View source for HZ108

{{EpicodePrevNext|
prevcode=HZ107 |
prevtitle=Friends as Two, Me and You |
nextcode=HZ109 |
nexttitle=Tinkatuff's Hammer Wasn't Made in a Year! |
series=Pokémon Horizons: The Series |
colorscheme=Z-A}}
{{EpisodeInfobox|
epcode=HZ108 |
altepcode=EP1340 |
colorscheme=Z-A |
title_en=Taking the Next Steps |
title_ja=ダイアナ・カムズ・バック！！！！ |
title_ja_trans=Diana Comes Back!!!! |
broadcast_jp=August 29, 2025 |
broadcast_us=March 20, 2026 |
en_op=[[Evolving Again]] |
ja_op=[[GET BACK]] |
ja_ed=[[Ready Go]] |
olmteam=Team Kumemura |
scenarion=1 |
scenario=松澤くれは |
storyboardn=1 |
storyboard=小林一三 |
directorn=1 |
director=植田千湖 |
artn=13 |
art=Great Wall Animation |
art2=仲金 |
art3=WUXI HUAXIAN ANIMATION PRODUCTION CO.LTD |
art4=fan dong dong |
art5=wang xiao ming |
art6=wang jian |
art7=sun qiang |
art8=APELIN |
art9=So Gyeon Suk |
art10=Baek yeon-ju |
art11=Park Shin-jun |
art12=亮点 |
art13=魏旭龍 |
morecredits=yes |
epstaffpage=HZ101-HZ110 |
footnotes=* {{BMGf|307843|Preview thread on BMGf}} ''Closed''
* {{BMGf|308106|Original review thread on BMGf}}
* {{BMGf|309908|Dub review thread on BMGf}}
}}
'''Taking the Next Steps''' (Japanese: '''ダイアナ・カムズ・バック！！！！''' ''Diana Comes Back!!!!'') is the 108th episode of ''[[Pokémon Horizons: The Series]]'', and the 1,340th episode of the [[Pokémon animated series]]. It first aired in Japan on August 29, 2025, in the United Kingdom on February 27, 2026, and in the United States on March 20, 2026.
{{spoilers}}

==Blurb==
<!--https://www.pokemon.com/uk/animation/horizons/3/taking-the-next-steps-->
<i>The Rising Volt Tacklers have a visitor—it’s Liko’s grandma, Diana! Back from her own adventure, she shares shocking news about Terapagos and the Six Heroes, then asks for a battle against Liko’s Charcadet. Will it be a washout for the Fire type?</i>

==Plot==
[[Liko]] and [[Roy]] are waiting for someone as the former received a message from [[Lucca|her mother]] to do so. [[Dot]], after gathering a lot of [[Gimmighoul Coin]]s with {{TP|Dot|Quaxwell}} for {{TP|Dot|Gimmighoul}}, joins her friends just as the trio hear the sound of an engine from somewhere. Turning to the source of the sound, the trio are pleasantly surprised to see [[Diana]] arriving in an automobile with a {{p|Revavroom}} attached. Diana reveals during her adventures, she had {{pkmn2|caught}} other Pokémon and met people, including [[Hamber]], whose [[HZ107|gratitude to Liko]] [[HZ104|for her help with]] [[Amethio]] is passed on along with the agreement to provide information from within the [[Explorers]]. 
[[File:Diana and Ult.png|thumb|left|250px|Ult meeting Diana]]
The group heads to the observation deck where [[Ult]] manages to hit it off with Diana, who decides to get straight to the point of her visit. She [[HZ089|summarizes the events on]] [[Laqua]] based on what she heard from her granddaughter while the others inform her of the devices that uses the [[Laquium]], [[Strong Sphere]]s. Since taking on [[Exceed]] is difficult, Diana proposes they completely eradicate the Laquium with [[Pagogo]] once more. She points out a certain illustration of {{p|Terapagos}} in the [[Scarlet Book]] she brought, revealing the name of its unknown third form to be the {{form|Terapagos|Stellar Form}}, and theorizes Pagogo didn't have enough power to eradicate the Laquium both times when it was with [[Lucius]] and Liko. However, the context of power is not the strength of the [[Six Heroes]] but rather the number of Pokémon providing power to Pagogo. With references to Pagogo's Stellar Form and research materials, Diana speculates if Pagogo is able to resonate with Pokémon of each of the eighteen [[type]]s, then perhaps the Laquium could fully be eradicated for good. Unfortunately, there's no guarantee her theory would work, so Liko, Roy, and Dot decide to call [[Briar]] for her input, only to have the call cut off shortly due to the teacher's urgent need to finish her book before her fast approaching deadline. Leaving Briar to call them once she's finished her book, Diana suggests they gather the Six Heroes again. While they know the [[Black Rayquaza]] is resting, Liko's grandmother reveals the Explorers have the remaining Six Heroes in their possession. Ult asks about two of the Six Heroes, and when they confirmed it's [[Lucius's Kleavor]] and [[Lucius's Lapras|Lapras]], he divulges he saw them in [[Explorers base|the base]] when he was captured. Roy quickly reassures his frustrated friend by saying they at least have some new information to work on, and everyone decides to get back the Six Heroes from the Explorers.

Just then, they hear an explosion and went to the wing deck to see {{TP|Liko|Charcadet}} and {{TP|Roy|Crocalor}} having a {{pkmn|battle}} with [[Captain Pikachu]] as the [[Battle judge|referee]]. Crocalor uses {{m|Flamethrower}} to counter Charcadet's {{m|Ember}}, only for the latter to take no [[damage]] power up due to its [[Ability]], {{a|Flash Fire}}. Charcadet almost unleashes a powered-up Ember when Cap ends the battle. Upon seeing the look in Charcadet's eyes, Diana proposes a training session for the {{pkmn|category|Fire Child Pokémon}}. In a more open area for their [[Double Battle]], Liko is ready with {{TP|Liko|Meowscarada}} and Charcadet while Diana has her {{p|Arcanine}} out. Initially assuming she would battle with Revavroom, Diana instead calls out {{form|Rotom|Wash Rotom}}. Cap declares the start of the battle, and Liko has Meowscarada attack Wash Rotom with {{m|Flower Trick}} and Charcadet attack Arcanine with {{m|Clear Smog}}. Arcanine retreats to the back, allowing Wash Rotom to block both attacks with {{m|Discharge}}. Charcadet protects Meowscarada from Arcanine's Flamethrower, allowing it power up once more. Its Ember gets dissipated by Wash Rotom's {{m|Hydro Pump}} and the Plasma Pokémon sprays water everywhere, but it ends up getting hit by Meowscarada's {{DL|Type|Type effectiveness|supereffective}} Flower Trick. Charcadet prepares a Clear Smog, but a {{m|Flare Blitz}} from Arcanine makes the Fire Child Pokémon step in and protect Meowscarada. However, Diana anticipated this and has Wash Rotom use Hydro Pump on Charcadet, making Liko order Meowscarada to save Charcadet and leaving herself open to the supereffective attack which knocks her out of the battle.

Diana pauses the battle by approaching Charcadet and advises it to begin trusting its team members in order to protect better. Meowscarada also interacts with Charcadet, and with renewed vigor, the latter is ready to resume the battle. Arcanine rushes to Charcadet with {{m|Extreme Speed}}, only for Charcadet to jump onto the Legendary Pokémon and blind it. After using Clear Smog to envelop Arcanine, the Fire Child Pokémon then evades Wash Rotom's Hydro Pump while getting close to it, managing to grab the hose and swing the Pokémon around. When it lets go, Liko has Charcadet use {{m|Take Down}}, successfully [[Fainting|knocking out]] Wash Rotom and leaving only Arcanine to defeat. Arcanine attacks with Flamethrower, and Charcadet takes it to power up. Liko calls for a lot of Embers, but it changes into {{m|Fire Spin}} which traps Arcanine. It escapes the ring of fire with Extreme Speed and defeats Charcadet, making Diana the winner of the battle. After the battle, Liko asks her grandmother if she had Arcanine use Flamethrower intentionally, but she says it was all on Liko for helping Charcadet learn Fire Spin.

During her welcome back party, Diana announces her departure from the [[Brave Olivine]] and promises to return next time. While deciding their next move to be looking for the Six Heroes, Dot asks if Hamber gave any insight on their location. Diana reveals while he couldn't give the exact location due to being spied on by [[Chalce]], he suspected they're in one of the Exceed buildings. At the mention of Exceed, Liko suggests they ask Amethio's father, [[Cervantis]], since he was the former director and would probably have an idea. With no objections to the idea, the night continues as Liko vows to make sure the Six Heroes return safely.

==Major events==
<!-- This is not for summarizing everything that happens in this episode. Only events pertaining to the series as a whole, such as catching and releasing Pokémon and obtaining Badges, go here. -->
* [[Liko]], [[Roy]], and [[Dot]] reunite with [[Diana]], while [[Ult]] meets her for the first time.
* Diana is revealed to have {{pkmn2|caught}} a {{p|Revavroom}} and a {{fd|Rotom|Wash}} {{p|Rotom}}.
* The [[Rising Volt Tacklers]] find out through Diana that [[Spinel]] is holding the remaining [[Six Heroes]] captive in one of [[Exceed]]'s buildings.
* [[Liko's Charcadet]] is revealed to know {{m|Take Down}} and learns {{m|Fire Spin}}. 
* Liko has a [[Double Battle]] with Diana and loses.
* The Rising Volt Tacklers decide to find [[Cervantis]] to gather more information about the Six Heroes' whereabouts.
{{animeevents|HZ}}

===Debuts===
====Pokémon debuts====
* {{p|Rellor}}
* {{p|Revavroom}}

==Characters==
===Humans===
* [[Liko]]
* [[Roy]]
* [[Dot]]
* [[Ult]]
* [[Mollie]]
* [[Orla]]
* [[Ludlow]]
* [[Murdock]]
* [[Friede]] (flashback)
* [[Amethio]] (flashback)
* [[Gibeon]] (flashback)
* [[Hamber]] (flasback)
* [[Chalce]] (flashback)
* [[Lucius]] (flashback)
* [[Diana]]
* [[Briar]]

===Pokémon===
* {{p|Meowscarada}} ({{OP|Liko|Meowscarada}})
* {{p|Terapagos}} ([[Liko]]'s; [[Pagogo]]; {{form|Terapagos|Normal Form and Stellar Form}}; Stellar Form in flashback)
* {{p|Charcadet}} ({{OP|Liko|Charcadet}})
* {{p|Rotom}} ([[Liko]]'s; [[Rotom Phone]])
* {{p|Crocalor}} ({{OP|Roy|Crocalor}})
* {{p|Lucario}} ({{OP|Roy|Lucario}}; {{Shiny}})
* {{p|Pikachu}} ([[Friede]]'s; [[Captain Pikachu]])
* {{p|Rotom}} ([[Roy]]'s; [[Rotom Phone]])
* {{p|Quaxwell}} ({{OP|Dot|Quaxwell}})
* {{p|Gimmighoul}} ({{OP|Dot|Gimmighoul}}; {{form|Gimmighoul|Chest Form}})
* {{p|Rotom}} ([[Dot]]'s; [[Rotom Phone]])
* {{p|Sableye}} ([[Ult]]'s)
* {{p|Chansey}} ({{OP|Mollie|Chansey}})
* {{p|Quagsire}} ([[Ludlow]]'s)
* {{p|Alcremie}} ({{OP|Murdock|Alcremie}}; {{form|Alcremie|Strawberry Ruby Swirl}})
* {{p|Dusknoir}} ([[Hamber]]'s; flashback)
* {{p|Rotom}} ([[Hamber]]'s; flashback; [[Rotom Phone]])
* {{p|Xatu}} ([[Chalce]]'s; flashback)
* {{p|Rayquaza}} (formerly [[Lucius]]'s; [[Black Rayquaza]]; flashback)
* {{p|Arboliva}} (formerly {{OP|Lucius|Arboliva}}; {{pkmn2|giant}}; flashback)
* {{p|Moltres}} (formerly {{OP|Lucius|Moltres}}; [[Galarian form|Galarian Form]]; flashback)
* {{p|Lapras}} (formerly {{OP|Lucius|Lapras}}; {{pkmn2|giant}}; flashback)
* {{p|Kleavor}} (formerly {{OP|Lucius|Kleavor}}; {{pkmn2|giant}}; flashback)
* {{p|Gouging Fire}} (formerly {{OP|Lucius|Gouging Fire}}; flashback)
* {{p|Arcanine}} ([[Diana]]'s)
* {{p|Revavroom}} ([[Diana]]'s; debut)
* {{p|Rotom}} ([[Diana]]'s; {{form|Rotom|Wash Rotom}})
* {{p|Shuckle}} ([[Rising Volt Tacklers]]')
* {{p|Carkol}} ([[Rising Volt Tacklers]]')
* {{p|Slugma}} ([[Rising Volt Tacklers]]')
* {{p|Tatsugiri}} ([[Rising Volt Tacklers]]'; ×3; {{form|Tatsugiri|Curly, Droopy, and Stretchy forms}})
* {{p|Bramblin}} (×2)
* {{p|Rellor}} (debut)

==Trivia==
* [[Mega Nidothing's Mega Mega! Mega Evolution]]: {{p|Glalie}}
* The first [[List of Pokémon Horizons: The Series eyecatches|eyecatch]] features [[Liko]] with her {{TP|Liko|Meowscarada}}, {{TP|Liko|Hattrem}}, [[Pagogo]], and {{TP|Liko|Charcadet}}, and the second features [[Diana]] with her {{p|Arcanine}}, {{p|Squawkabilly}}, and {{p|Revavroom}}.
* [[Dot]], {{TP|Dot|Tinkatuff}}, and a {{p|Corviknight}} narrate the preview for the [[HZ109|next episode]].

===Errors===
===Dub edits===

==In other languages==
{{Epilang|color=79DD91|bordercolor=208338
|nl={{tt|De volgende stappen zetten|Taking the Next Steps}}
|he={{tt|הצעדים הבאים|The Next Steps}}
|it={{tt|I passi successivi|The following steps}}
|fi={{tt|Seuraavia askeleita ottamassa|Taking the next steps}}
|pl={{tt|Kolejne kroki|The next steps}}
|pt_br={{tt|Dando os Próximos Passos|Taking the Next Steps}}
|es_la={{tt|Dando el siguiente paso|Taking the next step}}
|sv={{tt|Nästa steg längs vägen|The next step along the way}}
}}
{{-}}
{{EpicodePrevNext|
prevcode=HZ107 |
prevtitle=Friends as Two, Me and You |
nextcode=HZ109 |
nexttitle=Tinkatuff's Hammer Wasn't Made in a Year! |
series=Pokémon Horizons: The Series |
colorscheme=Z-A}}
{{Project Anime notice}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:1340}}
[[Category:Pokémon Horizons: The Series episodes|108]]
[[Category:Episodes written by Kureha Matsuzawa]]
[[Category:Episodes storyboarded by Ichizō Kobayashi]]
[[Category:Episodes directed by Chiko Ueta]]
[[Category:Episodes animated by Great Wall Animation]]
[[Category:Episodes animated by Jin Zhong]]
[[Category:Episodes animated by Wuxi Huaxian Animation Production]]
[[Category:Episodes animated by Fan Dong Dong]]
<!--[[Category:Episodes animated by Wang Xiao Ming]]-->
<!--[[Category:Episodes animated by Wang Jian]]-->
[[Category:Episodes animated by Sun Qiang]]
[[Category:Episodes animated by Apelin]]
[[Category:Episodes animated by So Gyeonsuk]]
[[Category:Episodes animated by Highlight]]
[[Category:Episodes animated by Wei Xulong]]
[[Category:Episodes by one-time animation directors]]
[[Category:Episodes by multiple animation directors]]
[[Category:Episodes focusing on Liko]]
[[Category:Episodes in which a Legendary Pokémon appears]]
[[Category:Episodes in which an alternately colored Pokémon appears]]
[[Category:Episodes in which a main character's Pokémon learns a new move]]
[[Category:Episodes which aired in the United Kingdom before the United States]]

[[de:Schritt für Schritt]]
[[es:EP1344]]
[[fr:LH108]]
[[it:OP108]]
[[ja:2023年版第108話]]
[[zh:宝可梦 地平线 第108集]]