Pokémon the Movie: Coco premiered in Japanese theaters on December 25th, 2020. On May 13th, 2020, it was announced that the movie would be postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.


For the weekend of December 26th and 27th, 2020, first place in that box office was Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba The Movie: Mugen Train, which is now highest-grossing film ever in Japan. Pokémon the Movie: Coco placed second though making 276 million yen in the box office.

Source: https://eiga.com/ranking/jp/ and http://www.kogyotsushin.com/archives/topics/t8/202012/28162318.php

Niantic has announced a Special Research to encounter Shiny Celebi as part of a tie-in event to celebrate the Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle which will be released in theaters on December 25th, 2020 in Japan. Beginning on Monday, December 14th 2020, Jessie and James will be returning to Pokémon GO and players will be able to encounter Shiny Celebi by completing limited-time Special Research!

Celebrate Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle with a collaboration event featuring Shiny Celebi in Special Research and Jessie and James’s return to Pokémon GO

Trainers, We’re excited to announce that the latest Pokémon film, Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle, is coming soon! In celebration of the upcoming release, beginning on Monday, December 14, 2020, Jessie and James will be returning to Pokémon GO, and you’ll be able to encounter Shiny Celebi by completing limited-time Special Research! You can also look forward to lots of other in-game content inspired by the movie!

Complete Special Research to encounter Shiny Celebi! Plus, Jessie and James return to Pokémon GO!
Date + Time
Starting Monday, December 14, 2020, at 8:00 a.m. local time

Features

• A limited-time Special Research story inspired by the movie will be available! Complete this research line to encounter Shiny Celebi. In an odd twist of events, Jessie and James will be guiding you through this Special Research story instead of Professor Willow! You’ll need to prepare for trouble for this one! Stay tuned for updates on when this Special Research will become unavailable.
• Jessie and James will be returning in their Meowth balloon for a limited time! It seems they’ve received different Shadow Pokémon from Team GO Rocket than the last time the pair appeared in the world of Pokémon GO. Stay tuned for updates on when Jessie and James will be leaving.
• Be sure to check out the avatar items inspired by Jessie’s and James’s outfits from Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle. These avatar items will be available for free in the Style Shop!

Explorer Pikachu makes its Pokémon GO debut!
Date + Time
From Monday, December 14, 2020, at 8:00 a.m. to Monday, December 21, 2020, at 10:00 p.m. local time

Features

• Explorer Pikachu will be appearing in the wild and in raids! If you’re lucky, you might encounter a Shiny Explorer Pikachu!
• If you take a snapshot during this time, you might see Jessie and James!
• During the Pokémon Spotlight Hour on Tuesday, December 15, 2020, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time, Explorer Pikachu will be appearing more frequently in the wild, and you’ll receive twice the Candy for catching Pokémon.

Meet Pokémon connected to Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle!
Date + Time
From Monday, December 14, 2020, at 8:00 a.m. to Thursday, December 17, 2020, at 10:00 p.m. local time

Features

• Hoothoot, Nuzleaf, Drilbur, Cottonee, Dwebble, and more will be appearing more frequently in the wild. If you’re lucky, you might encounter a Durant!
• Lickitung, Mawile, Flygon, Rufflet, and more will be appearing in Raid Battles.
• Igglybuff, Smoochum, Elekid, Magby, Bonsly, and Rufflet will be hatching from 5 km Eggs.
• If you’re lucky, you might even find a Shiny Rufflet!

Jessie and James’s Meowth balloon will be appearing more frequently on December 25!
Date + Time
Friday, December 25, 2020, from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. local time

Features

• Jessie and James’s Meowth balloon will be appearing more frequently! Be sure to use this opportunity to challenge the duo.

Stay tuned for more details on Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle, Trainers! Please be aware of your surroundings and follow guidelines from local health authorities when playing Pokémon GO. Upcoming events are subject to change.

Source: https://pokemongolive.com/post/movie2020/?hl=en

Pokémon Shirts, a collaboration between Pokémon and the online custom shirt brand Original Stitch, is now selling bandanas, which you can make by freely combining Pokémon patterns. It will be available for purchase from November 20th, 2020 at 14:00. The bandana is available in 151 Pokémon pattern designs from "Pocket Monsters Red and Green". It is recommended as a fashion item to accentuate your outfit, but also as a handkerchief! Prices start at 1,800 yen (excluding tax) and shipping costs are not included. Images from the bandana line have been added to an Imageboard thread.

How to buy a bandana!
(1) Visit the official website of the "Pokémon Shirt" and go to the "Bandana" page!
(2) Choose and order your favorite design from the "Bandana" page!

Source: https://www.pokemon.co.jp/goods/2020/11/201120_da02.html

Pokémon the Movie: Coco Shirts

To commemorate the release of Pokémon the Movie: Coco, four Pokémon shirt patterns featuring: Zarude, Alternate Colored Celebi, Hoshigarisu, and Uu will become available. You can combine the patterns of these four Pokémon and existing ones by customizing a shirt. Be sure to go to see the movie with your Pokémon shirts this winter! The shirts will be on sale from 2:00 p.m. on Friday, November 20th, 2020 until 23:59 p.m. on Sunday, February 28th, 2021. The Pokémon patterns commemorating the release of Pokémon the Movie: Coco may be re-released after the sales period. Images from the shirt line have been added to an Imageboard thread.

Hoshigarisu and Yokubarisu Mask Promotion

Starting on November 20th, 2020 at 14:00, a campaign where patrons can get a mask in which they can pretend to be Hoshigarisu or Yokubarisu will be given to those who have ordered a shirt or polo shirt at the Pokémon Shirt store. Order one shirt and you'll get a Hoshigarisu mask, or order two shirts together and you'll get a Hoshigarisu and a Yokubarisu mask, for a total of two masks from this set. The present campaign is on a first-come, first-served basis and will end when all items are gone.

Source: https://www.pokemon.co.jp/goods/2020/11/201120_da01.html

Pikachu Sweets by Pokémon Cafe will have a new frappe from Saturday, December 5th, 2020 through Friday, January 15th, 2021! This time, it also comes with a special sleeve to commemorate the release of Pokémon the Movie: Coco!



The Frappe comes with 1 of 4 random sleeve designs of Pikachu from the movie Pokémon the Movie: Coco! All designs are original to Pikachu Sweets by Pokémon Cafe!

Pokémon the Movie: Coco is a story featuring an unusual father and son, a Pokémon and a human. It is scheduled to be released in cinemas across Japan starting on Friday, December 25th, 2020! Special advance tickets are also on sale now.

Source: https://www.pokemoncenter-online.com/cafe/news/201120_01.html

Known as a big fan of Pokémon, and responsible for both the opening and ending theme of the TV anime "Pokémon Sun & Moon", Taiiku Okazaki produced the theme song for the film version of the anime for the first time in his career. Pokémon the Movie: Coco, will be released on December 25th and for the first time in the history of Pokémon movies, it will be released in the winter. The Pokémon movies are now it their 23rd year.

Taiiku Okazaki produced the main theme and all six theme songs for the film. It's the first time for a Pokémon movie to use multiple songs by a single artist in a film. Some of the songs written by Taiiku Okazaki for this film feature famous artists as vocalists who he believes are appropriate for the scenes in the film.

In addition to his own songs, Tortoise Matsumoto and other splendid artists will participate in the main theme Really Mysterious Creatures. Also, four of the theme songs from the TV anime "Pocket Monsters Sun & Moon" are included as bonus tracks. Notebook of the Heart and Your Adventure are available on CD for the first time!


CD Details: Pocket Monsters the Movie Coco Theme Song Collection [Regular Edition]
CD+DVD Details: Pocket Monsters the Movie Coco Theme Song Collection [First Press Limited Edition with DVD]

Artists of Coco:

All the artists participating in the film's music production and the artist singing the opening and ending themes have been revealed! The opening theme "Coco", which shows Zarude's joy at Coco's growth, is sung by Beverly, a singer-songwriter from the Philippines. After starting her career in Japan in 2017, Beverly, who has been involved in many drama theme songs and commercial songs since she started her career in 2017, colors the opening of the film with her amazing voice!

The ending theme "I'm Home, Welcome Back" is sung by Kaela Kimura (木村カエラ), who has the ability to sing in a wide range of genres from pop to rock, and she continues to capture the hearts of her fans with her high message. The ending, which is sung with a clear singing voice this time, protrays with the love between mother and child which is depicted in the film.

The director of the film, Tetsuo Yajima, wrote the lyrics for the film himself and SiNRiN will sing the theme song "Song of the Law" and the "Hum of the Forest", will be performed by the Hino City Tokyo Nanamidori Public Elementary School Choir (東京都日野市立七生緑小学校合唱団), which has won the gold medal for seven consecutive years in the "NHK National School Music Competition for Elementary School Students". They have also provided beautiful harmonies for TV series, and other performances.

A complete collaboration CD album featuring the songs from the movie, will be released on December 23rd, 2020!

Song List:

1. Song of the Law featuring vocalist by SiNRiN
2. Coco (OP theme) featuring vocalist by Beverly
3. Show Window featuring vocalist Taiiku Okazaki
4. Hum of the Forest featuring the Hino City Tokyo Nanamidori Public Elementary School Choir
5. Really Mysterious Creatures (Main Theme) featuring vocalist Tortoise Matsumoto
6. I'm Home, Welcome Back (ED theme) featuring vocalist Kaela Kimura

Comments:

Okazaki Physical Education (岡崎体育) - "I was a boy who loved Pokémon and I was excitedly watching "Mewtwo Strikes Back" at the movie theater with my school friends. More than 20 years have passed and that boy who loves Pokémon, realized that he was now involved and working on the movie. There was a lot of pressure and anguish, but the joy of working with director Yajima and the other wonderful staff and artists always pushed me forward. I hope that in the future, some of the children who see this film will have the same amazing experience that I had."

岡崎体育 - 学校の友達と映画館で『ミュウツーの逆襲』をワクワクしながら観てたポケモン大好き少年の僕。 20年以上の時が経ち、ポケモン大好き少年は気がつくと映画に携わる側になるというふしぎな体験をしています。 プレッシャーや苦悩もありましたが、矢嶋監督をはじめ、 素晴らしいスタッフやアーティストの方々と一緒に作品を作っているという喜びがいつも僕の背中を押してくれました。 将来、この映画を観た子どもたちの中に、僕みたいなふしぎな体験をする子がいてくれることを願って。

Kaela Kimura (木村カエラ) - "The song "I'm Home, Welcome Back" was written by Okazaki and it is a really warm and gentle song. When I was recording it, my heart was racing and I cried. 'Okazaki-kun is a guy, but he's amazing.' I thought. Also, this is the ending song for my favorite Pokémon movie. I'm happy, very happy. Thank you very much. I'm looking forward to seeing it at the movie theater with my kids."

木村カエラ - 岡崎くんが作ってくれた、"ただいまとおかえり"は、本当に暖かくて優しい曲です。 レコーディングの時、心が震えて泣いてしまいました。岡崎くんは男の人なのに、すごいね。って本当に思いました。 そして、大好きなポケモンの映画のエンディング曲。うれしくてうれしくて。本当にありがとうございます。 私も映画館で子ども達と一緒に観れるの楽しみです。

Tortoise Matsumoto (トータス松本) - "I've always thought of Taiiku Okazaki as interesting. So when he asked me to sing for him, I immediately accepted. Then I found out that it was a song for Pokémon, and it made me happy. I went to the studio and tried my best to live up to Mr. Okazaki's expectations, thinking, "Oh, I see, that's why you called me here." I think all the fathers in the world will be brought to tears by Mr. Okazaki."

トータス松本（ウルフルズ） - 岡崎体育君は前からおもしろいと思っていた。 だから、歌ってくれと頼まれてすぐ引き受けた。そしたらポケモンの、グッとくる歌だった。そうかなるほど、おれを呼んでくれたのはそういう訳だったのかと、張り切ってスタジオへ行って、なるべく岡崎君の期待に添えるように頑張った。世のお父ちゃんはみんな、岡崎君に泣かされると思います。

Beverly - "When I was a kid, my family would watch Pokémon together over breakfast to start the day. Everyone in my family loved Pokémon, and it was the anime that inspired me to learn about Japanese entertainment. So when I got this offer, my heart was filled with emotion. I'm happy to give back by singing a song for the Pokémon anime which help teach me about Japanese culture. With that in mind, I'm doing my best to sing the opening theme song "Coco" written and composed by Physical Education Okazaki, so please look forward to it!"

Beverly - 子供の頃、朝ごはんをたべながら家族揃ってポケモンを見て、1日が始まりました。 家族みんなポケモンが大好きで、私が日本のエンタテインメントを知るきっかけとなった、本当に身近に感じられるアニメでした。 なので、このお話をいただいたとき、嬉しさ以上に感動で心がいっぱいになりました。 私に日本の文化を教えてくれたアニメポケモンの曲を歌うことで、恩返しできたら嬉しいです。 今回、大好きな岡崎体育さんに作詞作曲していただいたオープニングテーマ「ココ」をそんな気持ちで精一杯歌ってますので、ぜひ楽しみにしていてください！

Source: https://www.pokemon-movie.jp/song/

The 33rd Tokyo International Film Festival, which is currently being held from October 31st, 2020 to November 9th, 2020, has a special Japanese Animation section. Pokémon the Movie: Everyone's Story was the 21st Pokémon film and it was released in 2018. A screening of the movie was held on November 4th, 2020, at TOHO Cinemas Roppongi Hills in Tokyo, where director Tetsuo Yajima and guest voice actors Shoko Nakagawa took to the stage. Pictures taken at this event have been added to an Imageboard thread.

Yajima is also working on the latest film "Pokémon the Movie: Coco", and the latter half of the event was focused on Coco. "I'm working on it right now," Yajima confessed. Nakagawa, who is a regular guest voice actor in the movie series, also appears in Coco, and she said, "The release date (of the film) went from summer to winter, but you've been working on it all along! That much quality!?"

He was amazed and said, "It's really is love, isn't it? It's not just about work, it's beyond work. For the sake of Pokémon, we're losing ...... HP, you keep going even if you're losing HP, right? I'm going to keep working to make something that I'm happy with until I deliver it to you all." said a passionate Yajima, who was concerned about his health.

Animation critic Ryota Fujitsu, asked him about the theme of Coco. Yajima replied, "When I wondered if there was something I could draw as a director, my son's face came to my mind. If I could depict it, I think it would be the love between a parent and a child, so I made the suggestion. My view of life has changed quite a bit because of my son. I thought if I could share that with you all, it would make this story even more moving, so we made this film."

Shoko Nakagawa, is a "Pokémon native (ポケモンネイティブ)" of the same generation as director Yajima, and also has a "love for Pokémon". She said, "In preparation for the release of "Coco," Satoshi was saying 'Pokémon in summer!' as it's a summer tradition (for the Pokémon movies to release), but for the first time it will be a winter release, so it's a big Pokémon Christmas present. I think it's because we're in such dark times that we can find so-called beacons of light like the kind in the Coco movie!"

Source: https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/52574970ea8ca7195c7ecd4d40a85b3c5bf2c0d8

The 33rd Tokyo International Film Festival, which is currently being held from October 31st, 2020 to November 9th, 2020, has a special Japanese Animation section. Mewtwo Strikes Back was the first Pokémon film and it was released in 1998. A screening of the movie was held on November 1st, 2020, at TOHO Cinemas Roppongi Hills in Tokyo, where director Kunihiko Yuyama, Rica Matsumoto, who plays Satoshi, and executive producer Masakazu Kubo took to the stage. Pictures taken at this event have been added to an Imageboard thread.

Director Yuyama expressed his gratitude by saying, "I'm really happy that so many people will be able to see this film on the big screen" and Rica Matsumoto said Satoshi's signature line, "Get it!".

The segment was moderated by Ryota Fujitsu, a programming advisor for the Japanese Animation Division. Rica Matsumoto recalled the time when a film adaptation was decided upon, "All the cast members in the studio were going 'Yeah!' I remember that I was delighted." At the press conference held at that time, Matsumoto recalled that, "I was excited that everyone was expecting me." Fujitsu then asked if she was under a lot of pressure to which she replied that, "There were a lot of great people on the staff and the cast, and I felt like we were all looking at it the same way, like, 'We're going to make something good.' So it was exciting!" she said with a smile.

On the other hand, "We were feeling the pressure". Kubo said. Kubo said that he already had the idea of making a film in April 1997 when the TV anime started, "Looking back, I wanted to develop characters who would be loved for a long time, and for that reason, I thought a film was essential."

According to Director Yuyama, Mewtwo Strikes Back developed from the idea of how to portray Mewtwo in the most appealing way. Because of Mewtwo's background, the film deals with themes such as "What is life?" and "What is the relationship between humans and Pokémon?"

Director Yuyama said, "I remember the screenwriter, Takeshi Suto, saying questions like 'Who am I?' and 'How big is the universe?'" These were questions that children have, and he noted that they weren't difficult themes for children.

And now, it has been 23 years since the anime Pocket Monsters started broadcasting. When asked what she is most careful about when continuing to work on the series, Matsumoto said, "I record every week as Satoshi, but I always go into the studio with the feeling that 'Today is the first time'."

When asked why Pokémon remains so beloved, Yuyama said, "When I was in elementary school, I used to catch bugs and frogs in the fields, so when I played Pokémon, I had a nostalgic feeling. When I first encountered the game, I thought it had everything a child would like. The appeal of the game is that it has all the elements you experienced as a child and that has been recreated in Pokémon, and that's what makes it such a great adventure."

Matsumoto responded to the appeal of Pokémon: "You won't be alone. There's a place where children and adults can call home. If you feel lonely, you'll be happy if you watch 'Pokémon'. Lastly, the audience talked about "Pokémon Coco the Movie" which will be released in December. Matsumoto said, "You should definitely see it!" Kubo said, "I think it's a movie that shows that we have carefully protected and nurtured what we cherish. I'd appreciate it if you could come to the movie" he said, adding that he was looking forward to the future of "Pokémon".

Sources: https://2020.tiff-jp.net/ja/lineup/film/3306ANM01, https://natalie.mu/comic/news/403109 and https://news.mynavi.jp/article/20201101-1448097/

YouTube Clip - 33rd Tokyo International Film Festival - Mewtwo Strikes Back - Trailer

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxRr72iJbYo

A special Pokémon Trading Card of the main character of the movie Coco will be distributed at theaters in Japan to the first 3 million viewers of the Coco movie, which is scheduled to premiere on December 25th, 2020.


Coco has 90 HP and knows the moves Forest Call (もりのよびごえ) and Tarzan Kick (ターザンキック). Until now, the only cards with this kind of HP and moves were Pokémon cards. This card is also a "Pokémon" in the card game classification, reflecting the unique characteristics of Coco, who was raised by a Pokémon and thinks of themselves as a Pokémon.

The cards illustrations were done by Tetsuo Yajima (矢嶋哲生), the director of the movie. In the background, Zarude, who raised Coco, is also drawn, making this card a fun card to enjoy the atmosphere of the film.

Note: This present will be given to a total of 3 million theatergoers nationwide in Japan. A limited number of tickets are available at each theater. This present is open to all ages. Presents are not for sale. No resale is permitted.

Source: https://www.pokemon-movie.jp/present/

Pokémon the Movie Coco x Pokémon Card Game Illustration Contest

The Pokémon the Movie Coco x Pokémon Card Game Illustration Contest will be held from October 15th, 2020 until November 15th, 2020. Participants must have a Twitter account. Applicants must agree to all the terms and conditions of the Pikachu Project's "Application Rules". Applicants must agree to allow their work to be used on the website or social networking services operated by Pikachu Project and its affiliated companies.


55 entries will be nominated from among those that have drawn an illustration on the entry form provided in the contest's entry form, followed the official Twitter page, and submitted the entry with the hashtag #ポケモン映画カードイラコン. Nominees will receive a Pokémon Card Game paper play mat with the original movie design. In addition, the "Director's Award", "Creatures Award", and "Parent and Child Award" will be selected from among them through a strict screening process. The winners will receive a jumbo card with the illustration of the winning entry and Pokémon merchandise.


Illustration Contest Entry Form (PDF) Official Link: Click Here
Illustration Contest Entry Form (PDF) Backup Link: Click Here

Illustration Contest Application Process

1. Follow "Pokémon the Movie Coco" official Twitter (@pokemon_movie).
2. Get an entry form at the official Pokémon Movie website, the official Pokémon Movie Twitter page or a Pokémon Center or Pokémon Store.
3. Please use the drawing provided on the entry form and use your imagination to create your own illustration. For the Parent and Child Award, your child will be responsible for coloring in Coco and Zarude's line art and your family will be responsible for adding illustrations and decorations around the drawings.
4. When you have completed your illustration, please scan or photograph it and post it on your Twitter account or your family's Twitter account with the hashtag #ポケモン映画カードイラコン
If you want to enter the Parent and Child Prize, add the hashtags #ポケモン映画カードイラコン and #親子賞 to your Twitter account. Minors must obtain the consent of a parent or guardian and agree to the contest's "Entry Rules" before submitting your work.

Please keep your illustration on the piece of paper for future reference. You will be asked to submit the original or the data of the winning entry for the production of the jumbo card. Please do not discard them until the contest results are announced. Please be aware that if the original work and data are discarded, the award may be cancelled. In the case of a jumbo card, please note that a logo will be placed in the lower right corner of the illustration.

Source: https://www.pokemon-movie.jp/pokeca_illust/

During POKENCHI 256, which aired on Sunday, September 27th, 2020, Taiiku Okazaki was on the show to promote the theme song for the upcoming movie Pocket Monsters the Movie: Coco and he showed off a dance which is choreographed by Koki. The cast of Pokénchi and Taiiku recorded a dance video to help those at home learn the dance moves. A supplementary video was also posted on the official Japanese Pokémon YouTube channel which features the Pokémon Kids 2019 doing the dance.

The movie is now scheduled to be in theaters in Japan on Friday, December 25th, 2020, and the theme song is called Song of the Law (掟の歌). It is produced by Taiiku Okazaki. It is played during a key scene in the film and has been handed down from long ago by the Zarude troops.

Song Details:

Theme Song: Song of the Law (掟の歌) featuring vocals by SiNRiN
Lyrics: Tetsuo Yajima (矢嶋哲生)
Composed and arranged by: Taiiku Okazaki (岡崎体育)
Choreography: Koki Azuma (皇希)

YouTube Clip - Song of the Law - 4 Pokenchi Cast Members and Taiiku Okazaki Dance

Original YouTube Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5VOpxb3Y6c

YouTube Clip - Song of the Law - Pokémon Kids 2019 Dance

Original YouTube Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcbZZiWYxvA

PM2019 Sword and Shield Chapter Trailer

A trailer showcasing the upcoming Sword/Shield Chapter of the Pocket Monsters Anime also aired on Sunday, September 27th, 2020 during PM2019 39. The series will change time slots starting on with PM2019 40 which airs on October 9th, 2020.

YouTube Clip - Anime "Pocket Monsters" Moving Promotional Video 2

Original YouTube Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLtYEMv8Dl0

As part of the Pokémon Plushie Series, Zarude from Pokémon the Movie Coco is now available from Takara TOMY. An official Pokémon Center Zarude plushie was released in August of 2020. The Pokémon Plushie series is a series of soft-to-touch stuffed Pokémon that are made to look cute. There's a wide range of Pokémon in the lineup, mainly the most popular ones!

Release Date: September 19th, 2020
Price: 3,300 yen (tax included)

Source: https://www.pokemon.co.jp/goods/2020/09/200918_to03.html