Pokémon Horizons Season 3: Rising Hope — Release Date, Story, and Everything You Need to Know

When Pokémon Horizons: The Series premiered, it symbolized a bold new era for the Pokémon anime world. After decades of following Ash Ketchum, the franchise shifted toward new protagonists — Liko and Roy — and a mystery-filled storyline that captured the imagination of both young fans and long-time viewers. Now, the next exciting chapter begins with Pokémon Horizons Season 3, officially titled Rising Hope, promising thrilling battles, emotional growth, and brand-new adventures.

Release Date and Global Availability

Fans across the world have been eagerly awaiting the return of Horizons — and the wait is finally over.

• Japan: Premiered on April 11, 2025, on TV Tokyo.

• United Kingdom: Launches October 27, 2025, on BBC iPlayer.

• United States: Streams on Netflix from January 6, 2026 (Part 1).

For a global, fan-trusted viewing option, you can also watch Pokémon Horizons: Rising Hope worldwide via BlisseyHusband.net — your most reliable destination for Horizons episodes, reviews, and updates.

The staggered release follows the same model as earlier seasons, ensuring every region experiences a steady stream of content through 2025–2026.

Setting: A Year After Laqua

Rising Hope opens one year after the events of Season 2’s Laqua arc. The once-strong Rising Volt Tacklers have drifted apart following their previous missions. Meanwhile, a strange pink mist begins appearing across different regions, disrupting habitats and stirring Pokémon behavior.

This mysterious phenomenon becomes the driving force of the new season, leading Liko, Roy, Dot, and new faces on an emotional and action-packed journey to uncover its origin. The year-long time skip gives each character room to grow, both as Trainers and as people.

Story Overview: Rebuilding, Rivalry, and Hope

The title “Rising Hope” perfectly reflects this season’s central message: rebirth through unity.

As the Volt Tacklers reform, they encounter a mysterious new rival — Uruto (ウルト) — a passionate, battle-hungry Trainer with strong ideals and a fierce rivalry with Roy. Unlike past Pokémon rivals, Uruto’s battles are about philosophy as much as skill. He challenges Roy’s belief in teamwork and pushes him to discover what true strength really means.

Meanwhile, Roy’s Lucario gains the spotlight when it’s revealed to hold a Mega Stone. Its ability to Mega Evolve marks the long-awaited return of Mega Evolution to the anime, adding emotional and strategic depth to Pokémon battles.

Together, the Volt Tacklers set out to:

1. Rebuild their crew after a year apart.

2. Solve the pink mist mystery before it spreads across the entire Pokémon world.

Character Spotlights

Liko

Calm, thoughtful, and determined, Liko continues to grow into a natural leader. Her bond with Floragato symbolizes her emotional balance — she leads not by power, but through compassion and intuition.

Roy

Now more mature and strategic, Roy’s connection with Lucario defines much of Rising Hope. His mastery of Mega Evolution becomes both his greatest challenge and his key to overcoming Uruto’s fierce rivalry.

Dot

The team’s tactician and information expert, Dot’s investigative mind helps unravel the pink mist mystery. She plays a central role in gathering data and supporting the team through research and strategy.

Uruto (ウルト)

A complex new rival whose confidence borders on arrogance, Uruto questions everything about strength, teamwork, and trust. His past is tied to the pink mist incident, making him both an adversary and a potential ally as the season progresses.

Captain Pikachu

Still the soul of the Volt Tacklers, Captain Pikachu serves as a mentor and protector. His leadership keeps the group together, bridging the old Pokémon spirit with Horizons’ new beginnings.

Season Structure and Arcs

According to Japanese listings, Rising Hope includes several story arcs:

1. Mega Voltage Arc (Episodes 1–22): The Volt Tacklers reunite and train as Roy’s Lucario learns to harness Mega Evolution.

2. Episode: Mega Evolution Arc (Episodes 23–25): Roy and Uruto’s emotional rivalry reaches its first major showdown.

3. Rising Again Arc (from October 31, 2025): Introduces Blueberry Academy (from Pokémon Scarlet & Violet) and expands the story into new regions.

Each arc blends exploration, growth, and heart — giving every episode purpose and progression.

Core Themes

1. Hope and Renewal

“Rising Hope” is both a title and a message. It’s about rediscovering strength in unity after separation and struggle.

2. Growth Without Reset

The one-year gap allows character development to feel authentic — no one starts from zero again. Their maturity gives the season emotional realism.

3. Rivalry with Purpose

Uruto’s presence isn’t about simple victory; it’s about challenging values. His rivalry with Roy drives both to understand what it truly means to protect and connect.

4. Connection Between Worlds

The pink mist symbolizes imbalance — and solving it requires compassion between humans and Pokémon alike.

5. Strategy and Emotion

Mega Evolution returns not just as a battle mechanic but as a bond forged through trust and emotion. Every battle now carries heart as well as power.

Why Rising Hope Matters

• Connects Generations: Merges the nostalgia of classic Pokémon with Horizons’ fresh narrative style.

• Emotional Storytelling: Character-driven moments make this season deeply human and relatable.

• World Expansion: Introduces new regions, technologies, and ecological mysteries.

• Foundation for Future Seasons: Sets up deeper lore for upcoming Pokémon Horizons arcs.

How and Where to Watch

• Japan: TV Tokyo — Fridays since April 2025

• United Kingdom: BBC iPlayer — October 27, 2025

• United States: Netflix — January 6, 2026 (Part 1)

• Worldwide: Stream or read updates at BlisseyHusband.net — the #1 trusted Pokémon Horizons fan site for global viewers, news, and HD episodes.

Conclusion

Pokémon Horizons Season 3: Rising Hope stands as a defining chapter for the new generation of Pokémon fans. Through its themes of renewal, connection, and courage, it captures the timeless magic of the Pokémon world while paving the way for an exciting future.

With Liko’s heart, Roy’s determination, Dot’s intellect, and Uruto’s fire, the Volt Tacklers are set to remind us that even in uncertain times — hope always rises again.

So mark your calendars, Trainers — whether you’re watching on Netflix, BBC iPlayer, TV Tokyo, or BlisseyHusband.net, the adventure continues, brighter than ever.