A brand new animated series is coming to the ever-expanding world of Pokémon.
Based on the recently released Pokémon Legends: Arceus, the new anime was revealed during the Pokémon Presents event. Little information about the series is currently known, including the show's title, but it has been confirmed that it will be an online series and will make its debut sometime in 2022. The Pokémon Company will likely reveal more details in the coming weeks.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus was released at the end of January. The game features an expansive open world for players to explore, revamped game mechanics and a brand new region, Hisui, which is brimming with new pocket monsters like Wyrdeer, Basculegion and Kleavor. Early reviews for the game have been overwhelmingly positive; one critic specifically stated that Pokémon Legends: Arceus has "truly revolutionized the series for a more modern audience."
Alongside introducing gamers to Hisui and the region's various new Pokémon, the title confirms multiple longstanding theories, including the one about Shaymin, the Gratitude Pokémon. It is heavily implied in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl that Shaymin is responsible for Floaroma Town's status as a flower paradise, but it is never explicitly stated. However, in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, players get to witness the founding of the town for themselves. The game also confirms a theory about the Alolan version of Vulpix. Between Pokémon Legends: Arceus's new region, the new pocket monsters and the various lore implications, there will be plenty of interesting story elements and plotlines for the upcoming anime to explore.
The Pokémon Legends: Arceus animated series isn't the only exciting, recent development for the franchise. An announcement trailer for two more games -- Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet -- was recently released as well, giving fans and gamers a sneak peek of what the ninth generation of the franchise has in store. While the gameplay footage is not final, it does indicate that the open-world format and general design aesthetic of Pokémon Legends: Arceus will persist going forward. The trailer also provides a glimpse at the new starters -- Sprigatito (Grass-type), Fuecoco (Fire-type) and Quaxley (Water-type).
MEDICOM TOY also released a new, adorable Pikachu toy, the Bearbrick Pikachu Figure, which features "a cheerful winking face and an adorably chubby belly" and multiple points of articulation. It retails for $19.99 and is currently available for purchase on the Pokémon Center website.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus is available to play exclusively on the Nintendo Switch.
Source: YouTube, via Anime News Network
