It's no secret that Ash and Pikachu are due to hang up their hats any day now and hand the Pokemon reigns over to the next generation of GO-getters. That being said, the Pokemon Company has been rather tightlipped about the new additions to the franchise, sharing only brief glimpses with expectant fans, and two names: Liko and Roy.
The pair is accompanied by the Scarlet and Violet starter Pokemon and an array of pressing questions, a few of which have been answered alongside a new set of visuals. Ladies first! Liko has already received her solo introduction, paving the way for Roy to reveal some secrets of his own!
Roy's Potential Pokemon
Roy is due to join the Pokemon lineup during the 2023 Spring period (in Japan first, of course), although he may debut under a different name in the English version of the story. The teaser trailer for this all-new anime has made it quite clear that Sprigatito will team up with Liko, while the character placement in the official artwork suggests that Fuecoco will be Roy's buddy.
Quaxly flies in a grey area and may belong to either trainer, although the Water Type is pictured alongside Roy in both main posters. Perhaps Quaxly will change things up a bit and act like the Meowth of the group, simply tagging along for the ride.
Recognising Roy's Roots
Having a Fire-Type around is sure to add a punch to Roy's attacks, if he focuses on competitive Pokemon training, that is. Some theorize that Roy might follow a path less traveled, leaving the glory of battle to Liko (allowing for a stong Pokemon heroine to claim the spotlight, for a change.) Taking a more scientific route may be a good option, like a cooler Clemont 2.0 or a Kukui-in-the-making; a drastic change that will also ensure Roy can emerge from Ash's shadow as a distinctive, individual character.
Speaking of comparisons, the @Anipoke Twitter update confirms that Roy's hometown is in fact Kanto, which he shares with the beloved Ash. Whether or not there are more connections between the pair (or if they even know each other) is yet to be determined; maybe Ash returns home and inspired Roy along the way, or Professor Oak is possibly what ties it all together. All that is certain at this point is that Liko and Roy's adventures will take place in Paldea, a region that was recently introduced in the Pokemon Scarlet and Violet games.
Roy's Puzzling Pokeball
One last tidbit of information dropped about Roy comes with little explanation and only the subtle hint that the gilded Pokeball he holds seems to be a bit outdated. The bejeweled ball of gold is like nothing seen before in the Pokemon Universe, with only one other bearing much semblance: The King of Pokélantis' Pokeball. While they are unlikely to be directly related, it wouldn't come as a surprise if Roy's statement piece houses a similar ancient spirit or Pokemon, or it may somehow be connected to the Shiny Rayquaza expected to feature in the new season.
Furthermore, if Roy is in fact a man of science, exploring this mystical Pokeball's origin will fit neatly into his character design, as unlocking ancient secrets may not be the top priority for a competitive Pokemon trainer. It is also tough to ignore the hint about Roy's Pokeball being old after the Paradox Pokemon were introduced in Scarlet, which features a set of almost archaic creatures (whereas Violet's are futuristic) that cannot evolve or breed, and can only be found in the Paldea wilderness. With this stunning Pokeball in hand, who knows what Roy will be capable of?