I really need to get caught up on Pokémon Horizons, as I really enjoyed the early episodes of the new Ash Ketchum-less animated series when it began back in 2023. The annoying thing is that, rather than us getting episodes weekly like Japan does, the series is released in chunks over here in the States because of a deal between Netflix and The Pokémon Company. As a result, it never really embedded itself in my weekly routine. That said, I do keep up with some of the big happenings in the series, and friends, the biggest, most important event in Pokémon anime history took place today. No, I’m not talking about when Ash finally became a Pokémon champion, I’m talking about Mega Raichu X and Y finally showing up in the series.
“Enter the Fake Rising Volt Tacklers?!” has our heroes the Volt Tacklers investigating reports of them doing work they never did, only to find that a group of imposters has been dressing up as them and doing good deeds. Well, it could have been worse, I suppose? They could have been causing trouble. When the two groups meet, the “Fake” Rising Volt Tacklers are shown to have a team of a cute little Pichu, a spunky Pikachu wearing a mock-up of Captain Pikachu’s hat, and two Raichus. The real and fake Volt Tacklers engage in a Pokémon battle, and it’s actually a little chaotic as the 4v4 battle unfolds. The Pichu is barely even “battling,” but is instead using its cute charm to lull Dot’s Quaquavel into a false sense of security, only to shock him when he goes in for a hug.
The Raichus, however, are the real tag team of the group. They’re coordinating attacks, tossing Pikachu around the battlefield like an electrically charged hackysack, and using some clever “anime logic” tactics like creating a thunderbolt so bright it flashes out Sableye’s Shadow Sneak before it can land. Once the real Volt Tacklers get the upper hand, though, the imposters pull out their Mega Rings and the Raichus finally Mega Evolve into their X and Y forms.
The Rising Volteccers vs The Fake Rising Volteccers Part 2 End#anipoke #アニポケ #ワンダーボヤージュ pic.twitter.com/jg07gx3kQs
— ANI ME (@ANIME2YT) May 29, 2026
Even as someone who primarily experiences Pokémon through the games, I always look forward to seeing new monsters debut in the anime because we tend to get a much greater sense of their personality through the animation, and Mega Raichu X and Y are some sassy little powerhouses. The X version is a Superman-flying physical attacker, while Y focuses on special attacks, and you see them both demonstrating their respective specialities throughout the fight. I’ve been partial to Mega Raichu X since its reveal last year, so finally seeing it zip around the battlefield as electricity pulses from its huge tails has got me feeling some type of way.
Ultimately, the imposters lose the battle as the Volt Tacklers coordinate to take down both Mega Raichus, but I’m so happy to see them in all their animated glory. The Pokémon Company has been really pushing Mega Raichu X and Y this past week, so now they’re no longer sequestered in Pokémon Legends: Z-A’s Mega Dimension DLC. The two electric rats are making their Pokémon Go debut in the monster collector’s new season Forever Forward, which begins next week on June 2, and the Pokémon Center stores are finally rolling out merch of the two, with them appearing on customizable shirts and both of them finally getting official plushes. It sure would be cool if you’d bring those over to this side of the pond, Pokémon Company. Don’t make me have to give my money to a scalper, please.
