You Won’t Believe How Pokémon Horizons Transforms the Classic Anime Experience!

Following the conclusion of Ash’s era in the Pokemon anime in March 2023, Pokémon Horizons stepped into the limelight. Initially, many fans found it hard to let go of Ash and were reluctant to give the new show a chance. Additionally, there were those who were avid Pokemon gamers but hadn’t paid much attention to the anime due to its children-oriented nature. However, with time, Pokémon Horizons has had an opportunity to demonstrate its merits, and opinions have shifted.

Pokémon Horizons departs significantly from its earlier counterpart. Though it retains essential elements like Pokémons, battles, and characters from the games, it is essentially a narrative-focused show rather than Ash’s series, which was more action-oriented. Despite being intended for children, the new series has been developed in a unique manner that makes it more engaging for adult fans, assuming they are open to exploring it first.

10. A Fresh New Start for Pokémon

A New Story Free of the Constraints of Continuity and Character

If you’re considering diving into the world of Pokémon for the first time or returning after a long break, now is an ideal moment thanks to the fresh start offered by the new series, Horizons. The extensive library of over 1,200 episodes featuring Ash might seem overwhelming, and finding a suitable starting point can be challenging given the current streaming limitations. Fortunately, Horizons offers a standalone experience that doesn’t require prior knowledge about Ash’s era or familiarity with the games, making it an accessible entry point for both newcomers and veterans alike.

Refreshingly, this new chapter is exactly what the anime had been yearning for, making it accessible to novice viewers while providing a well-deserved break for our longtime protagonist Ash. With fresh landscapes, novel characters, and never-before-seen Pokémon, Pokémon Horizons offers an engaging experience that any series enthusiast would appreciate.

9. A Slice of the Poké-Life

Horizons Isn’t Afraid to Take Things Slow When It Needs To

Although Pokémon Horizons boasts an engaging story (though let’s save that praise for later), it doesn’t shy away from taking a more relaxed approach at times, featuring episodes that offer glimpses into the routine life in the Pokémon universe. For instance, there are episodes set during travels between locations that delve into life on the Rising Volt Tacklers’ airship, specifically, the Brave Olivine. Some viewers might dismiss these as “filler,” but for others, they represent exactly the kind of content they seek.

In a less formal approach, these relaxed scenes in the storyline provide a nice rhythm, open up chances to delve deeper into the characters, and simply allow viewers to appreciate the unique Pokémon universe, beyond just capturing and competing with these creatures.

8. The Series is Modernized for Today’s Children

Horizons Updated the Anime for a Modern Audience

It’s undeniable that the Pokémon anime featuring Ash was showing its age in certain aspects. The series lacked contemporary technology, but it had futuristic gadgets specific to Pokémon. However, it seemed as though the world of Pokémon was growing increasingly disconnected from our own reality. Horizons made progressive changes in creative manners. For instance, Liko attends school online using her Rotom Phone, allowing her to participate in classes from any location. She’s also a follower of internet personalities like Nidothing, who produces a YouTube-like program.

Although they may appear trivial, small details such as these make the show seem familiar and accessible to kids, as they’ve grown up with similar things. Moreover, it’s fascinating to watch the Pokémon universe grow and change, reflecting our world’s development over time.

7. The Animation Has Dramatically Improved

Horizons’ Average Level of Animation is Higher

The Pokemon anime isn’t celebrated for its top-notch animation due to its continuous production throughout the year, leaving little room for finesse and excellence in each episode. While there have been instances of excellent animation, it generally falls short of exceptional quality. However, Horizons stands out as it boasts a higher standard of animation compared to previous series, except perhaps for some specific Pokemon shorts. This improved animation is particularly noticeable during Pokemon battles and even extends to the opening sequences.

Although Horizons may not yet be contending for animation accolades, the enhancement is something to be appreciated. It lends the series a sleeker, more refined aesthetic that distinctly separates it from its earlier iterations.

6. Horizons’ Cast is Far Larger

More Characters with More Diverse Backgrounds

In Ash’s time, his group consisted of one to three companions throughout the entire series, along with Team Rocket, forming the main cast. On the other hand, the show Horizons features a trio of main characters: Liko, Roy, and Dot. The crew on the Brave Olivine also regularly appear, adding depth to the storyline. Characters such as Friede, Murdock, Mollie, and Orla bring a fresh perspective to the world of Pokémon, given that they are adults who act accordingly.

Every character in this show gets their own dedicated episode, delving into their history and traits, offering mature audiences characters they can identify with. Moreover, it brings a unique touch to the series as the presence of reliable grown-ups adds depth that was less prevalent during the time of Ash’s adventures.

5. The Series Has Excellent Villains

The Explorers Are Far More Dangerous Than Team Rocket

The classic Pokémon series was often criticized for having feeble antagonists; Team Rocket’s frequent blunders turned them into comic relief rather than genuine dangers. Although villains borrowed from the video games could work, they lacked intrigue as audiences were already well-versed in their objectives and strategies from the games. Contrastingly, the adversaries in The Explorers of Horizons are formidable. Initially, they plan to pilfer Liko’s pendant, but their schemes escalate rapidly to include theft of Pokémon, infiltrating institutions, constructing decoy bases as traps, and more.

The Explorers are more skillful and potentially hazardous than any Pokémon antagonists previously encountered, and since they’re original characters in the Horizons anime, viewers can’t predict where this narrative is headed for a change. Moreover, personalities such as Amethio have demonstrated layers that make them captivating to watch on-screen.

4. Horizons Does Away With the Old Formula

Ash’s Repetitive Badge Challenges Are a Thing of the Past

Watching Pokémon can be quite entertaining, but it’s hard to ignore the fact that it tends to become somewhat repetitive from one season to another. The storyline usually follows Ash as he journeys to a new region, leaving his old Pokémon behind; he then faces eight gym leaders for badges, with each challenge progressively tougher than the last. Along the way, he acquires a fresh group of Pokémon. Ultimately, these events lead up to a tournament-style climax. In between, Ash encounters and fights against the region’s villainous team, and that concludes the season’s storyline.

Horizons has eliminated that aspect altogether. Instead, Liko and Roy embark on a unique journey, aiming to discover the route taken by an enigmatic figure called the Ancient Explorer. While they do encounter gym leaders and make connections with others, the traditional routine of collecting badges and participating in league tournaments is now a thing of the past.

3. Horizons Has Had Some Incredible Battles

Horizons Features Less Battling Overall, But Better Battles When They Happen

In Pokémon Horizons, several battles stand out for their high-quality animation and visual spectacle. Notably, the heroes frequently face off against a formidable Black Rayquaza, which they sometimes struggle to overcome. These engagements rank among the most impressive in the anime’s history, with multiple Pokémon often clashing simultaneously. The show avoids using repetitive stock footage, as was common during Ash’s era, ensuring each battle is unique. Over time, Liko and Roy develop their training skills beyond their initial levels.

The quality of the visual battles in this series has significantly improved over time and reached a peak recently, making for quite a spectacle. It’s impressive how much better it looks now, especially with the addition of Mega Evolutions. Here’s hoping this upward trend persists.

2. Horizons’ New Heroes Are More Interesting Than Ash

Liko and Roy Have Quickly Set Themselves Apart From Ash

After 25 years of tracking Ash Ketchum’s journey, the writers found it challenging to bring fresh ideas to his character. By the time we reached the series Journeys, most conceivable storylines had been explored, leading to Goh being declared a “co-protagonist.” This change resulted in him getting more screen time than previous companions, which unfortunately stirred up some resentment and criticism.

In the series, Liko and Roy are fresh characters who immediately show their unique qualities. Liko, a shy young girl, lacks self-assurance, which means she frequently finds herself struggling with situations that Ash would breeze through without a care. Conversely, Roy shares Ash’s enthusiasm for battling, but he is much more cautious in his actions. Over the course of the series, both Liko and Roy have developed significantly, something that can’t be said as easily about Ash.

1. Horizons’ Original Story is Absolutely Captivating

The Series Tells a Brand New Story in the Pokémon World

Originally, the Pokemon series starring Ash lacked a complex narrative; instead, it focused on the journeys of Ash Ketchum. While occasional story arcs, such as Team Flare or Team Galactic, carried across multiple episodes, the show was predominantly episodic. This format worked fine for a while, but after 25 years, it started to feel repetitive.

In contrast to previous series, Pokémon Horizons presents an entirely unique narrative focusing on the Ancient Adventurer and his potent Pokémon companions, as Liko and Roy follow in his footsteps towards the legendary Pokéemon sanctuary of Laqua. Discussing the plot any further might be a spoiler, and spoilers were rarely an issue during the Ash era. The story delves into their personal growth throughout this adventure, boasting a strong ensemble of secondary characters and cunning antagonists. If these 10 reasons don’t pique your interest, maybe Pokémon Horizons isn’t for you. But if even one point appeals to you, then I recommend giving the show a try—you won’t be disappointed.

2025-04-26 21:21