A Pokemon anime release is on the Horizon

And countdown to Indigo Disk

Author

Cooltrainer Ace
November 30, 2023 • Estimated Read Time: 7 minutes

Season’s Greetings, Cooltrainers! I spent the Thanksgiving Holiday just the way I like it: alone, in the gloomy depths of Victory Road, gnawing on a cold Doduo leg, wishing KFC existed in the World of Pokémon.

On the plus side, it’s always Black Friday, inside Victory Road!

Now that my darkness retreat has ended, I’m back with a renewed sense of purpose to deliver nothing but the best Pokémon news each and every week, just for YOU, dear Cooltrainer.

I’m not crying, you’re crying. Let’s get into the news

Here’s this week’s rundown (estimated read time, 4 minutes):

  • A U.S. release date for the Horizons anime.

  • Announcing the winter season of Pokémon GO.

  • Tera Raids and Indigo Disk previews for Scarlet/Violet.

New Pokémon on the Horizon

If you were going to ask Santa for a Pokémon: Horizons U.S. release date, I’ve got good news. Save that ask for the $400 Trading Card Game Classic set, Santa can afford it.

BUT, if you live in the U.S. and had plans to Netflix and chill (or if you’re Cooltrainer Ace, binge in isolation) with Pokémon: Horizons on Valentine’s Day, the news isn’t so good.

Pokémon: Horizons comes exclusively to Netflix on February 23, 2024, just in time to celebrate Pokémon Day on February 27.

By now, many of you fine folks have probably read about or seen clips from the Japanese version of the show on social media (hopefully not too many spoilers). For those coming into this brand new, here’s some official teasing:

Featuring a never-before-seen storyline, “Pokémon Horizons: The Series” will follow dual protagonists Liko and Roy — and their partner Pokémon, Sprigatito and Fuecoco, respectively — as they set off on action-packed adventures, encounter endearing characters like Friede and Captain Pikachu, and uncover the mysteries of the Pokémon world.

A new adventure is beginning within the wide world of Pokémon! Arriving at Indigo Academy, a girl named Liko receives her first partner Pokémon, Sprigatito. But she soon finds herself pursued by the Explorers, a mysterious group that’s determined to take the pendant necklace she wears. Liko isn’t on her own, though, as Friede, Captain Pikachu, and the other Rising Volt Tacklers offer her protection aboard their airship. Meanwhile, a boy named Roy dreams of becoming a Pokémon Trainer, unaware of the secret hiding within the Ancient Poké Ball he carries. As Liko, Roy, and the Rising Volt Tacklers set sail for new horizons, what kind of discoveries await?

Introducing Timeless Travels: the next GO Season

I just did a quick online search for things that are timeless. Diamonds, denim, and Giovanni’s suits topped the list. And now we’ve got another one to add: travel through vast Hisui!

The season runs December 1, 2023, at 10a.m. to March 1, 2024, at 10a.m. local time.

While details are foggy on how we’ll obtain the Hisuian starters outside of raids (if we can), Timeless Travels promises to bring more Hisuian Pokémon (like Wyrdeer) to GO.

Mark your calendars for Catch-up Community Day, coming December 16-17, which we’ll cover fully in a future issue. If you just can’t wait, here’s a preview. Remember, this includes every Pokémon featured in Community Days throughout the year but encounters are split between Saturday and Sunday.

Research Breakthrough Encounters: Lapras, Galarian Weezing, Galarian Mr. Mime, Furfrou, Goomy (all shiny unlocked), Jangmo-O (shiny locked).

  • 2 km Eggs: Pichu, Tyrogue, Smoochum, Togepi (all shiny unlocked). Smoliv (shiny locked).

  • 5 km Eggs: Elekid, Magby (both shiny unlocked), Sprigatitio, Feucoco, Quaxly, Pawmi (shiny locked).

  • 7 km Eggs: Alolan Sandshrew, Alolan Geodude, Alolan Grimer, Paldean Wooper (all shiny unlocked).

  • 10 km Eggs: Dratini, Beldum (both shiny unlocked), Carbink, Frigibax (both shiny locked).

Seasonal Bonuses

  • Trainers level 31 and above receive one guaranteed Candy XL when trading Pokémon.

  • One additional Candy when trading Pokémon.

  • Trainers level 31 and above have a higher chance to receive Rare Candy XL from in-person five-star raids.

  • Increased XP for a seven-day PokéStop spin streak.

  • Increased XP and Stardust for a seven-day Pokémon catch streak.

Countdown to Indigo Disk

We’re officially two weeks to the day from the Indigo Disk DLC release. If you’re into the datamining and leak scene, fact and fiction abound, most of it getting into the realm of fact. Keep a weather eye on your social feeds: it’s only a matter of time before a full leak happens.

Until then, a few select streamers and media companies were recently given the chance to play a portion of the Indigo Disk DLC (pretty sure I was invited but it can be hard to get emails in the depths of Victory Road).

In the meantime, the rest of us pleebs will settle for a second week of 7-star Sith Lord Seal raids. If you were in a turkey coma last weekend and missed out, Hisuian Samurott is back from Thursday, November 30, at 4 p.m. PST to Sunday, December 3, at 3:59 p.m. PST.

Card of the Week

Just in time to kick off Santa Season, here’s a snowy little Snorunt who got his wish for a White Christmas. These special art cards from Paradox Rift really smack.

Random encounters around the internet

Obscure Pokémon Fact of the Day (from u/Mx_Toniy_4869)

Until next time,
Cooltrainer “no place like 2F for the Holidays” Ace