Pokmon Horizons Finally Confirms Its Timeline Placement and a Major Detail About the Games

Warning: Spoilers for Pokémon Horizons episode #71

Pokémon Horizons has finally confirmed exactly when it's set relative to the Scarlet and Violet Nintendo Switch games, and the answer raises quite a few questions. While there have been some hints as to when the series is set before, only now is it absolutely confirmed.

Pokémon Horizons has been a bit unclear about its setting since the series first arrived in Paldea. While initial interactions didn't provide much information as to when the series was supposed to be set, by the time of the Terastal Debut arc, some solid hints were finally being dropped. Nemona, for example, was shown to already be friends with Penny and Arven, something that only happens in the last chapter of the story of Scarlet and Violet. That could always be changed for the anime, however, so it was hard to use it as definitive evidence of when Horizons is set.

Pokémon Horizons Takes Place After Scarlet

The Series is Set After the Indigo Disk DLC Has Concluded

In episode #71 of Pokémon Horizons, Liko, Roy, Dot, and Friede make their way to the Crystal Pond in Kitakami in search of Ms. Briar, a teacher and researcher on Terapagos. After an encounter with a terastallized wild Milotic, the group managed to make contact with Ms. Briar, who was shocked to see that Liko had a live Terapagos with her. Through their 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 some about Terapagos' transformation based on her experiences.

In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Ms. Briar leads an expedition to the underdepths of Area Zero with the player character, Carmine, and Kieran in tow. There, they discover a Terapagos deep underground, emanating immense power. Ms. Briar's dialog in Horizons suggests that she's already been on this expedition, finally confirming that Horizons is actually set after the events of Scarlet and Violet. While in the games, the player character catches Terapagos, that doesn't seem to be the case in Horizons, as Ms. Briar doesn't have a live specimen to study.

Pokémon Horizons Has More Than One Terapagos

Liko's Terapagos Isn't One of a Kind

While it's nice to finally know for sure that Horizons is set after Scarlet, the bigger reveal here is that Liko's Terapagos isn't the same as the one found in Area Zero in the games. That means there are at least 2 Terapagos out there, and possibly more. While the Pokémon anime has shown that there's more than one of certain Legendary Pokémon before, it's pretty rare, especially for ones as significant as Terapagos. While some fans had speculated that Ancient Adventurer Lucius may have visited Area Zero to meet Terapagos, there's now no reason to think that's the case.

The existence of a second Terapagos also raises some interesting possibilities for the storyline. For example, the Explorers could turn their attention from taking Liko's Terapagos to obtaining this other Terapagos. While it wouldn't have the same memories as Liko's Terapagos, it may still work for gaining access to the legendary realm of Laqua, depending on exactly what they need it for. Unfortunately, Ms. Briar didn't seem to know much about Laqua, the Laquium, or any of the other mysteries associated with Lucius. Her familiarity with Terapagos extends only to the specimen found in Area Zero.

Learning more about her Terapagos' forms and abilities is sure to aid Liko and friends moving into the future, as they've already seen Terapagos utilize its Terastal Forme on multiple occasions, usually when particularly agitated or near the Black Rayquaza. They even noted a resemblance between the Crystal Pond and Terapagos' ability to share its memories, although it wasn't able to on this occasion. Ms. Briar's information is exceptionally valuable, since so few people have even been able to identify what Terapagos was, and gives the Rising Volt Tacklers a leg up on the Explorers for once.

While this reveal of Ms. Briar's Area Zero expedition has provided a lot of new information for the heroes, it's also brought up some new questions. It may well be the most successful that Liko and friends have been at discovering info on Terapagos, and it's given them what they need to start asking the right questions. Knowing that Pokémon Horizons is set after Scarlet and Violet certainly is valuable information for viewers, and it may well have further impacts on the story as it continues to develop.

Pokémon Horizons is the sequel series to the 1997 original series. It follows the adventures of Liko and Roy, two aspiring Pokémon trainers from different backgrounds, as they explore the Paldea region. Equipped with new gadgets and strategies, they encounter a variety of Pokémon and face challenges that test their skills and courage. With each discovery and battle, Liko and Roy learn about the vast world of Pokémon and strive to make their mark in the Pokémon leagues.

Cast Alejandra Reynoso , Crispin Freeman , Anjali Kunapaneni , Mara Junot , Michael Allan Schneider

Release Date April 14, 2023

Seasons 1

Writers Dai Sato

Directors Saori Den

Main Genre Adventure