Pokémon is a media franchise created by video game designer Satoshi Tajiri that centers on creatures called Pokémon. 21 animated films based on the franchise and creatures were produced by the animation studio OLM, directed by Kunihiko Yuyama and Tetsuo Yajima, and distributed in Japan by Toho, with various studios distributing the films in North America. The first Pokémon animated film, Pokémon: The First Movie, was released in Japan in 1998. A live-action film, Pokémon: Detective Pikachu, was produced by American studio Legendary Entertainment, directed by Rob Letterman, and will be distributed in Japan by Toho, and outside of Japan and China by Warner Bros.[1] It is scheduled for release on May 10, 2019.[2]
19 animated films are based on the anime television series Pokémon, and two are set in an alternate continuity to the show. All of them star the Pokémon trainer Ash Ketchum (voiced by Veronica Taylor and Sarah Natochenny in English, and Rica Matsumoto in Japanese) and his electric mouse partner Pikachu (voiced by Ikue Ōtani). Pokémon: Detective Pikachu is based on the 2016 video game Detective Pikachu and stars Ryan Reynolds as the motion capture role of Detective Pikachu,[3] with Justice Smith and Kathryn Newton as the lead human roles.[4]
There are also two animated television specials that were broadcast on TV Tokyo featuring Ash and Ash's Pikachu and ten short animated films.
Warner Bros. licensed the first three animated films in North America, and Miramax Films licensed the following four films. Starting with Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew, Viz Media is the only North American licensee.
Animated films
Pokémon: The Original (Series 1)
| # | English title | Japanese title | Japanese release date | North American release date |
| 1 | Pokémon: The First Movie - Mewtwo Strikes Back | Mewtwo's Counterattack (ミュウツーの逆襲, Myūtsū no Gyakushū) | July 18, 1998 | November 10, 1999 |
| Ash, Misty, Brock, and several other Pokémon trainers travel to an island, under the pretense that they will be battling a superior Pokémon trainer, only to discover the genetically engineered Pokémon Mewtwo, created by a scientist for Giovanni of Team Rocket, is there and is planning to take over the world with other cloned Pokémon. |
| 2 | Pokémon: The Movie 2000 - The Power of One | Mirage Pokémon: Lugia's Explosive Birth (幻のポケモン ルギア爆誕, Maboroshi no Pokemon Rugia Bakutan) | July 17, 1999 | July 21, 2000 |
| Ash, Misty, and Tracey visit Shamouti Island where Ash is roped into a festival honoring Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres, all of whom are being captured by Lawrence III, a Pokémon Collector who also wants to capture the legendary Pokémon Lugia. |
| 3 | Pokémon 3: The Movie - Spell of the Unown | Emperor of The Crystal Tower: ENTEI (結晶塔の帝王 ENTEI, Kesshōtō no Teiō ENTEI) | July 8, 2000 | April 6, 2001 |
| Ash, Misty, and Brock try to retrieve Ash's mother from Molly Hale, a lonely little girl whose father has disappeared and is being taken care of by the Pokémon Unown who have created an illusion of the Legendary Pokémon Entei. |
| 4 | Pokémon 4Ever: Celebi - Voice of the Forest | Celebi: The Meeting that Traversed Time (セレビィ 時を超えた遭遇（であい）, Serebyi Toki o Koeta Deai) | July 7, 2001 | October 11, 2002 |
| Ash, Misty, and Brock meet up with Sammy, a boy from 40 years in the past, and the Mythical Pokémon Celebi, who is being hunted down by the evil Iron-Masked Marauder of Team Rocket. |
| 5 | Pokémon Heroes: Latios and Latias | Guardian Gods of the Capital of Water: Latias and Latios (水の都の護神 ラティアスとラティオス, Mizu no Miyako no Mamorigami Ratiasu to Ratiosu) | July 13, 2002 | May 16, 2003 |
| Ash, Misty, and Brock's trip to the city of Alto Mare is interrupted when two thieves called Annie and Oakley try to steal the Soul Dew, a crystal that holds the essence of the Legendary Pokémon Latios and Latias, which is also required to keep the city safe. |
Pokémon: Advanced Generation (Series 2)
| # | English title | Japanese title | Japanese release date | North American release date |
| 6 | Jirachi—Wish Maker | Wishing Star of the Seven Nights: Jirachi (七夜の願い星 ジラーチ, Nanayo no Negaiboshi Jirāchi) | July 19, 2003 | June 1, 2004 |
| Ash, May, Max, and Brock meet the Mythical Pokémon Jirachi, who wakes up one week every thousand years to grant a wish, and must save it from former Team Magma member Butler. |
| 7 | Destiny Deoxys | Visitor from the Sky-Splitting: Deoxys (裂空の訪問者 デオキシス, Rekkū no Hōmonsha Deokishisu) | July 17, 2004 | January 22, 2005 |
| Ash, May, Max, and Brock visit a city, only to find it under attack from the extraterrestrial Pokémon Deoxys and the Legendary Pokémon Rayquaza, all centered around a young boy named Tori. |
| 8 | Lucario and the Mystery of Mew | Mew and the Aura Hero: Lucario (ミュウと波導（はどう）の勇者 ルカリオ, Myū to Hadō no Yūsha Rukario) | July 16, 2005 | September 19, 2006 |
| Ash, May, Max, and Brock help an ancient Lucario discover the events that led up to his abandonment by a man revered as a hero while saving Pikachu, Meowth, and the Mythical Pokémon Mew from the dying Tree of World's Beginning. |
| 9 | Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea | The Pokémon Ranger and the Prince of the Sea: Manaphy (ポケモンレンジャーと蒼海（うみ）の王子 マナフィ, Pokemon Renjā to Umi no Ōji Manafi) | July 15, 2006 | March 23, 2007 |
| A Pokémon Ranger entrusts May with the egg of the Mythical Pokémon Manaphy and with Ash, Brock, and Max keep him safe from the evil pirate Phantom to ensure that Manaphy's homeland is not destroyed. |
Pokémon: Diamond & Pearl (Series 3)
| # | English title | Japanese title | Japanese release date | North American release date |
| 10 | The Rise of Darkrai | Dialga VS Palkia VS Darkrai (ディアルガVSパルキアVSダークライ, Diaruga Tai Parukia Tai Dākurai) | July 14, 2007 | February 24, 2008 |
| Ash, Dawn, and Brock must figure out a way to save Alamos Town from the space and time warping powers of the two Legendary Pokémon Dialga and Palkia, and clear the name of a Darkrai whose foreboding nature has led the townspeople to believe it is involved in the destruction of the town. |
| 11 | Giratina and the Sky Warrior | Giratina and the Bouquet of the Frozen Sky: Shaymin (ギラティナと氷空（そら）の花束 シェイミ, Giratina to Sora no Hanataba Sheimi) | July 19, 2008 | February 13, 2009 |
| Ash, Dawn, and Brock help the Mythical Pokémon Shaymin return to the Gracidea Flower garden to participate in a flower bearing ceremony, all while Giratina and Dialga battle in the Pokémon world and in Giratina's Reverse World realm. |
| 12 | Arceus and the Jewel of Life | Arceus: To Conquering Space-Time (アルセウス 超克の時空へ, Aruseusu Chōkoku no Jikū e) | July 18, 2009 | November 20, 2009 |
| Ash, Dawn, and Brock travel to Michina Town, where they discover the Mythical Pokémon Arceus is upset over the town betraying it years ago. When Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina cannot hold it back, the heroes are sent back in time to change the past and present. |
| 13 | Zoroark—Master of Illusions | Phantom Ruler: Zoroark (幻影の覇者 ゾロアーク, Gen'ei no Hasha Zoroāku) | July 10, 2010 | February 5, 2011 |
| Ash, Dawn, and Brock arrive in Crown City for the Pokémon Baccer World Cup, but instead discover that a Zoroark under the control of a villain is causing havoc disguised as the Legendary Pokémon Entei, Raikou and Suicune. Zoroark's child Zorua asks for their help to save his mother from the evil Kodai and his Shuppet who seeks out Celebi and its ability to travel through time. |
Pokémon: Best Wishes! (Series 4)
| # | English title | Japanese title | Japanese release date | North American release date |
| 14A | White—Victini and Zekrom | Victini and the Black Hero: Zekrom (ビクティニと黒き英雄ゼクロム, Bikutini to Kuroki Eiyū Zekuromu) | July 16, 2011 | December 3, 2011 |
| Ash, Iris, and Cilan travel to Eindoak Town to participate in a tournament, meeting the Mythical Pokémon Victini on the way. However, they instead discover they must stop Damon, a descendant of Eindoak's ancient People of the Vale, from using the Legendary Pokémon Reshiram to use the Dragon Force to restore the former glory of the Kingdom of Vale, only to realize it is out of control and could destroy the world. |
| 14B | Black—Victini and Reshiram | Victini and the White Hero: Reshiram (ビクティニと白き英雄 レシラム, Bikutini to Shiroki Eiyū Reshiramu) | July 16, 2011 | December 10, 2011 |
| Ash, Iris, and Cilan travel to Eindoak Town to participate in a tournament, meeting the Mythical Pokémon Victini once again on the way. However, they instead discover they must stop Damon, a descendant of Eindoak's ancient People of the Vale, from using the Legendary Pokémon Zekrom to use the Dragon Force to restore the former glory of the Kingdom of Vale, only to realize it is out of control and could destroy the world. |
| 15 | Kyurem vs. the Sword of Justice | Kyurem vs. the Sacred Swordsman: Keldeo (キュレムVS聖剣士 ケルディオ, Kyuremu tai Seikenshi Kerudio) | July 14, 2012 | December 8, 2012 |
| Ash, Iris, and Cilan help the Mythical Pokémon Keldeo escape from the Legendary Pokémon Kyurem, who seeks to battle it after freezing its compatriates the Sacred Swordsmen Cobalion, Terrakion, and Virizion. |
| 16 | Genesect and the Legend Awakened | ExtremeSpeed Genesect: Mewtwo Awakens (神速のゲノセクト ミュウツー覚醒, Shinsoku no Genosekuto Myūtsū Kakusei) | July 13, 2013 | October 19, 2013 |
| Ash, Iris, and Cilan visit New Tork City to enjoy its Pokémon Hills park, only to come under attack from a group of Genesect angry over losing their home. Ash, Iris, and Cilan are saved by Mewtwo, who wants to help the Genesect but also prevent them from destroying the city. |
Pokémon: XY (Series 5)
| # | English title | Japanese title | Japanese release date | North American release date |
| 17 | Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction | Hakai no Mayu to Dianshī (破壊の繭とディアンシー) | July 19, 2014 | November 8, 2014 |
| When the Mythical Pokémon Diancie cannot figure out how to make a new Heart Diamond to save her kingdom of Carbink subjects, she seeks out the Legendary Life Pokémon Xerneas for help, meeting Ash, Serena, Clemont, and Bonnie on the way, as they help her escape a group of jewel thieves and the unintentional awakening of the Legendary Destruction Pokémon Yveltal. |
| 18 | Hoopa and the Clash of Ages | The Archdjinni of the Rings: Hoopa (光輪の超魔神 フーパ, Ring no chōmajin Fūpa) | July 18, 2015 | December 19, 2015 |
| When Ash, Pikachu, and their friends visit a desert city by the sea, they meet the Mythical Pokémon Hoopa, who has the ability to summon things—including people and Pokémon—through its magic rings. After a scary incident, they learn a story about a brave hero who stopped the rampage of a terrifying Pokémon long ago. Now, the threat that has been bottled up for years is in danger of breaking loose again! Can Ash help his new friend overcome the darkness within...or will a dangerous secret erupt into a clash of legends? |
| 19 | Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel | Volcanion and the Exquisite Magearna (ボルケニオンと機巧のマギアナ, Borukenion to karakuri no Magiana) | July 16, 2016 | December 5, 2016 |
| Ash and his friends encounter the Mythical Pokémon Volcanion after a blast of steam from the sky, and Ash becomes bonded to it by an unknown force. Volcanion, who hates humans, is forced to bring Ash along as it heads to the Azoth Kingdom. Volcanion is in pursuit of the artificial Mythical Pokémon Magearna, hoping to rescue it from a corrupt minister who has stolen it with the intent of using Magearna's mysterious power to conquer the kingdom of machinery. Ash and Volcanion are forced to work together to rescue Magearna. |
Alternate continuity
A reboot to the film franchise began with the release of the 20th movie, Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!, in Japan on July 15, 2017. It was followed by a continuation, Pokémon the Movie: The Power of Us, which was released in Japan on July 13, 2018.
| # | English title | Japanese title | Japanese release date | North American release date |
| 20 | I Choose You! | Kimi ni kimeta! (キミにきめた！) | July 15, 2017 | November 5, 2017 |
| Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town is 10 years old today. This means he is now old enough to become a Pokémon Trainer. Ash dreams big about the adventures he will experience after receiving his first Pokémon from Professor Oak. |
| 21 | The Power of Us[5] | Everyone's Story (みんなの物語, Minna no Monogatari) | July 13, 2018 | November 24, 2018 |
Live-action film
The launch of the mobile game Pokémon Go in 2016 reignited mainstream interest back into the Pokémon franchise in the Western market since its initial peak in the early 2000s. In 2016, various Hollywood film companies approached The Pokémon Company to gain film rights. Eventually, Legendary Entertainment struck a deal to produce a live-action adaptation of the 2016 video game Detective Pikachu called Pokémon: Detective Pikachu, the first official live-action Pokémon film.[6]
| # | English title | Japanese title | North American release date | Japanese release date |
| 1 | Pokémon: Detective Pikachu | Meitantei Pikachū (名探偵ピカチュウ) | May 10, 2019 | — |
| A boy will partner up with a talking Detective Pikachu to solve mysteries. |
TV specials
These special films, which run longer than the normal half-hour and are not usually separated into more than one episode in either the original or the dub, are often considered TV Pokémon movies, not counting towards the running total. They never appear in theaters, but are instead broadcast on the same networks that the regular anime is broadcast for their premieres. Though they may air around the same time as other episodes of the anime, usually in the anime's normal timeslot, they are not assigned episode numbers.
| English title | Japanese title | Japanese release date | North American release date |
| Mewtwo Returns | Mewtwo! I Am Here (ミュウツー！ 我はココニ在リ, Myūtsū! Ware wa Koko ni Ari) | December 30, 2000 | December 4, 2001 |
| Mewtwo, who has been hiding out in the Johto region since last he was seen, has been located by Giovanni. Now the Rocket Boss wants to recapture the powerful Pokémon to again use him for his own purposes. |
| The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon | The Terrifying Mirage Pokémon (戦慄のミラージュポケモン, Senritsu no Mirāju Pokemon) | October 13, 2006 | April 29, 2006 |
| Ash, May, Max, and Brock meet up with Misty and Professor Oak to investigate Dr. Yung's new Mirage Pokémon system. But when the mysterious Mirage Master appears with a Mirage Mewtwo, Ash is forced to fight him to stop his plans to dominate the world with his Mirage Pokémon. |
Pikachu shorts
Pikachu shorts are anime short films that are commonly shown at the start of animated theatrical films based on Pokémon, but have also been expanded to fulfill other purposes.
| # | English title | Japanese title | Japanese release date | North American release date |
| 1 | Pikachu's Vacation | Pikachu's Summer Vacation (ピカチュウのなつやすみ, Pikachu no Natsuyasumi) | July 18, 1998 | November 10, 1999 |
| When Ash Ketchum and his friends stumble upon a Pokémon-only vacation resort, they decide to let their Pokémon have a day of fun and relaxation and let all their Pokémon out as the trainers go relax on their own. |
| 2 | Pikachu's Rescue Adventure | The Pikachu Expedition (ピカチュウたんけんたい, Pikachū Tankentai) | July 17, 1999 | July 21, 2000 |
| Ash, Misty, and Tracey's Pokémon sneak away on vacation and find an area with a nice waterfall and a huge tree. Suddenly, a storm kicks up. |
| 3 | Pikachu & Pichu | Pichu and Pikachu (ピチューとピカチュウ, Pichū to Pikachū) | July 8, 2000 | April 6, 2001 |
| While in a city, Pikachu wanders off and meets a pair of mischievous Pichu brothers. |
| 4 | Pikachu's PikaBoo | Pikachu's Exciting Hide-and-Seek (ピカチュウのドキドキかくれんぼ, Pikachū no Dokidoki Kakurenbo) | July 7, 2001 | March 18, 2003 |
| Pikachu and Ash and Misty's other Pokémon play hide-and-seek in a mansion and its gardens. |
| 5 | Camp Pikachu | Pikapika Starry Sky Camp (ピカピカ星空キャンプ, Pikapika Hoshizora Kyanpu) | July 13, 2002 | January 20, 2004 |
| Pikachu reunites with the Pichu brothers, and they all have a campout with Ash and Misty's other Pokémon. |
| 6 | Gotta Dance! | Secret Base of the Dancing Pokémon (おどるポケモンひみつ基地, Odoru Pokemon Himitsu Kichi) | July 19, 2003 | June 1, 2004 |
| Pikachu and Ash, May, and Brock's other Pokémon have a dance with Meowth. |
| 7 | Meloetta's Moonlight Serenade | Meloetta's Sparkling Recital (メロエッタのキラキラリサイタル, Meroetta no Kirakira Risaitaru) | July 14, 2012 | February 15, 2013 |
| Pikachu, Pansage, Oshawott, Snivy, their trainers' Pokémon and the Pokémon from other regions help Meloetta retrieve a tree's special berries. |
| 8 | Eevee & Friends | Pikachu and its Eievui Friends (ピカチュウとイーブイ☆フレンズ, Pikachū to Ībui Furenzu) | July 13, 2013 | December 6, 2013 |
| Pikachu and friends meet an Eevee and its evolved brothers and sisters, including the new Pokémon Sylveon. |
| 9 | Pikachu, What's This Key? | Pikachu, What's This Key For? (ピカチュウ、これなんのカギ？, Pikachū, Kore Nan no Kagi?) | July 19, 2014 | February 2, 2015 |
| Pikachu and the other Pokémon of Ash and his friends meet a Klefki who has keys that open up portals to other worlds. |
| 10 | Pikachu and the Pokémon Music Squad | Pikachu and the Pokémon Band (ピカチュウとポケモンおんがくたい, Pikachu to Pokemon ongakutai) | July 18, 2015 | December 21, 2015 |
| Pikachu and friends make music. |
DVD releases
Region 2 (Japan)
| Name |
Rental Date |
Sale Date |
Disks |
| Gekijōban Pikachu no Natsuyasumi / Mewtwo no Gyakushū | June 23, 2000 | 1 |
| Gekijōban Pikachu Tankentai / Maboroshi no Pokémon Lugia Bakutan | November 22, 2000 | 1 |
| Gekijōban Pichu to Pikachu / Kesshōtō no Teiō | July 7, 2001 | 1 |
| Gekijōban Pikachu no Dokidoki Kakurenbo | November 23, 2001 | December 7, 2001 | 1 |
| Gekijōban Celebi Toki o Koeta Deai | January 25, 2002 | February 8, 2002 | 1 |
| Gekijōban Pikapika Hoshizora Camp | November 22, 2002 | 1 |
| Gekijōban Mizu no Miyako no Mamorigami Latias to Latios | December 20, 2002 | 1 |
| PIKACHU THE MOVIE BOX 1998-2002 | — | September 21, 2007 | 6 |
| Gekijōban Odoru Pokémon Himitsu Kichi | November 28, 2003 | 1 |
| Gekijōban Nanayo no Negaiboshi Jirachi | December 19, 2003 | 1 |
| Advanced Generation Rekkū no Hōmonsha Deoxys | December 21, 2004 | 1 |
| Advanced Generation Mew to Hadō no Yūsha Lucario | December 22, 2005 | 1 |
| Advanced Generation Pokémon Ranger to Umi no Ōji Manaphy | December 22, 2006 | 1 |
| PIKACHU THE MOVIE BOX 2003-2006 | — | September 21, 2007 | 6 |
| Diamond & Pearl Dialga VS Palkia VS Darkrai | December 21, 2007 | 1 |
| Diamond & Pearl Giratina to Sora no Hanataba Shaymin | December 19, 2008 | 1 |
| Diamond & Pearl Arceus Chōkoku no Jikū e | December 18, 2009 | 1 |
References
- ↑ McNary, Dave (July 25, 2018). "Ryan Reynolds' 'Detective Pikachu' Moves From Universal to Warner Bros". Variety. Retrieved September 6, 2018.
- ↑ Kit, Borys (December 11, 2017). "Ryan Reynolds' 'Detective Pikachu' Gets 2019 Release Date". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 6, 2018.
- ↑ Kit, Borys; Ford, Rebecca (December 6, 2017). "Ryan Reynolds to Star in Pokemon Movie 'Detective Pikachu' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 6, 2018.
- ↑ Kit, Borys (November 29, 2017). "Pokemon Movie Finds Its Female Lead With 'Big Little Lies' Actress". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 6, 2018.
- ↑ Brian. "Pokémon the Movie 2018 to debut July 13 in Japan, first teaser". Nintendo Everything. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
- ↑ Fleming Jr, Mike (July 20, 2016). "Legendary Catches 'Pokemon' Live-Action Movie Rights Deal". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 6, 2018.
