After 26 years of keeping Ash Ketchum perpetually 10 in the Pokémon anime, The Pokémon Company is taking a bold step in Pokémon Horizons by allowing its new protagonists, Liko and Roy, to grow older.

A recent CoroCoro announcement for the upcoming Mega Voltage arc in Pokémon Horizons revealed a three-year time skip, aging Liko and Roy noticeably. The main cast, including Dot, sports taller, more mature designs:

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Since Liko, Roy, and Dot share the same universe as Ash Ketchum, this implies Ash and his companions—Misty, Brock, May, Dawn, Serena, and others—have also aged three years off-screen. Whether a grown-up Ash will appear in this arc or later remains uncertain, but fans are buzzing with speculation.

The Mega Voltage arc will reintroduce Mega Evolutions, aligning with their return in the game Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Liko’s Floragato has evolved into Meowscarada, and Roy now commands a shiny Mega Lucario.

One mystery surrounds Friede, captain of the Rising Volt Tacklers. His Pikachu appears wearing Friede’s goggles, which show visible cracks, hinting at potential trouble for the captain.

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The Mega Voltage arc premieres in Japan on April 11, with the English dub lagging behind in the United States. Pokémon Horizons Season 2 earned a 5/10 for struggling to capitalize on its potential. This time skip could bring fresh vitality to the Rising Volt Tacklers.