Continuing from where Pokémon (1997) and The Rainbow and the Pokémon Master! (2023) left off, this is the first episode of the main series not to feature Ash Ketchum and his Pikachu as main protagonists and the Team Rocket Trio of Jessie, James, and Meowth as antagonists. Additionally, Misty, Brock, Tracey Sketchit, May, Max, Dawn, Iris, Cilan, Serena, Clemont, Bonnie, Lana, Kiawe, Lillie, Sophocles, Mallow, Goh, Chloe, Delia Ketchum, Professor Oak, Gary Oak, Nurse Joy, Officer Jenny, Giovanni and Matori are also not featured.
This is the first main series episode to not feature a male protagonist in any capacity.
This marks the first time a female main character has obtained a Grass-type starter Pokémon since May caught her Bulbasaur in King of the Forbidden Forest! Fushigibana!! (2004), 885 episodes earlier.
This episode introduces 11 named characters, the most named characters introduced in a single episode since Nibi Gym Battle! (1997) 1,228 episodes earlier, which also introduced 11 named characters.
This is the first episode of the first season of "Pokémon Horizons: The Series", also the 26th season of the Pokémon anime franchise over all.