Pokémon Horizons: Rising Hope Premieres on BBC iPlayer Ahead of Pokémon Legends: Z-A Launch

As anticipation builds for the global launch of Pokémon Legends: Z-A on Nintendo Switch, UK fans are being treated to another substantial addition to the Pokémon universe.

The Pokémon Company has officially released the third season of the Pokémon Horizons anime, subtitled 'Rising Hope', on BBC iPlayer as of October 27th, 2025.

This strategic content rollout underscores The Pokémon Company’s commitment to delivering multifaceted experiences across gaming and media platforms for fans of the franchise. The launch of the new anime season arrives just days ahead of Pokémon Legends: Z-A, which is set to debut on both the Switch and the anticipated Switch 2 hardware on October 16th, 2025.

As the latest mainline entry in the critically acclaimed Pokémon series, Pokémon Legends: Z-A has already captured attention across the gaming industry with its pending dual-platform release, further expanding the reach of Nintendo’s flagship franchise. Fans eager to explore the evolving stories of Liko, Roy, and the Rising Volt Tacklers can now access the first eleven episodes of Pokémon Horizons: Rising Hope on BBC iPlayer.

For those who prefer a traditional broadcast, new episodes will air at 5:10pm GMT from Monday to Thursday on CBBC.

This latest series continues to build on the narrative foundation established in previous seasons, which are also available for binge-watching on iPlayer. In a statement provided by The Pokémon Company, the third season picks up one year after the dramatic events in Laqua.

The Rising Volt Tacklers, having lost their leader and direction, are galvanized into action by a mysterious pink mist affecting Pokémon across the region.

Protagonists Liko and Roy, together with Dot—a data-savvy investigator—and the ambitious Ult, face new challenges as they attempt to rebuild their team and confront the enigmatic Explorers.

Notably, Roy’s alliance with a Mega Evolving yellow Lucario is central to the upcoming storyline. International fans, especially those in the United States, can look forward to Pokémon Horizons: Rising Hope making its regional debut via Netflix on January 6th, 2026.

This staggered release ensures global audiences can engage with the unfolding adventures within the Pokémon world. With Pokémon Legends: Z-A launching imminently on Nintendo Switch consoles, and the new Horizons anime providing rich, narrative-driven content, October 2025 marks a milestone month for the Pokémon franchise.

As The Pokémon Company continues to leverage television, streaming platforms, and blockbuster game releases, Pokémon’s influence within the gaming industry shows no signs of slowing.

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