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| Season | Pokémon Horizons: Rising Hope (Horizons Season 3) · The eighteen Tera Types arc (HZ124–HZ132) |
| Episode | Horizons Season 3, episode 42 · English episode 1355 · Japanese episode 1364 · Bulbapedia code HZ131 |
| English title | A Surprise Reunion |
| Japanese title | 来たる！集まる！仲間たち Kitaru! Atsumaru! Nakama-tachi — “Come On! Gather Up! Our Fellow Companions” |
| First aired (Japan) | 13 March 2026 · TV Tokyo |
| First aired (US) | 18 September 2026 · Netflix |
| Screenplay | Kureha Matsuzawa |
| Opening / ending (Japan) | Aioraito (Iolite) – Eve · Nete mo Samete mo (Asleep or Awake) – Polkadot Stingray |
| English opening | Evolving Again – Haven Paschall |
| Previous episode | Hamber’s Moonlight Battle (HZ130) |
| Next episode | Lucario’s Challenge! (HZ132) |
Plot episodeFriede rejoinsLucarionite Z
A Surprise Reunion is the 42nd episode of Pokémon Horizons: Rising Hope, the third season of the Pokémon anime, and the 1355th episode of the English dub overall (Japanese episode 1364, Bulbapedia code HZ131). It first aired in Japan on 13 March 2026 and in the United States on 18 September 2026. It falls within the season’s The eighteen Tera Types stretch (EP124–EP132).
Released on Netflix in the US on Friday 18 September 2026 with the rest of Part 4; BBC iPlayer had premiered it in the UK on 20 July 2026 and ABC iview released it in Australia on 4 September 2026.
Synopsis
Old friends gather in Levincia as Wy-Yes, Perrin, Nemona, Ann, Penny and finally Friede join the Tacklers, and Master Mayonnaise arrives with a new Lucarionite Z for Roy, then defeats him with Mega Hawlucha when Lucario cannot Mega Evolve. Orla nearly finishes upgrading the Brave Olivine, and at their hotel the children rush to the door three times expecting Friede. First come Wy-Yes, the former Tackler now a Pokémon journalist, and Perrin, who have met through their shared connection and plan a joint exposé to reveal the truth about the team, to Liko’s gratitude. Next come Nemona, Ann and Penny, who confirm their help. Meanwhile Friede shakes off a pursuer on Charizard to meet Yanga, an old friend at Exceed troubled that its research now serves the spheres. Friede shows him his Mount Pericarp and space data proving the spheres harm Pokémon and weaken their bonds; when Yanga speaks passionately about joining Exceed to help Trainers, Friede entrusts him with the research, then calls on his follower to show himself.
Seeing her crowded hotel room, Liko feels deep gratitude for the courage her friends have given her since leaving Indigo Academy. The third ring brings Friede’s voice, but the door reveals a stranger who rushes in — Master Mayonnaise, who followed Friede out of fascination with his Mega Starmie, and who has tracked Roy’s sightings from Kalos to Levincia because he shares the Tacklers’ goal. He shows Roy the newly discovered Lucarionite Z, which gives Lucario a second possible Mega Evolution; Lucario eagerly accepts it, and Master Mayonnaise invites Roy to test it. Ult doubts the old man can battle, but his Hawlucha wins the crowd’s cheers with poses. Lucario’s Metal Claw is dodged and Acrobatics hits back, Hawlucha is too busy posing for Perrin’s camera to complete Flying Press, and when Flash Cannon interrupts the posing, it throws a tantrum.
Master Mayonnaise Mega Evolves Hawlucha, which shrugs off Close Combat thanks to its boosted stats and then uses Encore, locking Lucario into Close Combat and countering with Cross Chop. Roy’s Mega Ring does not respond: Friede explains that Encore has broken Lucario’s rhythm and separated it from Roy, and Nemona adds that Lucario’s frustration is also to blame. Roy gives in to Lucario’s insistence on another Close Combat, which fails, and Hawlucha’s Flying Press from the light pole wins. Master Mayonnaise says the failed Mega Evolution shows Lucario’s Aura has not yet reached its full potential, and Roy and Ult both ask him to train them, which he accepts. The next day Orla announces the “Rising Again” upgrade complete; Iono sees the ship off as it heads for Diana’s ancient castle in Galar, and Naranja Academy students admit the airship looks cool as the staff smile from the roof. In Japan the episode aired in a one-hour special with a live-action Kusatsu Onsen segment.
Major Events
- A surprise reunion. Wy-Yes, Perrin, Nemona, Ann and Penny gather in Levincia
- Friede gives his research to Yanga and rejoins
- Master Mayonnaise brings a Lucarionite Z, and his Mega Hawlucha beats Roy’s Lucario
- The Brave Olivine’s Rising Again upgrade
- Aired in Japan in a one-hour special
- Gothorita and Encore return after long absences
Trivia
- The screenplay is by Kureha Matsuzawa.
- This is a plot episode: it advances the Rising Volt Tacklers storyline.
Part of our Pokémon Horizons: Rising Hope guide. Browse every season of the Pokémon anime.