| Over the Top!
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First broadcast
| Japan
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January 10, 2025
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| United States
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September 26, 2025
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English themes
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Japanese themes
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Credits
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Over the Top! (Japanese: オーバー・ザ・トップ Over the Top) is the 79th episode of Pokémon Horizons: The Series, and the 1,311th episode of the Pokémon animated series. It first aired in Japan on January 10, 2025, in the United Kingdom on July 17, 2025, in sub-Saharan Africa on August 17, 2025, and is scheduled to air in the United States on September 26, 2025.
Spoiler warning: this article may contain major plot or ending details.
Plot
The episode begins by showing Liko, Roy, and Dot fighting against Geeta in a 3-on-1 battle, with Liko explaining how this came to be.
Upon arriving in Paldea, Liko, Roy, Dot, and Friede visit the Pokémon League, where they are greeted by Rika and Penny. Rika asks for the reason of their visit to which the group tells her their request to see Geeta and obtain permission to enter the Great Crater of Paldea. After a stare-off, Rika admits to messing around and brings them to see Geeta.
Having heard about an Entei sighting in the Great Crater, Liko says they believe it could be one of the Six Heroes they're looking for. Hassel asks for more details and they recount their adventure in finding the six Pokémon that once belonged to Lucius in hopes of finding Laqua, only for their search for Entei to end in failure as it was not the one they're searching for, as well as hearing from Briar about Entei likely being in Area Zero. Concluding their explanation, Liko and the others ask for permission to enter the Great Crater. However, only Friede is given permission to enter due to the presence of dangerous Pokémon called Paradox Pokémon. Despite not having much experience as Trainers, Liko and her friends implore Geeta to allow them entry into Area Zero, especially after having promised to bring Pagogo to Laqua. Seeing their earnest determination, Geeta proposes a battle between them, whereby if the three of them win against her, they would be permitted to enter Area Zero alongside Friede. Despite being nervous, the trio accept the proposal to battle.
On the rooftop of the Pokémon League, Geeta apologizes to the trio, explaining how she does not hold back in battles before sending out her Glimmora and two Glimmet, these Pokémon coming from the very place they seek to enter. With the Paldea Elite Four, Penny, Friede, and Captain Pikachu watching, the battle begins with Roy ordering Crocalor to use Stomping Tantrum, only for Geeta to order her two Glimmet to use Rock Polish to increase their speed and dodge the attack with ease. Since it's difficult to hit either Glimmet, the trio change their target to Glimmora. However, Geeta has Glimmora use Dazzling Gleam to negate their attacks and blind them before having her two Glimmet use Power Gem to attack the trio's Pokémon. When Glimmora blinds them again with Dazzling Gleam, the trio counterattacks, with Roy getting Crocalor to use Disarming Voice to attack both Glimmet since the attack never misses. Quaxwell follows up by attacking Glimmora with Liquidation, but ends up getting hurt by Glimmora using Spiky Shield to protect itself. In spite of this, Floragato takes the opportunity to use Sucker Punch to land a hit on Glimmora. While pleased with finally dealing some damage, the trio get taken aback when Glimmora's signature Ability, Toxic Debris, activates as a result of Floragato's attack, causing Toxic Spikes to scatter around the battlefield and poison the first partner Pokémon.
On the sidelines, the Elite Four remark how despite Liko and her friends were handling the battle, everything is going as Geeta planned and that she still has the advantage. While the kids are struggling, Geeta has both Glimmet attack with Venoshock, dealing even more damage since the trio's Pokémon are poisoned. Liko and Dot are shocked by Geeta's battle style, but Roy encourages the group by mentioning they have never given up before despite the challenges they faced. Roy then recalls the strategy used by Kleavor when they battled against it and tells Liko and Dot they should do the same to counter Glimmora's Dazzling Gleam. Quaxwell uses Water Gun to make Glimmora use Dazzling Gleam, allowing the trio to set their strategy in motion. Hearing the sound of the attacks from the two Glimmet, Liko has Floragato dodge both Power Gem attacks and use her vine to capture both Glimmet, leaving them open to a supereffective Stomping Tantrum from Crocalor. While complimenting the trio on their adaptability, Geeta tells the group not to relax just yet before having both Glimmet use Memento to harshly lower Crocalor and Quaxwell's attack power before fainting. While Friede, Roy, and Dot are in awe of Geeta's strategy, Liko notes how Geeta is very adaptable and willing to use whatever strategy to win before deciding to do the same. Liko tells Roy and Dot to unleash a full on assault on Glimmora, which Geeta states she cannot let them rely of brute force. While Crocalor and Quaxwell use their attacks on Glimmora, Liko surprises everyone by having Floragato use Sucker Punch on Crocalor, leaving Quaxwell to get hurt by Glimmora's Spiky Shield. She then asks Roy to order Crocalor to use Stomping Tantrum again, this time dealing plenty of damage despite having his attack stat lowered, with Roy and Dot realizing the true goal behind Floragato attacking Crocalor. As Liko realises she can't pull the same trick again, the Elite Four members are impressed with the trio's skills as trainers and notes how Geeta is about to get serious. Geeta praises Liko, Roy, and Dot's efforts before Terastallizing her Glimmora into a pure Rock type, with the trio doing the same with their respective Pokémon. Seeing Floragato struggle to use Magical Leaf, Geeta has Glimmora use Tera Blast on her. Crocalor and Quaxwell attempt to protect Floragato by using Flamethrower and Water Gun to push back the attack, but get knocked out instead. Floragato gets hit by Tera Blast as well but manages to survive, with her Overgrow Ability activating as a result. With this being their last chance to beat Geeta, Liko has Floragato use a powerful Magical Leaf flurry. Glimmora tries to counter with Tera Blast but is eventually overwhelmed by the boosted attack, causing the Ore Pokémon to faint. This results in victory for Liko, Roy, and Dot, much to their shock.
Admitting her defeat, Geeta compliments the trio on their skills and allows them to enter Area Zero, with the Elite Four congratulating them as well. Afterwards, Penny brings Liko's group to the Zero Gate and gives them access into Area Zero, seeing the group off at the same time.
Meanwhile, in a helicopter, Coral and Sidian are sent by Hamber to strictly spy on the Rising Volt Tacklers in Area Zero since the Brave Olivine was spotted nearby. Coral is frustrated about not being able to fight but Hamber is able to get her to cooperate, complimenting Coral on her aggressiveness (bold power of adaptability in the original) and Sidian on his composed power of judgment, and how their respective strengths together would be vital to the success of their mission. Once above the Great Crater, the two fly down using Glalie and Aerodactyl, beginning their mission.
Major events
- For a list of all major events in Pokémon Horizons: The Series, please see the timeline page.
Debuts
Pokémon debuts
Characters
Humans
Pokémon
Trivia
- Professor Friede's Pokémon Seminar: What are Glimmora's petals crystallized from?
- Choices: Grass energy, rock energy, poison energy
- Answer: Poison energy
- The first eyecatch features Geeta and her Glimmora, and the second features Liko and her Floragato.
- The English dub was released on iTunes, Amazon, and Google Play in the United Kingdom on July 5, 2025, 12 days before the episode was made available on BBC iPlayer. The same occurred for all episodes in Volume 4 of Pokémon Horizons: Season 2—The Search for Laqua.
- The English dub was released on Stan in Australia on July 12, 2025, before the episode aired on 9Go!.
- The first scene with Rika meeting Liko and the Rising Volt Tacklers and some of Geeta's lines before and during the battle reference the Champion Assessment challenge in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.
- As of this episode, Floragato is the second non-fully evolved Pokémon in the animated series to have defeated a Champion-owned Pokémon, the first being Ash's Pikachu.
- Despite Memento having existed in the games since Generation III, this is the first time it's been used in the animated series.
- Coral, her Glalie, and Sidian narrate the preview for the next episode.
Errors
- When Liko, Roy, and Dot are concentrating when Glimmora uses Dazzling Gleam, Liko's arm sleeve is not colored in properly.
Dub edits
In other languages
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This episode article is part of Project Anime, a Bulbapedia project that covers all aspects of Pokémon animation.
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Liko's sleeve.