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

Takara TOMY has announced that the Pokémon Dynamax Band (ポケモン ダイマックスバンド), which can be used with Pokémon Mezaster, will go on sale in Japan on February 11th, 2021 for 1,980 Yen. An Imageboard thread has been created with high resolution product pictures.

Product Description:

The Dynamax Band works in conjunction with Pokémon Mezaster to ensure that Dynamax is activated. Get an advantage in battles and get powerful Pokémon tags! It comes with a special Dande's Lizardon Dynamax tag that can be used in Pokémon Mezastar.


In addition, when you shake the Dynamax Band, character voices will sound in response to the vibration, and you can experience Dynamax with sound effects, cheering background music, and light effects. It has two modes: "Dynamax Mode" where you can experience the process of activating a Dynamax move, and "Cheering Mode" where 14 different cheering voices of Satoshi, Go and Dande are played.

In order to activate Dynamax in Pokémon Mezaster, you will need Dynamax Tag.

Product Details:

Price: 1,980 Yen
Release Date: February 11, 2021
Battery: LR44 button x 2 included
Item Number: 4904810129110
Manufacturer: TOMY
Brand: Pocket Monsters
Package Size: W100 x H120 x D60mm
Target age: 6 years old and up

Sources: https://takaratomymall.jp/shop/g/g4904810129110/ and https://www.takaratomy.co.jp/products/pokemon/daimax_band/

YouTube Clip - Takara TOMY - Pokémon Dynamax Band Commercial

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jc4IUIqtF98

The Broadway community and fifty Pokémon cast members are hosting a fundraising stream for The Brick Theater in Brooklyn, New York, United States, which is a non-profit venue that had to postponed all shows back in March 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. They will be holding this free virtual event on Sunday, December 20th, 2020 at 8:00 p.m. EST via Twitch. This is not an official Pokémon event and donations are encouraged.

Pokémon Voice Actors To Raise Funds For The Brick Theater With Virtual Event

This Sunday, Anna Roisman and Audie Award Winner Barrett Leddy are hosting a spelling bee benefit with dozens of voice actors behind the most beloved Pokémon characters of all time.

Special guests include Voice Arts Awards winner Sarah Natochenny (voice of "Ash Ketchum" in Pokémon), Emily Cramer (Broadway's School of Rock and LES MISERABLES) and Todd Haberkorn (Fairy Tail, Fullmetal Alchemist).

"I'm doing this because Theresa is an unwavering supporter of emerging artists," Natochenny said. "I was so lucky to get to know her as my director on Pokémon. She is a joy to work with and I am so honored to be able to help her keep The Brick Theater alive."

"I want The Brick to survive with every bit of my being, because space and time to create and connect are vital," former Pokémon director and artistic director of The Brick Theater Theresa Buchheister said.

Event Link: http://www.twitch.tv/outofcaution

FULL LIST OF COMPETITORS:

· Luis Alfonso (Pokémon and Yu-Gi-Oh!)
· Justin Anselmi
· Christian Banas ("Ben" in Genshin Impact, "Sota" in Shimajiro and "Aidan" in Rainbow High)
· Emily Bauer
· Simona Berman ("Vikavolt" and additional voices in Pokémon.)
· Laurie Hymes ("Lillie," "Popplio," "Brionne," "Primarina," "Pelipper," "Prince Raleigh," "Kellie" and "Mable" in Pokémon)
· Francesca Calo (Pokemon: Sun and Moon)
· Tiana Camacho ("Bea" in Pokémon)
· Ray Chase
· Neo Cihi
· Nicholas Corda ("Oliver" in Pokémon Journeys and "Ulu" in Pokémon: Sun and Moon)
· Emily Cramer ("Togedemaru" in Pokémon: Sun and Moon)
· Ryan William Downey ("Hoopa," "Unbound," "Wimpod," "Golisopod," "Heliolisk," "Ippei" and More Pokémon characters )
· Jessie Gill (Pokémon: Sun and Moon)
· Jason Griffith
· Todd Haberkorn
· Brittney Lee Hamilton ("Georgia", "Millis," and "Hapu" in Pokémon )
· Billy Kametz
· Sean Kenin ("Professor Rowan," "Chatot" and "Abe" in Pokémon)
· Brian Kim (Pokémon: Sun and Moon)
· Michele Knotz ("Jessie" and "Misty" in Pokémon)
· Danny Kramer ("Raihan" in Pokémon Journeys)
· Brittany Lauda
· Eddy Lee ("Gladion" in Pokémon: Sun and Moon)
· Mike Liscio ("Clemont" and "Inkay" in Pokémon XYZ, "Llima," "Lycanroc" and "Magikarp" in Pokémon Sun&Moon/Journeys)
· Jamie McGonnigal ("Barry" in Pokémon Diamond & Pearl, "Trip" and "Grumpig" in Pokémon Black & White)
· Daman Mills ("Kasukarp" and "Silicobra" in Pokémon Journeys)
· Rob Morrison
· MOZIAH ("Rock Hunter" in Pokemon Sun and Moon)
· Samara Naeymi ("Malva" and "Mina" in Pokémon)
· Lisa Ortiz
· Jake Paque
· Alyson Leigh Rosenfeld ("Nurse Joy," "Bonnie" and "Sophocles" in Pokémon)
· Alejandro Saab ("Leon" in Pokémon Journeys)
· Tara Sands
· Erica Schroeder ("Eevee," "Wobbuffet," "Nurse Joy", "Sylveon" and 50+ Pokémon characters.)
· Lipica Shah ("Sima" and various voices in Pokémon: Sun and Moon)
· Rachel Slotky ("Young Kikui" in Pokémon: Sun and Moon)
· Eileen Stevens ("Iris," "Aria" and others in Pokémon)
· Marc Thompson
· Cristina Vee
· Cedric Williams Jr.
· Allen Winter ("Kenichi" in Pokemon)
· Oliver Wyman ("Drew" and various Pokémon characters and "Aster Phoenix" in Yu-Gi-Oh!)
· Jenny Yokobori

Sources : https://www.broadwayworld.com/amp/c.php?url=Pokmon-Voice-Actors-To-Raise-Funds-For-The-Brick-Theater-With-Virtual-Event-20201218 and https://twitter.com/sarahnatochenny/status/1339701679659372547

The official Pokémon website has announced that Pokémon the Series, the Pokémon movies as well as Play! Pokémon tournament moments will be rebroadcasting on the official Pokémon Twitter account. Content will change weekly so be sure to check the official schedule.

Stream Pokémon the Series and Play! Pokémon Matches on Twitch

Tune in for weekly Pokémon programming, including Pokémon the Series, movies, and Play! Pokémon matches.

Starting December 8, 2020, it's going to be easier than ever to dive into the world of Pokémon thanks to weekly Pokémon programming on the official Pokémon Twitch channel. You'll be able to tune in throughout the week to catch some of your favorite Pokémon content—including episodes of Pokémon the Series and Pokémon movies. Additionally, some of the best Play! Pokémon tournament moments will be rebroadcasting, allowing you to see some of the world's top Pokémon players in action.

New content will air each week, so follow the official Pokémon Twitch channel to see when the shows go live. You can follow the official Pokémon Twitter account for a weekly schedule.

Source: https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/stream-pokemon-the-series-and-play-pokemon-matches-on-twitch/

Official Pokémon Twitch Channel Schedule for December 6th, 2020 to December 12th, 2020

The next batch of episode for Pokémon Journeys: The Series is now available to watch on Netflix and it covers episodes 25 to 36.

New Episodes of Pokémon Journeys: The Series on Netflix

Research, battle, and catch Pokémon with Ash and Goh in episodes 25 to 36 of Pokémon Journeys: The Series, now available on Netflix.

Ash and Goh's adventures across the vast Pokémon world continue with 12 new episodes of Pokémon Journeys: The Series, now available on Netflix. It's a big, big world, but Ash and Goh are ready to face any challenges they might encounter in episodes 25 to 36—whether in the form of Team Rocket shenanigans, research tasks at the Cerise Laboratory, or battles with their fellow Pokémon Trainers.

In the first 24 episodes of Pokémon Journeys: The Series, Ash and Goh become research assistants at the Cerise Laboratory in Vermilion City and find themselves traveling the Pokémon world studying and training Pokémon. The two discover the wonders of Gigantamax Pokémon, explore Galar's Wild Area, and even find some common ground with Team Rocket. And while Ash continues his journey to become a Pokémon Master, Goh catches his first Pokémon and discovers that Pokémon battles can be fun. Be sure to check out our full recap of the first half of Pokémon Journeys: The Series before diving into the new episodes!

What adventures await our heroes in episodes 25 to 36? Will Goh ever catch the elusive Mew? Is it possible for Ash and Pikachu to become even better partners? The only way to find out is to stream Part 3 of Pokémon Journeys: The Series on Netflix.

Source: https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/new-episodes-of-pokemon-journeys-the-series-on-netflix/

From December 25th, 2020 until January 24th, 2021, patrons of the Pokémon Center and Pokémon Center Online nationwide in Japan will receive a copy of the Pocket Monsters Sword and Shield original anime Twilight Wings Collection DVD when they make purchases of 5,000 yen or more!

Pocket Monsters Sword and Shield Twilight Wings Collection DVD includes all seven episodes of the original anime and the special episode Festival of the Stars that are on the official Pokémon YouTube channel, as well as the original soundtrack of the songs used in the anime!

It's a very nice DVD, so get it. The giveaway ends when supplies are all gone. Details of this DVD release have been added to our DVD database.

Source: https://www.pokemon.co.jp/info/2020/12/201204_p01.html

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

The eighth episode of the Pokémon: Twilight Wings was released in languages other than asian on Pokémon TV and YouTube on November 17th, 2020 after its premiere in Japan on November 5th, 2020. The episode is called The Gathering of Stars.

Watch Pokémon: Twilight Wings—The Gathering of Stars, a New Episode in the Series

Leon visits the Isle of Armor as he plans to put together a special tournament in a new episode of the animated series.

Pokémon: Twilight Wings—The Gathering of Stars, a special bonus episode of the limited animated series, is now available to watch on Pokémon TV and the official Pokémon YouTube channel. Previous episodes in the series followed the adventures of the people and Pokémon of the Galar region, and the production staff has reunited to continue the story with this new adventure.

In this new episode, Leon visits the Isle of Armor to meet up with his former mentor, Mustard. The Pokémon League Champion is looking for guidance as he plans to gather the best Trainers from across the Galar region to create a tournament unlike any that has been seen before.

Source: https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/watch-pokemon-twilight-wings-the-gathering-of-stars-a-new-episode-in-the-series/

YouTube Clip - Pokémon: Twilight Wings | Episode 8 | The Gathering of Stars

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbtybA7xT2M

YouTube Clip - Pokémon: Twilight Wings Japanese | Episode 8 | (星の祭)

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gZTN_hFuJc

Meet Mizutamari Higashi, the Illustrator behind Pokémon: Twilight Wings

Read the first in a series of interviews with the creative team behind this extraordinary animated series.

Pokémon: Twilight Wings, the recent limited animated series, provides a unique look into the lives of the people and Pokémon who reside in the Galar region. Taking a deeper look, we're talking to some of the minds behind the scenes to learn more about what inspired them when creating the series, which is now available to watch on Pokémon TV and the official Pokémon YouTube channel. To kick off this four-part series of interviews, we dive into the deep world of concept art and color scripts with illustrator Mizutamari Higashi.

Q: I understand you took the lead on concept art and color scripts for Pokémon: Twilight Wings. To begin, would you mind defining for us exactly what concept art and color scripts are, and how the two differ?

A: Concept art means pictures you draw to give concrete form to the mental images you see when you read—for example, a script or other text. People may get different mental images from the text, but concept art gets the whole production team on the same page with a clear goal to aim for. So, the better the concept art is, the better the final film will turn out.


Color scripts are blueprints for the artwork. They consist of a series of pictures drawn to show how the story should appear on-screen. They're often used to direct the colors or lighting of a scene, as the name suggests. Concept art and color scripts both require artistic ability and an understanding of how a story is directed. Both demand a lot of thought and are difficult but are also very worthwhile work!

Q: Your illustrations have a distinctively warm, somehow nostalgic touch. What concepts are important to you in your illustration work?

A: Thank you very much! A lot of things depend on the motif of what I'm drawing, but in general, I aim to express a sense of atmosphere. I've always wanted my drawings to express the smells, or the feeling of the breeze, of the scenery I grew up in, but I don't think I've been able to do that yet—not to mention that when I work, I get caught up with fulfilling the request at hand and tend to forget that basic desire... Still, if you feel nostalgia or warmth from my work, maybe I've been able to express what I wanted a little after all. That makes me very happy. Thank you very much.

Q: Did you know about Pokémon beforehand? Has it come up in your life in ways that left a lasting memory or impression? If so, please tell us about that.

A: Of course I knew about Pokémon. A French friend of mine once asked me, “Do you know this song?” and began humming a melody, but I had no idea what the song was. They told me, “C'mon, it's the Pokémon theme song!” But the melody wasn't from “Mezase Pokémon Master” [“Aim to Be a Pokémon Master,” the first opening theme song of Pokémon the Series in Japan]. That was when it hit me that the series had different theme songs in different countries! But we all loved Pokémon the same no matter which country we were in, and I remember feeling proud for some reason when my friend told me they had grown up watching Pokémon, too.

Q: I imagine you also had to create concept art for things that weren't featured in the games. What was on your mind during that process?

A: Since there was already a lovely story in place, I concentrated on finding the portrayals and designs that would express that story the best. I think I was in a very laid-back position since I already had a story and direction plans that made sense to me. I'm very fortunate to have been able to work on something under the title of Pokémon, and with this team.

Q: In one piece of concept art for Twilight Wings, we can see a Galarian townscape as well as John and Tommy talking. Can you tell us about any concepts or themes behind this?

A: When I create concept art, I feel it's crucial that the image captures the essence of the story. Since John and Tommy are original characters in Twilight Wings, they felt especially important to me. As I was drawing them, I hoped to convey this story about these kids in the hospital, and how far they could go—how far they could fly.

Q: Images from the color scripts also appear in the ending sequences of Twilight Wings episodes. Can you tell us if you have a favorite among those images—and if so, why?

A: I'm so glad they've even been used in the ending sequences! I think the one that's dearest to me is the image from Episode 4 of Nessa and Milotic midjump, because I think I was really able to celebrate Nessa with that one. I always hope to draw characters in a way that celebrates or encourages them.


Q: Are there any easy-to-miss details you'd like viewers to notice in the ending sequences, or behind-the-scenes anecdotes about the production process you'd like to share?

A: For the image from Episode 4 of Nessa in the waiting room, I wanted to depict a heavy atmosphere to convey Nessa feeling depressed, so I drew inspiration from a certain animated film—one that has heavy subject matter, but has earned a place in Japan's history.


Q: Can you tell us about any upcoming highlights you're looking forward to?

A: I'm obviously excited to see all the characters people know and love, but I'm really looking forward to seeing more of Twilight Wings' new characters, John and Tommy, and where their journey will lead them!

Q: Lastly, is there anything you'd like to say to fans of Twilight Wings and of Pokémon as a whole?

A: I'm truly grateful for my good fortune to have been involved with a work like this. As with other well-known works, the story of Twilight Wings has been imbued with multiple layers of meaning by Director [Shingo] Yamashita. I think you can watch it once and take pleasure in the animation, then delve deeper into the story's layers on second and third viewings, so I'd love it if you were all to watch Twilight Wings a number of times and experience it as deeply as you want. Thank you very much!

About Mizutamari Higashi

Mizutamari Higashi is an illustrator, concept artist, and cartoonist who creates concept art and color scripts for many commercials and music videos.

Source: https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/meet-mizutamari-higashi-the-illustrator-behind-pokemon-twilight-wings/