The newest opening sequence for Pokemon Journeys has offered fans of the popular series' long-running anime adaptation a lot of insight as to what they can expect from the show going forward. Journeys may include Pokemon Sword and Shield's Legendaries more prominently, for example, but it also seems the show is going to highlight the Kanto Region's Legendary trio: Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres.
An early part of the video shows Ash Ketchum and his companion Goh learning about Legendary Pokemon from every mainline game, referencing Pokemon Journeys' focus on the duo traveling all over the world. However, immediately after that Goh releases Zapdos from a Pokeball, and the Electric-type flies away with the others by its side.
Anime openings are notorious for having flashy visuals full of fan service, and this opening also teases major events such as a return to the Alola Region, as well as Ash and Goh battling Eternatus. With Pokemon Sword and Shield's Crown Tundra DLC adding Galarian forms of Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres, it would make sense for the Generation 1 Legendaries to serve an important role in the anime too.
The three Legendary birds have become emblematic of the original Pokemon games in many ways, and serve as representatives of the three teams people can join in Niantic's AR mobile game Pokemon GO. That spin-off title remains as popular as ever, with Niantic donating $10 million to Black Lives Matter after a successful Pokemon GO Fest this year, so it will be interesting to see how Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres are used in the anime.
Pokemon Journeys is available now on Netflix.