News Articles
Jul 08 2019
Movie 22 Website Updates with Report from LA Premiere, Pokémon GO Event and Special Promo Video
The official Pokémon movie website has updated. Translations follow:
"Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution" was invited to the largest anime convention in North America, "Anime Expo 2019" in Los Angeles, USA, where it had its LA premiere Thursday July 4th (local time)!
This first international screening was attended by the person indispensable to Pokémon, Satoshi's voice actress Rica Matsumoto, as well as Director Kunihiko Yuyama and Director Motonori Sakakibara.
The day before the premiere, the three of them visited the entrance of TCL Chinese Theatre, where the premiere of the first Pokémon movie, "Pocket Monsters the Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back", had taken place.
As they were standing at this spot that had become "the Pokémon movies' first step towards the world", they talked about their thoughts towards the next day's screening, which was going to be this movie's overseas debut.
Matsumoto:
There's going to be so many people watching the movie with us I get goosebumps at the mere mention of the premiere. All kinds of people continue to love the Pokémon World, including both the video games and the movies, and I would love if it could connect them and form a circle of happy faces. Let's get smiles!
Director Yuyama
I came to America to see an actual screening of the first movie back when it was in theaters here, and it was a very novel experience to witness the audience yelling "Yay!" during the opening and when Satoshi made his appearance. Now I'm back in America again after 21 years, and I'm really excited to see how the movie will be received this time.
Director Sakakibara
3DCG animation is mainstream in America, so I'm looking forward to seeing how the movie will be received. I was working on a movie back when the first Pokémon movie premiered, and when I saw with my own eyes that a movie like that, a product of the Japanese entertainment industry, became such a massive blockbuster, I was thinking how I really wanted to make a movie like that myself one day. Though I'm still astonished I got to work on one now, 20 years later.
On the day of the LA premiere itself, Anime Expo hosted an autograph session, a screening of the Japanese version of the feature film with English subtitles, as well as stage greetings.
At the autograph session, we got both fans cosplaying Satoshi taking photos with Matsumoto and fans that wanted their personal Pokémon memorabilia autographed.
Some fans had even been waiting in line all night, and they exploded with joy when they got their autograph, showing just how much it meant to them.
When the screening finally begun, the audience burst out in loud cheers.
Adults and children displayed a variety of emotions as they were taking in the movie; One moment they were watching the opening scene where Mewtwo swears revenge on the humans with their eyes glued to the screen as they sat there in complete silence, the next they were roaring with laughter as the Rocket Gang made their appearance, and at the end they were watching the exchange between Satoshi and Pikachu with their cheeks wet with tears.
And when the post-screening stage greetings began, Matsumoto, Director Yuyama and Director Sakakibara received a warm welcome by the local fans, who greeted them with loud cheers and thunderous applause.
Matsumoto:
I'm seeing the earliest days of Pokémon flash before my eyes, and I really wish I could've told everyone back then that a day like this would come. Seeing your reactions, like how you cheer loudly out of love for Pokémon, brings tears to my eyes.
Director Yuyama:
I've made more than 20 Pokémon movies so far, but this is the first 3DCG one, so this time I was watching your reactions to it with the same excitement as if this was my debut movie. What did you all think of it? (the audience applauded loudly)
Director Sakakibara:
I could feel the Pokémon love in your cheers, and it made me really happy we made this movie. This is an amazing feeling.
When Matsumoto performed "Mezase Pokémon Master", the enthusiasm from the audience hit its absolute peak.
The phrase "Pokémon is a universal language" truly fits this situation, and Matsumoto, Director Yuyama and Director Sakakibara all got caught up in the whirlpool of enthusiasm the LA premiere had turned into!
They truly had a blast as the event concluded with a commemorative photo taken with roughly 2800 Pokémon fans.
After the highly successful LA premiere had concluded, Matsumoto commented "All kinds of things were coming to my mind and I got deeply moved, thinking about how it's really been 21 years now. I'm really grateful I've had all this, it's something very few people will ever be able to feel or experience. I'm happy to have shared my song and thoughts with all you LA fans."
The movie and Pokémon GO are having a crossover! Armored Mewtwo makes its appearance!
A Pokémon GO promotion video that utilized various scenes from "Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution", a crossover between the two, premiered at Anime Expo.
Armored Mewtwo, the restrained form from the movie that suppresses Mewtwo's power, will appear in Pokémon GO between Thursday July 11th and Wednesday July 31st Japanese time.
And if you win a raid battle against it, you'll have the chance to get Armored Mewtwo as well!
A special promotion video set to one of singer Rita Ora's songs has been released!
A special promotion video for "Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution" featuring one of Rita Ora's songs was released as well. Rita Ora is an artist popular all over the world that also handled the theme song for "Detective Pikachu", which was released in May this year.
This is a must see video where Ora's bright, clear and wonderful singing goes perfectly with the beautiful 3DCG Pokémon world.
The LA premiere came to an end amidst great enthusiasm.
The Japanese premiere finally takes place Friday July 12th!
Keep looking more and more forward to it!
©2019 Niantic, Inc.
©2019 Pokémon. ©1995-2019 Nintendo/Creatures Inc. /GAME FREAK inc.
Source: https://www.pokemon-movie.jp/news/?p=3763
"Mewtwo Strikes Back"'s LA Premiere was a Huge Success! We Also Release the Latest News on Pokémon GO, as Well as a Special Video That Features Rita Ora's Singing!!
The Enthusiastically Received LA Premiere
"Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution" was invited to the largest anime convention in North America, "Anime Expo 2019" in Los Angeles, USA, where it had its LA premiere Thursday July 4th (local time)!
This first international screening was attended by the person indispensable to Pokémon, Satoshi's voice actress Rica Matsumoto, as well as Director Kunihiko Yuyama and Director Motonori Sakakibara.
The day before the premiere, the three of them visited the entrance of TCL Chinese Theatre, where the premiere of the first Pokémon movie, "Pocket Monsters the Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back", had taken place.
As they were standing at this spot that had become "the Pokémon movies' first step towards the world", they talked about their thoughts towards the next day's screening, which was going to be this movie's overseas debut.
Matsumoto:
There's going to be so many people watching the movie with us I get goosebumps at the mere mention of the premiere. All kinds of people continue to love the Pokémon World, including both the video games and the movies, and I would love if it could connect them and form a circle of happy faces. Let's get smiles!
Director Yuyama
I came to America to see an actual screening of the first movie back when it was in theaters here, and it was a very novel experience to witness the audience yelling "Yay!" during the opening and when Satoshi made his appearance. Now I'm back in America again after 21 years, and I'm really excited to see how the movie will be received this time.
Director Sakakibara
3DCG animation is mainstream in America, so I'm looking forward to seeing how the movie will be received. I was working on a movie back when the first Pokémon movie premiered, and when I saw with my own eyes that a movie like that, a product of the Japanese entertainment industry, became such a massive blockbuster, I was thinking how I really wanted to make a movie like that myself one day. Though I'm still astonished I got to work on one now, 20 years later.
On the day of the LA premiere itself, Anime Expo hosted an autograph session, a screening of the Japanese version of the feature film with English subtitles, as well as stage greetings.
At the autograph session, we got both fans cosplaying Satoshi taking photos with Matsumoto and fans that wanted their personal Pokémon memorabilia autographed.
Some fans had even been waiting in line all night, and they exploded with joy when they got their autograph, showing just how much it meant to them.
When the screening finally begun, the audience burst out in loud cheers.
Adults and children displayed a variety of emotions as they were taking in the movie; One moment they were watching the opening scene where Mewtwo swears revenge on the humans with their eyes glued to the screen as they sat there in complete silence, the next they were roaring with laughter as the Rocket Gang made their appearance, and at the end they were watching the exchange between Satoshi and Pikachu with their cheeks wet with tears.
And when the post-screening stage greetings began, Matsumoto, Director Yuyama and Director Sakakibara received a warm welcome by the local fans, who greeted them with loud cheers and thunderous applause.
Matsumoto:
I'm seeing the earliest days of Pokémon flash before my eyes, and I really wish I could've told everyone back then that a day like this would come. Seeing your reactions, like how you cheer loudly out of love for Pokémon, brings tears to my eyes.
Director Yuyama:
I've made more than 20 Pokémon movies so far, but this is the first 3DCG one, so this time I was watching your reactions to it with the same excitement as if this was my debut movie. What did you all think of it? (the audience applauded loudly)
Director Sakakibara:
I could feel the Pokémon love in your cheers, and it made me really happy we made this movie. This is an amazing feeling.
When Matsumoto performed "Mezase Pokémon Master", the enthusiasm from the audience hit its absolute peak.
The phrase "Pokémon is a universal language" truly fits this situation, and Matsumoto, Director Yuyama and Director Sakakibara all got caught up in the whirlpool of enthusiasm the LA premiere had turned into!
They truly had a blast as the event concluded with a commemorative photo taken with roughly 2800 Pokémon fans.
After the highly successful LA premiere had concluded, Matsumoto commented "All kinds of things were coming to my mind and I got deeply moved, thinking about how it's really been 21 years now. I'm really grateful I've had all this, it's something very few people will ever be able to feel or experience. I'm happy to have shared my song and thoughts with all you LA fans."
The movie and Pokémon GO are having a crossover! Armored Mewtwo makes its appearance!
A Pokémon GO promotion video that utilized various scenes from "Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution", a crossover between the two, premiered at Anime Expo.
Armored Mewtwo, the restrained form from the movie that suppresses Mewtwo's power, will appear in Pokémon GO between Thursday July 11th and Wednesday July 31st Japanese time.
And if you win a raid battle against it, you'll have the chance to get Armored Mewtwo as well!
A special promotion video set to one of singer Rita Ora's songs has been released!
A special promotion video for "Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution" featuring one of Rita Ora's songs was released as well. Rita Ora is an artist popular all over the world that also handled the theme song for "Detective Pikachu", which was released in May this year.
This is a must see video where Ora's bright, clear and wonderful singing goes perfectly with the beautiful 3DCG Pokémon world.
The LA premiere came to an end amidst great enthusiasm.
The Japanese premiere finally takes place Friday July 12th!
Keep looking more and more forward to it!
©2019 Niantic, Inc.
©2019 Pokémon. ©1995-2019 Nintendo/Creatures Inc. /GAME FREAK inc.
Source: https://www.pokemon-movie.jp/news/?p=3763
The official Pokémon movie website has updated. Translations follow:
A beautiful yet powerful picture showing Satoshi and his friends' determination to travel as they stand on a shore dazzling in the morning sun
A series of specially drawn posters are now ready!
This special artwork was drawn by art director Sei Nakashima, who has done art direction and character design for several Hollywood movies, including the Harry Potter series.
Multiple beautiful pieces of artwork depicting Satoshi, Kasumi and Takeshi's journey,
done in a style somewhat different from how the earlier Pokémon movies have been portrayed, have been born from Mr. Nakashima's hand!
Some of this special artwork is now being presented prior to the movie's premiere!
Specially made posters will be put up at theaters showing "Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution", so please look forward to them!
More special artwork will appear during the movie's end credits, so make sure to sit through them in their entirety!
The movie will finally premiere this Friday!
Make sure to go to the theater and see this artwork with your own eyes!!
Profile: Sei Nakashima
Born in 1970, moved to America by himself at age 18.
Graduated from the Illustration Department at the Otis-Parsons Art Institute in 1995.
The same year, he joined Rhythm & Hues after a short stint at DreamWorks.
He has done art direction and character designs for movies like Harry Potter, Scooby-Doo, The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, Night at the Museum and Alvin and the Chipmunks, and is also known as a TV ad designer whose work includes Coca-Cola polar bear ads and more. He has also worked on the A Bug's Life attraction at Disney World, video for indoor attractions at Caesar's Palace and Hilton Hotel in Las Vegas, video games like an online poker game and Guitar Hero: Aerosmith, as well as commercial illustrations. In recent years, he has been broadening his range of expression by involving himself in animation development etc. at Mattel, Disney and other companies as a freelancer.
Source: https://www.pokemon-movie.jp/news/?p=3756
We Present Special Artwork by Hollywood Art Director Sei Nakashima!
A beautiful yet powerful picture showing Satoshi and his friends' determination to travel as they stand on a shore dazzling in the morning sun
A series of specially drawn posters are now ready!
This special artwork was drawn by art director Sei Nakashima, who has done art direction and character design for several Hollywood movies, including the Harry Potter series.
Multiple beautiful pieces of artwork depicting Satoshi, Kasumi and Takeshi's journey,
done in a style somewhat different from how the earlier Pokémon movies have been portrayed, have been born from Mr. Nakashima's hand!
Some of this special artwork is now being presented prior to the movie's premiere!
Specially made posters will be put up at theaters showing "Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution", so please look forward to them!
More special artwork will appear during the movie's end credits, so make sure to sit through them in their entirety!
The movie will finally premiere this Friday!
Make sure to go to the theater and see this artwork with your own eyes!!
Profile: Sei Nakashima
Born in 1970, moved to America by himself at age 18.
Graduated from the Illustration Department at the Otis-Parsons Art Institute in 1995.
The same year, he joined Rhythm & Hues after a short stint at DreamWorks.
He has done art direction and character designs for movies like Harry Potter, Scooby-Doo, The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, Night at the Museum and Alvin and the Chipmunks, and is also known as a TV ad designer whose work includes Coca-Cola polar bear ads and more. He has also worked on the A Bug's Life attraction at Disney World, video for indoor attractions at Caesar's Palace and Hilton Hotel in Las Vegas, video games like an online poker game and Guitar Hero: Aerosmith, as well as commercial illustrations. In recent years, he has been broadening his range of expression by involving himself in animation development etc. at Mattel, Disney and other companies as a freelancer.
Source: https://www.pokemon-movie.jp/news/?p=3756
The official Pokémon movie website has updated. Translations follow:
Newspapers/Magazines:
Wednesday July 10th:
*"Animedia" - Interview (with Masachika Ichimura and Sachiko Kobayashi)
Thursday July 11th:
*"Josei Seven" - Merchandise giveaway
Saturday July 13th:
"Corocoro Comic" - More info on the attendance gifts, etc.
TV/radio Shows:
Sunday July 7th:
*"Pokémon no uchi atsumaru?" on TV Tokyo - Interview (with Masachika Ichimura, Sachiko Kobayashi and Koichi Yamadera)
*"Nichiyo Big Variety Karaoke Battle U-18" on TV Tokyo - Guest (Sachiko Kobayashi)
Monday July 8th:
*"YOU wa nanishini Nippon e?" on TV Tokyo - Guest (Sachiko Kobayashi)
*"Oha Suta" on TV Tokyo - "Pokémon Week" Special
Tuesday July 9th:
*"Oha Suta" on TV Tokyo - "Pokémon Week" Guests/theme song performance (by Sachiko Kobayashi and Shoko Nakagawa)
Wednesday July 10th:
*"Oha Suta" on TV Tokyo - "Pokémon Week" Special
Thursday July 11th:
*"Oha Suta" on TV Tokyo - "Pokémon Week" Guests (Koichi Yamadera and Raymond)
Friday July 12th:
*"Oha Suta" on TV Tokyo - "Pokémon Week" Guests (Koichi Yamadera and Raymond)
*Note that these are the scheduled publication dates/air dates, and as such are subject to change without notice.
*Broadcast dates will vary depending on where you live. (some areas exempt)
For details, please see the website of your local TV station.
Source: https://www.pokemon-movie.jp/news/?p=3748
Media Information
Newspapers/Magazines:
Wednesday July 10th:
*"Animedia" - Interview (with Masachika Ichimura and Sachiko Kobayashi)
Thursday July 11th:
*"Josei Seven" - Merchandise giveaway
Saturday July 13th:
"Corocoro Comic" - More info on the attendance gifts, etc.
TV/radio Shows:
Sunday July 7th:
*"Pokémon no uchi atsumaru?" on TV Tokyo - Interview (with Masachika Ichimura, Sachiko Kobayashi and Koichi Yamadera)
*"Nichiyo Big Variety Karaoke Battle U-18" on TV Tokyo - Guest (Sachiko Kobayashi)
Monday July 8th:
*"YOU wa nanishini Nippon e?" on TV Tokyo - Guest (Sachiko Kobayashi)
*"Oha Suta" on TV Tokyo - "Pokémon Week" Special
Tuesday July 9th:
*"Oha Suta" on TV Tokyo - "Pokémon Week" Guests/theme song performance (by Sachiko Kobayashi and Shoko Nakagawa)
Wednesday July 10th:
*"Oha Suta" on TV Tokyo - "Pokémon Week" Special
Thursday July 11th:
*"Oha Suta" on TV Tokyo - "Pokémon Week" Guests (Koichi Yamadera and Raymond)
Friday July 12th:
*"Oha Suta" on TV Tokyo - "Pokémon Week" Guests (Koichi Yamadera and Raymond)
*Note that these are the scheduled publication dates/air dates, and as such are subject to change without notice.
*Broadcast dates will vary depending on where you live. (some areas exempt)
For details, please see the website of your local TV station.
Source: https://www.pokemon-movie.jp/news/?p=3748
The official Pokémon movie website has updated. Translations follow:
The movie's pre-premiere was held in Tokyo Sunday June 30th.
Sachiko Kobayashi, Koichi Yamadera, Rica Matsumoto, Director Kunihiko Yuyama, Director Motonori Sakakibara, Shoko Nakagawa and the Pokémon Kids 2019 were all present on the stage.
And so were Mewtwo and Pikachu.
Director Yuyama started off by greeting the audience:
"All the Pokémon movies we've made so far has been in 2D, so I'm looking forward to seeing how this first full 3DCG movie will be received. Since "Mewtwo Strikes Back" was the first ever Pokémon movie we made, 21 years ago, it serves as somewhat of a nucleus of the entire Pokémon anime, so I'm looking forward to learning what kind of thoughts both those that watched it 21 years ago and those that are now watching it for the first time have on it."
When he was asked what he felt as he was directing this year's movie,
he replied "I wanted us to go back to where it all began and make it so that even more people would watch this movie."
Next, Director Sakakibara commented
"This year's movie is in 3DCG, which is why I get to be part of a Pokémon movie for the first time. 21 years ago, when the original movie premiered, I was there in the audience. That movie was a huge hit in America, and I wished I could make a movie like that some day. I'm really happy to be given that chance with this movie."
Sakakibara has been active on the forefront of Hollywood for many years,
and when he was asked what it was like to try making the first ever 3DCG Pokémon movie, he had the following to say:
"There were a lot of challenges involved, but the one that was on my mind the most was how to recreate the atmosphere, and these anime characters that truly represent Japan, in 3D. As an example, we had to figure out how we should interpret those bits on Satoshi's cheeks that turn into Zs, and while we thought of various ways to do that, in the end we came to the conclusion that if we kept their designs true to their original ones they'd turn out fine. I hope you'll pay attention to them as you watch the movie."
Rica Matsumoto, who plays Satoshi, then greeted the audience with an energetic
"All right, everyone, here I go! ...I got a Pokémon!"!
She continued: "I'm extremely happy that this 21 year old movie could be reborn in 3DCG and brought to you guys, and that I got to be part of it as Satoshi! I'm really moved by it all."
She was then asked what she felt when she first saw Satoshi, who you could call her alter ego, in 3DCG for the first time, to which she replied
"I thought his teeth were really nice. I was also really surprised at how realistic the material his hat is made of looked."
"The visuals were so overwhelming I started crying just 3 seconds in", she continued. "I am confident that this is a movie that will stick around for both 100 and 200 years in the future, so please look forward to it, everyone."
Sachiko Kobayashi, who plays Voyager, the woman managing the wharf, was next:
"I played Voyager 21 years ago, and I'm playing Voyager this year as well. When we were dubbing the movie, I said "(uses a cute high-pitched voice) I'm Voyager!" in what I thought sounded like a much younger voice that resembled the one I had 21 years ago, and the director just went "You can talk like the present Kobayashi-san" (laughs). This really ended up being a wonderful movie. Please enjoy it,"
she said, giving a greeting that included a behind-the-scenes story from the dubbing session which drew laughter from the audience.
Koichi Yamadera, who is in his 22nd Pokémon movie in a row this year, and who is reprising his role as Mew this time, punned
"I get to be in these movies every year, but when I see the smiles on your faces, it makes me really happy to be here with you-kata!", standing there in his yukata. And when he heard the children in the audience cheer, he greeted them with "It's been a while, but... Kyo mo genki ni, O-HA!"
He then continued: "Pokémon made it so that I got to host a TV show called Oha Suta, and that changed my life a lot. Not too long after that show started, "Mewtwo Strikes Back" happened, and while I got to play the role of Mew back then as well, I was also promoting the movie on Oha Suta at the same time. That movie was such a big hit all over the world it became a social phenomenon, and the fact that I was right there constantly seeing how the movie made such a massive impression on everyone that saw it makes me really happy to be able to play Mew here in "Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution". I was a bit worried that I wouldn't be able to do the high voice, but I did my best, so please forget what I look like (laughs) and watch the movie!"
Shoko Nakagawa and all the Pokémon Kids 2019 then came onto the stage and joined Sachiko Kobayashi in a performance of "Kaze to issho ni".
Matsumoto, who had been listening to the performance, shared her thoughts on it, saying "I got really moved, remembering how happy I and my fellow voice actors got 21 years ago, when it was decided there was going to be a Pokémon movie.", with Yamadera commenting "You're trying to hold back your tears with all your might."
Kobayashi then shared a story from the "Kaze to issho ni" events she's currently doing with Nakagawa:
"I've seen mothers, holding their children, singing along with this song without any lyric sheets or anything. And...", she said to Nakagawa,
who continued, going "...and there's been adult men crying loudly as they remembered their childhood. Their eyes were all using Hydro Pump."
When she was asked what it was like to sing this song, Nakagawa replied "I got the feels! So so many feels!"
She then continued: "This song is full of precious memories for me. To sing it as an adult together with the Pokémon Kids 2019, as well as having it live on like this, expanding its popularity, working with Pokémon to make people smile... it really is a wonderful start to the Reiwa era.
The moderator then asked everyone "Pokémon Trainers set off on their journey when they are 10. What did you do when you were 10?"
Here is what they replied:
Kobayashi: "I sang "Usotsuki kamome" at the Tokyo Olympics."
Matsumoto: "I wasn't all that different from Satoshi. I was a girl with a similarly strong sense of justice as the one he has."
Yamadera: "I loved doing impressions, and was imitating all kinds of animals."
Nakagawa: "That was the year before the Pokémon games were released, so we were still in the Pre-Pokémon Era, but I loved video games, I loved drawing, I was friends with cats, and now I've become an adult that hasn't changed one bit in that regard."
Finally, the stage greetings ended with Director Yuyama saying "I think this is a movie that condenses everything Pokémon has been so far, so I hope you enjoy it."
"Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution" finally premieres next week, Friday July 12th!
Make sure to come watch it, okay?
Source: https://www.pokemon-movie.jp/news/?p=3735
A Report from the Pre-Premiere
The movie's pre-premiere was held in Tokyo Sunday June 30th.
Sachiko Kobayashi, Koichi Yamadera, Rica Matsumoto, Director Kunihiko Yuyama, Director Motonori Sakakibara, Shoko Nakagawa and the Pokémon Kids 2019 were all present on the stage.
And so were Mewtwo and Pikachu.
Director Yuyama started off by greeting the audience:
"All the Pokémon movies we've made so far has been in 2D, so I'm looking forward to seeing how this first full 3DCG movie will be received. Since "Mewtwo Strikes Back" was the first ever Pokémon movie we made, 21 years ago, it serves as somewhat of a nucleus of the entire Pokémon anime, so I'm looking forward to learning what kind of thoughts both those that watched it 21 years ago and those that are now watching it for the first time have on it."
When he was asked what he felt as he was directing this year's movie,
he replied "I wanted us to go back to where it all began and make it so that even more people would watch this movie."
Next, Director Sakakibara commented
"This year's movie is in 3DCG, which is why I get to be part of a Pokémon movie for the first time. 21 years ago, when the original movie premiered, I was there in the audience. That movie was a huge hit in America, and I wished I could make a movie like that some day. I'm really happy to be given that chance with this movie."
Sakakibara has been active on the forefront of Hollywood for many years,
and when he was asked what it was like to try making the first ever 3DCG Pokémon movie, he had the following to say:
"There were a lot of challenges involved, but the one that was on my mind the most was how to recreate the atmosphere, and these anime characters that truly represent Japan, in 3D. As an example, we had to figure out how we should interpret those bits on Satoshi's cheeks that turn into Zs, and while we thought of various ways to do that, in the end we came to the conclusion that if we kept their designs true to their original ones they'd turn out fine. I hope you'll pay attention to them as you watch the movie."
Rica Matsumoto, who plays Satoshi, then greeted the audience with an energetic
"All right, everyone, here I go! ...I got a Pokémon!"!
She continued: "I'm extremely happy that this 21 year old movie could be reborn in 3DCG and brought to you guys, and that I got to be part of it as Satoshi! I'm really moved by it all."
She was then asked what she felt when she first saw Satoshi, who you could call her alter ego, in 3DCG for the first time, to which she replied
"I thought his teeth were really nice. I was also really surprised at how realistic the material his hat is made of looked."
"The visuals were so overwhelming I started crying just 3 seconds in", she continued. "I am confident that this is a movie that will stick around for both 100 and 200 years in the future, so please look forward to it, everyone."
Sachiko Kobayashi, who plays Voyager, the woman managing the wharf, was next:
"I played Voyager 21 years ago, and I'm playing Voyager this year as well. When we were dubbing the movie, I said "(uses a cute high-pitched voice) I'm Voyager!" in what I thought sounded like a much younger voice that resembled the one I had 21 years ago, and the director just went "You can talk like the present Kobayashi-san" (laughs). This really ended up being a wonderful movie. Please enjoy it,"
she said, giving a greeting that included a behind-the-scenes story from the dubbing session which drew laughter from the audience.
Koichi Yamadera, who is in his 22nd Pokémon movie in a row this year, and who is reprising his role as Mew this time, punned
"I get to be in these movies every year, but when I see the smiles on your faces, it makes me really happy to be here with you-kata!", standing there in his yukata. And when he heard the children in the audience cheer, he greeted them with "It's been a while, but... Kyo mo genki ni, O-HA!"
He then continued: "Pokémon made it so that I got to host a TV show called Oha Suta, and that changed my life a lot. Not too long after that show started, "Mewtwo Strikes Back" happened, and while I got to play the role of Mew back then as well, I was also promoting the movie on Oha Suta at the same time. That movie was such a big hit all over the world it became a social phenomenon, and the fact that I was right there constantly seeing how the movie made such a massive impression on everyone that saw it makes me really happy to be able to play Mew here in "Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution". I was a bit worried that I wouldn't be able to do the high voice, but I did my best, so please forget what I look like (laughs) and watch the movie!"
Shoko Nakagawa and all the Pokémon Kids 2019 then came onto the stage and joined Sachiko Kobayashi in a performance of "Kaze to issho ni".
Matsumoto, who had been listening to the performance, shared her thoughts on it, saying "I got really moved, remembering how happy I and my fellow voice actors got 21 years ago, when it was decided there was going to be a Pokémon movie.", with Yamadera commenting "You're trying to hold back your tears with all your might."
Kobayashi then shared a story from the "Kaze to issho ni" events she's currently doing with Nakagawa:
"I've seen mothers, holding their children, singing along with this song without any lyric sheets or anything. And...", she said to Nakagawa,
who continued, going "...and there's been adult men crying loudly as they remembered their childhood. Their eyes were all using Hydro Pump."
When she was asked what it was like to sing this song, Nakagawa replied "I got the feels! So so many feels!"
She then continued: "This song is full of precious memories for me. To sing it as an adult together with the Pokémon Kids 2019, as well as having it live on like this, expanding its popularity, working with Pokémon to make people smile... it really is a wonderful start to the Reiwa era.
The moderator then asked everyone "Pokémon Trainers set off on their journey when they are 10. What did you do when you were 10?"
Here is what they replied:
Kobayashi: "I sang "Usotsuki kamome" at the Tokyo Olympics."
Matsumoto: "I wasn't all that different from Satoshi. I was a girl with a similarly strong sense of justice as the one he has."
Yamadera: "I loved doing impressions, and was imitating all kinds of animals."
Nakagawa: "That was the year before the Pokémon games were released, so we were still in the Pre-Pokémon Era, but I loved video games, I loved drawing, I was friends with cats, and now I've become an adult that hasn't changed one bit in that regard."
Finally, the stage greetings ended with Director Yuyama saying "I think this is a movie that condenses everything Pokémon has been so far, so I hope you enjoy it."
"Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution" finally premieres next week, Friday July 12th!
Make sure to come watch it, okay?
Source: https://www.pokemon-movie.jp/news/?p=3735
The official Pokémon movie website has updated. Translations follow:
"Pocket Monsters the Movie: I Choose You",
which will air on TV Tokyo Saturday July 6th at 12:30pm,
will also be streamed online in real time!
It will be streamed on these 4 services:
*Twitter (Periscope))
Streaming account: The official Pokémon movie Twitter account (@pokemon_movie)
*AbemaTV
Streaming channel: Abema Anime Channel
https://abe.ma/2YydsOC
*LINE LIVE
Streaming account: Toho
https://live.line.me/channels/51648
*Tv Tokyo's official streaming service "AniTV"
https://ch.ani.tv/
Let's enjoy the "TV Tokyo Pokémon Festival" all across Japan!
Both on TV Tokyo and on the Internet!
The stream will start Saturday July 6th at 12:30, the same time the TV broadcast starts,
so don't miss it!
Source: https://www.pokemon-movie.jp/news/?p=3740
"In Celebration of "Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution"'s Premiere! "Pocket Monsters the Movie: I Choose You!"", the Tv Special Airing Saturday July 6th, Will be Streamed Online for Free!
"Pocket Monsters the Movie: I Choose You",
which will air on TV Tokyo Saturday July 6th at 12:30pm,
will also be streamed online in real time!
It will be streamed on these 4 services:
*Twitter (Periscope))
Streaming account: The official Pokémon movie Twitter account (@pokemon_movie)
*AbemaTV
Streaming channel: Abema Anime Channel
https://abe.ma/2YydsOC
*LINE LIVE
Streaming account: Toho
https://live.line.me/channels/51648
*Tv Tokyo's official streaming service "AniTV"
https://ch.ani.tv/
Let's enjoy the "TV Tokyo Pokémon Festival" all across Japan!
Both on TV Tokyo and on the Internet!
The stream will start Saturday July 6th at 12:30, the same time the TV broadcast starts,
so don't miss it!
Source: https://www.pokemon-movie.jp/news/?p=3740
Corocoro Online has updated with the fifth part of the Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution Legend/Legend Collaboration Artwork Project. Translations follow:
Satoshi Yamamoto from the super popular "Pocket Monsters Special" appears!!
"Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution", the full 3DCG remake of the movie that served as the ultimate starting point for the Pokémon movie series, finally premieres Friday July 12th!!!
To celebrate this return of the legend itself, legendary manga artists and celebrities that love Pokémon have drawn pictures based on "Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution"!
For this fifth installment, the legendary maanga artist Satoshi Yamamoto, who draws the super popular "Pocket Monsters Special" manga that's current serialized in "Corocoro Ichiban!", "Pokémon Fan" and "Sunday Webry", joins the project!! The protagonists' thrilling adventures and the various Pokémon's active roles have been depicted by Yamamoto's hand, and he has given birth to a multitude of famous scenes!
Yamamoto poured his heart and soul into this drawing that's inspired by a scene from "Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution", and the final result is now ready!!
Gyarados confronts Mewtwo with an atrocious look on its face! Even though you can't see Mewtwo's face, you can still feel the air of mysterious calm it gives off!
It truly is an incredibly explosive situation! The drawing really gives off the tension of the moment right before the two unleash powerful moves at one another!
We also have a special comment from Yamamoto!!
I wanted to draw a picture very unlike what I normally draw for PokéSpe,
so I challenged myself to draw one that would get across Mewtwo's aloof strength just by showing him from behind, without his face being visible.
I hope the combination of that and Gyarados' intimidating and scary look
gives off the the kind of pre-battle tension befitting a picture named "The Strongest VS The Atrocious!!"
-Satoshi Yamamoto
Next week we'll present a picture drawn by Mine Yoshizaki, the creator of "Sgt. Frog"!!
Look forward to seeing what kind of drawing we'll get!!
Pocket Monsters Special Sun/Moon 5
Story: Hidenori Kusaka
Art: Satoshi Yamamoto
Price: 454 yen + tax
Format: Shinshoban
Pages: 176
Details: https://www.shogakukan.co.jp/books/09143030
Source: https://corocoro.jp/59948/
The "Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution" Premiere Celebration Project! Part 5: "Pocket Monsters Special"'s very own Satoshi Yamamoto draws "The Strongest VS The Atrocious!! Mewtwo VS Gyarados!"
Satoshi Yamamoto from the super popular "Pocket Monsters Special" appears!!
"Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution", the full 3DCG remake of the movie that served as the ultimate starting point for the Pokémon movie series, finally premieres Friday July 12th!!!
To celebrate this return of the legend itself, legendary manga artists and celebrities that love Pokémon have drawn pictures based on "Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution"!
For this fifth installment, the legendary maanga artist Satoshi Yamamoto, who draws the super popular "Pocket Monsters Special" manga that's current serialized in "Corocoro Ichiban!", "Pokémon Fan" and "Sunday Webry", joins the project!! The protagonists' thrilling adventures and the various Pokémon's active roles have been depicted by Yamamoto's hand, and he has given birth to a multitude of famous scenes!
Yamamoto poured his heart and soul into this drawing that's inspired by a scene from "Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution", and the final result is now ready!!
Artwork theme: "The Strongest VS The Atrocious!! Mewtwo VS Gyarados!"
Gyarados confronts Mewtwo with an atrocious look on its face! Even though you can't see Mewtwo's face, you can still feel the air of mysterious calm it gives off!
It truly is an incredibly explosive situation! The drawing really gives off the tension of the moment right before the two unleash powerful moves at one another!
We also have a special comment from Yamamoto!!
I wanted to draw a picture very unlike what I normally draw for PokéSpe,
so I challenged myself to draw one that would get across Mewtwo's aloof strength just by showing him from behind, without his face being visible.
I hope the combination of that and Gyarados' intimidating and scary look
gives off the the kind of pre-battle tension befitting a picture named "The Strongest VS The Atrocious!!"
-Satoshi Yamamoto
Next week we'll present a picture drawn by Mine Yoshizaki, the creator of "Sgt. Frog"!!
Look forward to seeing what kind of drawing we'll get!!
Pocket Monsters Special Sun/Moon 5
Story: Hidenori Kusaka
Art: Satoshi Yamamoto
Price: 454 yen + tax
Format: Shinshoban
Pages: 176
Details: https://www.shogakukan.co.jp/books/09143030
Source: https://corocoro.jp/59948/
The official Pokémon movie website has updated. Translations follow:
To celebrate the movie's premiere on Friday July 12th,
a Pikachu march will take place at Toki-no-hiroba Plaza at Osaka Station Saturday July 13th!!
There's also going to be a rock-paper-scissors tournament where you can win merchandise that can't be bought anywhere!
Time and date:
Saturday July 13th at 11am (lasts about 30 minutes)
Location:
Toki-no-hiroba Plaza, Osaka Station City, Osaka Station
https://osakastationcity.com/fff2019/
Source: https://www.pokemon-movie.jp/news/?p=3725
Celebrating the Movie's Premiere! A Pikachu March in Osaka
To celebrate the movie's premiere on Friday July 12th,
a Pikachu march will take place at Toki-no-hiroba Plaza at Osaka Station Saturday July 13th!!
There's also going to be a rock-paper-scissors tournament where you can win merchandise that can't be bought anywhere!
Time and date:
Saturday July 13th at 11am (lasts about 30 minutes)
Location:
Toki-no-hiroba Plaza, Osaka Station City, Osaka Station
https://osakastationcity.com/fff2019/
Source: https://www.pokemon-movie.jp/news/?p=3725
The official Pokémon movie website has updated. Translations follow:
The "Pokémon Adventure 2019" will be held at Lake Sagami Pleasure Forest in Sagamihara, Kanagawa
to celebrate the movie's premiere!
The Pokémon Adventure is an adventure game that lets you experience the characteristic world of "Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution".
Visit various places in the resort and attempt the trials issued by Mewtwo!
If you clear the trials, you'll receive an original Pokémon Adventure post card!
In addition, Pikachu will be there as well on Saturday July 20th and Sunday July 21st!
Event period: Saturday July 6th to Sunday September 1st
The Pikachu greetings will be held on Saturday July 20th and Sunday July 21st
Location: Lake Sagami Pleasure Forest
1634 Wakayanagi, Midori, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-0175
Click here for details: https://www.sagamiko-resort.jp/pokemon2019/
Source: https://www.pokemon-movie.jp/news/?p=3708
Lake Sagami Pleasure Forest Will be Holding a Pokémon Movie Tie-in Event
The "Pokémon Adventure 2019" will be held at Lake Sagami Pleasure Forest in Sagamihara, Kanagawa
to celebrate the movie's premiere!
The Pokémon Adventure is an adventure game that lets you experience the characteristic world of "Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution".
Visit various places in the resort and attempt the trials issued by Mewtwo!
If you clear the trials, you'll receive an original Pokémon Adventure post card!
In addition, Pikachu will be there as well on Saturday July 20th and Sunday July 21st!
Event period: Saturday July 6th to Sunday September 1st
The Pikachu greetings will be held on Saturday July 20th and Sunday July 21st
Location: Lake Sagami Pleasure Forest
1634 Wakayanagi, Midori, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-0175
Click here for details: https://www.sagamiko-resort.jp/pokemon2019/
Source: https://www.pokemon-movie.jp/news/?p=3708
The official Pokémon movie website has updated. Translations follow:
Original LINE stamp celebrating the premiere of "Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution"
will be available in the internal LINE stamp shop starting Thursday July 4th!
These famous scenes have been turned into stamps?!
The Pokémon are cuter and cooler than ever now that they're depicted in 3DCG.
We also get a full lineup of Satoshi, Kasumi, Takeshi and the Rocket Gang, all making their first ever appearances as Pokémon stamps!
Check out the internal LINE stamp shop right away and aim to be the ultimate Stamp Master!
The stamp shop can be found here: https://line.me/S/sticker/14702
Stamp lineup:
Product information:
Product name: Original "Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution" LINE stamps
Usage cost: 240 yen (tax included) or 100 coins/set
How to download:
The stamps can be downloaded from the internal LINE stamp shop.
Store url: https://line.me/S/sticker/14702
Notes:
*The stamp shop is only available for LINE for iOS, Android and Windows Phone
*Please update to LINE version 2.7 or higher when using this function.
Source: https://www.pokemon-movie.jp/news/?p=3664
LINE Stamps Celebrating the Movie Premiere are Here!
Original LINE stamp celebrating the premiere of "Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution"
will be available in the internal LINE stamp shop starting Thursday July 4th!
These famous scenes have been turned into stamps?!
The Pokémon are cuter and cooler than ever now that they're depicted in 3DCG.
We also get a full lineup of Satoshi, Kasumi, Takeshi and the Rocket Gang, all making their first ever appearances as Pokémon stamps!
Check out the internal LINE stamp shop right away and aim to be the ultimate Stamp Master!
The stamp shop can be found here: https://line.me/S/sticker/14702
Stamp lineup:
Product information:
Product name: Original "Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution" LINE stamps
Usage cost: 240 yen (tax included) or 100 coins/set
How to download:
The stamps can be downloaded from the internal LINE stamp shop.
Store url: https://line.me/S/sticker/14702
Notes:
*The stamp shop is only available for LINE for iOS, Android and Windows Phone
*Please update to LINE version 2.7 or higher when using this function.
Source: https://www.pokemon-movie.jp/news/?p=3664
The official Japanese YouTube channel has posted a special promotional video for the movie "Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution", which premieres Friday, July 12th, 2019. The video features singer Rita Ora singing Let You Love Me.
Original Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxN76J9na7E
YouTube Clip - Rita Ora - Let You Love Me
Original Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxN76J9na7E
