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| Season | Pokémon Horizons: Rising Hope (Horizons Season 3) · The eighteen Tera Types arc (HZ124–HZ132) |
| Episode | Horizons Season 3, episode 35 · English episode 1348 · Japanese episode 1357 · Bulbapedia code HZ124 |
| English title | Operation Infiltration! |
| Japanese title | 突入！エクスプローラーズ本部 Totsunyū! Ekusupurōrāzu Honbu — “Break In! The Explorers’ Headquarters” |
| First aired (Japan) | 23 January 2026 · TV Tokyo |
| First aired (US) | 18 September 2026 · Netflix |
| Screenplay | Kureha Matsuzawa |
| Opening / ending (Japan) | Aioraito (Iolite) – Eve · Nete mo Samete mo (Asleep or Awake) – Polkadot Stingray |
| English opening | Evolving Again – Haven Paschall |
| Previous episode | Mochi Mayhem! (HZ123) |
| Next episode | Battle for the Six Heroes! (HZ125) |
Plot episodeCharcadet evolves into ArmarougeExplorers HQ raid
Operation Infiltration! is the 35th episode of Pokémon Horizons: Rising Hope, the third season of the Pokémon anime, and the 1348th episode of the English dub overall (Japanese episode 1357, Bulbapedia code HZ124). It first aired in Japan on 23 January 2026 and in the United States on 18 September 2026. It falls within the season’s The eighteen Tera Types stretch (EP124–EP132).
The first episode of Netflix’s Part 4 (HZ124–HZ136), the season’s final batch,, released in the US on Friday 18 September 2026; BBC iPlayer had premiered it in the UK on 20 July 2026 and ABC iview released it in Australia on 4 September 2026.
Synopsis
Allied with Amethio, the Tacklers storm Explorers headquarters to rescue the Six Heroes, and Liko’s Charcadet evolves into Armarouge mid-battle to beat Indi and Rubina’s Salamence alongside Ceruledge — but Spinel springs a trap that separates the whole group. Aboard the Brave Olivine, Amethio explains, using updates from Hamber, Zirc and Onia, that the Heroes are held at Explorers headquarters while Spinel is away at Exceed. Liko notes that the Heroes never attacked one another even under the Super Strong Spheres, a bond that more exposure could break, making the mission urgent, and she sees Charcadet’s determination. During the flight Liko helps Charcadet with its Auspicious Armor, and Ult invites Amethio to the observation deck; Amethio, remembering his last time aboard the ship, declines, but accepts Ult’s trust with a small smile. At headquarters, Amethio, Zirc, Onia, Roy and Ult act as decoys while Liko and Dot head for the cargo area to hack their way in.
Indi and Rubina discover Liko and Dot and send out their Salamence, whose Flamethrowers Charcadet absorbs with Flash Fire when it leaps out to shield Meowscarada and Quaxwell. The Explorers boost their Salamence with Strong Spheres, and Amethio, his part done, takes Dot’s place so she can focus on hacking; Charcadet is eager to fight beside Ceruledge. Charcadet is slammed into a wall, Ceruledge’s repeated Shadow Claws barely slow the rampage, and Charcadet’s powered-up barrage has no effect, while an attack activates Ceruledge’s Hidden Ability, Weak Armor. Rubina’s Salamence becomes confused from Outrage, Charcadet’s armour reduces the recoil of its Take Down, and both Explorers order Dragon Dance. Liko has Charcadet trap the field in Fire Spin, but the Explorers send their Salamence into the vortex — which traps them too. Liko and Amethio combine Psycho Cut and Ember, the vortex flares, and when the flames die down Charcadet’s glowing armour has made it into Armarouge.
The stubborn Explorers fight on: Armarouge’s Clear Smog strips the Salamence’s boosts, Ceruledge strikes with Phantom Force, and Ceruledge’s Bitter Blade deliberately hits Armarouge to trigger Flash Fire again. Liko orders Armarouge’s strongest Ember, which becomes a new move, Armor Cannon, defeating both Salamence, and the Explorers retreat. Liko thanks Amethio and Ceruledge for helping Armarouge reach its potential, Dot unlocks the door, and Roy and Ult rejoin them. Amethio posts Zirc and Onia outside and leads the group to the Heroes’ room, but as each member rushes to a cage, walls rise and separate them, pairing each with an Explorer and one of the Six Heroes — Liko with Sidian and Kleavor, Roy with Coral and Moltres, Dot with Chalce and Arboliva, Amethio with Indi and Lapras, and Ult with Rubina and Gouging Fire — while Spinel watches from his throne. With Armarouge, all of Liko’s Pokémon are fully evolved, and this is the first non-starter Fire type evolved by a main character other than Ash.
Major Events
- Operation Infiltration. With Amethio, Zirc and Onia, the Tacklers raid Explorers headquarters
- Charcadet evolves into Armarouge and learns Armor Cannon
- Liko and Amethio beat Indi and Rubina’s Strong Sphere Salamence
- All of Liko’s Pokémon are now fully evolved
- Spinel separates the group with walls
- The first episode of Netflix’s Part 4
Captures and evolutions
Charcadet → Armarouge#0936 · Liko · with Diana’s Auspicious Armor; learns Armor Cannon
Trivia
- The screenplay is by Kureha Matsuzawa.
- 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.