In a surprising twist, one of the new Mega Pokémon from the upcoming game Pokémon Legends: Z-A has made an unexpected appearance in the Pokémon anime, months ahead of its debut in the game. This surprise moment took place in the latest episode of Pokémon Horizons, titled The Two Of Us, As Friends, which aired last Friday in Japan. 
The episode features a dramatic battle where the heroes, Roy and Uruto, are on the brink of defeat. Just when things seem hopeless, Uruto’s Dragonite shows a remarkable ability to Mega Evolve, turning the tide of the fight.
The appearance of Mega Dragonite marks a major moment in the anime, as this particular Mega Evolution had already generated mixed reactions from fans, especially regarding its design. Yet, upon its anime debut, the creature has been receiving a much warmer reception. Many fans who were initially skeptical about the design have now expressed a change of heart, with some even joking about how its tiny wings only add to its charm. One fan humorously remarked, ‘Mega Dragonite haters better apologize,’ while another cheered, ‘It’s flapping the little tiny wings! Omg I love it hahaha.’
Interestingly, it’s not common for a Pokémon to appear in the anime before its official game release. However, this tradition dates back to the franchise’s early days, with Pokémon like Togepi and various Johto and Hoenn species making appearances long before their games launched. Recently, though, this practice has become less frequent, with only a few Pokémon, such as Magearna and Terapagos, debuting in anime form before the game release.
Fans are eagerly awaiting the release of Pokémon Legends: Z-A, which is set to launch on Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 on October 16. The game promises to introduce dozens of new Mega Pokémon, though so far, only two have been officially revealed: Mega Dragonite and Mega Victreebel. While the battle system of the game has raised some mixed opinions, some liken it to an MMO, with its cooldowns and casting times. Yet, with so many Mega Evolutions on the horizon, fans remain excited to discover what other surprises the game has in store.
2 comments
Dragonite was already perfect. Give me the Farfetch’d mega evolution
Why would they release the new Pokémon before the game drops? So confusing. Anyway, I’m excited for more Megas!