Pokemon 20th Movie Pays Homage To First Season

Get ready to feel old. Pokemon celebrated its 20th anniversary on Feb. 27 last year with an extended celebration that included free Pokemon giveaways and the release of the much-anticipated Pokemon Sun and Moon. But that wasn’t the end of the festivities. No, The Pokemon Company decided to also gift its loyal fans with a blast from the past. The company will be releasing the 20th movie in its franchise: an homage to the first season of Pokemon. The film debuts in Japan on July 15.

Animator Kunihiko Yuyama returns to direct the 20th movie. Yuyama has worked on all the previous films in the Pokemon summer movie series. Voice actresses Rica Matsumoto and Ikue Ōtan reprise their roles as Satoshi (or Ash Ketchum, as he’s called in the Western dub) and Pikachu, respectively. Pokemon the Movie 20: I Choose You! also features animation by anime company OLM.

Back To The Beginning

It’s hard to imagine that it’s been twenty years of Pikachu. Twenty years of the eternally-youthful Satoshi (he’s been 10 years old for over 20 years now!). Twenty years of video games, animated series and movies, plush toys, cosplays and costumes, and various other merchandise (even Pokemon-style ice cream!). The milestone is enough to make any dedicated fan nostalgic for the very first season of Pokemon. Thankfully, The Pokemon Company delivers with its 20th movie.

Remember the Indigo League? Trailers show that Pokemon the Movie 20: I Choose You! will be a throwback to the first season of the powerhouse franchise. Even the name calls back to the name of the first episode! The 20th movie retells iconic moments from those first episodes, such as Ash and Pikachu’s “shocking” first meeting. The film also expands upon Ash’s first encounter with the legendary gold-and-red Pokemon Ho-Oh. As of yet, there hasn’t been any official word on a Western release of Pokemon the Movie 20: I Choose You!

Season 1, Episode 1 Recap: I Choose You!

Oh, the nostalgia. Meet Ash Ketchum, a ten-year-old boy with ambitions of becoming a Pokemon Master. But before his journey can truly begin, he needs to receive a beginner Pokemon from the resident Pokemon Professor of Pallet Town, Professor Oak (Dr. Yukinari Okido in the Japanese version). Ash dreams of the three main starters Charmander, Bulbasaur, and Squirtle but arrives late. After making a fool of himself in front of a grand crowd, he meets his rival Gary (Shigeru Okido in the Japanese anime) and learns from Professor Oak that his lateness had consequences. No Pokemon are left!

…Well, except for one. Despite the professor’s warnings, Ash immediately claims a fourth hidden Pokeball for himself. But the Pokemon inside isn’t exactly happy to see him. “Electrifying personality,” indeed. The cute little Pikachu has a bit of an attitude problem. He (yes, Pikachu is confirmed male) refuses to be confined in the Pokeball and ignores Ash’s commands. Ash’s first few attempts at capturing another Pokemon end tragically. Pikachu leaves the newbie trainer to his own devices while the Pokemon cackles in amusement.

Unfortunately, Ash’s sad attempts accidentally infuriate a flock of Spearow. While Ash promises to save Pikachu, the Pokemon doesn’t show the same courtesy. He runs ahead trying to escape and ends up injured. Astonishingly, Ash comes to the rescue, picks up his injured Pokemon and jumps off a waterfall. Jumps. Off. A waterfall.

Ash resurfaces, startling a girl fishing nearby (fans will recognize her as Misty, or Kasumi in the Japanese version). Apologizing profusely, he steals her bike in an iconic moment of the first season and races to the nearest Pokemon Center. Thunder crashes. Lightning strikes. Pikachu is on the verge of fainting! But what’s that? Following closely behind are the flock of Spearow.

Ash bravely steps between them and Pikachu. Returning the favor, Pikachu leaps and uses the last of his energy to release an electric shock that drives the Spearow away. As Ash and Pikachu rest from the excitement, the legendary Pokemon Ho-Oh flies above them. A sign of good fortune perhaps? The first episode of Pokemon ended there, but perhaps the movie will expand upon the mythos.