Live-action Pokemon series isn’t the one you asked for
A live-action Pokemon series is coming, but unfortunately, it isn't the long-awaited Detective Pikachu sequel as hopes continue to fade.
31st Aug 2023 15:06
Warner Bros. | The Pokemon Company
Live-action Pokemon series isn’t the one you asked for
A live-action Pokemon series is coming, but unfortunately, it isn't the long-awaited Detective Pikachu sequel as hopes continue to fade.
31st Aug 2023 15:06
Warner Bros. | The Pokemon Company
The Pokemon Company continues to catch them all, and next on its roster of expanding mediums is a live-action TV series. While we've enjoyed Pokemon cartoons since Ash first left Pallet Town in 1997, the live-action offerings have been few and far between.
Although plenty of Pokemon movies have been released (we're still traumatised by Pokemon: The First Movie), the only live-action one has been the underrated Detective Pikachu from 2019. Many still hold out hope for a sequel, but in the meantime, a live-action Pokemon series is coming...just probably not the one you want.
Live-action Pokemon series is coming
In a lucrative partnership between The Pokemon Company and TV Tokyo, a live-action Pokemon series is on the way. It will be titled Pocket ni Bōken wo Tsumekonde, which translates as Fill Your Pocket With Adventure.
The reason this might not be the live-action Pokemon series you were looking for is because it's set in our world. While Detective Pikachu brought Ryme City to life and the anime has toured the various regions of the games, Fill Your Pocket With Adventure focuses on the nostalgia of the games in Japan.
Anime News Network reported about the first live-action Pokemon series, and even if you aren't sold on the idea, you've got to admit it's a milestone moment for those Pocket Monsters. Nanase Nishino takes the lead as Madoka Akagi, who turns to her favourite childhood game when she moves to Tokyo.
Apparently, Nishino will realise that the friends and relationships she makes during this trying time are all linked to her love of Pokemon Red. Sounding more like a Hallmark Christmas movie, Pocket ni Bōken wo Tsumekonde debuts in Japan on October 19 and promises you don't need to have played the games.
Where is Detective Pikachu 2?
Of course, many will be asking why this is our first live-action Pokemon series. With Detective Pikachu breaking box office records, it seems like an easy choice to pick up Tim Goodman's story or at least expand into this world with a small-scale spin-off.
Unfortunately, the cost of CGI is likely a contributing factor in why Detective Pikachu wouldn't work as a live-action TV series. Still, that doesn't stop our hopes of a sequel movie. Lead actor Justice Smith told us to bury our hopes of a sequel, but it got a hopeful update from Legendary Pictures earlier this year.
Portlandia's Jonathan Krisel has taken over from Oren Uziel, with a screenplay from Chris Galletta. There's no word on casting, but we can't see it working without Ryan Reynolds. As we sit and wait, we're back to hoping The Pokemon Company will see the benefits of a true live-action series with Pokemon.
About The Author
Tom Chapman
Tom is Trending News Editor at GGRecon, with an NCTJ qualification in Broadcast Journalism and over seven years of experience writing about film, gaming, and television. With bylines at IGN, Digital Spy, Den of Geek, and more, Tom’s love of horror means he's well-versed in all things Resident Evil, with aspirations to be the next Chris Redfield.
