Screenplay writer Kureha Matsuzawa (松澤くれは) confirmed on February 28th, 2025 that he wrote the scripts for episode 87, 88 and 89 after he posted screenshots from the Rakua Climax teaser video.

I wrote the Screenplay for these episodes.
Let's see where the adventure takes us.

ぜんぶ脚本書きました。
冒険の先を見届けてください。

Production Assistant Riko Furaya posted a message thanking those that worked on this episode. She also posted a picture of Sango and Captain Pikachu.

Thank you to everyone who worked on episode 87 of the Pokémon anime.
アニポケ　87話　進行を担当しましたみなさん、ありがとうございました。

YINXELH did LO and Genga on episode 87 and posted a picture of Friede, Captain Pikachu, Friede's Lizardon, Liko and Liko's Nyarote.

I participated in [ Pokémon horizons ] episode 87,I did LO and Genga,thanks to Furuya-san for having me!

Meiko announced on March 7th, 2025 that they did 2nd Key Animation for this episode and they drew a picture of White Zygarde.

Happy to announce that I work for 2nd key for Pokémon Horizons episode 87! It was fun working with the show. Thank you Chreest and Furuya san for the opportunity!

Tadakun (ただくん) announced on March 8th, 2025 that they were a Key Animator and did LO on this episode and they posted a picture of Sango and Sango's Onigohri on their blog.

I did LO and Key Animation for episode 87 of the Pokémon anime.
I apologize to the Animation Director and other staff members for any inconvenience I may have caused. (And a thank you as well to those who took care of the corrections on my initial drafts *Sweating*)
Thank you to the senior staff members who worked on the show, the production team who reached out to me, and all the staff!

アニポケ87話、LO/原画で作画させていただきました。
作監さまはじめ多くのスタッフの皆様ご迷惑おかけいたしました(自分の二原拾っていただいた方もありがとうございます)
上がりを見てくださった先輩、お声がけくださった制作さま、スタッフの皆様ありがとうございます！

CoroCoro Comic's Official website posted an article about this episode just before the original airing on March 7th, 2025.


Anipoke is just around the corner! What unexpected thing emerged from the Rakulium crystal......?! 【Spoiler Alert!!】

Broadcasting every week from 6:55 pm! The anime "Pocket Monsters" will start airing soon! In this article, we'll introduce you to the Pokémon and characters that will appear in today's episode, as well as comments from the voice actors and director, and other information you won't find anywhere else!


After 100 years, Gibeon has returned to Rakua. In order to obtain his long-desired Rakulium, Gibeon uses Zygarde to try to dig it up. However, Amethio is standing in his way!!


▲ With Terapagos releasing the seal, the path to the heart of Rakua is opened, and Gibeon once again is in front of the Rakulium.


▲ Is he really over 100 years old!? Is this the power of Rakulium......!?


▲ Amethio questions the use of the Rakulium. Gibeon is asked to stop!

LIko and the others, who had been held up by the Explorers, also witnessed the energy and rush to the Rakulium. Liko and the others tried to stop them digging up the Rakulium, but moments later, the Rakulium crystals are shattered!! What emerged from it was something no one would have expected!!!?


▲ After reuniting with Friede, Liko and the others see a giant Rakulium crystal and Gibeon right in front of them......!!


▲ The Rakulium crystal is shattered by Zygarde!


▲ What's going on with Cap and Lizardon!? Have the Pokémon gone berserk due to the Rakulium!?


▲ What emerged from the shattered Rakulium...... It can't be!?

The rest of the story will be on the Pokémon anime at 6:55pm tonight! The 30 minutes will go by in a flash with amazing events happening!!

【アニポケまであとちょっと！】ラクリウムの結晶から現れた まさかのものとは……!?【ネタバレ厳禁!!】
【ネタバレ厳禁!!】ラクリウムの結晶から現れた
まさかのものとは……!?
毎週金曜よる6時55分から放送中！
アニメ「ポケットモンスター」まもなく放送開始!!
この記事はアニメ放送前に、今日の放送回に登場するポケモンやキャラクターの紹介、声優さんや監督からのコメントなどなど、ほかでは聞けないアニポケ情報をお届けするコーナーだ!!
100年の時を経て、再びラクアへと戻ってきたギベオン。ギベオンは念願だったラクリウムを手にするため、ジガルデを使いラクリウムを掘り起こそうとする。
しかしそこに立ちはだかったのはアメジオだった!!
▲テラパゴスが封印を解いたことでラクアの中枢への道が開き、ギベオンは再びラクリウムの前へとたどり着く。
▲これで100歳を超えてるってホントに!?　これがラクリウムの力……!?
▲ラクリウムの利用に疑問を抱くアメジオ。頼むからギベオンを止めてくれ！
エクスプローラーズに足止めされていたリコたちもまた、禍々しいほどのエネルギーを目撃しラクリウムのもとへと駆けつける。リコたちはラクリウムの採掘を止めようとするのだが……次の瞬間、ラクリウムの結晶が砕けてしまう!!
その中から現れたものは……誰もが予想しないものだった!!!?
▲フリードと合流したリコたちの目の前には巨大なラクリウムの結晶とギベオンが……‼
▲ジガルデによって砕かれてしまうラクリウムの結晶！
▲キャップとリザードンが何故!?　これはラクリウムによるポケモンの暴走か!?
▲砕かれたラクリウムから現れたのは……まさか!?
この続きは今日このあとよる6時55分から放送のアニポケで！
30分があっという間の超展開の連続だ!!

Christian Quaranta announced on March 7th, 2025 that they did LO and Genga for this episode and posted a picture of Terapagos.

I helped do some LO and Genga on this Pokemon horizons episode 87. Thank you!

Zuguma (ズグマ) announced on March 7th, 2025 that they were a Key Animator on this episode and posted a picture of Liko, Lucius and Terapagos.

I worked on LO and Key animation for episode 87!
I am truly honored to be involved with the Pokémon series and I am grateful to the production team for reaching out to me...
Thank you to all the staff for your hard work!
Thank you very much!!

アニポケ 87話、LOと原画を担当させていただきました！
ポケモンシリーズに関わることができて本当に光栄です️声をかけていただいた制作様に感謝します。。。
スタッフの皆さん、お疲れ様でした！
よろしくお願いいたします！！

Mitsunobu Takeda (竹田光伸) announced on March 7th, 2025 that they were a Key Animator on this episode.

I participated a bit as a Key Animator on Pokémon episode 87! I was happy to be able to draw Liko!
ポケモン87話原画で少しだけ参加してました！リコちゃん描けて嬉しかったです！

Sailor Yon announced on March 7th, 2025 that they were a Key Animator on this episode and they posted a picture of Friede, Friede's Lizardon and Captain Pikachu as well as Liko and Liko's Nyarote.

Thank you very much for watching episode 87! This time I worked on LO and Key Animation!
I've been a fan since I was a child, so I'm really honored to be involved in this production!
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Riku Furuya and the rest of the production team!!

アニポケ 87話をご視聴いただき、本当にありがとうございます！今回はLOや原画アニメーションに参加させていただきました！
子供の頃からずっとファンだったので、この作品に携わることができて本当に光栄です！
古屋璃久さんをはじめ、制作チームの皆さんにも心から感謝しています！！

S1NAY announced on March 7th, 2025 that they were a Key Animator on this episode and they posted a picture of Friede, Friede's Lizardon and Captain Pikachu.

I participated as LO/KA on Pokémon horizon #87 Thank you for watching!

Jordan Bayes announced on March 5th, 2025 that they were a 2nd Key Animator on this episode and worked on 40 genga cuts and some animation.

I worked on the new episode of Pokemon! I did over 40 cuts of genga and did a little bit of animation as well. It was a dream to work on. Hopefully I can do even more next time!

ポケモンの新エピソードに携わった！ 40カット以上のゲンガを担当し. たくさんの応援をありがとう！

Dai (ダイ) announced on March 7th, 2025 that they were a 2nd Key Animator on this episode. They also drew a picture of Liko.

I worked on episode 87 as a 2nd Key Animator.
Thank you to the production team and staff for your hard work!

アニポケ 第87話に第二原画で参加させていただきました｡
制作様,スタッフの皆様お疲れ様でした！

Kureha Matsuzawa (松澤くれは) wrote the Screenplay for this episode and he left a comment on the official Japanese AniPoke X post on March 7th, 2025.

I wrote the script for episode 87 of the Pocket Monsters anime.
Finally, Lucius and Liko and the others meet, and Pagogo is reunited.
And the truth about their adventure from episode 1 is revealed. Don't miss it by watching the stream!

アニポケ87話脚本担当しました。
ついにルシアスとリコたちが出会い、パゴゴは再会できました。そして語られる第1話からの冒険の真実。見逃し配信もお見逃しなく！

On March 7th, 2025, the official Japanese AniPoke Twitter account posted a Pokémon Anime Day promotional message.

Friday is Pokémon Anime Day! Having seen the overflowing energy themselves, Liko and the others break away from Sango and the others and head towards it as Terapagos and the Six Hero Pokémon start crying out as if they're trying to summon something...?!

金曜日はアニポケの日
溢れるラクリウムのエネルギーを目の当たりにしたリコたち
サンゴたちを振り切ってその場へ向かうと
テラパゴス と六英雄ポケモンが
何かを呼ぶように鳴きだして…!?

The title for this episode The Guidance of the Black Rayquaza (黒いレックウザの導き) was first revealed in CoroCoro Ichiban! April 2025 on February 21st, 2025.

The official Japanese Anime PR Twitter account posted a wallpaper on March 1st, 2025 by #もじゃクッキー @mojacookie.

Every month we'll give you a mobile wallpaper calendar made by Mojacookie-san. March will feature the decisive battle against Gibeon! Will Liko, Roy and Dot manage to stop his plans? And what will Amethio do...?!

アニポケ壁紙カレンダー
毎月、もじゃクッキーさんによる
壁紙カレンダーをお届け
3月はギベオンとの決戦！
リコ、ロイ、ドットはギベオンの野望を止められるのでしょうか？
そして、アメジオは…!?

The official Japanese Anime PR Twitter account posted production artwork on March 3rd, 2025.

Today is Hinamatsuri. Which means... we'll present what Liko looked like when she was little! Liko used to be very introverted, but now she's grown as a person to the point she's boldly taking on strong opponents in battle! As a bonus, we'll show what Roy and Amethio looked like when they were little as well! They've all grown so much, don't you think?

今日はひな祭り
ということで、小さい頃のリコの姿をお届け！
引っ込み思案だったリコが、今では堂々と強敵にバトルを挑めるくらいに成長しました
そして、ロイとアメジオの小さい頃の姿も公開！
みんな、大きく成長していますね！

The official Japanese Anime PR Twitter account promoted the preview for episode 87 on March 5th, 2025.

The Pokémon anime episode airing Friday, March 7th, 2025 is... episode 87, "The Guidance of the Black Rayquaza"! Liko and the others have seen the overflowing energy, but as they attempt to stop the Rakulium digging, the Rakulium crystal shatters into pieces and a certain someone appears from within...?!

アニポケ 3月7日(金)の放送は第87話「黒いレックウザの導き」
あふれるエネルギーを目撃し、ラクリウムの採掘を止めようとするリコたち
その時、ラクリウムの結晶が砕け、中から現れたのは…!?

The official Japanese Anime PR Twitter account posted a Next Episode Featured Points on March 5th, 2025.

As Gibeon approaches the Rakulium crystal, his partner, the White Zygarde, transforms from its 10% Forme into its 50% Forme! But as he attempts to use Zygarde to dig up the Rakulium, Amethio appears before him and tells his grandfather...

アニポケ 次回注目ポイント
ラクリウムの結晶に近づいたギベオン
すると、パートナーの白いジガルデが10％フォルムから50％フォルムに！
ジガルデを使い、ラクリウムを採掘しようとする
ギベオンの前に現れたのは、アメジオ
祖父・ギベオンにアメジオが語る言葉とは…!?

The official Japanese Anime PR Twitter account posted a Pokémon Anime Recap on March 6th, 2025.

Pokémon Anime Recap:
A 100 years ago, Lucius and Gibeon arrived in Rakua. Gibeon thought that the Rakulium, crystals with immense power, should be made use of, and commanded Zygarde to dig it up. Lucius, on the other hand, concluded that humans should stay away from the Rakulium, and attempted to stop Gibeon. And then, after a fierce battle, there was an explosion...

アニポケ 振り返り
100年前、ラクアに辿り着いたルシアス、ギベオン
凄まじい力を持つ結晶・ラクリウムを
利用するべきだと考えたギベオンは
ジガルデ に採掘を命じました。
一方で、人間が触るべきではないと判断し
ギベオンを止めようとしたルシアス
激しいバトルの末に爆発が起こり…

The official Japanese Pokémon account promoted the preview for episode 87 on March 7th, 2025.

In tomorrow's episode of the Pokémon anime, Spinel's strategy puts Rakua itself in danger! Will the Rakulium's energy make Cap and Lizardon run wild...? Check out the episode preview on the official Youtube channel!

明日のアニポケは、スピネルの策略でラクアに危機が！
ラクリウムのエネルギーでキャップたちが暴走してしまって……？
公式YouTubeチャンネルで予告編をチェック！
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iu83A6yC01s

The official Japanese Anime PR Twitter account reminded viewers on March 7th, 2025 about this episodes airing.

As Gibeon commands the White Zygarde (50% Forme) to dig up the Rakulium, the huge Rakulium crystal breaks and a certain someone appears... Don't miss the Pokémon anime episode coming up soon at 6:55pm!

アニポケ 第87話「黒いレックウザの導き」
ラクリウムの採掘を白いジガルデ(50%フォルム)に命じるギベオン
その時、ラクリウムの大結晶が割れ、現れたのは…
この後よる6時55分からのアニポケをお見逃しなく！

The official Japanese AniPoke Twitter account reminded viewers of an announcement on the Friday, March 14th, 2025 episode.

Don't miss the next episode of the Pokémon anime either! News will be announced next week, during the episode airing Friday, March 14th, 2025!! Make absolutely sure not to miss the climax of Rayquaza Rising!!

アニポケ 次回も見逃せない！
来週、3/14(金)の放送では新情報を発表します！！
「レックウザ ライジング」のクライマックスを絶対にお見逃しなく！

On March 7th, 2025, the official Japanese AniPoke Twitter account reminded that this episode was available to watch on the official Japanese YouTube channel. The video was NOT region locked. It was available from March 7th, 2025 to March 14th, 2025. This episode was specifically labeled as a missed-program webcast (見逃し配信).

The episode was also available on the TV Tokyo YouTube channel and the Official Corocoro Channel and were labeled as limited-time delivery (期間限定配信) and were region locked. The TV Tokyo version included the series trailer at the end of the episode where as the Corocoro version had beginning and ending bumpers promoting Corocoro.

AniPoke Episode 87 The Guidance of the Black Rayquaza
What did you think?
After hearing about his grandfather Gibeon's obsession with Rakulium, Amethio decides to fight!
He teams up with Liko and the others to take on Gibeon's White Zygarde (50% form)...!
Be sure to check out the missed stream!
The episode will be available for 1 week from today!

アニポケ 第87話「黒いレックウザの導き」
いかがでしたか？
アメジオは、祖父・ギベオンのラクリウムへの執着を聞き戦うことを決意！
リコたちと協力して、ギベオンの白い ジガルデ(50%フォルム)に挑むことに…！
見逃し配信は必見です！
公開期間は本日より1週間！

The official Japanese Anime PR Twitter account posted a teaser trailer on March 7th, 2025, 7 days ahead of the announcement on March 14th, 2025.

Pokémon anime news will be revealed Friday, March 14th, 2025!
7 days remain until the announcement!

3月14日(金)アニポケ 新情報、解禁
発表まで、あと7日！

GAMJA announced on March 7th, 2025 that they were a Key Animator on this episode. They also drew a picture of Spinel.

Pocket Monsters Anime Episode 87 L.O. Key Animation
I worked on the layout and animation for Pocket Monsters Episode 87!
I never thought I'd draw Pikachu in an official capacity...
I worked on the smoke cut in the second half! Thank you!!

アニメ「ポケットモンスター」 第87話 L.O 2原画
포켓몬스터 87화 레이아웃, 2원화 를 작업했습니다!
제가 공식에서 피카츄를 그릴줄은...ㅠㅠ9 후반의 연기컷 전반을 작업했습니다! 감사합니다!!

YINXELH was a Key Animator on this episode and announced that they worked on the cuts that were featured in an Anipoke X post from March 6th, 2025.

my cuts

Noriaki Nihei (二瓶令暁) announced on March 7th, 2025 that they were a Key Animator on this episode. They also drew a picture of Amethio and Amethio's Soublades.

Pocket Monsters Rayquaza Rising Episode 87
I worked on this episode as a Key Animator.
I really like Pokémon, and I was glad to be involved as an animator.
I was happy to be able to draw the cut where Soublades uses Psycho Cut!
Thank you very much.

ポケットモンスター レックウザライジング 87話
原画として参加させて頂きました。
大好きなポケモンに、アニメーターとして関われて光栄でした。
ソウブレイズのサイコカッターのシーンを描けて嬉しかったです！
ありがとうございました。

The official Japanese Anime PR Twitter account posted a behind-the-scenes look at the making of this Anipoke episode with production artwork pieces on March 6th, 2025.

We present a key frame of Gibeon from episode 87. Gibeon discovered the Rakulium a 100 years ago and became enthralled by its power. Will he acquire the Rakulium now that he's returned to Rakua?!

アニポケ マニア
第87話よりギベオンの原画をご紹介
100年前にラクリウムを発見し、その力に魅入られたギベオン
再びラクアにやって来たギベオンは、ラクリウムを手に入れるのでしょうか!?

Jhyg Castillejos was a Key Animator on this episode and announced that they worked on the cuts that were featured in an Anipoke X post from March 7th, 2025. They also posted a participation drawing.

I was able to participate in this weeks episode of Pokémon horizons! So I made a participation drawing.
I was in charge of a few LO and Genga for the final cuts in this episode. As a lifelong Pokémon fan, I’m truly grateful for the opportunity. Hope you all enjoy the episode!
I was in charge of these scenes!