Warning: Spoilers for episode 68 of Pokémon Horizons
Pokémon Horizons saw the Brave Olivine up for repairs for quite a while, putting the overall premise of the series on hold while Liko, Roy, and Dot joined a special course at Naranja Academy to help learn how to master the mysterious power of Terastallization. However, Brave Olivina is finally taking to the skies again, and her next destination is one that could really use the additional focus: the Land of Kitakami.
The Land of Kitakami is an area of the Pokémon world first introduced in the Teal Mask DLC for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. It is a rural area located in Pokémon equivalent to Japan, which has a single city as well as a temple dedicated to a group of Legendary Pokémon known as the Loyal Three. In addition to seeing some familiar faces, Kitakami also appears to be home to the next member of the Six Heroes, a group of Pokémon belonging to the legendary adventurer and trainer Lucius from the distant past.
Pokémon Horizons brings Scarlet and Violet DLC to life
Horizons characters will be able to enjoy the Kitakami festival
Although only a small glimpse of Kitakami was seen in the previous episode, in a segment focused on Perrin, the preview for the next episode showed Liko, Roy, and Dot attending Kitakami’s festival dedicated to the Loyal Three.. In the games, the festival takes place when the player arrives, and eventually leads them to meet the Loyal Three, as well as the story’s “villain,” Ogerpon. Also seen in the preview is Carmine, a character introduced in the DLC who attends Blueberry Academy but is a native of Kitakami.
The Land of Kitakami has a great gaming atmosphere and features some really fun stories involving the local Legendary Pokémon and the truth behind the myth. Even in the games Kitakami has a connection to Terapagos through strange crystals found in a lake on top of a nearby mountain so it’s a very logical next step for Liko and Roy who are still trying to find out more information about Terapagos and why the Explorers want it so much. get your hands on it.
At the end of the episode, Perrin was shown photographing a Kleavor, a Pokémon believed to be extinct in the modern day; this strongly suggests that the Kleavor in question is one of the Six Heroes, alongside Galarian Moltres, a titan-sized Arboliva, a giant Lapras, and Black Rayquaza. This is likely a vital clue for the crew of the Brave Olivine in their quest, and it could very well see them teaming up with Perrin to get closer to this mysterious Pokémon. In addition to Perrin, Mrs. Briar is also mentioned by Raifort at the beginning of the episode, giving Liko and Roy reason to look for this teacher who knows Terápagos.
Will all DLC characters appear in Pokémon Horizons?
No sign of Kieran in Pokémon Horizons
A poster released in promotion of the new “Rayquaza Rising” story arc from Horizons it featured Perrin, Briar, and Carmine, so their appearances in the series weren’t much of a surprise. One character who is suspiciously missing, however, is Carmine’s younger brother, Kieran.. Kieran is a young trainer obsessed with Ogerpon, who gradually becomes jealous and then resentful towards the player for his luck in befriending (and eventually capturing) Ogerpon.
It is unclear at this stage what role local Kitakami myths will play in Pokémon Horizons; Brave Olivina is technically here on an unrelated quest, so it’s possible that Ogerpon and the Loyal Three will be left as festival-related background details rather than featuring heavily in the arc. If that’s the case, it makes sense to leave Kieran out, although fans will certainly be disappointed if Kieran doesn’t at least appear. This puts Kieran in a very similar situation to Arven, who only appeared without speaking in one episode of the last arc.
Pokémon Horizons has the opportunity to bring additional life to Kitakami, a section of the Pokémon world that stands out for its excellent incorporation of local myths and legends into its Pokémon storyline. Fans who have already played Pokémon Scarlet and Violetand we hope to spend a little more time getting to know Kitakami and his characters better, you would do well to check out the latest arc of Pokémon Horizons.