Terastallization vs. Mega Evolution! – Pokémon Horizons Season 3, Episode 12

Plot episodeRoy beats NemonaNaranja Academy

Terastallization vs. Mega Evolution! is the 12th episode of Pokémon Horizons: Rising Hope, the third season of the Pokémon anime, and the 1325th episode of the English dub overall (Japanese episode 1334, Bulbapedia code HZ101). It first aired in Japan on 27 June 2025 and in the United States on 6 January 2026. It falls within the season’s Allies, Amethio & Mega Dragonite stretch (EP101–EP108).

The last episode of Netflix’s Part 1, released in the US on Tuesday 6 January 2026 — its first English release: BBC iPlayer’s first batch of 27 October 2025 stopped at HZ100, and Bulbapedia gives no UK date for this episode.

Synopsis · Major Events · Trivia · Dub Changes · All episodes

Synopsis

The re-formed Rising Volt Tacklers fly to Naranja Academy to recruit allies against the Strong Spheres, where Jacq agrees to research Laquium and Roy’s Mega Lucario wins a hard-fought Double Battle against Champion Nemona. Roy steers the Brave Olivine for the first time under Murdock’s supervision, and a flashback shows the team’s reasoning: force is not an option while the Explorers are celebrated as heroes and the Tacklers as villains, so they must study Laquium and prove how dangerous it is, starting at Naranja Academy, where people know the Explorers’ true nature. Liko finds Ult seasick and offers him a room; he chooses the observation deck so he can see the sky, the room Diana once used. At the academy, Clavell and Geeta greet the group, Ult is astonished to learn that Geeta is the Top Champion, and Dot presents evidence of Pokémon acting strangely across several regions because of Laquium from Mount Pericarp used in Exceed’s spheres. Geeta trusts them but needs more evidence, so Clavell introduces Jacq, who agrees to collaborate.

Meanwhile Ult, caught nearly eating food meant for the students, is held in the fists of Dendra’s Hariyama until Roy explains. Nemona asks Roy for a battle, with Dendra refereeing a Double Battle that ends with the first knockout. Roy’s Lucario and Crocalor face Pawmot and Ribombee; Close Combat and Mach Punch are so evenly matched that Liko and Dot are amazed, and Ult is impressed until he learns that Nemona is a Champion. Ribombee’s Pollen Puff heals Pawmot and, aimed at Crocalor, damages it instead. Penny calls Dot away to her room, where she has used the academy’s observation cameras to map Laquium Sign sightings and hands the data over. Back on the field, Light Screen blocks Roy’s attack and Pawmot’s Focus Punch deals heavy damage; Crocalor burns through Sticky Web with Flame Charge and slams into Pawmot, then eats a Pollen Puff meant to heal it.

As Dot returns with Penny, Roy Mega Evolves Lucario, and an excited Nemona Terastallizes Pawmot into the Fighting type. Close Combat and Mach Punch clash again; Ribombee’s Energy Ball blocks Crocalor’s Stomping Tantrum and a barrage of Pollen Puffs gets through, but Lucario endures, and in the final exchange Pawmot falls first, its Terastallization breaking, so Roy wins. Nemona is frustrated but accepts the loss gracefully. Moments later Penny surprises everyone by challenging Dot to a Double Battle of her own, sending out Sylveon and Flareon, which she is revealed to own. Elsewhere, Zirc and Onia are still searching by boat for Amethio; with no other leads, Onia holds up the Zygarde Cube and asks Zygarde to guide them. In the English dub, the Kanto wild-Pokémon battle theme is replaced for the first time since its debut. This is the last episode of Netflix Part 1.

Major Events

• Naranja Academy. Jacq agrees to research Laquium and Penny maps the Laquium Signs
• Roy’s Mega Lucario and Crocalor beat Nemona’s Terastallized Pawmot and Ribombee in a Double Battle that ends with the first knockout
• Penny is revealed to own Flareon and Sylveon
• Zirc and Onia search for Amethio
• Tandemaus debuts
• The last episode of Netflix’s Part 1

Pokémon making their anime debut

• Tandemaus#0924 · HZ101

Trivia

• The screenplay is by Dai Satō.
• This is a plot episode: it advances the Rising Volt Tacklers storyline.

Changes in the English Dub

• The dub replaces the Kanto wild-Pokémon battle theme for the first time since its debut

Part of our Pokémon Horizons: Rising Hope guide. Browse every season of the Pokémon anime.