The Pokémon TV series has gone through several iterations over the years, though it’s currently transitioning through its biggest change yet, with new characters, new locations, and new Pokémon heroes.
After sitting down to watch the first four, English-dubbed episodes of the new series, I was thoroughly intrigued, and loved every minute of it. I’d even go as far as to say it gave me the same feeling I felt so many years ago when I first watched the show as a child.
Take a look at the trailer for Pokémon Horizons below
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Pokémon made the jump to TV back in 1997, following the adventures of Ash Ketchum, his partner Pikachu and several friends made along the way, like Brock and Misty. The team embarked on an adventure to collect all Pokémon Gym badges and challenge the Elite 4 to become Pokémon masters, thwarting the evil plans of Team Rocket along the way and learning more about the wonderful world of Pokémon.
After decades of episodes and films that evolved alongside the release of new games, the adventures of Ash and Pikachu concluded this year, when it was announced Ash would finally be hanging up his cap, and a new hero would emerge to carry the franchise forward for hundreds more years.
Enter, Pokémon Horizons, a new adventure that rekindles the magic of the world and introduces us to new mysteries, challenges and more.
The first episode sets up the new protagonist, Liko, a young girl from the Paldea region, who moves to Kanto to go to school. She’s the shy, introverted type who’s lacking in confidence, making it difficult for her to make friends. She receives her starter Pokémon, a Sprigatito that refuses to listen to her at first, mirroring that of Ash and Pikachu when they first met.
Over time though the pair bond, before getting wrapped up in a plot to seize Liko’s necklace, a family heirloom given to her by her grandmother.
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After a confrontation with The Explorers, the new Team Rocket, Liko is rescued and swept away by a charming Pokémon trainer called Friede, who takes her to safety on his airship where she meets the rest of his team.
The full cast of characters is brimming with personality, much like their chosen Pokémon teams, and it was a treat watching them all interact with Liko, with their plucky, optimism seemingly building her confidence as time went on. The best character on the team is undoubtedly Captain Pikachu, who’s completely different to the one who accompanies Ash, which you can tell because this one wears a hat.
Once the four episodes were finished, I was left wanting more and honestly couldn’t wait for the full series to begin streaming.
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But it wasn’t just the world-famous brand, the glorious animation, or the charming voice acting that had such an effect on me, it was the feeling that a brand-new adventure was about to begin and the anticipation of what awaits these characters in the future.
The journey with Ash Ketchum lasted many years and was filled with so many memorable moments, characters and Pokémon, and it was bittersweet to see it end despite all the memes about Ash never ageing. Not only is Pokémon Horizons a continuation of the animated world kids and adults have cherished over the years, but it’s also the chance for a complete tonal shift for the series. The old version of the show mainly comprised of Ash and his friends travelling, running into danger through happenstance and lending a hand as they passed through. This time however the plot revolves solely around the characters involved. Friede and his team want to stop The Explorers from whatever evil deed they’re up to, while The Explorers are after Liko and her necklace, prompting continued meetings and battles between the two. While Liko could discard the necklace and go back to her old life, she instead chooses to take a stand, figure out the mystery and help out anyone she can along the way, which sets up some superb character development I can’t wait to see unfold.
Pokémon Horizons is the type of show I could see myself tuning into every week before school when I was a kid, and I’ll be checking whenever I can to catch up on the latest episodes and see how the story unfolds.
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The first few episodes of Pokémon Horizons are available to stream on BBC iPlayer today and will see a new episode premiere every week from 8 December.
Featured Image Credit: The Pokemon CompanyTopics: Pokemon, TV And Film