A live-action Netflix Pokemon series is reportedly coming to the small screen. Netflix is home to a variety of Pokemon content, such as the TV shows Pokémon: Indigo League and Pokemon Journeys. Fans can also enjoy multiple films such as Mewtwo Strikes Back, the live-action Detective Pikachu, and the more controversial Pokemon: I Choose You.
Some fans are excited about this brand-new Netflix video game adaptation. The streaming service has had success with TV shows based on games before, such as The Witcher and Castlevania. But some have pointed towards the flops that were the 2017 Netflix movie Death Note and the recent He-Man reboot. Here are some things that would be great to see in the Netflix Pokemon Series.
10 Great CGI
While Detective Pikachu had its ups and downs when it came to the narrative, the CGI was near-universally praised by fans and critics alike. The attention to detail that the artists gave each Pokémon was worthy of such admiration. Fans particularly loved the scales on the Charizard and the adorable ball of fluff that was Detective Pikachu.
Furthermore, Netflix is no stranger to big-budget productions. The streaming service conglomerate is one of the biggest names in TV these days, and it's certainly paid the price for it. The original TV series The Crown had a reported $130 million budget, making it the most expensive Netflix show ever produced. Detective Pikachu's reported budget was approximately $150 million, so some Pokéfans' hopes are running wild with the thought of what could be.
9 Old Companions
The news that Netflix is creating a live-action Pokemon TV series comes as no surprise. Created by Satoshi Tajiri in 1995, Pokemon has evolved into the largest media franchise in the world. Fans across the globe have grown up alongside an eclectic cast of characters. It would be great to see the return of fan favorites such as Brock, Misty, and Dawn.
Of course, there might be licensing issues when it comes to main characters seen in previous anime episodes. However, it would be nice to see lesser-seen characters, such as Lance or Wallace.
8 An Older Ash
The world of Pokemon is incredibly dark, if people take a second to think about it. Trainers capture wild animals, keep them in cramped conditions and only free them to watch them fight. Variety reports that Netflix has said ‘I choose you!’ to Lucifer co-showrunner Joe Henderson for this project. Lucifer doesn’t shy away from more mature themes. Joe Henderson could be the perfect choice to touch upon the darker side of Pokemon.
A gritty live-action Pokemon reboot has been a meme for years. This is because, at first thought, it seems absurd. Pokemon, at its heart, is a children’s franchise after all. But Detective Pikachu played with the darker elements of the world and Variety’s sources claim that it is “akin to the “Detective Pikachu” film”. Could this be the project that dares to delve into those dark themes?
7 Quiet Pokemon
Recent Pokemon movies have adopted the trend of chatty Pokemon, especially chatty Legendaries. Whilst this works in the games for special Pokemon, such as your starter Pikachu or Eevee in Pokémon Let’s Go, it can be off-putting for extended periods of time.
Some films, such as Pokemon: Giratina & the Sky Warrior, use voice actors to give life to Pokemon. Shaymin, an adorable Grass-type hedgehog, has a bratty personality that might not come across if it was silent. However, some movies are actively hurt by the excessive use of voice acting. The squeaky, whiny tone of the God of all Pokemon, Arceus, in Pokemon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life, gave the whole movie a comedic tone. If Netflix’s live-action Pokemon series does adopt the ‘Speaking Pokemon’ trope, it must be done well.
6 Actual battles
While fans saw a lot of action in Detective Pikachu, there was not a proper trainer vs trainer match. For the Netflix Pokemon series, it would be great to see these iconic fights with all the energy that the 2D and 3D games conveyed.
This might be challenging to pull off, but Netflix has plenty of talented people who could really bring out the dynamic nature of these battles as seen in the anime.
5 Gym Challenges
In nearly every single Pokemon game, Gyms have been at the core of the adventure. The feeling of entering the gym for the first time with a team of Pokemon and overcoming your weaknesses to be very best is something that the franchise excels at.
The Pokemon franchise is also no stranger to merchandising opportunities. Introducing a new Gym to the live-action Netflix Pokemon series would create an opportunity to sell shiny new badges for fans to collect ‘em all.
4 Contests
For some people, Pokemon battles just aren’t it. Pokemon Contests offer an underrated alternative that has all the competition, but none of the violence. The flashy visuals of Pokemon Contests would be perfect for the small screen.
In the Advanced Generation and Diamond & Pearl anime seasons, May and Dawn’s contest adventures were given the same narrative importance to Ash Ketchum's Pokemon League progression. It would be great to see more contest rivalry in the Netflix Pokemon Series.
3 A Major Evolution
Pokemon evolution in TV and film is slightly different to the games. Unlike in the mainline games, there are no strict quantitative measures when it comes to Pokemon evolution. This is mainly because there has not been much proof that the concept of levels exists in the anime's universe.
This means that when a Pokemon evolves in the anime, it’s a big deal. Evolution is often portrayed as a sign of maturity and inner strength. Moments such as Caterpie’s evolution in the Indigo League are some of the most heart-wrenching moments in the franchises’ history. Fans would love to see more moments like this in the Netflix Pokemon Series.
2 Recognizable Locations
The world of Pokemon has some iconic locations familiar to fans, both old and new.
The tree-lined tranquil town of Pallet and the foreboding shadows of Mt. Coronet are just some of the areas based on real-world locations. It would be great to see these real-world locations become sets and transformed into their Pokemon equivalents.
1 Some Pokemon Who Get No Love
The iconic mascots of Pokemon, such as Pikachu and Eevee, get plenty of love. Legendaries and starters also get a lot of screen time.
There are, of course, plenty of movies named after them. It would be nice to see some Pokemon that don’t get much love in the games, such as Vanillish and Klinklang, get a share of the spotlight.