Since the Pokemon franchise first kicked off in the mid-90s, the Pokemon Company and its subsidiaries have rolled out countless television specials, straight-to-DVD films, theatrical movies, and digital shorts. Today, a new film joins the mix. The Pokemon Company International has just revealed that the upcoming Pokemon the Movie: I Choose You! will make a limited release in select theaters this fall.

Where previous Pokemon flicks have focused on epic battles on mysterious lands and Ash's desire to capture an ultra-rare creature, Pokemon the Movie: I Choose You! tells a different tale. Viewers will get to witness Ash and Pikachu's origin story, and learn how their friendship formed and evolved on their quest for the Legendary bird-type Pokemon Ho-Oh. Along the way, the dynamic duo come face-to-face with new characters, including Trainers Verity and Sorrel, and will uncover facts about a mythical new creature called Marshadow.

Colin Palmer, the Vice President of Marketing at the Pokemon Company International, stated that the film is intended to establish the franchise for the up-and-coming generation who may not have had the chance to see how the bond between Pokemon's most important protagonists started.

"As an origin story, Pokemon the Movie: I Choose You! is the perfect way for a new generation of Pokemon fans to experience the beginning of Ash and Pikachu’s friendship, and it offers longtime fans an exciting new look into the start of their epic adventures. We’re excited to work with Fathom Events, whose expertise in unique theatrical event activations will offer families and fans the opportunity to come together and experience the excitement of Pokemon animation on the big screen."

Pokemon the Movie: I Choose You! will screen in theaters in select international markets for two days only: Sunday, November 5 and Monday, November 6, 2017. Additional details such as special offers and screening times will be available soon. The film is already out in Japan, where it debuted in the number one box office spot during its opening weekend.

News of another Pokemon movie heading to theaters comes amidst rather negative buzz surrounding one of the media franchise's properties, Pokemon GO. After a festival in the States went awry -- due in large part to cell phone service outages and major technical glitches -- the game's developer, Niantic, delayed Safari Zone events for European fans. To make matters more frustrating, players began discovering an odd glitch in a Pokemon Niantic gave as compensation.

Though fans have witnessed the unveiling of many Pokemon film in years past, it seems that the Pokemon Company's announcement of Pokemon the Movie: I Choose You! struck at just the right time, offering a bit of relief to Pokemon enthusiasts who have experienced some rough events lately. Venturing back to where Ash and Pikachu began and seeing it all play out on the silver screen seems a great way to boost enthusiasm and overall spirits in the Pokemon fan community.

Pokemon the Movie: I Choose You! will screen in theaters in select international markets on Sunday, November 5 and Monday, November 6, 2017.

Source: DualShockers