Pokemon's new Poke Ball explained

Pokémon just introduced a new type of Poke Ball in a recent episode of Pokémon Horizons, leaving fans with questions about the ball's unusual design, whether it has a special purpose and how it could impact the future of the series. While the Pokémon The series has a wide range of special and even unique Poke Balls throughout its history, ones that first debuted in the franchise's anime, such as the GS Ball before Pokémon Gold AND Silver – have always garnered the interest of fans. With fans aware of the backstory of Poke Balls like the GS Ball, Pokémon HorizonsThe latest new ball type has attracted similar attention.

There are already several reasons why this new Poke Ball stands out in the anime and, by extension, the games, from its unique design to the particular Pokemon it contains. However, it remains to be seen what impact this could have on the market Pokémon Horizons anime or if it will extend to the main game series. However, based on the brief moments the new Poke Ball appeared Pokémon Horizonsthere are potentially several details to take notes on and speculate on.

SPOILERS for
Pokémon Horizons
anime follows.

Let's analyze the new Pokemon Horizons Poke Ball

Pokemon Horizons' The new Poke Ball appears during a flashback in its seventy-fifth episode, debuting with a gear-like mechanical design used by series antagonist Gibeon, and it is revealed that this ball contains a shiny white version of the Legendary Pokemon Zygarde. The episode takes a deep dive into the past of Gibeon and the Explorer organization, with key moments revealing how he became dangerously obsessed with the Laquium crystals and how his Zygarde attempted to seal these crystals away from him. With Zygarde's actions seen as a betrayal on Gibeon's part, this could explain why he keeps Legendary Pokemon in a unique Poke Ball.

However, it is unclear whether the new Poke Ball's appearance is purely aesthetic or serves an actual function, as its design could ultimately be a means to Pokémon Horizons anime that makes both the ball and Zygarde stand out among others. For example, this is not the first time that a Pokémon anime or films have introduced their own variations of Poke Balls, such as the Old and Dark Balls of Pokémon 4Ever or even Pokemon Horizons' possess the Ancient Ball. While these Poke Balls were distinctive, they were primarily intended for the anime or movie they appeared in, meaning it could be the same for Pokémon Horizons'new ball.

The new Pokemon Horizons ball seems reminiscent of the GS Ball

Beyond any potentially superficial differences Gibeon's new Poke Ball might have, the introduction of a mysterious new type of ball containing a Legendary Pokemon could be a callback to the classic's infamous GS Ball mystery Pokémon souls. Since the original purpose of the GS Ball involved the mythical Pokemon Celebi, the intended story arc was never realized as Celebi's main role in Pokémon 4Ever seemed to make the GS Ball redundant. However, even though this meant that the GS Ball was eventually eliminated from the anime, there are hints that the new Poke Ball in Pokémon Horizons could avoid the same fate.

Pokemon Horizons could create Pokemon Legends: ZA

Since the arrival of the new Poke Ball Pokémon Horizons contains Zygarde, it seems that there are already some links between the new ball and the upcoming one Pokemon Legends: ZA with the Legendary Pokemon as a potential mascot. However, the title of the episode in which the new Poke Ball appears translates to “The Entrusted Future, the Splendor of This World”, which could be another link to Legends: ZA There are rumors about the future of Lumiose City in Kalos, its association with light, and its urban redevelopment. In this context, the steampunk-inspired design of the new Poke Ball could be a first sign of potential connections between Pokémon Horizons AND Legends: ZA.