After 26 years of adventures in the Pokémon anime, the perpetually 10-year-old Ash Ketchum has finally hung up his hat. However, The Pokémon Company, after years of resisting the inevitable, is finally allowing its new protagonists, Liko and Roy, to age in the upcoming Pokémon Horizons arc.

Recent reveals from CoroCoro magazine about the new "Mega Voltage" arc confirm a significant time skip, advancing Liko and Roy approximately three years. New character designs showcase a noticeably taller and more mature Liko, Roy, and Dot.

Given the shared universe, this time jump implies a similar aging for Ash Ketchum and the supporting characters like Misty, Brock, May, Dawn, and Serena. The possibility of seeing an older Ash has sparked considerable fan speculation.

Mega Voltage also marks the return of Mega Evolutions, a timely coincidence with the mechanic's resurgence in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Liko's Floragato has evolved into Meowscarada, and Roy boasts a shiny Mega Lucario.

A notable absence is Friede, captain of the Rising Volt Tacklers. While his partner Pikachu is present (sporting Friede's goggles, which appear damaged), fan theories suggest Friede may have encountered misfortune.

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The Mega Voltage arc premieres in Japan on April 11th, with the English dub expected later. Previous criticism of Pokémon Horizons Season 2 (a 5/10 rating for its inconsistent strengths) suggests this time skip could revitalize the Rising Volt Tacklers storyline.