Warning: Spoilers for Pokémon Horizons, episode 89confirmed for an debut on April 11, 2025. But just how bold is the series willing to go, and could one of the darkest fan theories regarding the Mega Voltage poster be true?

Pokémon Horizons is at the end of its Laqua arc, which has made up the first four series of the show, and brought the heroes into conflict with their rival faction, the Explorers, for the fate of this mysterious paradise and its resources. It was revealed last week that the series would be undergoing a timeskip for the first time, and that this would be leading into a totally new story arc for the series. However, the poster for Mega Voltage also had some confusing elements to it, such as Captain Pikachu seemingly being in Roy's possession, rather than Friede's, and Cap having Friede's goggles, which appear to be broken.

Could Pokémon Horizons Kill Off a Main Character?

Fans Debate Friede's Fate in the New Series

Some of the previews for the final episodes of the Laqua arc have shown the land falling into chaos, separating Friede from the others. This, combined with the broken goggles that Captain Pikachu has, has led to some fans believing that Friede may actually be killed off in the arc's finale, which would be one of the last important moments before the timeskip engages. This would explain Captain Pikachu being with Roy now, and the broken goggles, which are definitely an ominous element. The page in Coro Coro magazine actually drew attention to this, asking explicitly where Friede was.

Pokémon has killed off characters (both humans and Pokémon) before, but never a major hero like Friede. It seems unlikely that the relatively light Pokémon Horizons would kill a character like Friede, but he could certainly be in for a bad time regardless. It's possible that, like Liko's ancestor Lucius, who was trapped in Laqua for over a century, Friede could become stuck in Laqua, kept alive by the Laquium mist but unable to escape. This would also provide a motive for Liko and Roy in the new series: to find a way to grow stronger and free Friede from the prison he's become trapped in.

Pokémon Has Killed Characters Before, But Never a Hero

Friede's Demise Would Mark a Dark Turn for the Anime

In the past, Pokémon has killed off certain characters in undeniable ways. The most obvious death is that of Pokémon Hunter J, a poacher who had an airship which was destroyed by the Legendary Pokémon Uxie and Mesprit, killing all aboard. Lysandre, the villain of Pokémon XY, was also pretty explicitly killed, this time by the Legendary Pokémon Zygarde, which he had been trying to control. Additionally, in the movies, Mewtwo killed a great many Team Rocket scientists during his escape, as the lab exploded.

Pokémon has dealt with the death of other characters as well, although typically they die before the episode in which they're introduced, and either appear as ghosts or are ed by living descendants. Pokémon Sun & Moon had many deceased characters play a role in the plot; Mallow's mother, Kiawe's grandfather, and Hapu's grandfather all died before the series began, but their deaths affected the characters long afterward. In Horizons, Lucius's wife and Liko's ancestor, Rystal, died of natural causes, leaving certain items, including Terapagos' pendant, to her descendants.

Killing off Friede, however, would be very different from these instances, since Friede is a well-developed character who has been there since the beginning. It would have a massive impact on Liko, Roy, and Dot, as well as the rest of the cast. Friede's death might also be a little too intense for the younger audience, who likely haven't seen a big character death in media before. For these reasons, it seems likely that whatever happens to Friede may be a little more reversible than death, although it won't be easy.

Rescuing Friede Could Be the Next Major Arc

Friede's Rescue Would Be a Great Way to Continue Laqua's Relevance

If Friede were to become trapped in Laqua somehow, and Terapagos falls into a deep slumber (as the information last week indicated), then it would be very difficult to help him. Liko, Roy, and Dot may need to quest to find a way to help Friede, leading them down the trail of Mega Evolution and other elements seen in Mega Voltage. Rescuing Friede certainly won't be easy, if that is indeed what happens, so preparing the heroes of Pokémon Horizons for a long and difficult journey is certainly what's best.