Netflix has officially announced the release date for Part 4 of Pokémon Horizons: The Series, which is currently in its first season. While the Japanese version of the show is a few episodes ahead, the English dub is set to be released later this year. According to Anime News Network, new episodes will be available starting November 22. The series is currently in its third story arc, “Terastal Debut,” in Japan.
Pokémon Horizons: The Series was first announced in 2022 and continues the long-running Pokémon franchise by following new adventures in the Pokémon world. It originally premiered in Japan in April 2023, with an English dub debuting in March 2024. This show introduces new characters, while Ikue Otani reprises her iconic role as the voice of Pikachu—this time as a different version called Captain Pikachu. The English dub features voices from Alejandra Reynoso, Anjali Kunapaneni, and Crispin Freeman.
In Japan, new episodes of Pokémon Horizons: The Series are released weekly, while Netflix has been adding new parts on a quarterly schedule. So far, three parts are available on Netflix, totaling 34 episodes, with the third part just recently released. The only option available on Netflix currently is the English dub.
For those wondering what to expect in this new era of Pokémon without Ash Ketchum as the main character, here’s a sneak peek: The story centers on Liko, a girl who receives her first partner Pokémon, Sprigatito, after arriving at Indigo Academy. But her adventure quickly takes a dangerous turn as she becomes the target of a mysterious group known as the Explorers, who are after her pendant necklace. Luckily, she’s not alone—she finds protection from Friede, Captain Pikachu, and the Rising Volt Tacklers aboard their airship. Meanwhile, a boy named Roy dreams of becoming a Pokémon Trainer, unaware of the secret his Ancient Poké Ball holds. Together, Liko, Roy, and the Rising Volt Tacklers embark on a journey to explore new regions and uncover hidden discoveries.
The series introduces dual protagonists, Liko and Roy, who team up with the Rising Volt Tacklers to travel across the Pokémon world, visiting regions from Kanto to Paldea. Liko’s mysterious pendant makes her a target of the Explorers, adding a layer of intrigue to their journey.
Additionally, the show introduces Dot, another member of the Rising Volt Tacklers, who joins Liko and Roy as they enroll in Naranja Academy to learn about the Terastal phenomenon. For the first time in Pokémon anime history, Pokémon Horizons: The Series features an entirely new cast of characters and a more focused storyline, with fewer connections to previous series.
To give some background, the Pokémon franchise began in 1996 as a video game for the Nintendo Game Boy and quickly expanded into an anime series in 2000. The anime originally focused on Ash Ketchum, a 10-year-old boy aspiring to become a Pokémon master, along with his partner Pikachu. Over the years, the franchise has released numerous seasons, movies, and spin-offs across every Nintendo handheld console. The first Pokémon movie, released in 1999, received an average audience score of 75 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.
Ash’s final journey was depicted in 2022 with the Masters Eight story arc, where his last battle was treated like a major sporting event in Tokyo. Although Ash’s storyline concluded after 25 years, the Pokémon series continues with a fresh set of characters and new adventures in Pokémon Horizons: The Series.
