HZ087

← HZ086 : The Rising Volt Tacklers vs. The Explorers!
Pokémon Horizons: The Series
HZ088 : The Earthshaking White Zygarde →
Guided by the Black Rayquaza!
HZ087   EP1319
黒いレックウザの導き
Guidance of the Black Rayquaza
First broadcast
Japan March 7, 2025
United States September 26, 2025
English themes
Opening My Favorite Pokémon
Ending
Japanese themes
Opening Only One Story
Ending ピッカーン！
Credits
Animation Team Kumemura
Screenplay 松澤くれは Kureha Matsuzawa
Storyboard 尼野浩正 Hiromasa Amano
Assistant director 小玉拳也 Kenya Kodama
Animation directors 上田美紀 Miki Ueda
大塚真史 Masashi Ōtsuka
高橋ケイ Kei Takahashi
伊久美安里 Anri Ikumi
佐々木幸恵 Yukie Sasaki
小林万理 Mari Kobayashi
園田高明 Takaaki Sonoda
Additional credits

Guided by the Black Rayquaza! (Japanese: 黒いレックウザの導き Guidance of the Black Rayquaza) is the 87th episode of Pokémon Horizons: The Series, and the 1,319th episode of the Pokémon animated series. It first aired in Japan on March 7, 2025, and in the United Kingdom on July 17, 2025 and is scheduled to air in the United States on September 26, 2025.

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Spoiler warning: this article may contain major plot or ending details.
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Plot

Moments before the Rising Volt Tacklers and Explorers witness the pink smoke pillar, Gibeon arrives at the site where the Laquium cluster resides, alongside his 10% Forme White Zygarde. Gibeon greets Lucius as Zygarde cries out. Random spots begin glowing on the ground and Zygarde Cells come out from it, merging with Zygarde to transform it into its 50% Forme. This pleases Gibeon and he tries to join his partner by standing up from his wheelchair, but falls over instead. He uses a small crystal of Laquium to re-energize himself, stands back up and orders Zygarde to excavate the crystals, but is interrupted by Amethio's arrival. Amethio reveals Spinel's plan based on the research he found in the latter's lab, but his grandfather says Spinel is simply taking initiative in researching the Laquium. Amethio then questions if the Laquium is truly ethical, remembering what happened to Spinel's Umbreon, and asserts there could be other ways to help people and Pokémon without using the Laquium. However, Gibeon declares Amethio to be naive and returns to excavating the Laquium.

Elsewhere, the Explorer admins prepare to resume the battle despite Pagogo's negative reaction. Suddenly, the battle is interrupted by Zirc and Onia, who defend the kids. Dot gets Liko and Roy moving, with Roy using Kilowattrel to fly away while Hattrem and Tinkatuff use Brutal Swing to clear a path for their Trainers. Coral attempts to stop them, but is halted in her tracks by Charizard. Coral turns her anger on Zirc and Onia, but Chalce states the mission comes first.

Amethio laments his grandfather not listening to him while Spinel arrives, opting to dismiss Amethio's presence. Friede and the kids reunite at the Laquium site, where Spinel greets them and they notice Amethio and Gibeon present as well. Friede observes the surroundings and notes how Laqua could collapse again if the power of the Laquium keeps on persisting. Despite wanting to stop the excavation, Spinel declares it is too late as the Explorers will have the Laquium. Angered by this, Pagogo calls out to the Six Heroes, but Gibeon tells Zygarde to pay them no mind. Slamming into the Laquium cluster, the cluster glows for a moment before breaking, revealing a still alive Lucius.

Lucius addresses Gibeon, who realizes Zygarde has betrayed him once more, Liko, the Six Heroes, and Pagogo before welcoming the Rising Volt Tacklers to Laqua. Friede asks how he knows about them and Lucius reveals it was thanks to Zygarde showing him the world outside of Laqua, thereby knowing of the adventure the Rising Volt Tacklers had and the deeds the Explorers committed. Gibeon is furious at Zygarde for keeping an eye on him while feigning suppression, causing some to wonder what he means. With Pagogo's help, Lucius explains how he was asleep in Laqua since the events a hundred years prior, and was awakened by Zygarde's voice in his head. The Order Pokémon had used all its Cells to monitor the ecosystems as it saw the Laquium as a threat, confirming Amethio's thoughts about it. Lucius continues explaining the origins of Laquium and the harmful effects on Pokémon before turning on Gibeon for acting once Pagogo was revived a hundred years later. He discloses Zygarde left a message for the Black Rayquaza once it left Roy's Ancient Poké Ball, urging it to seek worthy Trainers of Pagogo and the Six Heroes, surprising Friede with the fact that their adventure was started by Zygarde and Rayquaza's wills. Lucius concludes his explanation by saying it was their own wills that led them to Laqua and even surpassing Rayquaza's expectations, making the younger members of the Rising Volt Tacklers joyful. Gibeon questions why did Lucius allow the seal to be undone if the Laquium was dangerous, and Lucius answers it is to destroy the Laquium.

Gibeon refuses to let the Laquium be destroyed, alluding to how it can help improve the lives of people and Pokémon, and demands to know why Lucius is intent on stopping him. Lucius remains adamant on Laquium being harmful and maintains his stance on moving on together alongside Pokémon for the future to come. Friede then asks about the end of Laqua if the Laquium is destroyed, and the Ancient Adventurer says Laqua won't end thanks to a flourishing system that was established. However, Spinel points out since Laqua won't be destroyed because of the Laquium, there should be no issues if the Explorers take it. Lucius insists the Laquium shouldn't be excavated lest it be activated. Friede theorizes external forces would trigger it and Lucius confirms the result would harm the environment and make Pokémon berserk. Spinel, after explaining the possibilities of Laquium to improve the future thanks to research at Exceed, ignores Lucius's words and asks Gibeon for permission to begin the excavation. Amethio notices his grandfather's hesitation, but the latter gives permission anyway, prompting Spinel to contact the other three admins who arrive with machines. Spinel brings out Magnezone to power up the machines, excavating the Laquium clusters from underground to make the Core appear for unlimited production. Lucius berates their approach, saying once the Core is activated, it would be beyond anyone's control. At that moment, due to being weakened by the battle with Spinel earlier, Captain Pikachu and Charizard become infected and go berserk, knocking each other out and forcing Friede to recall them. Amethio has Ceruledge use Psycho Cut on the machines in an attempt to stop them, but Coral stops the attack with her Glalie. Lucius reveals if this continues, it would be end of the world, but Gibeon is willing to let that happen, declaring only those strong enough to wield Laquium can live on. Seeing that Gibeon is unable to listen to reason, Lucius asks Liko to get the Six Heroes to share their power with Pagogo, allowing it to transform into its Terastal Form. Lucius and Gibeon clash over their differing views of Laquium, with Lucius apologizing for not doing more. Unfortunately, Gibeon says it's too late and pleads with Zygarde to fight for him. To Lucius and the Rising Volt Tacklers' shock, Zygarde gets ready to battle on Gibeon's side. Just then, Amethio and Ceruledge walk in front of Lucius, sparking outrage and surprise. Gibeon expresses disappointment at Amethio for opposing him, but the latter is only doing so to protect him. Knowing he can't face Zygarde alone, Amethio asks the kids for assistance, and they join him without hesitation. With a nod between Liko and Amethio, the four Terastallize their respective Pokémon for the upcoming battle.

Major events

  • The White Zygarde reclaims its 50% Forme.
  • Amethio, Zirc, and Onia are revealed to have arrived in Laqua.
  • Friede, Zirc, and Onia stop the battle between Liko's group and the Explorers admins.
  • Liko, Roy, Dot, and Friede meet Gibeon for the first time.
  • Roy and Dot meet Spinel in person for the first time.
  • Lucius emerges from a cluster of Laquium, having been sealed inside, and is reunited with his Pokémon.
  • Lucius reveals that Gibeon's Zygarde Cells have kept him informed about the events leading up to now, including knowing the names of the Rising Volt Tacklers.
  • Spinel's Magneton is revealed to have evolved into a Magnezone.
  • Gibeon begins to speed up the mining process of the Laquium crystals.
  • Amethio turns against Gibeon and joins Liko, Roy, and Dot in battling against him.
For a list of all major events in Pokémon Horizons: The Series, please see the timeline page.

Debuts

Humans

Pokémon debuts

Characters

Humans

Pokémon

Trivia

Errors

  • Toedscruel is depicted as a Tentacruel
    Toedscruel is depicted as a Tentacruel

Dub edits

In other languages

References

  1. ↑ 【公式】アニメ「ポケットモンスター」第87話「黒いレックウザの導き」（見逃し配信） - ポケモン公式YouTubeチャンネル
← HZ086 : The Rising Volt Tacklers vs. The Explorers!
Pokémon Horizons: The Series
HZ088 : The Earthshaking White Zygarde →
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