The Pokémon Horizon The anime is just getting started and it’s still establishing an identity for itself, but despite that, there’s already a regular character from old anime making a return: Nurse Joy.
Nurse Joy has been a fixture of the Pokémon anime since the second episode, where the first Nurse Joy was introduced. While most of the Nurse Joys that Ash and the group encounter are similar-looking individuals, the “Joy” surname is something created specifically for the anime; In the game, the characters are simply referred to as “Pokémon Central Nurses” and generally do not use Chansey or other Pokémon assistants (with the exception of the anime-inspired Pokémon Yellow). In the third episode of Pokémon Horizons, Riko is sent to the Pokémon Center to get some supplies and finds herself meeting Nurse Joy for the first time.
Nurse Joy confirms Pokémon Horizons as Canon to Ash series
Since the Nurse Joy family joke going on is a creation of the original anime with Ash, calling the Pokémon Center woman Nurse Joy heavily suggests that Riko and Roy’s adventures are unfolding. out in the same world as Ash, even though Ash has never met this particular person. Nurse Joy. The Nidothing video of the Pokémon Center seen in this episode even shows every Pokémon Nurse Joy has used in the classic series, from Chansey and Wigglytuff to Comfey and Indeedee. Of course, this opens the door for all sorts of other potential crossovers, as other recurring characters like Officer Jenny could also make an appearance, as well as protagonists like Ash himself or Team Rocket. It also means that the concepts, organizations, and events that exist in Ash’s series, like Project Mew or the Pokémon’s World Coronation Series, also exist.
While it’s impossible to say with certainty that Pokémon Horizons and the original series are in the same timeline until a protagonist crosses over, the signs are pointing to more “yes” than “no” at that time. this point. Pokémon Horizons has had a certain amount of stylistic changes, but the Pokémon anime has gone through half a dozen major changes in art style over the years, so the possibility of coexistence is hardly ruled out. However, it will probably be quite a while before any such interference occurs; After all, the series is still in the process of developing its own independent identity, and bringing in classic characters too soon could risk destroying everything that Pokémon Horizons has done to make a difference. . Perhaps a character like Professor Oak could make a good icebreaker — someone important and recognizable who wouldn’t steal the show by appearing.
Nurse Joy’s visuals may not seem like much, but her name gives a strong connection between Pokémon Horizons and the classic. Pokémon anime, and it could be the first step toward seeing other familiar faces again.