by How did Friede and Charizard first meet? The upcoming Pokémon Horizons: The Series Episode 150 is set to answer that question by taking viewers back to Friede’s childhood, when his now-iconic partner Charizard was still a Charmander.
The synopsis and preview information for Episode 150, titled “The Expanding World, GO with You!”, have been released ahead of its Japanese broadcast on September 18, 2026. The episode will bring Liko, Roy, Dot, Ult, and Navi together with Friede and the traveling Pokémon researcher Professor Willow for a fieldwork trip.
The new episode is part of the ongoing “Wonder Voyage” chapter of Pokémon Horizons, which continues to explore what Liko and her friends want to accomplish as they begin looking toward their individual futures.
However, Episode 150 will also give fans something they have been waiting for: a closer look at the past of Friede, the leader of the Rising Volt Tacklers, and his special bond with Charizard.
The story will reveal how their relationship began when Friede was still a child, and Charizard had not yet evolved from Charmander.
Pokémon Episode 150 Release Date
Pokémon Horizons: The Series Episode 150 is scheduled to air in Japan on Friday, September 18, 2026.
The Japanese title is 「広がる世界、キミとＧＯ！」, which is currently rendered as “The Expanding World, GO with You!” in English episode listings. It is the 150th episode of Pokémon Horizons and the 1,382nd episode of the overall Pokémon animated series.
The series continues to air in Japan on the TV Tokyo network on Fridays at 6:55 PM JST, with the same regular timeslot also used by TV Osaka, TV Aichi, TV Setouchi, TV Hokkaido, and TVQ Kyushu Broadcasting.
How Did Friede and Charizard Meet?
The biggest attraction of Episode 150 is the flashback involving Friede and Charizard.
Long before Friede became the confident adventurer and leader of the Rising Volt Tacklers, he was simply a child with his own interests, dreams, and experiences with Pokémon.
At that time, the Pokémon who would eventually become his trusted Charizard was still a Charmander.
The episode will reveal the circumstances surrounding their first meeting and show how the connection between the two began.
This is an important addition to Friede’s character because Pokémon Horizons introduced him as an experienced Pokémon professor, adventurer, and skilled Pokémon Trainer. He is usually seen confidently guiding Liko, Roy, Dot, and the rest of the Rising Volt Tacklers.
Seeing him as a child provides a completely different perspective.
Instead of immediately presenting Friede as the capable adult viewers know today, the episode will show part of the journey that helped shape him.
From Charmander to Friede’s Charizard
For newer Pokémon fans, Charmander is one of the most recognizable Fire-type Pokémon in the franchise.
Charmander is a small lizard-like Pokémon with a flame burning at the end of its tail. It can eventually evolve into Charmeleon and then Charizard.
Friede’s Charizard has become one of the most recognizable Pokémon associated with Pokémon Horizons. Unlike a Pokémon that appears only during occasional battles, Charizard is closely connected to Friede’s identity and accompanies him during the Rising Volt Tacklers’ adventures.
That makes the reveal that Friede first met Charizard when it was still a Charmander particularly meaningful.
The upcoming flashback has the potential to show not only how they met, but also the early stages of the trust that eventually developed between them.
The official synopsis specifically describes the story as revealing “how Friede and Charizard first met,” making their shared history the central mystery of the episode.
Professor Willow Joins the Fieldwork Trip
Friede will not be the only important character featured in Episode 150.
The story begins when Friede invites Liko and her friends on a fieldwork trip. They are accompanied by Professor Willow, a researcher who travels around the world studying Pokémon.
Professor Willow is listed as a character debuting in the episode, adding another new face to the expanding world of Pokémon Horizons.
The fieldwork setup allows Liko and the others to learn more about Pokémon through direct observation rather than simply battling or traveling from one location to another.
This also fits naturally with the broader direction of the Wonder Voyage chapter, where the characters are being encouraged to look beyond their previous goals and think about what kind of paths they want to follow.
Liko, Roy, Dot, Ult and Navi Continue Their Journey
Episode 150 brings together several members of the current Pokémon Horizons cast.
The episode’s listed characters include:
- Liko
- Roy
- Dot
- Ult
- Navi
- Friede
- Professor Willow
The episode also features flashback appearances connected to Friede’s past, including Orla and Lucca.
This makes Episode 150 feel like both a character-focused story and a broader ensemble episode.
While the central mystery concerns Friede and Charizard, Liko and the others are still actively involved in the fieldwork investigation.
What Is the Wonder Voyage Chapter?
For viewers who may not have followed the latest Pokémon Horizons episodes, Wonder Voyage is the current chapter of the series.
The story focuses on Liko and her friends as they reconsider what they want to do next.
The official episode progression has recently taken the group through a variety of adventures.
Episode 141 saw the Rising Volt Tacklers participate in a Unite Battle after Friede invited them to take part. Episode 142 brought the group to Miare City, where they met Navi through a case involving a missing Carbink. Episode 143 followed Navi’s lost Dream Ball, while Episode 144 focused on Navi’s first major adventure after joining the Rising Volt Tacklers.
The group then continued through stories involving Mega Rayquaza, Pokémon contests, Koraidon and Miraidon, and other unusual Pokémon encounters.
This varied storytelling has allowed the Wonder Voyage chapter to explore the characters individually rather than keeping every episode focused on one major villain or large-scale battle.
Recent Episodes Have Expanded the World
Episode 145 focused on a mysterious area known as Area Delta, where Liko and her friends investigated strange incidents connected to Mega Rayquaza.
Episode 146 shifted to a lighter story involving Quaquaval and Tinkaton, who were suffering from a lack of sleep. The group encountered Dr. Neroli, a researcher studying Pokémon sleep, and attempted to help the Pokémon get some rest.
Episode 147 moved into the world of Pokémon contests, with Liko participating alongside Meowscarada, Skeledirge, and Quaquaval.
Episode 148 then brought Koraidon and Miraidon into the story when Liko and Roy encountered the two Legendary Pokémon during a Paldean race.
Most recently, Episode 149 featured Yakan, a Pokémon-loving salaryman who introduced Liko and Navi to a playful activity centered around squishy Pokémon.
With these recent episodes emphasizing exploration, friendships, and unusual Pokémon encounters, Episode 150’s focus on Friede’s childhood provides another way to expand the world.
Why Friede’s Backstory Matters
Friede has been one of the most important adult characters in Pokémon Horizons since the beginning of the series.
He serves as the leader of the Rising Volt Tacklers, the group traveling aboard the airship Brave Olivine.
Unlike the traditional Pokémon anime structure in which the main characters travel from one Gym to another, Pokémon Horizons uses a broader adventure format.
Liko, Roy, and their friends travel with the Rising Volt Tacklers while investigating mysteries connected to Pokémon, ancient objects, Legendary Pokémon, and the larger world.
Friede is often the person who provides guidance when the younger characters find themselves in dangerous situations.
His Charizard is also an important part of his identity.
That is why seeing Friede as a child can add emotional weight to the character.
Instead of only being the experienced mentor, viewers will get to see the younger Friede before he became the person everyone now knows.
The Emotional Side of Friede and Charizard’s Relationship
One of the most interesting aspects of the episode is that the story is not simply about a Pokémon evolution.
The important question is how the relationship began.
In the Pokémon world, Trainers and Pokémon can form powerful partnerships, but those bonds are often built over time through shared experiences.
Friede’s relationship with Charizard is particularly notable because the two are frequently shown working together as a team.
They battle together, travel together, and help the Rising Volt Tacklers during dangerous missions.
By showing their first meeting, Episode 150 can add another layer to that relationship.
For fans who have watched Friede and Charizard together since the beginning of Pokémon Horizons, seeing their earliest days together could turn a familiar partnership into an even more meaningful part of the series.
Charizard’s Importance in Pokémon Horizons
Charizard is one of the most famous Pokémon in the entire franchise, having appeared throughout different generations of the anime, games, movies, and other Pokémon media.
However, Friede’s Charizard has its own identity.
It is not simply another Charizard appearing in the background.
The Pokémon is closely associated with Friede and is one of his primary partners in combat.
That makes the Charmander flashback especially appealing because viewers already know the adult Charizard.
The episode effectively asks fans to look backward and see where that partnership began.
It also provides an opportunity to show a different side of Charizard’s personality by presenting the Pokémon at a much earlier stage of its life.
Liko and Her Friends Are Still Searching for Their Own Paths
Although Friede’s past is the main attraction, Episode 150 is also important for Liko and the younger members of the Rising Volt Tacklers.
The official description of the Wonder Voyage chapter emphasizes that Liko and her friends had reached a point where they had lost sight of what they wanted to pursue.
Their ongoing adventures are therefore helping them rediscover their interests and decide what kind of future they want.
This is a natural development for the characters.
At the beginning of their journey, Liko and Roy were primarily concerned with becoming stronger Trainers and understanding the mysterious Pokémon and objects they encountered.
As they gain experience, however, their goals become more personal.
The Wonder Voyage chapter allows the series to ask a simple but important question:
What do these young adventurers actually want to do with their lives?
Episode 150’s fieldwork setting fits that theme particularly well because research and exploration can introduce the characters to new possibilities.
The Episode Also Continues Pokémon Horizons’ Focus on Exploration
One of the defining characteristics of Pokémon Horizons is its emphasis on exploring the Pokémon world.
The series is not limited to traditional Gym battles.
Liko, Roy, Dot, and the Rising Volt Tacklers have investigated mysterious locations, encountered unusual Pokémon, traveled between regions, and become involved in situations involving both ordinary and Legendary Pokémon.
Episode 150 continues that approach.
Rather than simply starting with a battle, the characters are invited to participate in fieldwork, allowing them to observe Pokémon and learn through research.
Professor Willow’s presence strengthens this scientific and exploratory side of the story.
For beginner viewers, this is also an easy way to understand what makes Pokémon Horizons different from earlier Pokémon anime eras.
A Look Back Before the Next Journey
Episode 150 is also arriving at an interesting point in the series.
The Rising Volt Tacklers have already experienced numerous major adventures, and the Wonder Voyage chapter is encouraging the younger characters to think about their next steps.
At the same time, the episode looks backward through Friede’s childhood.
That creates an interesting contrast:
Liko and her friends are looking toward their futures, while the audience is looking into Friede’s past.
The two ideas complement each other.
Friede has already traveled the path that Liko and the others are beginning to explore. His childhood story may therefore provide an example of how a person’s experiences can shape the relationships and goals they eventually develop.
Episode 150 Staff Information
Current episode listings identify Kureha Matsuzawa as the episode’s screenwriter, with Kyohei Sumiyama handling the storyboard and serving as assistant director.
Animation direction is credited to Koki Yanagihara, Kenji Kato, and Natsumi Hattori, with the animation handled by the Kumemura animation team.
The broader Pokémon Horizons production team continues to be led by director Saori Den, with Daiki Tomiyasu serving as chief director and Atsuhiro Tomioka handling series composition. Character designs are by Shuhei Yasuda, while Yuki Hayashi provides the music.
What to Expect From Pokémon Episode 150
Based on the released synopsis and preview information, viewers can expect Episode 150 to balance several elements:
- A fieldwork adventure involving Liko and her friends.
- Professor Willow’s introduction to the story.
- A flashback to Friede’s childhood.
- The first meeting between young Friede and Charmander.
- More development for the Rising Volt Tacklers.
- Continued exploration of the characters’ goals during the Wonder Voyage chapter.
The biggest mystery is, naturally, what exactly happened when Friede first encountered Charmander.
The promotional information confirms that their first meeting will be shown, but the full circumstances surrounding that encounter remain one of the episode’s main attractions.
Pokémon Horizons Episode 150 looks set to be an important character-focused episode rather than simply another standalone Pokémon adventure.
The fieldwork trip gives Liko, Roy, Dot, Ult, and Navi a new opportunity to explore the Pokémon world, while Professor Willow introduces another researcher to the group.
But the real highlight will be Friede and Charizard’s past.
Fans have known Friede and Charizard as an experienced team throughout Pokémon Horizons. Now, the anime is finally going back to the beginning to show the moment when their relationship started.
The fact that Charizard was still Charmander at the time makes the flashback even more interesting.
At the same time, the episode continues the larger themes of the Wonder Voyage chapter, as Liko and her friends attempt to rediscover their individual goals and think about where their journeys will take them next.
With Episode 150 scheduled for September 18, 2026, Pokémon Horizons is preparing to reveal another piece of Friede’s history while continuing to push its younger heroes toward their own futures.
For Pokémon fans, that makes Episode 150 worth watching for two reasons: it explores where Friede came from, and it may offer clues about where the Rising Volt Tacklers are heading next.
