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| Season | Pokémon Horizons: Rising Hope (Horizons Season 3) · A year later: Laquium returns arc (HZ090–HZ095) |
| Episode | Horizons Season 3, episode 6 · English episode 1319 · Japanese episode 1328 · Bulbapedia code HZ095 |
| English title | The Strong Sphere |
| Japanese title | ストロングスフィア Sutorongu Sufia — “Strong Sphere” |
| First aired (Japan) | 9 May 2025 · TV Tokyo |
| First aired (US) | 6 January 2026 · Netflix |
| Screenplay | Naruki Nagakawa |
| Opening / ending (Japan) | GET BACK – Yuzu · Ready Go – ME:I |
| English opening | Evolving Again – Haven Paschall |
| Previous episode | The Pokémon Center Lady (HZ094) |
| Next episode | Crash! Team Dragon Rampage! (HZ096) |
Plot episodeStrong Spheres revealedUlt joins
The Strong Sphere is the 6th episode of Pokémon Horizons: Rising Hope, the third season of the Pokémon anime, and the 1319th episode of the English dub overall (Japanese episode 1328, Bulbapedia code HZ095). It first aired in Japan on 9 May 2025 and in the United States on 6 January 2026. It falls within the season’s A year later: Laquium returns stretch (EP90–EP95).
Released on Netflix in the US on Tuesday 6 January 2026 with the rest of Part 1; BBC iPlayer had premiered it in the UK on 27 October 2025.
Synopsis
At an Exceed demonstration in Mochew City, Liko and Roy discover that the Explorers are selling Laquium-powered “Strong Spheres” to the public, lose a Multi Battle to the sphere-boosted Pokémon of Coral and Sidian, and gain a travelling companion when Ult smashes a sphere and helps them escape. Over breakfast with Dot on the phone, the pair decide to investigate the demonstration at the Exceed facility they found the day before. At the Testing Center, a bus unloads Trainers, among them a queasy-looking Ult, and a guard waves Liko and Roy in with the guests. They watch Dash — the Naranja Academy student they met a year earlier — use a Strong Sphere on her Swanna, which evolved from her Ducklett, and win easily against an Exceed employee. The two notice that Swanna resembles the rampaging Pokémon they have met and conclude that the device contains Laquium. Dash is thrilled that it might help her beat her friends Niko and Rob, but her exhausted Swanna has to be taken away to rest, and Ult brushes off Roy’s greeting, worrying him.
The announcer introduces the Explorers admins Coral and Sidian as special guests; they spot the Rising Volt Tacklers in the crowd and pick them as opponents for an exhibition Multi Battle. Liko and Roy refuse the Strong Spheres they are offered, while Ult quietly snatches one from the staff member. Coral’s Glalie and Crocalor trade Blizzard and Flamethrower to a stalemate, Meowscarada and Crocalor dodge a Blizzard and Ice Spinner combination to the crowd’s delight, and Sidian’s Garganacl nearly lands Salt Cure. Flower Trick disrupts Ice Spinner and Crocalor’s Flamethrower hits the airborne Glalie. Then the Explorers use Strong Spheres; their Pokémon’s attacks grow far stronger while visibly hurting them. Liko scolds them, but before she and Roy can Terastallize, Garganacl knocks out both their Pokémon and the Explorers win. Dissatisfied, Coral keeps attacking the fainted Pokémon until Roy sends Captain Pikachu to protect them with Volt Tackle.
With Cap cornered, Ult steps in, announces that he dislikes the Explorers, and appears about to use his stolen Strong Sphere — but instead he smashes it on the ground in disgust. His Sableye lands several hits on Glalie before Coral orders Self-Destruct, Chalce raises a barrier, and the demonstration ends in chaos. Watching the trio escape on the security cameras, Chalce reminds Coral and Sidian that public support keeps the Explorers untouchable. Dot reports that the public remains keen on the Strong Sphere despite its Laquium core, and Roy warns that no one would believe them if they spoke out, though Ult insists that he would. Roy scolds Ult for his recklessness and asks why he seemed off earlier; Ult reluctantly admits that he gets motion sickness on buses. Then, after everything he has seen, he declares that he wants to travel with Liko and Roy, and they accept. Pagogo senses something far away — a cave on a mountain. The opening breakfast is based on Nagoya’s Ogura toast.
Major Events
- The Strong Sphere. At an Exceed demonstration the Explorers promote Laquium-powered Strong Spheres
- Dash’s Swanna has evolved from Ducklett
- Coral and Sidian beat Liko and Roy in an exhibition Multi Battle
- Ult smashes a stolen sphere and joins Liko and Roy
- The opening breakfast is Nagoya’s Ogura toast
Captures and evolutions
Ducklett → Swanna#0581 · Dash · revealed at the Strong Sphere demonstration
Trivia
- The screenplay is by Naruki Nagakawa.
- 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.