Pokémon Horizons US Release Date Announced

Fuecoco Pokemon anime

Earlier this month, the latest anime in the Pokémon series, Pokémon Horizons, got a release date in the UK before the US, leading to some pretty upset fans. Now, The Pokémon Company has revealed the release date for Pokémon Horizons in the US, but it probably won’t make fans much happier.

Unlike the UK, which is set to start airing the new anime next month, the US will have to wait until late February to tune in to see the adventures of Liko and Roy. Pokémon Horizons: The Series is set to be released on February 23, 2024 in the US.

There is some good news, however small: like Pokémon Journeys before it, Pokémon Horizons will be available all at once, on Netflix, rather than airing one episode a week like the UK. That’s not quite enough to make up for having to dodge spoilers twice over while waiting — first from the Japanese airing, and then from the UK airing. Of course, that would be much less of an issue if the Pokémon anime had an official sub, but alas, we aren’t so lucky.

We’re not entirely sure how much of the series will be dropped on that February date. Our first instinct is that it’ll contain the first story arc, subtitled Liko and Roy’s Departure in Japan, comprising 25 episodes. We reviewed Pokémon Horizons’ first story arc, and found it to start strong, but lose its way at around the three-quarter mark. Thankfully, the second arc seems to be much better so far.

It comes after Ash and Pikachu’s Pokemon Journey came to an end in September, prompting a fresh new start with two new protagonists: Liko, a young girl with a Spritatito partner, and Roy, a young boy who befriends a singing Fuecoco. Here’s how The Pokémon Company describes the series:

“Join Liko and Roy – along with their partner Pokémon, Sprigatito and Fuecoco – as they set off on an incredible journey across different regions with new companions and adorable Pokémon. Along the way, they’ll receive help from Friede, Captain Pikachu, and the other Rising Volt Tacklers as they work to evade a mysterious group known as the Explorers.”

If you’re not sure if the series is for you, you can also watch the first 11 minutes of episode one above — though be warned, as you’ll be waiting at least three months if you suddenly get hooked.

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