Liko and Roy from Pokemon Horizons, Explained (2024)

The Pokémon anime no longer has its two main figureheads in Ash Ketchum and his trusty pal Pikachu. The pair led the mainline series of the anime for two decades from the late '90s and are still synonymous with the storied Pokémon franchise. Now, however, Pokémon Horizons: The Series is ushering in a new era for Pokémon - with new characters, locations, storylines and perspectives on this sprawling world.

After 25 years, Ash and Pikachu's departure has paved the way for new leads to step up and take the iconic mantel. Rather than have one lead, Pokemon Horizons introduces Liko and Roy as the new joint protagonists who will ultimately share the spotlight. But who exactly are Pokémon's new lead characters?

Setting The Scene For The Brand New Pokémon Horizons

Pokémon Horizons: The Series is being deemed a reboot of the Pokémon anime, and for good reason. Ash and Pikachu's departure from the anime has paved the way for fresh perspectives and attitudes to drive the anime forward, and Horizons certainly brings just that. Liko and Roy arrive as joint protagonists, and members of the Rising Volt Tacklers. The Rising Volt Tacklers travel aboard an airship named the Brave Olivine, with their adventures taking them all over the Pokémon world; from Kanto to Paldea.

Pokemon Horizons follows these lovable heroes and their wondrous escapades, but every character brings their own worth to the overarching narrative. Pokemon Horizons feels like a refreshing anime that moves away from the formulaic Pokémon series of old, instead favoring good storytelling over being a faithful adaptation of the games. Horizons is brazen and confident in how it makes Journeys seem like a mere experiment that paved the way for this new direction.

Liko's Willingness to Learn and Grow Makes Her a Great Protagonist

Liko is introduced at the very start of Pokémon Horizons: The Series, seemingly as Ash's replacement for the sole protagonist of the piece. Liko immediately shows off Horizons' intentions by hailing from the Gen XI region of Paldea, yet first being shown enrolling at the Indigo Academy in Kanto. By doing this, the anime swiftly sets the precedent that this series has a wide scope for fans to explore alongside the new characters.

In fact, it is Liko's Paldean roots that drive the early stages of Pokémon Horizons and its storytelling. Due to a pendant gifted to her by her grandmother, Liko is quickly thrust into an exciting life of danger and adventure, when two groups known as the Explorers and Rising Volt Tacklers appear, expressing alarming interest in her, with the poor girl unaware of the bigger picture.

Liko Is Sweet-Natured & Willing To Learn About The Wider Pokémon World

Liko is the perfect canvas for a new aspiring Pokémon Trainer. She starts with very little confidence or conviction of being truly successful within the world of Pokémon, yet has a kind heart and a studious mind. Both are terrific prerequisites for a young Pokémon Trainer, allowing an individual to empathize and connect with Pokémon on a whole new level beyond simply showing off strength, confidence and general talent.

Liko's kind heart can be her own downfall, however. Caring for others in precarious situations can leave her stressed, while her sweet nature leaves her vulnerable to being gullible and naive. Yet still, Liko's bravery shines through her initially timid side, especially when her friends are there to lend support.

Liko's Inexperience Doesn't Stop Her From Having An Active Role In The Rising Volt Tacklers

While it takes Liko time to gauge who is deserving of her trust, she quickly falls in with the Rising Volt Tacklers. The sheer spectacle of traveling the skies via airship would be enough in itself, but the friendly crew that comes with this experience is an added bonus. There is safety in numbers for Liko alongside strong characters like Friede, Orla, Murdock and others, but in the Rising Volts, everyone is expected to pull their weight and perform a role. Liko's is the team lookout.

This responsibility is a lighter way of assigning Liko a degree of importance on the crew, without demanding too much of her. Regardless, Liko is expected to keep the airship observatory clean and functional. She even chips in to help out the rest of the members if they ever need assistance. Liko's kind heart and gentle care-taking of the airship's Pokemon make her a valued part of the crew.

Sprigatito Helps Ease Liko Into Life As A Pokémon Trainer

Liko receives her Sprigatito when she enrolls in the Indigo Academy in Kanto, and the initial interactions go just as expected. Ash and Pikachu took a great deal of time to form their unstoppable bond, and while Liko will likely never reach those lofty heights, she quickly understands that she has to take the time to learn and earn her place as Sprigatito's partner.

Liko's studious mind and kind heart help her quickly connect with Sprigatito, and the two will certainly be a solid pairing moving forward in Pokémon Horizons. As Liko finds her way throughout the many adventures of the Rising Volt Tacklers, she will undoubtedly add more members to her team, but Sprigatito will always be her main partner in crime.

Roy's Eagerness and CanDo Attitude Makes Him a Great Co-star

While Liko carries the protagonist title for the opening three episodes of Pokémon Horizons: The Series, Roy's introduction brings back a familiar energy to the anime. Roy's enthusiasm for life in general has hints of Ash Ketchum, but with refreshing variety in how he spends and applies that energy.

Roy arrives into Pokemon Horizons: The Series as an excitable student stuck on his home island in Kanto, but with dreams to explore and search for the treasures this wondrous Pokémon world has to offer. Fate seemingly has Roy's back, as through a pit-stop from the Rising Volts landing their airship on his island, Roy gets to meet the crew's Fuecoco.

A Chance Encounter With Fuecoco Changes Roy's Life

Despite being one of the Rising Volt Tacklers' wild Pokémon contingent aboard the Brave Olivine, Fuecoco eventually directs his allegiance to Roy. Thanks to Roy's persistence in not letting their chance encounter be a mere fleeting moment, Fuecoco becomes Roy's partner.

Roy reciprocates Fuecoco's energy, from eating spicy food to singing whenever the mood dictates, and the duo are perfect together. Roy's energetic optimism is infectious, but his kindness towards Pokémon is what makes him a great protagonist to lead alongside Liko.

Roy Has An Active Place Both On The Rising Volt Tacklers' Crew & In Horizons' Storytelling

Every member of the Rising Volt Tacklers has a job to do aboard the Brave Olivine, and for Roy, that means hoisting the crew's flag. As with Liko's responsibilities within the group, Roy's aren't the most important, yet still, they give him purpose as part of the group.

While Roy continues to thrive in this traveling family, he too, just like Liko, has a family of his own who have shaped his future without him necessarily grasping the enormity of their influence. Just as Liko's pendant was a gift from her grandmother and inadvertently catapulted her into a life of adventure beyond her understanding, Roy's grandfather gave him a mysterious old Poké Ball. Roy's thirst for adventure and search for treasure stems from the mystery this Poké Ball exudes and represents - with his infectious energy cementing Roy as a worthy figurehead of Pokémon Horizons moving forward.

Liko & Roy Became Close Friends Very Quickly

Shared protagonists in the Pokémon anime has never seemed likely since Ash and Pikachu's proven model of one human and their Pokémon partner. Yet Liko and Roy make it work, as they get started on representing the future of the franchise. Liko and Roy quickly bond, due to being similarly placed at the start of their respective Pokémon journeys, despite possessing very different traits that can help them thrive in the Pokémon universe.

Liko and Roy hang out together with Fuecoco and Sprigatito - learning and training together in order for them both to better themselves. Loyal Pokémon fans are entitled to any concerns regarding direction following Ash and Pikachu's departure from the anime, but they are in safe hands with Liko and Roy moving forward.

Pokémon Horizons (2023)

TV-Y7

Anime

Action

Adventure

Liko, whose partner Pokémon is Sprigatito, and Roy will encounter many characters during their journey, including a group called the Rising Volt Tacklers.

Release Date

April 14, 2023

Cast

Minori Suzuki , Megumi Hayashibara , Taku Yashiro , Ayane Sakura

Main Genre

Anime

Seasons

1