Pokémon returns to the real world in a new live-action video.
The new video features Pikachu and a team of other original generation Pokémon, including Psyduck, Charmander and Jigglypuff, as they watch a professional chef put together a number of traditional Japanese treats, including shiratama dango (sweet rice dumplings), stir-fryed chestnuts, baked sweet potatoes and a syrup pop that is artfully molded into the shape of Psyduck. The strangely relaxing video shows how each dish is made, and ends with the Pokémon and their new chef friend enjoying the treats during a night time picnic.
The video is actually the third episode in a series which has been released exclusively through the official Japanese Pokémon YouTube channel. The first two videos featured the Pokémon learning how to make Pikachu-themed cream puffs and fresh fruit tarts.
The video was created using CG animation composited over live-action footage, similar to the Detective Pikachu film. That movie was released in 2019 and is still the second-highest grossing video game-to-movie adaptation of all time. A new series based on Nintendo and Game Freak's video game franchise is reportedly in the works at Netflix, which is also assumed to also feature a similar blend of live-action and CG characters. The new project is being helmed by Lucifer showrunner Joe Henderson. Netflix has yet to announce any other details about the new show. The company has already invested in the franchise, as in the United States the streaming giant is now the exclusive streaming home of Pokémon Master Journeys: The Series, the latest iteration of the franchise's long-running animated adaptation.
The Pokémon franchise recently concluded its year-long 25th anniversary celebration, which featured a number of new video games, anime and trading card game expansions that were released throughout 2021. The series began with the release of Pocket Monsters: Red and Green Version for the original black-and-white Game Boy in 1996 and has since grown into one of the biggest entertainment franchises in the world.
The most recent game in the series, Pokémon Legends: Arceus, was released exclusively for the Nintendo Switch on Jan. 28. While the new game received some criticism for its sub-par graphics, it's open-world structure and updated gameplay mechanics have been lauded by professional critics and many fans alike. The game garnered a much more positive reception than the series' previous Switch releases and managed to sell over 6.5 million copies within its first week of release.
Source: YouTube
