A new trailer for the 20th Pocket Monsters movie I Choose You! (キミにきめた！) debuted on Oha Suta on March 2nd, 2017. The trailer was locked in a treasure chest and was teased about until it was finally opened and shown to viewers. The trailer featured Satoshi, Pikachu and Ho-oh and the new logo for the movie which was also was revealed on the show and in a tweet the day before to promote the trailer's debut. Screenshots from the trailer are available on the Imageboard thread and the trailer can be viewed on the movie website news article.


Source: https://twitter.com/ohaohagirl/status/836707534211706880

The Pokémon Company International has announced the Pokémon Day 2017 festivities for the United States. It should be an exciting day for all fans of the franchise. It was also revealed that a new line of Pokémon Gallery Figures will be heading exclusively to the United States Pokémon Center website on Pokémon Day. A special Pikachu will also be appearing in Pokémon Go wearing a party hat to celebrate Pokémon Day.

Celebrate Pokémon Day on February 27

Pokémon Day is February 27, commemorating the launch of the very first Pokémon games in Japan way back in 1996. To celebrate the milestone, several events and promotions are planned, leading up through the big day! The fun starts at the #PokemonDay social hub, where we will be updating a gallery of your Pokémon photo memories. Use the hashtag #PokemonDay to share your best Pokémon moments.

• Pikachu is ready to lead the Pokémon Day celebration in Pokémon GO. From February 26 at 1:00 p.m. PST to March 6 at 1:00 p.m. PST, any Pikachu you encounter in the wild will be wearing a festive party hat! The Pikachu you catch during that time will keep its party hat forever, so be sure to look for this special Pikachu during its short time in the wild.
• Pokémon Day marks the debut of the new Gallery Figures collection in the Pokémon Center. The first set includes awesome figures of Eevee, Mew, Magikarp, and Pikachu—each performing its signature attack. These figures were designed specifically for the Pokémon Center, so this is the first time anyone will be able to get their hands on them.
• Starting on Pokémon Day, revisit some of the best big-screen moments of Ash and his friends with a movie marathon on Pokémon TV. For a limited time, watch the original classic Pokémon: The First Movie, as well as Pokémon 4Ever and Pokémon—Zoroark: Master of Illusions in their entirety. Remember that you can watch Pokémon TV here on Pokemon.com and on the Pokémon TV mobile apps. But these movies will be available for only a limited time, so don't miss them!
• The Pokémon Trading Card Game Online is starting its Pokémon Day festivities early, with extra Trainer Tokens available on the Bonus Wheel for the entire week leading up to Pokémon Day. Then, be sure to log in to your game on Pokémon Day for an extra-special Daily Bonus. Remember that you can play the Pokémon TCG Online on your computer, iPad, or Android tablet. Battle today and through Pokémon Day for bigger rewards!
• Don't forget that right now you can head to your local participating GameStop store to get a Bottle Cap for your Pokémon Sun or Pokémon Moon video game. This item lets you boost the individual strength of one of your Pokémon's stats via Hyper Training, making the Pokémon even more ready for your next big battle! Bottle Cap codes will be available at GameStop until March 5.
• Pikachu lends its brilliant features to the new Pikachu Yellow Edition New Nintendo 3DS XL. This limited-edition New Nintendo 3DS XL is launching just a couple of days before Pokémon Day, and it's sure to be popular, so check it out while you can. Visit the product page on Nintendo.com for more details.
• If you're looking for even more Pokémon animation fun for your Pokémon Day celebrations, you can find Pokémon the Movie: Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel on the iTunes Store, Google Play, and Amazon Video on February 27. Plus, check out a special Pokémon the Series: Gold & Silver TV episode bundle featuring Ash's adventures throughout the Johto region. With this collection of episodes and the latest Pokémon movie, you'll be ready to host the perfect Pokémon Day party!
• Pokémon Day is a good reminder that big promotions are going on in Pokémon Shuffle, too. The popular Nintendo 3DS game is celebrating two years of challenging fans with puzzle fun. Take a look at the in-game notifications to get more details on these upcoming opportunities.
• Head to Twitch.tv/Pokemon for an all-day celebration of Pokémon competitions, showing many of the most memorable matches from the Pokémon TCG, video games, and Pokkén Tournament from the past several years. See your favorite players from around the globe as we broadcast epic Championship battles, including some from recent Pokémon World Championships.

Source: http://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/celebrate-pokemon-day-on-february-27/

Pikachu Parties in Pokémon GO!

Keep your eye out for a special Pikachu wearing a party hat to celebrate Pokémon Day! Pikachu is ready to lead the Pokémon Day celebration in Pokémon GO. From February 26 at 1:00 p.m. PST to March 6 at 1:00 p.m. PST, any Pikachu you encounter in the wild will be wearing a festive party hat! The Pikachu you catch during that time will keep its party hat forever, so be sure to look for this special Pikachu during its short time in the wild.

Source: http://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/pikachu-parties-in-pokemon-go/

Put Your Favorite Pokémon on Display

The new Gallery Figures collection launches in the Pokémon Center on Pokémon Day.

Pokémon fans will definitely want to take a look at the new Gallery Figures collection coming to the Pokémon Center on Pokémon Day, February 27. These high-quality figures were created for the Pokémon Center in the United States, meaning this is the first time they have ever been available anywhere in the world.

The first four Gallery Figures depict some well-known Pokémon as they perform an attack: Mew using Psychic, Eevee using Swift, Magikarp using Splash, and Pikachu using its iconic Thunderbolt attack. Each figure is mounted on the same size base, making it easy to put them on display. Plus, this is only the first set of Gallery Figures planned for launch in the Pokémon Center—check back throughout the year for details on upcoming collectibles.

Check out the Pokémon Gallery Figures collection on February 27 in the Pokémon Center!

Source: http://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/put-your-favorite-pokemon-on-display/

The official Japanese Movie 20 website has updated with information on the annual movie drawing contest. Translations follow:

Aim to Become a Pokémon Drawing Master! The "Pocket Monsters the Movie: I Choose You!" Drawing Contest

Organizer: 10 Shogakukan magazines
Sponsor: Pikachu Project

We're commissioning your Pokémon drawings!
Color in the Pikachu on the drawing form, draw whatever Pokémon and other pictures you want around it, and send it in!

Celebrities are participating as well!
To commemorate the 20th movie,
lots of celebrities are entering the drawing contest this year!
We will present their artwork here on this page!

The Pokémon Drawing Master Prize (1 winner, chosen from the 10 Grand Prize winners)


We will create promotional material for the movie with designs based on your drawing!
Your drawing might be used to promote the movie all over the place!

The Grand Prize (1 winner from each of the 10 magazines, for a total of 10 winners)


*A "Pocket Monsters Sun/Moon Light Blue" Nintendo 2DS + one 3DS "Pokémon" game of your choice
This Nintendo 2DS is a product sold by select stores as a limited product. It may no longer be on sale in stores.
This Nintendo 2DS does not come with the 3DS games "Pocket Monsters Sun" or "Pocket Monsters Moon".
Prize provided by: Pokémon

*Your drawing and your name will be presented in the movie!

The Runner-Up Prize (5 winners from each magazine)


*A Monster Collection Extra: Pikachu Special Set
Please note that this prize is subject to change.
Prize provided by: Takara Tomy

The Lucky Prize (100 winners from each magazine)


*2 of each of the Pocket Monsters Card Game Sun & Moon booster packs "Islands Waiting for You" and "Moonlight of Alola"
Each pack contains 5 cards. The cards are put in at random.
Prize provided by: Pokémon

The Pokémon with You Prize (1 winner from all 10 magazines)


*The winning drawing will be used (for a limited time) as the headmark on a train that will actually run in the Tohoku region.

*Your drawing and your name will be presented in the movie!

For info on the Pokémon with You Train



There are two types of drawing forms.

Form A is included with "Corocoro Comic" and "Shonen Sunday".
Form B is included with "Pokémon Fan", "Kindergartener Magazine", "First Grader Magazine", "TV-kun", "Ciao", "Corocoro Ichiban!" and "Pucchigumi"

You can also apply via "Sunday Web Every"!
If you use "Sunday Web Every", you'll draw completely freeform and can submit your drawing via the Internet!
We start taking such entries March 15th!! A link will be provided!

Submit your entry via these children's magazines from Shogakukan:

Submission rules (read through these with an adult):
Cut out the application form from one of these magazines or download one and print it out, fill in all necessary fields, then send it in:
The submissions must have arrived by Saturday April 15th

Pokémon Fan issue 52, on sale February 20th
Corocoro Ichiban April issue, on sale February 21st
Kindergartener April issue, on sale March 1st
First Grader April issue, on sale March 1st
TV-kun April issue, on sale March 1st
Ciao April issue, on sale March 3rd
Corocoro Comic April issue, on sale March 15th
Pucchigumi April issue, on sale March 15th
Shonen Sunday issue 16/2017, on sale March 15th

Source: http://www.pokemon-movie.jp/illust_contest/

As announced in November of 2016, the English dub anime's transition over to Disney XD from Cartoon Network continues on February 11th, 2017 when Pokémon the Series: XY Episode 1 airs on the channel and subsequent episodes of the XY series will air daily. Details about when Pokémon the Series: Sun and Moon will air have yet to be announced.

Ash and Friends Move to Disney XD

Watch your favorite Pokémon animated adventures on Disney XD seven days a week.

Starting February 11, Disney XD is the new home of Pokémon the Series, starring Ash, Pikachu, and all the amazing friends and Pokémon they'll meet. Look for episodes every Saturday morning at 9 a.m., and every Saturday and Sunday evening at 7:30 p.m. You can also watch Pokémon the Series every weekday at 4 p.m.

Check your local listings to find out where Disney XD airs in your area.

Have fun joining Ash and the gang for their exciting adventures at their new home on Disney XD!

Source: http://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/ash-and-friends-move-to-disney-xd/

Shiritsu Ebisu Chūgaku (私立恵比寿中学) member Rina Matsuno (松野莉奈) has died at age 18 on February 8th, 2017. The official website had posted that she was unable to attend a performance in Osaka with the group on February 7th, 2017 due to illness. Although she was taking medical treatment at her home in Tokyo, her condition changed suddenly overnight and her parents called for help but unfortunately it was too late and her death was confirmed at the hospital.


To fans of Pocket Monsters, Rina Matsuno performed as a part of Shiritsu Ebisu Chugaku for the anime ending songs: Sakura Go-Round and Let's Hold Hands. She also made appearances on the show Pokémon Smash! in Pokémon Smash 121, Pokémon Smash 125 and Pokémon Smash 137.

Official Website Profile for Rina Matsuno

Official Website Announcement

Sources: http://shiritsuebichu.jp/official/pc/profile/index5.html, http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2085667/full/, http://www.huffingtonpost.jp/2017/02/08/matsuno_n_14636922.html, http://www.asahi.com/articles/ASK283V31K28UTIL00P.html and http://www.sanspo.com/geino/news/20170208/ido17020811570002-n1.html

The official Pokémon movie website has updated. Translations follow:

A Status Report from the Next Generation World Hobby Fair '17 Winter Tokyo Fair!

The Next Generation World Hobby Fair '17 Winter Tokyo fair was held in Makuhari Messe Saturday January 28th and Sunday January 29th.
This is a status report from it!

This year, the Pokémon Booth is filled with all kinds of "Sun/Moon" material.
Here you can enjoy the world of "Pocket Monsters Sun/Moon", the game that was released November 2016.
The first thing you'll see is the life-sized figure of the Nassy living in the Alola region, the setting of "Pocket Monsters Sun/Moon". It is an incredible 10.9m high!
Children walking past the Pokémon Booth would look up at it and shout with joy.



The Pokémon Booth itself is modeled after the four islands of the Alola region, and on "Poni Island", where the Alolan Nassy can be found, there is a photo spot where you can take a picture with the Alolan Nassy.
In this section, we also rent out Pokémon merchandise you can dress up with! Take fun pictures and brag to your friends.







Then, at "Melemele Island" we have set up "Professor Kukui's Z-Move Laboratory"!
This is a section where you can experience Z-Moves in real life thanks to super high-tech means. Afterwards, you'll be given a QR code that lets you see the movie you just took part in online. The movie is set up so that you can distribute it via twitter etc.



"Ula'ula Island" is a section where you can have fun battling the Skull Gang in the Pokémon Card Game!
We will lend out cards, so it's possible for those who didn't bring their own to jump right in and join as well!



There's also "Akala Island", where you can try the stamp rally, as well as a Pokémon Ga-Olé section near the actual Pokémon Booth.



The Next Generation World Hobby Fair is full of fun!
The Osaka fair (in the Kyocera Dome Osaka) will be held February 5th, and the Fukuoka fair (in the Fukuoka Yahuoku! Dome) will be held February 12th.
Admission is free. Make sure to visit the Pokémon Booth!

For further information, see the Next Generation World Hobby Fair website!

© 2017 Pokémon. © 1995-2017 Nintendo/Creatures Inc./GAME FREAK inc.
Pocket Monsters, ポケモン and Pokémon are registered trademarks of Nintendo/Creatures/Game Freak. The Nintendo 3DS logo and Nintendo 3DS are trademarks of Nintendo.

Source: http://www.pokemon-movie.jp/news/?p=2548

THE POKÉMON COMPANY INTERNATIONAL ANNOUNCES RECORD-BREAKING UK SALES FOR POKÉMON TRADING CARDS AND TOYS

London, UK— January 24, 2017 —The Pokémon Company International announced today that Pokémon has achieved record-breaking sales figures at retail in the UK throughout 2016, for its Trading Card Game (TCG) and toys from master toy partner TOMY, as reported by the NPD Group.

According to figures recorded by the NPD Group Toys retail tracking service, the Pokémon property recorded a 285% increase in sales throughout 2016 against market growth of 6% in the whole UK toy market. In the last three months, October to December, Pokémon increased sales by 512% versus the 7.7% market growth.

Also, in the Christmas week, Pokémon TCG smashed through the one million pounds sterling barrier, achieving retail sales of £1.29m in a seven-day period, a 733.7% increase on the previous year.

Mathieu Galante, Senior Market Development Manager for The Pokémon Company International, said: “Thanks to the activities celebrating Pokémon’s 20th year, plus the huge impact of our video game releases, interest in the brand has escalated, ensuring figures for TCG and toy sales have been incredible. We fully expect that demand for the product will remain high throughout 2017 as new expansions are introduced to tie in with our new Nintendo 3DS games Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon.”

Steve Buckmaster Managing Director of Esdevium Games - UK distributor of the Pokémon TCG - said: “We are delighted to announce these sensational figures just ahead of Toy Fair and look forward to talking to our retail partners at the show about ways that we can keep the phenomenal demand going. We are very excited about our first Pokémon TCG: Sun & Moon expansion, which will be released in February.”

Camilla MacQueen, UK Brand Manager at TOMY Europe said: “We’re excited to be part of Pokémon’s fantastic achievement. We’re expecting 2017 to be another huge year for Pokémon and we’re looking forward to unveiling two new product lines at Toy Fair London that will appeal to collectors of all ages.”

The global phenomenon of Pokémon was first launched in Japan in 1996 as a role-playing game for Nintendo’s Game Boy system and reached the United States and Europe in 1998–99. The first generation of Pokémon games introduced the original 151 Pokémon. Today the Pokémon universe includes more than 800 Pokémon that players can catch, trade, and battle against their opponents in the quest to become the best Pokémon Trainer.

Pokémon has since grown into one of the most popular entertainment properties in the world. It is one of the most successful video game franchises of all time, with more than 279 million video games sold worldwide. In addition, 21.5 billion TCG cards have been shipped to 74 countries in 11 languages, and over 450,000 players take part in Pokémon events every year. There are also more than 900 episodes of the animated TV series, now starting its 20th season.

The official Pokémon movie website has updated. Translations follow:

A Life-Sized Alolan Nassy Will Appear! The Next Generation World Hobby Fair '17 Winter is Taking Place

The Next Generation World Hobby Fair '17 Winter will be held at four venues across Japan: In Nagoya, Tokyo, Osaka and Fukuoka.
A life-sized Alolan Nassy will appear at the Pokémon Booth during this Next Generation World Hobby Fair '17 Winter!
It towers an incredible 10.9 meters!
Go see the gigantic Nassy that inhabits the Alola region for yourself at the venue!



Also, the Pokémon Booth this year will be filled with "Sun/Moon" events!
We will have a corner where we'll use super high-tech means to let you experience the fully powered "Z-Move" attacks that get unleashed by becoming one with your Pokémon, as well as a corner where you can excite yourself with Pokémon Card Game battles even if you don't have your own deck!
And we might have special guests show up at the Pokémon Booth as well?!

Schedule:
Sunday January 22nd: Nagoya Fair (Nagoya Dome)
Saturday January 28th and Sunday January 29th: Tokyo Fair (Makuhari Messe)
Sunday February 5th: Osaka Fair (Kyocera Dome Osaka)
Sunday February 12th: Fukuoka Fair (Fukuoka Yahuoku! Dome)

Also, on Sunday January 29th during the Tokyo Fair, we will hold a special Pokémon stage show at the World Hobby Fair Stage!
The Pokénchi residents will appear and present info on the Pokémon movie and anime!
In addition, there will be an anime theme song concert with Rica Matsumoto and Taiiku Okazaki!

Date and time:
Sunday January 29th at the Tokyo Fair (Makuhari Messe), 11:30am to 12:00am



For further information, see the Next Generation World Hobby Fair website!

© 2017 Pokémon. © 1995-2017 Nintendo/Creatures Inc./GAME FREAK inc.
Pocket Monsters, ポケモン and Pokémon are registered trademarks of Nintendo/Creatures/Game Freak. The Nintendo 3DS logo and Nintendo 3DS are trademarks of Nintendo.

Source: http://www.pokemon-movie.jp/news/?p=2509

The official Pokémon movie website has updated. Translations follow:

The First Ever 3D Pokémon Movie Will Be Rescreened in Theaters!

The 3D Pokémon movies will be rescreened at Aeon Cinema starting Saturday February 11th!
This will be an extravagant double feature consisting of the first ever 3D Pokémon movie, "Pokémon 3D Adventure: Search for Mew!" from 2005, and "Pokémon 3D Adventure 2: Pikachu's Undersea Adventure" from 2006!
Pikachu, Nyarth and the other Pokémon popping out of the screen is a spectacle to behold!
You set of on an adventure with the Pokémon as well!

*Note that some Aeon Cinema establishments will not be screening this feature. For further information, please see the Aeon Cinema WEB site.



Movie details:
Premiere date: Saturday Feruary 11th
Admission: 500 yen
*Paid admission for childen over 3
*Guests without 3D Glasses will be charged an additional 100 yen per pair.

Run time: Roughly 26 minutes (entire double feature)
Screening theaters: See Aeon Cinema WEB
*For movie times, please inquire at your local theater.

Source: http://www.pokemon-movie.jp/news/?p=2498

The official Pokémon movie website has updated. Translations follow:

We're Going to Air the Special "Experience It! Gather at the Pokémon School!!"

At the end of the year, we are going to air a special Pokémon show!
It's set in the "Pokémon School", where you can actually experience the Pokémon world in real life!
This school of wonders will be holding super exciting classes that will keep you on the edge of your seat!

The students get to attempt to replicate "Sparking Gigavolt", the Z-Move Satoshi and Pikachu fire off in the anime, in real life?
And they also get to try replicating Ashimari's balloons?
And there's a lecture on Z-Move poses from Taiiku Okazaki, who sings the anime's ending theme, on top of that?!

This will be a special full of thrills and excitement! Look forward to it!

Air date/time
Tuesday December 27th, 7:30am to 8:30am
Hosts
Daisuke Miyagawa, Kazuki Iio (from Zun), Ruriko Kojima, Taiiku Okazaki and Denjiro Yonemura

For further information, see TV Tokyo's Pocket Monsters Sun & Moon AniTV site

Source: http://www.pokemon-movie.jp/news/?p=2468