Pokemon’s New Poke Ball Explained

Pokemon has just introduced a new type of Poke Ball in a recent episode of Pokemon Horizons, leaving fans with questions about the ball’s unusual design, whether it has a special purpose, and how it might factor into the future of the series. While the Pokemon series has an extensive range of special and even unique Poke Balls throughout its history, those that first debuted in the franchise’s anime – such as the GS Ball ahead of Pokemon Gold and Silver – have always garnered fans’ interest. With fans aware of the backstory to Poke Balls like the GS Ball, Pokemon Horizons‘ latest new ball type has drawn similar attention.

There are already multiple reasons why this new Poke Ball stands out in the anime and, by extension, the games, ranging from its unique design to what particular Pokemon it contains. Still, it will remain to be seen how much of an impact this could have on the Pokemon Horizons anime or if it will extend to the mainline series of games. However, based on the brief moments the new Poke Ball featured in Pokemon Horizons, there are potentially several details to take notes about and speculate on.

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Breaking Down Pokemon Horizons’ New Poke Ball

Pokemon Horizons’ new Poke Ball appears during a flashback in its seventy-fifth episode, debuting with a mechanical, gear-like design being used by the series antagonist Gibeon, and it is revealed that this ball contains a shiny white version of the Legendary Pokemon Zygarde. The episode takes a deep dive into Gibeon’s and the Explorer organization’s past, with key moments revealing how he became dangerously obsessed with Laquium crystals and how his Zygarde had attempted to seal these crystals away from him. With Zygarde’s actions seen as a betrayal by Gibeon, this could explain why he keeps the Legendary Pokemon in a unique Poke Ball.

However, it is unclear if the new Poke Ball’s appearance is purely cosmetic or serves an actual function, as its design could ultimately be a means of the Pokemon Horizons anime making both the ball and Zygarde stand out among others. For instance, this isn’t the first time that a Pokemon anime or movie has introduced its own Poke Ball variants, such as the Old and Dark Balls from Pokemon 4Ever or even Pokemon Horizons’ own Ancient Ball. While these Poke Balls were distinctive, they were primarily intended for the anime or movie in which they appeared, meaning this could be the same for Pokemon Horizons‘ new ball.

Pokemon Horizons’ New Ball Seems Reminiscent of the GS Ball

Beyond any potentially superficial differences Gibeon’s new Poke Ball might have, the introduction of a mysterious new ball type containing a Legendary Pokemon could be a callback to the infamous mystery of the GS Ball from the classic Pokemon anime. With the GS Ball’s original purpose involving the Mythical Pokemon Celebi, its intended story arc was never fulfilled as Celebi’s lead role in Pokemon 4Ever seemed to make the GS Ball redundant. However, while this meant that the GS Ball was eventually written out of the anime, there are hints that the new Poke Ball in Pokemon Horizons might avoid the same fate.

Pokemon Horizons Could Be Setting Up Pokemon Legends: Z-A

Since the new Poke Ball in Pokemon Horizons contains Zygarde, it seems there are already ties between the new ball and the upcoming Pokemon Legends: Z-A with the Legendary Pokemon as its potential mascot. Still, the episode title the new Poke Ball appears in translates to “The Entrusted Future, the Shine of This World,” which could be another link to Legends: Z-A rumored story about the future of Lumiose City in Kalos, its association with light, and its urban redevelopment. In this context, the new Poke Ball’s steampunk-inspired design could be an early sign of potential connections between Pokemon Horizons and Legends: Z-A.

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Satoshi Tajiri