On July 23th, 2021, the official Japanese Twitter account reminded people that this episode was available to watch on the official Japanese YouTube channel. The video was region locked to Japan only. It was available from July 23rd, 2021 to July 30th, 2021. This episode was specifically labeled as a limited time broadcast (期間限定配信).

Pocket Monsters Anime Episode 74 'Darkrai's Midsummer Night's Dream'
How was it⁉
Satoshi and Go, who are chasing Darkrai, had a dream in the Shinoh region.
It was a terrible nightmare...

第74話「ダークライ　真夏の夜の夢」
いかがでしたか⁉
ダークライ を追うサトシとゴウがシンオウ地方で見た夢は
それはそれはとんでもない悪夢で…

The official Japanese Anime PR Twitter account posted a special artwork to promoite this Anipoke episode on July 22nd, 2021. The picture featured Hikari and Pochama and was drawn by Shūhei Yasuda (安田周平).

You can see the energetic Hikari and Pochama in tomorrow's Anipoke.
Please check it out!

明日放送のアニポケで元気いっぱいのヒカリとポッチャマに会えますよ
是非ご覧ください

CoroCoro Comic's Official website posted an article about this episode just before the original airing on July 23rd, 2021. They also tweeted about the page on the official CoroCoro Comic Twitter account to promote it.


It's almost time for Anipoke! Darkrai suddenly appears! Two consecutive weeks of "Anipoke Summer Special Episodes" start today!


The anime "Pocket Monsters" will start airing soon! It airs every Friday at 6:55 p.m. and it is very popular! In this article, we'll introduce you to the Pokémon and characters that will appear in today's episode, as well as comments from the voice actors and director, and other Anipoke information you won't find anywhere else! Today's episode and next week's episode will be as gorgeous as the movie version, with Legendary and Mythical Pokémon!

In the Sinnoh region, people are having nightmares and can't sleep!　The members of the Sakuragi Research Institute suspect that this is the work of some kind of Pokémon. Satoshi and Go immediately set out to investigate!　

The "Sinnoh Region" and "nightmares".... If you're a fan of Pokémon, you may have already noticed that nightmares in the Sinnoh region are generally caused by the Mythical Pokémon Darkrai!　Could this series of incidents be the work of Darkrai...?


▲ The people of the Sinnoh region are frustrated because they can't sleep!　Fights are on the rise, and it's an emergency!


▲ Satoshi and Go find out that the area where the incidents are occurring is moving, but... they also have nightmares!

Meanwhile, today is the start of summer vacation for Koharu. It was supposed to be a fun trip with the whole family, but due to her parents' work schedule, she'll be traveling alone! That's why Koharu will also be traveling to the Shinoh region, where Satoshi and Go are headed!


▲ The Professor seemed to have completely forgotten about the trip.


▲ Just Koharu and Eievui depart!　There are sure to be all kinds of encounters waiting for them on our their journey!

As Koharu searches for a destination in the Sinnoh Region, she decides to go see a Pokémon Contest held in Hakutai City that she saw on TV!　And while experiencing various things, she decides to camp in the forest that day... There, Koharu meets Satoshi's old traveling companion, Hikari!


▲ It's been nine years since Hikari's last appearance!


▲ Of course, Pochama's is with her!

Today's episode foreshadows the great adventures of Satoshi and Go, as well as Koharu and Hikari, but there's another twist...?　I'm not sure what to make of it. A message from Matori tells the Rocket Gang that Sakaki has a direct mission for them. The mission is to "capture Darkrai and Cresselia. ...and the incident takes an unbelievable turn!


▲ It's the beginning of a nightmare!　Don't miss the next episode at 6:55!

【アニポケまであとちょっと！】いきなりダークライあらわる!? 2週連続「アニポケ夏のスペシャルエピソード」今日からスタート!!
毎週金曜よる6時55分から大好評放送中！
アニメ「ポケットモンスター」まもなく放送スタート！
この記事はアニメ放送直前に、今日の放送回に登場するポケモンやキャラクターの紹介、声優さんや監督からのコメントなどなど、ほかでは聞けないアニポケ情報をお届けするコーナーだ！　今日の放送と来週の放送は、伝説のポケモンや幻のポケモンが登場する劇場版並みに豪華なスペシャル回だ！
シンオウ地方の各地で人々が悪夢に悩み、眠れないでいるという事件が発生！　
これを何らかのポケモンの仕業ではないかとみたサクラギ研究所の一同。さっそくサトシとゴウが調査へ向かうことに！　
「シンオウ地方」そして「悪夢」…。ポケモンが好きな人ならもう気づいたかもしれないが、シンオウ地方で悪夢といえば幻のポケモン「ダークライ」！　まさかこの一連の事件はダークライの仕業なのか…!?
▲シンオウ地方の人々は眠れないせいでイライラ！　喧嘩も増えている緊急事態！
▲事件の発生エリアが移動していることを突き止めたサトシとゴウだったが…2人も悪夢に!?
一方、今日から夏休みのコハル。家族みんなで楽しく旅行…のつもりが両親の仕事の都合でコハルの一人旅になってしまう！　 ということでコハルもまた、サトシたちが向かったシンオウ地方へと旅立つことになるのだった！
▲旅行のことをうっかりすっかり忘れていた様子の博士。
▲コハルとイーブイだけで出発！　自由な旅にはきっといろんな出会いが待っている!!
シンオウ地方で旅の行く先を探すコハルは、テレビで偶然見かけたハクタイシティで開催されるというポケモンコンテストを見に行くことに！　 そしていろんなハプニングに見舞われながら、この日は森でキャンプすることに決めるのだが…。そこでコハルが出会ったのはサトシのかつての旅の仲間、ヒカリだった!!
▲なんとヒカリは約9年ぶりの登場！
▲もちろんポッチャマもいっしょだ！
もちろんコハルは、ヒカリがサトシのかつての旅の仲間だとは知らないんだけど、ヒカリがこれまでにしてきた旅の話をするシーンはファンなら必見だ!!
サトシとゴウ、そしてコハルとヒカリの大冒険を予感させる今日の放送だが、もうひとつの動きが…？　そう、ここはロケット団のアジト。マトリからの通信によってサカキ直々のミッションがロケット団に告げられる。
そのミッションとは「ダークライとクレセリアを捕獲せよ」。
…そして事件はとんでもない方向へと進んでいく！！
▲まさに悪夢の始まり!?　このあと6時55分からの放送を見逃すな！

On July 2nd, 2021, the official Japanese anime Twitter account posted that Megumi Toyoguchi would reprise her role as Hikari on the July 23rd and July 30th, 2021 episodes of Pocket Monsters.

For the first time in 9 years, Hikari will appear on the Anipoke on 7/23 (Fri.) and 7/30 (Fri.)
Hikari once traveled with Satoshi through the Sinnoh region.
Megumi Toyoguchi is her voice actress.

7/23(金)、7/30(金)放送の アニポケ に約9年ぶりに ヒカリ が登場
かつてサトシと一緒にシンオウ地方を旅したヒカリ
#豊口めぐみ さんが声優を務めます

Following after Iris and Shigeru, Hikari and Pochama from Pocket Monsters Diamond and Pearl will be appearing in the anime series Pocket Monsters! It's been about 9 years since I've appeared in the series, so I was nervous about whether I could play Hikari again after such a long time, but during the recording, I had a great time interacting with my partner, Pochama, and felt at ease and happy.

For those of you who are watching starting to watch the Anipoke, this will be the first time you've see Hikari but I hope you will like her as she has a sunny personality and loves Pokémon. Her Pokémon partner, Pochama, is also very cute, so please look forward to the special summer episodes and see what kind of story it will be!
Megumi Toyoguchi as Hikari

アイリス、シゲルに続き、今度は「ポケットモンスターダイヤモンド・パール」よりヒカリとポッチャマがTVアニメ「ポケットモン スター』に登場することになりました！約9年ぶりの登場という ことで、久々にヒカリを演じられるかドキドキしていましたが'、 収録中はパートナーのポッチャマとのやり取りがとても楽しく、 安心感もあり、幸せなひとときをすごせました。
今回のシリーズから初めて「アニボケ』を見ていらっしやる方に とっては初めましてですが、太陽のように明るぐポケモン思い のヒカリを好きになってもらえたらなと思います。そして、彼女 のパートナーポケモンのポッチャマもすっごく可愛いので、夏 のスペシャルエピソード、どんなお話になるのか、是非楽しみに していてくださいね！
ヒカリ役 豊口めぐみ

The official Japanese Anime PR Twitter account posted an After Story comic on July 25th, 2021 by #もじゃクッキー @mojacookie

Meanwhile, Professor Sakuragi...
While watching over the egg, he's so worried about Koharu that he can't stop thinking about her.

一方でサクラギ所長は…
タマゴを見守りつつ
コハルのことが心配で心配でたまらないみたいです

Professor Sakuragi Thought Bubble: Koharu, are you okay? Are you crying?
コハル大丈夫かな？泣いてないか？

On July 20th, 2021, the official Japanese anime Twitter account posted a video promotion for this episode featuring Toshiaki Kasuga (from Audrey) and Hikaru Morita (from Sakurazaka46).

On July 2nd, 2021, the official Japanese Anime Twitter account posted a new key visual poster for the Anipoke featuring Hikari and Pochama.

Hikari and Pochama will appear in the "Summer Special Episodes" to be aired on 7/23 (Fri.) and 7/30 (Fri.), 2021. We can't wait to see what adventures they have in store for us...

アニポケ の新たなキービジュアルが到着
7/23(金)、7/30(金)放送の「夏のスペシャルエピソード」に登場するヒカリとポッチャマ どんな冒険をするのか…どうぞお楽しみに

On July 8th, 2021, the official Animedia magazine Twitter account posted a tweet to promote the August 2021 issue which was released the next day on July 9th, 2021.

In the August issue of Animedia, we've got a super cute illustration of Koharu and Hikari from the TV anime Pocket Monsters. Megumi Toyoguchi, who plays Hikari, tells us all about Hikari's lovable points, her activities, and the secret story behind the recording! Don't miss the pinup! On sale July 9!　

アニメディア８月号では、TVアニメ『ポケットモンスター』コハル＆ヒカリの超キュンかわなイラストを描きおろし♡　ヒカリ役の豊口めぐみさんに、ヒカリの愛すべきポイントと活躍、そして収録秘話をたっぷり語っていただきました！　ピンナップも必見♪　7月9日発売　

On July 8th, 2021, the official PASH! magazine Twitter account posted a tweet to promote the August 2021 issue which was released the next day on July 9th, 2021.

A Pinup for the TV Animation Pocket Monsters is included in the August 2021 issue on sale tomorrow, July 9th! Koharu & Eievui, Hikari & Pochama are having a great time at the beach! Check out the Anipoke details in the August issue!

明日7月9日発売8月号ピンナップ『TVアニメ ポケットモンスター』！コハル＆イーブイ、ヒカリ＆ポッチャマが海辺でおおはしゃぎ！約9年ぶりに登場するヒカリに注目です♪ #アニポケ 8月号の詳細はこちらをチェック

The Japanese title of this episode, Darkrai's Midsummer Night's Dream (ダークライ真夏の夜の夢), is based on the title of William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream (真夏の夜の夢).

The dubs removed the Japanese text which said: Sinnoh Region (シンオウ 地方).

The dubs changed the S on the uniforms which represented Sakuragi Gang in the Japanese original to the generic R uniforms which represent Team Rocket.

The official Japanese Anime PR Twitter account posted a behind-the-scenes look at the making of this Anipoke episode with a production artwork piece on July 22nd, 2021. The picture featured Hikari smiling.

Hikari's first appearance in about 9 years
Only one more day until we see her smiling face!
Please look forward to it

約9年ぶりに登場するヒカリ
元気な笑顔に会えるまであと1日
どうぞお楽しみに