The final battle against the Explorers has reached its breaking point. Pokémon Horizons Episode 135, titled “Awakening! The Catastrophic Rakurium Core,” aired in Japan on April 24, 2026. This episode marks the 1,367th episode of the entire Pokémon anime series and brings fans directly into the climax of the Laquium arc.
The Rising Volt Tacklers face their most dangerous moment yet. Pagogo transforms into its Stellar Form, activating the Terastallisation of all 18 Pokémon types to wipe out Laquium for good. But the Explorers are not giving up without a fight.
Where to Watch This Episode
Japanese viewers watched the episode on TV Tokyo on April 24. For international audiences, the wait is a bit longer. Netflix holds the streaming rights for the series in many regions including the USA, Canada, and Australia. However, Netflix releases the show in batches, not weekly. This means Episode 135 will arrive on the platform several weeks or months after the Japanese broadcast.
UK viewers can also find the show on BBC iPlayer. For those who want to watch the episode right now with English subtitles, fan communities provide subtitle versions. There is no official English dub release date announced yet.
Spoiler Alert for Pokémon Horizons Episode 135. This article contains detailed plot information about the episode that aired in Japan on April 24, 2026.
What Happens in Episode 135
The episode picks up right where the previous one left off. Pagogo’s Stellar Form powers up the 18 Pokémon, making them Terastallise one after another. The goal is to destroy the dangerous Laquium crystals that threaten everyone. Meanwhile, the Explorers launch a full-scale attack to stop the Laquium from disappearing.
The battle gets intense. The Rising Volt Tacklers fight with everything they have. But then Spinel does something unexpected. He awakens the Laquium Core itself, making the situation much worse. The core becomes a massive, dangerous entity that the group must now defeat.
The Explorers Turn Against Spinel
One of the biggest surprises in Episode 135 involves the Explorers. Coral, Sidian, and Chalce switch sides and join the Rising Volt Tacklers. These three characters, who worked with Spinel for so long, decide to fight against him. This turn of events left many viewers shocked.
Fan reactions on forums showed mixed feelings. Some loved the action and animation quality. Others felt the character turn happened too fast without enough build-up. One fan on Serebii Forums wrote:
“Most surprising of all is Coral, Sidian and Chalce also joining the fight. Spinel madness continue for his overconfident ambitious fusing together with the pink crystal and even his partner, Umbreon couldnt stand.”
Another viewer pointed out pacing issues:
“Coral, Sidian and Chalce joining the good guys and Spinel’s stuff like they barely have anytime to breathe and they just rush through that sort of stuff as fast as possible.”
Spinel’s Dangerous Move
Spinel takes things too far in this episode. His overconfidence leads him to merge with the Laquium Core itself. The pink crystals consume him as he tries to stop the group from destroying the Laquium. Even his own Umbreon refuses to stand with him during this moment.
Many fans believe this could be the end for Spinel. However, the preview for the next episode shows he might survive. The Laquium Core fight becomes the main focus as the group works together to destroy it.
Animation and Action Highlights
The animation in Episode 135 received praise from many viewers. The Terastallisation sequence shows all 18 Pokémon types transforming, though some fans thought it lasted too long.
Friede and Captain Pikachu had standout moments in the second half of the episode. Their Volt Tackle attack against the core was one of the most visually impressive parts. Dot also played a key role by finding the exact spot the group needed to destroy on the core.
One fan commented:
“At least the animation for the second half was pretty (theres two Friede/Cap bits that went so god damn hard) and Dot got to do something by pinpointing the exact spot they need to destroy.”
Main Characters in This Episode
The main characters appearing in this episode include:
- Liko
- Roy
- Friede
- Dot
- Ult
- Captain Pikachu
- Amethio
- Spinel (as the main antagonist)
Other Explorers members like Zirc, Onia, Hamber, Coral, Sidian, and Chalce also appear. Characters like Anne, Diana, Nemona, and Penny make appearances as well.
Episode Title Meaning
The Japanese title “Awakening! The Catastrophic Rakurium Core” directly translates to the English title used by fan communities. “Rakurium” and “Laquium” refer to the same dangerous crystals. The episode focuses on Spinel waking up the core, which becomes the main threat.
What Viewers Are Saying
Fan reactions on forums like Bulbagarden and Serebii show a mix of opinions. Some viewers loved the high-stakes action and the animation quality. Others felt the episode rushed through important character moments.
About the battle itself, one fan compared it to a video game boss fight:
“Fascinating how this battle was basically a soulslike boss fight, with several stages, new moves showing up, telegraphed reactions and the need to find the exact windows and pattern to land successful hits.”
The Terastal transformation sequence got special attention. Some thought it was too long, while others appreciated the visual spectacle. The episode ends on a cliffhanger, setting up the next episode titled “Stellar Finale” which will air in Japan on May 1, 2026.
Background on Pokémon Horizons
Pokémon Horizons first started in Japan on April 14, 2023. The US debut happened on March 7, 2024. This series marks a big change for the Pokémon anime. For the first time in over 20 years, Ash Ketchum is not the main character. Instead, the show follows new protagonists Liko and Roy along with the Rising Volt Tacklers team.
The story focuses on their search for Pokémon known as the Six Heroes. They also try to solve the mysteries around Terapagos and the ancient adventurer Lucius. The Explorers serve as the main villain group chasing the same goals.
Season 3, called Rising Hope, takes place one year after the events in Laqua. Liko, Roy, Dot, and Ult investigate a mysterious pink mist that harms Pokémon across all regions.
Next Episode Information
Episode 136, titled “Stellar Finale,” will air in Japan on May 1, 2026. This episode will likely conclude the Laquium Core battle and show the final fate of Spinel and the Explorers. Fans should expect high-stakes action as the group tries to finish the fight.
Official Episode Synopsis
The official synopsis for Episode 135 states:
“Powered by Pagogo’s Stellar form, the 18 Pokémon begin to transform one after another. Meanwhile, the Explorers launch a full-scale attack to prevent Laquium from disappearing.”
This short summary captures the main conflict of the episode but does not mention Spinel’s betrayal or the core awakening.
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Final Points About Episode 135
Episode 135 delivers major action and plot developments for the Pokémon Horizons series. The animation quality, especially in the second half, impressed many viewers. While some fans had issues with pacing and character development, most agreed the episode moved the story forward in significant ways.
The betrayal from Coral, Sidian, and Chalce adds an unexpected layer to the conflict. Spinel’s decision to merge with the Laquium Core shows how far he is willing to go. With only one episode left in this arc, fans around the world wait to see how the story ends.
International audiences should keep checking Netflix for the official release. Until then, subtitle versions are available through fan communities. The final battle is here, and the Rising Volt Tacklers need all the help they can get.
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