Preview M20: I Choose You!

[Charmander4]

Is there no word on other Ash Pokémon besides Butterfree and Charmander?

 

[Max1996]

Omg tears after cloudy weather!!!!!!!!

...Am I missing something here?

 

[Neo Blaze]

...Am I missing something here?

She is talking about the original series BGM Tears after the cloudy weather, which is apparently used/remixed in this movie.

 

[MarshiyanMisutaa]

...Am I missing something here?

View: https://youtu.be/D4tS-3drVKg

 

[pokemon fan 132]

I wasn't able to respond earlier and I apologize for bringing this up now but i felt need to explain and defend my point of view which was openly attacked and challenged:

Spoiler

I think you have a warped idea about Anniversary. If Brock and Misty would've been there, it still wouldn't celebrate the entire franchise. They probably chose new characters to appear neutral towards all regions, since if Brock and Misty were included, people would requires x character.

Like I said somewhere else:
Considering its movie about Ash start as pokemon trainer with story taking place in Kanto and was supposed to focus on roots. Than who made more sense to appear in it?
Characters Ash met in Hoenn, Sinnoh or Kalos for example not having anything to do with it?

Or characters who accompanied Ash in very beginning and onwards building foundation on which pokemon show succeeded coming from Ash hometown region?

Digimon or Yugioh for anniversaries for example focused only on original characters from first series doing update and new fresh adventures with them through reunion. Joining forces once more and remembering good old days.

Due to focusing on roots.

However newer generations of fans who grew up with newer Digimon or Yugioh series still considered this movie as anniversary project directed not just toward older fans but them too. In sense of explaining them beginnings and properly depicting on screen history of this anime,

So im not quite sure how much credibility theory of "writers excluding all older characters except Ash from this movie in order to not offend or anger fans of other characters" really holds water actually.
If that was the reason for doing alternate universe in order to avoid using any of older characters(due to so many of them being replaced already in pokemon show), than its a very dumb and unjustified reason honestly.

Spider-Man is a more notable and famous case of incomplete conclusions before the reboot settles in.* Yes, there was complaining about these reboots.* But on the other hand, the new series end up getting its own set of fans and followings.* And ultimately, the blame goes to the people who canceled it and not to the series that replaced it.* Because everyone knows that Spider-Man has multiple incarnations and continuities.* Enough for everyone to choose and not be confined to one.*

So what your suggesting is alienating one set of fans in order to try and create new set of fans through such actions? That's if anything risky and poor marketing decision losing foundation* and already established fandom. With attempt of potentially with big if multiple incarnations of original protagonists and parallel universes managing to find its home and people who would appreciate such thing.

Spider Man isn't good example to prove your point either considering lukewarm reception of several of reboot attempts and people dissatisfaction feeling disservice was done to Peter Parker roots and his relationship with other characters. Most of all going on new work before even previous one was wrapped up.
In pokemon case if you honestly expect that people would appreciate and accept after 20 years of waiting that original Ash, older characters and everything which was slowly developed or deteriorated(depending on saga and way you look at it), abruptly gets cancelled with no satisfying closure and proper ending.

Than im sorry to say but your not well familiarized with how pokemon fandom breathes in general. People would never accept such thing, not until main anime and characters from original universe get conclusion with people loyalty and their time invested in this series for years being rewarded and recognized.

Isn't that why people also wanted an Adventures anime?* Or any new Pokémon anime in general?

Only small fraction of fans(based on what i saw) asked for full fledged reboot with no ties to original universe and past. Im fairly sure that most who asked for new series*wanted new protagonist following in Ash Ketchum foots with his story being set in main anime continuity and timeline.

Such as taking sometime in future with Ash as older, more experienced adult appearing occasionally to serve as mentor and inspiring figure.

Needless to say your overestimating number of people who wanted new anime to begin with, especially in such big pool like pokemon fandom is(counted in millions in total).

Ash M20 is essentially Ultimate Peter Parker.* He's a new interpretation of the character that coincides with his mainstream counterpart.* To say that he ruined the original Ash is like saying Ultimate Spider-Man ruined the original Earth-616 Spider-Man when really, the mainstream Spider-Man's major problems are solely within its own writing team and not the writers of Ultimate Spider-Man.* The fact is, the major issues with the original anime lies with the SM series rather than M20.* SM never made properly established itself as a part of the main continuity nor identity itself as a new universe altogether.*

Once again your not taking in account how not everyone is keen and appreciative toward idea of multiple universes being introduced in pokemon anime. Creating one big mess and confusion.

Even more so after such a long time when it was from start established that pokemon series were supposed to be similar to other shows with strong foundation like Naruto, One Piece, Fairy Tail etc. As show with one big overarching story following story of Ash and his friends. As he works toward becoming pokemon master and overcoming steps to come closer toward that dream.
Where past knowledge and impact major characters and plots left on development of Ash and journey itself mean something actually in longer run preserving their legacy.

Emphasizing on importance of friendship and establishing strong bonds.
In end we got very little of that and erasing everything through reboot wont be doing any favor to* all mistakes, plot holes and bad moves made with anime in original universes. Let alone satisfy people needs and desires of what they expected and wanted from this anime.

Because SM is technically a continuation of XY and presumably follows the same Ash, the responsibility of continuity falls to that series.

In highly ambiguous way. With more things pointing out toward this movie and SM anime being part of new in universe altogether. Rather than current saga being continuation of main anime.

There is no indication of M20 being apart of the SM saga.* It is likely that the M20 is a standalone movie.* And no, manga tie-ins do not count as they are non-canon to begin with.* This movie has a completely different art style from SM and there is no footage of Alola anywhere.* It is its own movie.

One indication wouldn't be enough to make such assumption. But when putting all pieces of info together in puzzle, it starts to become more and more clear how much this could be reality.
Manga tie ins, statement of sound director on tweeter of this being new universe, Rica Matsumoto ambiguous statement followed by even usual logo ending of pokemon saga being changed. Where very last episode of Kalos unlike any others didn't end with "next time, new beginning", But with "end to our own way".

All of this points out toward SM anime not being part of previous pokemon anime. Of course writers and director would never directly confirm and state such thing in order to calm down viewers and avoid backlash(not like they succeeded), but this indications raise up a lot of suspicion.

And considering how XYZ ended, that was a satisfying ending that nearly wrapped up all the established plot points, with a new phrase "And to our own Way."* Sure the adventure continues and there were unresolved plot points, but Ash's journey is never-ending by nature.* Just like how Spider-Man never stops fighting crime even when his character reach full maturity and demands him to retire and have a family.* It is foolhardy to think that Ash will stop if he becomes a champion of an Elite Four.* Pokémon Master is not a measurable title.* It's a strive with impossible standards.* For the best always keep striving to be the best, even if no one else can top them.* This is why May will still be where she was now even if she won the Grand Festival.* As well as Dawn, Iris, Serena and Misty.* Even if they won their respective goals, they'll still keep striving to be the very best because the best has no limits.

Satisfying ending for who?
Ash after 20 years didn't won a single league undermining on all effort and hard work with no real gratification happening as result of that.

Whole champion league concept which was established in previous sagas never being explored and touched upon.
Numerous older characters not getting any follow up, updates and closure of their own stories. See May, Misty, Dawn, Brock etc etc. Regarding their future, pokemon, unresolved emotional issues and fears. Alongside their own dreams and goals which even for finale wouldn't have to be necessarily fulfilled fully. But showing them coming close to it achieving something impactful and big changing their image and presentation in career they're pursuing coming close toward it would had been enough.
Let alone fact that if XY anime was ending of previous pokemon series and original Ash. Than it was horrible one since no older characters and pokemon even witnessed to Ash participation in league, weren't even bothered to be mentioned. Or reunited to give actual feeling of Kalos saga supposedly being finale as your suggesting.

IN short, no Kalos saga didn't offered any closure, let alone satisfying ending for 20 years of pokemon adventure, its past, Ash character and anyone else. It was just abruptly ended with there existing ugly possibility of current series not even being part of established universe anymore. And in that case that would mean all those years of development, people watching main anime and* adventure was done in vain without ending.

On note of Ash goal being unrealistic:
Revelation of champion league in DP*showed how there exists official steps one has to enter and overcome after winning regional league in order to become pokemon master. Title which may be ambiguous in sense of not whole path and variables how to reach destination being explained. But end game was known from very start with pokemon master being explained to be strongest trainer in pokemon world with winning regional league and later champion*being one of steps in order to reach it.
Goal which may seem in some people eyes as undoable, but technically not impossible.

And I've already noted the demands for an alternate Pokémon anime.* As well as the fact that some fans have gone to create their own anime universe to clean up the continuity and character errors of the past (GS Ball, looking at you).

Once again those fans do not speak for nor represent entire fandom.

The movie's goal is to focus on Ash and Pikachu.* Their origin story and their connection to the Ho-Oh.* That alone is nostalgia enough.* But it's more than just a retelling of the same story.* It's adding something new as well.* Giving new context and ideas.* Such as the potential finale for the Pokémon series.* Would it be Ash finally winning a Pokémon League?* If it was before 2016, I would say yes.* But after seeing these movie trailers, I realize how insignificant the Leagues were compare to Ash finally meeting the Ho-Oh he saw long ago.

How can it be considered nostalgic when there exists zero of that word in it. If it was original Ash and Pikachu with this movie taking place in established universe? Than yes, even at cost of other older characters being removed it could be viewed as such.

But to follow completely different character and his story for who people hold no emotional value and attachment, not being someone they invested in years of their time and attention doesn't mean much to majority.
Because that's not character and continuity they care about and grew to love.

Needless to say fact that symbolic act and special moment of Ash finally meeting Ho-Oh and establishing some bond with it is going to happen with alternate universe Ash. Instead with real one who saw Ho-oh several times in main anime foreshadowing possible meeting in future.Never being explained why he was chosen by Ho-OH with connection between him and Ash never being explored and developed.

Its disheartening and frustrating putting damper on your theory of Ash* encounter with Ho.oh being proper "finale". When its not even with original Ash but his clone for who people hold no attachment at all.

Also movie goal may be about Ash and Pikachu meeting with Ho-oh, but that doesn't change the fact how only Ash should be one getting all glory and focus. Especially in movies like anniversary ones are where other older characters are supposed to be present, updated and receive approval to their existence and impact left on franchise and show.

Not like this movie ever lived up to that standard anyway.

To say it discredits "all impact, effort and contribution other characters and pokemon left" is forgetting that this is a new continuity that focus a crucial aspect of the anime rather than focusing on everything this 20 year old anime series has given us.

Your overlooking 2 important things in here:
First this movie was promoted and displayed not as movie exploring isolated and self contained Ash connection with Ho-oh. No it was marketed as anniversary movie celebrating 20 years of pokemon anime existence and its history.

And anniversaries by their very nature and definition mean return of major important characters, rewarding older fans for being loyal and dedicated toward product your making and respecting history acknowledging it.*

Even first trailers and promotion indicated and mislead people in believing how Misty, Brock, Gary etc will be in there not being defined as reboot from very start where this older characters don't even exist. IF it was people would still be disappointed, but at least they would be prepared significantly decreasing their anger and disappointment unlike its case now. With this movie by about half of fandom being either*hated and despised, or just disliked with people being highly disappointed. And other half being either fully supportive or disappointed but still opting to give it a chance and watch it.

Second movie made to celebrate 20 years of pokemon existence was last real hope allowing for Ash to reunite with his first traveling companions and friends Misty and Brock for one last time. And it was appropriate occasion, because practice for most anime and shows out there is to pay attention to their roots during anniversaries bringing back major older characters from pat doing special, fresh new things with them.
Being understandable why many are upset and sad with this movie.

If this was 10 years ago, you might be on to something.* But I feel that the anime has too many protagonists (and antagonist) from the past and inevitably, some will be out of focus to compete for screentime and speaking.* SM is simply pushing to the max with its classroom class.* But this point, only an official manga could do justice for a cast reunion, and even then I worry about spotlights.

Producers and directors should had taken in consideration consequences of adding so many new characters in anime at expense of removing older ones than. Abandoning them, their stories and legacy left in series. Which the irony was demonstrated from beginning as one big adventure set in same universe and timeline which builds on itself and slowly develop over time.

Instead of putting*their head in sand like ostrich escaping to confront* negatives and flaws of their own failed*policy. With side effects coming on payment now.

Either way this doesn't excuse pokemon staff for not doing any recognition and respect paved toward older characters and pokemon history.

Writers, producers and entire crew who is assigned to make pokemon anime showed kinda disrespect and dishonesty for: iconic older characters they put so much work and effort into (like they betrayed them and everything relevant they ever have brought to pokemon).

-Pokémon past escaping from what truly happened and replacing it with half assed reboot(so that new generations of kids will be even more confused in showing them how there exists two continuity and beginnings of Ash journey).
- older fans themselves giving them absolutely nothing and sending message how their contribution in making pokemon anime popular in first place means nothing for them.
I don't expect you and those of similar view to ever understand this, but many fans do feel that way.

If the movie is about the original Ash and his last adventure, then I can understand.* But it's a new Ash in a new universe.* As such, I can never get angry at it for omitting old characters and Pokémon.* I have more ire towards SM since it's technically a continuation of XY (and by an extension, OS-BW) but refuses go further into Ash's past even when there's a 20th anniversary special episode that could do that for new audiences.

Explained above.

 

[Silktree]

The 4chan rumor about the plot is... out there. The guy has proof that he watched the movie, but that doesn't mean that he is being truthful about the rest.

Pokebeach was supposed to upload a summary nearly an hour ago.

 

[RetroPokeFan]

Guess who's gonna be fighting Erika?

Spoiler: Spoiler

Just Pikachu.

Want a gym montage?

Spoiler

Tough shit, there won't be one.

Also

Spoiler

Ash's Pikachu might speak for the first time in the history of the franchise. (Might be just one line though)

 

[Tuoko]

Pokebeach was supposed to upload a summary nearly an hour ago.

It got posted just now.

 

[lavandula]

'Pokemon: I Choose You!' Movie 20 Summary! - PokéBeach / Pokémon TCG, games, and anime news!

I don't know really what to say. It's really unexpected.
It's kinda confusing how things turned out to be like this, when most of us initially thought it was supposed to be a nostalgic film.
Actually showing death (albeit resurrected later) in a kid's film... I wonder how the kids would react.

 

[Jaye]

PokeBeach raised an interesting point about how the film ultimately had to market so many different things at once (20th anniversary, Gen 2 Pokemon GO update, Gen 7, Marshadow). Looking at it like that, it's unsurprising that it ended up being far from a straight nostalgia flick.

Also, should've known that resurrection would play a big part, given what Ho-Oh is based on.

 

[kantoskies]

Spoiler

oh please, Pikachu had a speaking role throughout most of XY

Spoiler

wrt the summary, it's looking like this is *most likely* a one time thing which means I'm convinced it's not in the same continuity of Sun&Moon. Also it looks like a so-so plot, not really sure why there was a need for brand new characters but eh. The Rocket trio looks like a wasted opportunity *again*. Though with how little focus they seem to have gotten it's no surprise they just re-used their XY character models/artwork.

I really want to see that credits scene though.

 

[Silktree]

Spoiler

Marshadow possessing the wild Pokemon just because Cross stole the feather is so over the top. It must be the most irredeemable legendary, except for Yveltal I guess.

Makoto and Soji sound pretty useless. I doubt that the former is Cynthia's daughter seeing as she's from Azalea; her briefly seen mom was probably just a pretty blonde.

PokeBeach raised an interesting point about how the film ultimately had to market so many different things at once (20th anniversary, Gen 2 Pokemon GO update, Gen 7, Marshadow). Looking at it like that, it's unsurprising that it ended up being far from a straight nostalgia flick.

Except the 20th anniversary and Generation II are OS-related and Marshadow could have been used anywhere. I still fail to see why this movie had to be a reboot (rather than an interquel) when a simple flashback to Ash's beginning would have been enough.

It honestly seems to me that the staff were going out of their way to surprise us rather than creating a cohesive, meaningful storyline reflecting on Ash's past.

 

[Jaye]

It's not a reboot; it's an AU, like most thought it would be.

I'm not saying they made the right or best decision, just that it seemed they wanted to throw in several things at once and this is the end result.

If we consider that the next film will probably be USUM related, the decision to cram as much as they could into this one starts making some sense.

 

[Unbeatable HoennMon]

Spoiler

It doesn't sound like anniversary movie. I''m really not sure what to think about it...I'm only curious about cameos and TRio and their pokemon.

 

[Silktree]

Cram what? I am not even sure why Marshadow wasn't kept for next year; kids would probably be satisfied with Pikachu and Ho-Oh as distributions.

I am somewhat curious about this Ash's future, but we'll never know since his existence has served what little purpose it had. I will say that he's a jerk for being so upset over one battle, which reminds me of XY Ash rather than the OS one.

 

[RetroPokeFan]

I am somehow remotely interested in this film. This could go down as a hit or a huge cluster(I think you know what I mean).

 

[Jaye]

Cram what? I am not even sure why Marshadow wasn't kept for next year; kids would probably be satisfied with Pikachu and Ho-Oh as distributions.

For all we know USUM will come out with two or three new legendaries or legendary formes that will have their own film. Meanwhile, Sun and Moon's cycle is coming to an end, and Marshadow is the last Pokemon in that game to be distributed.

There simply may not have been room to hold Marshadow back another year.

 

[Neo Blaze]

That summary sounds really weird and disappointing. I was bracing for disappointment but also still holding to a shimmer of hope. That said, I can't really fairly judge it until I've seen it with my own eyes.

Spoiler

Bonji sounds really pointless and I was hoping he would be more than the summary makes him out to be Unless the person who saw the film missed something, I guess he's just there for plot exposition.

Also, I wonder if the cameos in the credits take place in this movie's continuity or in the old continuity. If the former is true, then at least Ash's friends exist in this continuity and it implies this Ash may still travel with them at one point or another (question is if we'll ever see this Ash again though). But these cameos are most likely just fanservice/flashbacks.

 

[Silktree]

For all we know USUM will come out with two or three new legendaries or legendary formes that will have their own film. Meanwhile, Sun and Moon's cycle is coming to an end, and Marshadow is the last Pokemon in that game to be distributed.

There simply may not have been room to hold Marshadow back another year.

Well, it's a moot point. I never had a problem with Marshadow being in the movie, and if anything I consider its role wasted potential. Why not explore Ho-Oh's afterlife theme via a Ghost-type legendary? Instead,

Spoiler

they made it mindless for shits and giggles, or as a weird way to emulate the first movie's ending, I guess.

I will that add that since it barely even appears before the ending, it really has nothing to do with the decision to go for an AU. Simply put, the main features of the movie are Ho-Oh and Ash's relationship with three of his Kanto Pokemon, but they went about it in a very bizarre way. Simple flashbacks to the crucial OS moments would have been enough, with the main plot being... a more interesting take on Ho-Oh.

 

[kantoskies]

I guess if we can take one thing away from this it's....modern Pokemon movies will be modern Pokemon movies, anniversaries be damned