Pokémon Horizons – Rising Hope, known in Japan as Pocket Monsters: Mega Voltage, Pocket Monsters Episode: Mega Evolution and Pocket Monsters: Rising Again is the twenty-eighth season of the Pokémon anime series and the third season of Pokémon Horizons: The Series, known in Japan as Pocket Monsters (ポケットモンスター, Poketto Monsutā). It is produced by OLM and directed by Daiki Tomiyasu (chief director) and Saori Den. The season aired in Japan on TV Tokyo from April 11, 2025, to May 1, 2026, and was distributed by Netflix in the United States from January 6 to September 18, 2026.
The season comprises three story arcs. The first arc, "Mega Voltage", covering the first 22 episodes, follows protagonists Liko and Roy, alongside Dot, as they reform the Rising Volt Tacklers, while joined by Roy's rival Ult, one year after the collapse of Laqua. The second arc, "Episode: Mega Evolution", covering the next three episodes, shows how Roy and Ult met in the Kalos region. The third arc, "Rising Again", covering the final 22 episodes, follows the Rising Volt Tacklers as they attempt to expose the Explorers, destroy the Laquium, and clear their name.
Release
On March 13, 2025, CoroCoro Comic released a first look at the "Mega Voltage" arc, which teased a timeskip. On March 14, The Pokémon Company announced that the new arc of the Pokémon anime would begin airing on April 11 of that year. Following the end of the "Rayquaza Rising" arc, a new trailer and poster were released a week later on March 21, showcasing the return of Mega Evolutions and a new male character named Ult, voiced by Natsumi Fujiwara. On August 22, 2025, a three-part special arc titled "Episode: Mega Evolution" was announced, along with a trailer and poster. After the conclusion of the "Mega Voltage" arc in September 2025, The Pokémon Company revealed that a new arc, titled "Rising Again", would begin broadcasting on October 31 of that same year, focusing on the group's adventures at Blueberry Academy.
In the United States, The Pokémon Company announced that a third season of Pokémon Horizons, titled Pokémon Horizons: Season 3 – Rising Hope would premiere on the streaming service Netflix on January 6, 2026. In the United Kingdom, the first eleven episodes of Rising Hope were released simultaneously on BBC iPlayer and CBBC on October 27, 2025.
Music
The Japanese opening themes are "Get Back" (ゲット・バック, Getto bakku) performed by Yuzu for 21 episodes and "Iolite" (アイオライト, Aioraito) performed by Eve for 21 episodes. The Japanese ending themes are "Ready Go" performed by Me:I for 20 episodes, "YUU" (尤, YUU) performed by Yuzu for 3 episodes and "Asleep or Awake" (ねてもさめても, Netemo Sametemo) performed by Polkadot Stingray for 22 episodes.
Its English opening theme outside of Asia is "Evolving Again" performed by Haven Paschall, while its intsrumental version serves as the ending theme. In Asia, the Japanese opening theme song "Get Back" by Yuzu is used as the English opening theme, while the Japanese ending theme song "Ready Go" serves as the ending theme.