Warning: Spoilers for episode 71 of Pokémon Horizons
Pokémon Horizons finally confirmed exactly when it is defined in relation to the Scarlet and Violet Nintendo Switch games, and the answer raises some questions. While there have been some hints about when the series is set before, it’s only now absolutely confirmed.
Pokémon Horizons It’s been unclear about its setting since the series arrived in Paldea. While initial iterations didn’t provide much information about when the series was supposed to be set, by the time of the Terastal Debut arc, some solid hints were finally dropped. Nemona, for example, has already shown herself to be friends with Penny and Arven, something that only happens in the last chapter of the story, Scarlet and Violet. However, this could always be changed for the anime, so it was difficult to use it as definitive evidence of when Horizons is defined.
Pokémon Horizons takes place after Scarlet
The series is set after the completion of the Indigo Disk DLC
In episode #71 of Pokémon HorizonsLiko, Roy, Dot, and Friede head to Crystal Pond in Kitakami in search of Ms. Briar, a teacher and researcher in Therapagos. After an encounter with a wild Terastalized Milotic, the group managed to make contact with Ms. Briar, who was shocked to see that Liko had a live Terapagos with her. Through discussion with her, it was revealed that Ms. Briar had recently returned from an expedition to Area Zero, where they encountered another different Terapagos. Ms. Briar was able to explain a little about the transformation of Terápagos based on her experiences.
In Pokémon Scarlet and VioletMs. Briar leads an expedition deep into Area Zero with the player character, Carmine, and Kieran in tow. There, they discover a Terápagos underground, emanating immense power. Mrs. Briar’s dialogue in Horizons suggests that she was once on this expedition, finally confirming that Horizons is actually set after the events of Scarlet and Violet. While in the games the player character captures Terapagos, this does not appear to be the case in Horizonssince Ms. Briar does not have a live specimen to study.
Pokémon Horizons has more than one Terapagos
Liko’s Terapagos are not unique
Although it’s nice to finally know for sure that Horizons is defined later ScarletThe biggest revelation here is that Liko’s Terapagos is not the same as the one found in Area Zero in the games. This means there are at least 2 Terapagos out there, and possibly more. While the Pokémon anime has shown that there is more than one Legendary Pokémon before, it is very rare, especially for those as significant as Terápagos. While some fans have speculated that Ancient Adventurer Lucius may have visited Area Zero to experience Therapagos, there is now no reason to think that is the case.
The existence of a second Therapagos also raises some interesting possibilities for the plot.. For example, Explorers could shift their attention from capturing the Therapagos of Liko to obtaining these other Therapagos. While it doesn’t have the same memories as Liko’s Terapagos, it could still work to gain access to the legendary kingdom of Laqua, depending on exactly what they need. Unfortunately, Mrs. Briar didn’t seem to know much about Laqua, the Laquium, or any other mystery associated with Lucius. His familiarity with Terápagos extends only to the specimen found in Area Zero.
Learning more about their Terapagos’ forms and abilities will certainly help Liko and his friends move forward into the future, as they have already seen Terapagos utilize his Terastal Form on several occasions, usually when particularly agitated or near Black Rayquaza. They even noted a similarity between the Crystalline Lagoon and the Terápagos’ ability to share their memories, although they were unable to do so on this occasion. Ms. Briar’s information is exceptionally valuable, as so few people have been able to identify what Terapagos was, and it gives the Rising Volt Tacklers an advantage over the Explorers for the first time.
While this revelation of Ms. Briar’s expedition to Area Zero provided a lot of new information for the heroes, it also raised some new questions. It may well be the biggest success Liko and friends have had in discovering information about Terapagos, and it has given them what they need to start asking the right questions. Knowing this Pokémon Horizons is defined later Scarlet and Violet It’s certainly valuable information for viewers and could very well have additional impacts on the story as it continues to develop.