The Pokémon anime’s bringing Brock and Misty back (update)

Brock and Misty are heading back to the Pokémon cartoon next month, according to a new issue of Japanese kids’ magazine Telubi-kun. Ash Ketchum will reunite with his OG best friends in a Pokémon Sun and Moon two-parter that sends him home to Kanto.

Ash has been living in the Alola region this season, hanging out with Pikachu and making some new, goofy friends. But you never forget your first travel companions, and so Brock and Misty remain beloved. When this summer’s Pokémon movie — a reimagining of the first season — ditched the pair in favor of some unfamiliar faces, old-school fans were rightfully upset.

Consider this the Pokémon Company’s attempt at making amends. Ash and Pikachu drop by Kanto for a “school project,” and part of their visit has them duking it out with an older, more experienced Brock and Misty.

A scan of the magazine suggests that the Kanto natives look much the same, even though we haven’t seen them in several years. Misty’s last appearance in the series was in 2005; Brock lasted much longer, departing in 2011.

We’re way behind Japan when it comes to Sun and Moon, so while the episodes will air overseas on Sept. 14 and Sept. 21, the English-language version won’t debut here for a good long while. Take heart that the classic trio will be back together again soon enough, at least for a little while.

Update: The two-part reunion special will begin airing on Disney XD in the U.S. on Nov. 25 at 9:30 a.m. local time. The first episode, “Alola, Kanto!” will air that Saturday, with the second part, “When Regions Collide!” airing the following week, on Dec. 2.