibeon faced uncertain fates, and even Friede and Captain Pikachu seemed badly affected. After this intense ending, the anime shocked fans by skipping ahead one year into the future.
What Happens in the New Pokemon Timeline?
In this new timeline, Liko is back in school, while Roy and Captain Pikachu are traveling around the world. Meanwhile, the villain group, the Explorers, has framed the heroes for destroying Laqua, turning the story on its head. This fresh new start allows for a lot of exciting storytelling opportunities — and fans are already loving it.
What’s really impressive about Mega Voltage is that the time skip wasn’t just thrown in randomly. It feels natural and earned, showing that the characters have grown during that year. Roy, for example, is now a lot more experienced. He even has a Shiny Lucario and is working with Mega Evolution, which makes battles much more intense and fun to watch.
This change is important because the Pokémon anime with Ash often stayed the same — episodes were mostly self-contained, and characters didn't age much. Now, Pokémon Horizons is showing real growth and maturity. It’s similar to how other anime like Naruto Shippuden used a time skip to push the story forward and explore deeper themes.
Already, Mega Voltage has introduced new characters like Ult, Roy’s new rival, who has a Mega Evolving Sableye. Battles are tougher, relationships are deeper, and the world of Pokémon feels more alive and evolving, just like real life. This shift also shows that the creators trust the audience, even younger viewers, to handle a bigger, more layered story.
In short, Pokémon Horizons proves that Pokémon anime can grow with its audience. The one-year time skip isn’t just a cool plot twist — it’s a sign that the franchise is ready for more serious storytelling while still keeping the fun and adventure we all love.
And the best part? It’s just getting started. With new rivals, Mega Evolutions, and high-stakes adventures ahead, Pokémon Horizons is setting a brand-new standard for what Pokémon anime can be. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer, there’s never been a better time to jump in and see what’s next.