Charcadet's Wish (Japanese: カルボウの願いCarbou's Wish) is the 104th episode of Pokémon Horizons: The Series, and the 1,336th episode of the Pokémon animated series. It first aired in Japan on August 1, 2025, in the United Kingdom on February 27, 2026, and in the United States on March 20, 2026.
Spoiler warning: this article may contain major plot or ending details.
Blurb
After agreeing to help Zirc and Onia find Amethio, Liko travels with them to Amethio’s family home to look for clues to his whereabouts. A photograph of young Amethio with his Charcadet on a beach prompts Liko to dig deeper, and the group sets out again, this time to an island near Levincia. To their relief, they find Amethio, who has been living there for the past year. But then Liko’s Charcadet challenges Amethio’s Ceruledge—what will come of their battle?
Plot
Liko, Zirc, and Onia visit Amethio's mansion, having obtained permission to use the place from Cervantis. In the sitting room, Zirc and Onia explain how the Explorers have changed when Spinel took over after the events on Laqua, and that they were assigned byHamber to search for Amethio, who is the only one capable of opposing Spinel. However, they have not been successful so far, and are now turning to Liko for help. Liko ponders for a moment when her Charcadet directs her focus to a photo of a younger Amethio and his own Charcadet before it evolved into Ceruledge. Looking at the photos put up, Liko asks where it was taken. Cervantis, who is working at an Exceed warehouse after stepping down, is about to give the location when Spinel makes a surprise visit. Cervantis asks about the Strong Spheres, but Spinel reassures the former director that everything is going according to plan. Afterwards, when Cervantis sends the location of the island, Liko, Zirc, and Onia set off. On the way, Liko asks the two how they met Amethio. They reveal they were assigned to Amethio when they first joined the Explorers and assumed he was a spoiled kid, ready to take advantage of him to progress higher into the Explorers. Over time, their perspective on Amethio changed to the point where they decided to be completely loyal to him, and now they wish to help Amethio again.
Charcadet and Ceruledge meet
At night on the island, Amethio reminisces the events from the past year. After successfully escaping Laqua's collapse, Amethio separated himself from his subordinates, telling them to go back to the Explorers on their own. While avoiding the Explorers after him under Spinel's orders, Amethio used the submarine to get to the island where he had his only family trip. Since then, Amethio has been hiding away on the island, feeling alone because there's no one he can turn to. Turning to the side, Amethio recalls his mother asking Charcadet to protect him, and imagines his mother's spirit heading for the sea. Looking further into the distance, Amethio sees something coming and thinks he's been found by the Explorers. To Amethio's surprise and relief, it is Liko, Zirc, and Onia who arrive by crashing the boat in front of him. The group huddles around a campfire, and Amethio notices Liko caught a Charcadet, with Liko saying it wanted to protect her. The trio explain Spinel's current intentions with the Explorers, Exceed, and the Strong Spheres to Amethio, who is unable to help. Having lost everything, Amethio feels powerless, causing Liko to repeat the words he said to her when they were trapped in the cave. Charcadet challenges Ceruledge to a battle in response to Liko's feelings. Despite Amethio trying to dissuade the Fire Child Pokémon from taking on an impossible opponent, Liko also asks for a battle and points out anything can happen, resulting in Amethio reluctantly agreeing to the battle.
The battle begins with an Ember from Charcadet that is easily sliced in half, so Liko has Charcadet approach Ceruledge, but it is unable to do so due to a flurry of Psycho Cuts preventing it from getting closer. Charcadet uses Clear Smog, and Amethio sees right through its plan. Running through the smokescreen, Charcadet comes close to Ceruledge and uses Ember again, only to be surprised to find the Fire Blades Pokémon gone. Ceruledge rises from a portal and attacks from behind, having used Phantom Force before Charcadet attacked. Seeing it struggle to get up, Amethio declares the battle is over and tells Liko to recall it back into its Poké Ball. But she doesn't listen, and stares at Charcadet struggling to get back up. Despite the pleas for it to give up, Charcadet, with support from its Trainer and fellow Pokémon, stands back up again with determination burning in its eyes. At Liko's command, Charcadet rushes towards Ceruledge, sliding under another Psycho Cut attack and jumping high enough to unleash a powerful Ember that manages to hit Ceruledge. Amethio isn't impressed by their success, but he and Liko notice Ceruledge's eyes are also burning with the same determination as Charcadet. Without any order from his Trainer, Ceruledge strikes down Charcadet with Shadow Claw before it could attack, ending the battle.
Liko, Meowscarada, and Pagogo praising Charcadet
Liko, Meowscarada, and Pagogo praise Charcadet's efforts while Amethio and Ceruledge approach them. Liko thanks Amethio for the battle, admitting she didn't want to disappoint the Fire Child Pokémon by refusing to let it battle and promises to be stronger the next time they battle. Liko's words and the battle just now strike a chord with Amethio, who tells Zirc and Onia he can't go with them. As Explorers, they are capable of doing things that Amethio can't from within. As for Amethio, he decides to find something he can do, making his subordinates happy to see a spark of his old self back. Zirc and Onia give the Zygarde Cube to Amethio, making him realize he should gather the Zygarde Cells of his grandfather'sWhite Zygarde, while Liko tells Amethio she believes in the path he's taking.
At the Explorers base, Hamber is updated on the situation and breaks down in relief when the call ends, all of which is seen by Chalce through the camera. Liko returns to the Brave Olivine where Charcadet is healed. Roy and Dot meet with Liko and inform her of their plans to have some fun while the ship is undergoing maintenance, with Ult demanding to join in. At sunrise, Amethio leaves the island on Corviknight, with the Zygarde Cube in hand and renewed determination.
While the episode itself does not include an exclamation mark on the title card (and neither on the title listed on Pokémon.com), the listings on Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and ABC iview include the exclamation mark, formatting it as Charcadet's Wish!.
