The Pokémon anime series continues its fresh direction with the upcoming “Wonder Voyage” arc. This new chapter brings a mysterious character named Navi, fresh theme songs, and connections to popular spin-off games. The arc starts on May 22, 2026, in Japan, marking another shift for the series that moved away from Ash Ketchum’s story to focus on new heroes Liko and Roy.
New Character Navi Arrives from Lumiose City
The Wonder Voyage arc introduces Navi, a girl living in Lumiose City. She meets a Ditto arriving on an airship, setting up questions about how she connects with the main group. The promotional visual places Navi and Ditto at the center, surrounded by Liko, Roy, Dot, and Ulto bursting out of Poké Balls. Fans are already guessing about who Navi really is, with some thinking she might be a Ditto in human form. The show’s staff has not shared many details about her role yet, keeping viewers curious about how she fits into the story.
The new arc also shows legendary Pokémon from the Paldea region, including Koraidon, Miraidon, and Ogerpon, suggesting they will appear in the anime. The visual includes nods to spin-off games like Pokémon GO, Pokémon UNITE, and Pokémon Sleep, pointing to a wider connection across the Pokémon franchise.
Theme Song Details: Liko and Roy Sing Opening Together
The opening theme song for Wonder Voyage is titled “Sekai Tsunagare”. The creative unit HoneyWorks produced the track. What makes this special is that the voice actresses behind the main characters perform it. Minori Suzuki (Liko) and Yuka Terasaki (Roy) sing the opening theme together for the first time.
“She had secretly dreamed that Liko and Roy would one day sing an opening theme, and she is now overjoyed. She sang the song with the warmth of her companions in her heart.” – Comment from Minori Suzuki (Liko’s voice actress)
This marks a big moment for Suzuki, who previously sang an ending theme for the show. Getting to be part of the opening theme fulfills a personal wish. The digital release of “Sekai Tsunagare” happens on May 22, the same day the new arc begins airing.
CUTIE STREET Performs Ending Theme
The ending theme for Wonder Voyage is called “Cute na Kyūtai”. Japanese idol group CUTIE STREET performs this song. The CD jacket visual shows the group members dressed as Pikachu, adding a fun and playful touch to the release. The ending theme continues the show’s pattern of working with pop groups to create memorable closing songs for each arc.
Wonder Voyage Premiere Date and Streaming Information
The Wonder Voyage arc premieres in Japan on May 22, 2026. Japanese audiences can watch new episodes weekly on TV Tokyo and related networks. For international viewers, Netflix holds the streaming rights for most regions. Previous parts of Pokémon Horizons: The Search for Laqua and Rising Hope are already available on Netflix in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and India. Based on past release patterns, Wonder Voyage will likely arrive on Netflix in batches several months after the Japanese broadcast begins.
The current season, Rising Hope, continues streaming on Netflix with Part 2 already available. That season is set one year after the events in Laqua, following Liko and Roy on a new journey with their partner Pokémon.
Visual Teases Spin-Off Game Connections
The key visual for Wonder Voyage contains elements that reference several Pokémon spin-off games. Fans can spot imagery linked to Pokémon GO, Pokémon UNITE, and Pokémon Sleep. This creative choice suggests the anime is expanding to include ideas from across the whole Pokémon game ecosystem. The visual also connects to Pokémon Pokopia, the recent Nintendo Switch 2 game that focuses on Ditto’s shape-changing abilities. Having Ditto play a bigger role in the anime at the same time as that game’s release seems planned, showing how different parts of the franchise work together.
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What to Expect from the New Arc
Wonder Voyage takes place after the Rising Hope arc ends. The story brings the main characters together to look into a strange sickness affecting several Pokémon. This setup allows the show to explore new places and ideas. The arc’s name suggests a lighter tone compared to previous arcs, with more focus on discovery and mystery. Ditto appears to be more than just a side character this time, possibly opening up deeper themes about identity and change. While Japan gets weekly episodes starting May 22, international fans should watch for Netflix announcements about when the arc will be available in their region.
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