Warning: Spoilers for Pokémon Horizons, episode #74
Pokémon Horizons‘ latest episode was home to some massive reveals, from Liko’s heritage to the Explorers’ true origins. While fans know the Explorers only as the evil group after Terapagos, it turns out they were originally founded by a major figure in Horizons‘ lore.
Liko’s Grandmother, Diana, had parted ways with the Rising Volt Tacklers quite some time ago, and has spent that time performing an investigation into the past of the Explorers. By connecting with older folks and learning about local lore, Diana was able to find some serious information about the organization, including a photo of its alleged founders. She immediately brought this information to the Brave Olivine to share with the group, and some additional details from Liko and Friede helped to cause the truth to finally take shape.
The Explorers Began as Lucius’ Supporters
The Organization Was Founded by Lucius and His Friends
That photo which Diana found of the original Explorers depicted the Ancient Adventurer Lucius, along with a woman named Rystal and another man named Gibeon. Liko was able to remember that Amethio had mentioned his grandfather, Gibeon, being the leader of the Explorers, and the man in the photo does look like the leader revealed to the audience in previous episodes. This shockingly suggests that Gibeon is well over 100 years old, and has somehow been kept alive, likely due to the pink mist seen in his chamber.
Knowing that Gibeon was a friend of Lucius’ and a founder of the Explorers raises a lot of questions. Did Lucius and Gibeon have some kind of falling out? What has led the Explorers to operate as they do today, kidnapping and stealing without a second thought? The Explorers were said to have supported Lucius throughout his journey; at what point did the organization grow beyond just the original three? Was it always a larger group, or did Gibeon only expand it after parting ways with Lucius?
While Pokémon‘s evil teams have sometimes been well-intentioned, there’s never been a case as clear-cut as the Explorers of a team going from good to evil. Something has happened to Gibeon to cause him to behave in such a selfish way in his old age. The Explorers have slowly changed what their goal is over the years, but the question of why is one that remains to be answered.
The Modern Explorers Are After Laquium
The Explorers Are Targeting Laqua on Gibeon’s Behalf
The pink mist seen around Gibeon is associated with an object known as Laquium, a strange crystal which has doping-like effects on Pokémon, and is also called “the Eternal Blessing.” The name “Laquium” suggests that this substance originates in, or at least can be found in large quantities in, Laqua, the legendary land that Lucius supposedly found a hundred years prior. The name “Eternal Blessing” would seem to suggest that it’s responsible for Gibeon’s apparent immortality, but it may well be that Gibeon is running out of the substance, and needs to return to Laqua again to obtain more–at any cost.
It seems like both Terapagos and the Black Rayquaza are necessary to enter Laqua, which would explain why Gibeon has been ordering his henchmen to track down both Pokémon. Gibeon himself is in possession of a Shiny Zygarde, another powerful and rare Legendary Pokémon, which may yet have some tie to accessing Laqua as well. If Gibeon’s situation is growing dire, it would certainly explain why the Explorers are so vicious in the execution of their duties–the boss’s life is literally at risk.
Gibeon’s age means that he not only has a lot of knowledge, but likely even had some first-hand experience with Laqua, something that the heroes don’t have on their side. They have to figure out everything from scratch, while Gibeon presumably still remembers exactly how to get into Laqua, and probably has some idea of where it is. Of course, Gibeon’s field agents, like Coral and Sidian, don’t necessarily know what he does, but they do know what they’re supposed to be after, and that’s all they need to know.
The Explorers Are More Than the Rising Volt Tacklers’ Rivals
The Team’s History is Inextricably Tied to the Plot
While it may have seemed at first that the Explorers were just a modern-day rival group for Friede and his crew, it’s clear now that the Explorers have been tied deeply into the plot since the very beginning. Their slow turn from good to evil seems to have been driven by their original founder, Gibeon, and his corruption over time. They’ve grown and adapted to the modern world, becoming a powerful group that’s difficult to evade. Gibeon has clearly made plenty of money over his long life, and that money has been reinvested in the Explorers to make the group what it is today.
The Explorers are substantially different from any other evil team seen in the Pokémon anime, and now it’s finally clear why. While it may be a criminal organization today, it didn’t start out that way, and it’s apparent now that the crimes are all tangential to this ultimate goal of returning to Laqua and claiming the Laquium for themselves. While other teams have vague goals like “expanding the seas,” the Explorers have a very particular target in mind. In a way, it makes them that much more threatening, knowing their ability to get things done.
Liko was always fated to stand against the Explorers. They came after her because she’s Lucius’ descendant, and has the key to Laqua, in the form of Terapagos. Whatever rift must have occurred between Gibeon and Lucius, the consequences of it are still rippling into the future, and now Liko has to deal with it. With the next episode seemingly set entirely in the past era of Lucius, fans may find out just what happened between these two sooner rather than later. What’s clear now is that Liko’s task of defeating the Explorers is essentially her responsibility from birth, and Pokémon Horizons will never be the same as a result of this reveal.
Pokémon Horizons is the sequel series to the 1997 original series. It follows the adventures of Liko and Roy, two aspiring Pokémon trainers from different backgrounds, as they explore the Paldea region. Equipped with new gadgets and strategies, they encounter a variety of Pokémon and face challenges that test their skills and courage. With each discovery and battle, Liko and Roy learn about the vast world of Pokémon and strive to make their mark in the Pokémon leagues.
- Cast
- Alejandra Reynoso , Crispin Freeman , Anjali Kunapaneni , Mara Junot , Michael Allan Schneider
- Release Date
- April 14, 2023
- Seasons
- 1
- Writers
- Dai Sato
- Directors
- Saori Den
- Main Genre
- Adventure