Pokémon Horizon's Next Arc, Rayquaza Rising, Will Show a Long-Awaited Evolution

Pokémon Horizonsrecently announced its fourth story arc, Rayquaza Rising, which is set to begin on August 22, 2025. Fans of the series will be thrilled to learn that the key visual accompanying the announcement teases a major evolution, as well as some significant plot developments.

The current arc ofPokémon Horizons, Terastal Debut, has been something of a training arc for Liko, Roy, and Dot, who have been traveling the Paldea region and learning to handle the power of Terastallization while the Rising Volt Tacklers’airship gets repaired from the damage it incurred the last time they encountered Rayquaza.

Pokemon Horizons' Liko and Nemona shake hands.

While this has given the show the chance to feature many characters from theScarletandVioletvideo games, the plot surrounding Laqua and the Six Heroes was effectively put on pause for most of the arc, slowing the story down significantly.

Rayquaza Rising Promises a Long-Awaited Evolution Will Finally Happen

Roy’s Partner, Fuecoco, is Next Up for Evolution

In key art released alongside the announcement (originally sourced from Serebii.Net),Roy is depicted alongside Crocalor, the evolution of Fuecoco, indicating that Roy’s partner is soon to evolve in the new story arc. Given that Liko and Dot’s partners have already evolved, fans have been eagerly awaiting Roy to have his turn, and givenRoy’s recent struggles with the Terastal Exam, it seems that Roy is about to have a breakthrough alongside Fuecoco.

The key art also depicts several characters originally seen in theScarletandVioletDLC, such as Perrin, Carmine, and Briar, who fans will no doubt be eager to see make their anime debuts. Their presence suggests that the Rising Volt Tacklers will be getting back on the road, visiting the land of Kitakami, as well as potentially the Blueberry Academy in the Unova region. Also pictured are two of the remaining members of the group of Pokémon known as the Six Heroes, Entei and Kleavor, indicating that the series will be getting back to its main plot concerning Laqua.

Key Art from the Rayquaza Rising arc of Pokemon Horizons.

Pokémon Horizons' New Arc Represents a Welcome Return to the Plot

After Terastal Debut Put the Story on Pause, Rayquaza Rising Brings it Roaring Back

The current arc, Terastal Debut, saw a change in formula for the series, focusing more heavily on Liko, Roy, and Dot, and pushing Friede and the other Rising Volt Tacklers out of the picture somewhat while the ship was being repaired. Without the airship, the group had no means of continuing their journey, meaning the entire storyline so far came to a sudden halt. The trio took the opportunity to learn about and master Terastallization, the Paldea region’s infamous phenomenon, and met many Gym Leaders and other characters fromScarletandViolet.

While Terastal Debut was still plenty of fun to watch, a return to the main story and seeing more of Friede and his crew would be more than welcome. The title “Rayquaza Rising” suggests thatthe Black Rayquazawill be taking center stage as well, potentially putting Liko, Roy, and Dot’s newfound skills to the test against the powerful Legendary Pokémon.Pokémon Horizons' new arc is looking very promising indeed, and hopefully it will answer some of the questions that have been piling up about the story.