It was officially revealed today that Pocket Monsters Best Wishes Season 2 Episode N (ポケットモンスター ベストウイッシュ シーズン2 エピソードN) will begin on January 17th, 2013 and will feature the return of the Rocket Gang! We have added the series to our Episode Guide and it will be updated as soon at titles are revealed. Below is the press release.

Japanese Press Release - Translation

In this new series, Satoshi, Pikachu and friends start a new journey towards the 'White Ruins'. On their way, they meet the young 'N', who can hear the voices from Pokémon's hearts... The door of truth leading to an Utopia for Pokémon and humans now lies open! 'Pocket Monsters Best Wishes Season 2 Episode N' is a tense and exciting story featuring battles on an all new level - do not miss it! What is the real deal with the mysterious youth N? Make sure to take note of the new characters Ghetsis and Achroma as well!

The story of this new arc: Following the Isshu League Higaki Tournament, Satoshi and friends set out on a new journey towards the 'White Ruins' discovered by Professor Araragi's father, a place connected to Reshiram, a Pokémon called legendary. There, they meet the mysterious youth N, who claims he can understand what Pokémon are saying. And then the group gets involved in an ominous experiment on Pokémon conducted by the Plasma Gang! Through the works of the mysterious scientist Achroma, even Pikachu and Kibago become hostile towards Satoshi and friends!? What are the true ambitions of the Plasma Gang's leader Ghetsis, who reveals the gang has been searching for N!? And then, the Rocket Gang trio makes their return to the Isshu Region!! Their current mission puts them at odds with the Plasma Gang... how will the resulting battle turn out!?

Japanese Press Release

新シリーズでサトシとピカチュウたちは、「白の遺跡」を目指し、新たな旅を始める。そこで、ポケモンの心の声が聞こえる青年“Ｎ（エヌ）”と出会うが……。ポケモンと人との理想郷、その先にある真実の扉が今開かれる！これまでにない圧倒的なスケールのバトルと、スピード感あふれるストーリーでますます見逃せない『ポケットモンスター ベストウイッシュ シーズン２ エピソードＮ』。そして何よりも、謎の青年Ｎの正体は？ほか、ゲーチス、アクロマといった新キャラクターにも大注目だ！

新章のストーリーは…イッシュリーグ・ヒガキ大会を終えたサトシたちは、アララギ博士の父が発見した伝説と呼ばれしポケモン、レシラムにまつわる場所「白の遺跡」を目指し、新たな旅を始める。そこでポケモンの声が聞こえるという不思議な青年Ｎ（エヌ）と出会う。さらにサトシたちは、ポケモンを使った怪しい実験をしているプラズマ団の実験に巻き込まれてしまう。謎の科学者アクロマの手によって、ピカチュウ、キバゴまでもがサトシたちに牙を剥く！？プラズマ団はＮ（エヌ）を探しているというが、プラズマ団の総帥・ゲーチスの野望とは一体なんなのか!?さらに、あのロケット団３人組がイッシュ地方再上陸!!プラズマ団と対立し作戦を遂行するロケット団…そのバトルの行方は!?

Press Release Pictures

Pictures from the press release have been added to our imageboard and can be viewed by clicking here. Below are some of the pictures from the press release.

The new TV Anime Series Pocket Monsters Best Wishes Season 2 Episode N (ポケットモンスター ベストウイッシュ シーズン2 エピソードN) will begin on January 17th, 2013 and will feature the return of the Rocket Gang! To celebrate this, players of the Japanese version of Pocket Monsters Black 2 and White 2 will be able to download a Rocket Gang Nyarth. Nyarth has been in the anime series from the very start, more than 15 years, but this is the first time it is being offered as a present! Nyarth will be available for a limited time on the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection from December 7th, 2012 until January 10th, 2013. Below are the full details.

Pokémon	Info
	Level: 15
	Pokémon: Nyarth (ニャース)
	OT: Rocket-dan (Rだん)
	Poké ball: Cherish Ball (プレシャスボール)
	Ability: Pickup (ものひろい)
	Held Item: Smoke Ball (けむりだま)
	Attack 1: Fury Swipes (みだれひっかき)
	Attack 2: Sing (うたう)
	Attack 3: Nasty Plot (わるだくみ)
	Attack 4: Snatch (よこどり)

Source: http://www.pokemon.co.jp/info/2012/11/121130_g01.html

Today's episode announced something very very special, something titled "Pocket Monsters Best Wishes Season 2 Episode N" (ポケットモンスターベストウイッシュ シーズン２ エピソードＮ). Further details to come next week.

It should be noted that in Japanese, the English loan word "episode" refers to a standalone story, or an arc of a bigger story, rather than a single episode of a TV series. Episode N will likely be either a story arc in the anime itself, or a lengthy TV special.

Also note that it is not the upcoming Summer 2013 movie - all the Pocket Monsters movies are titled "Pocket Monsters the Movie" (劇場版 ポケットモンスター) from the get-go, which is not the case here.

The announcer introduced the show by saying: "Welcome back! Today we will do the collaboration of the Best Wishes Season 2! Let's kick off! PokéSmash!". The episode started with the entire cast pertending to be sleeping while Twinkle Twinkle Little Star played. Akiyama then asked the question "What day is today?" (今日は何の日？). Yamamoto then explained that they were trying to come up with a name for that day. They discussed different names and gave various reasons for chosing the name. What they eventually came up with was "Plusle and Minun Day" since the kanji for 11 is 十一, so 11/11 is 十一十一, plus-minus-plus-minus. To the western world, November 11th, is Remembrance Day.


Akiyama introduced this weeks rerun episode as part of the Pokémon Library. The theme for the episode was: (いじわるするのは好きな証拠). This weeks Pokémon Library rerun episode was Maril - Pochama - Elekid!! (マリル・ポッチャマ・エレキッド！！) from the Diamond and Pearl series. A full summary of that episode is available in the episode guide. Professor Red said his go-to line 'OK! Pokémon Library!' to start the repeat episode.

After the Pokémon Library episode, the Adventure Division Duke it Out with Physically Fit Comedians to Predict the Winner of the Isshu League! First they told the audience that in Best Wishes Season 2, Satoshi had managed to get 8 badges which was enough to allow him to enter the Isshu League. They then introduced his main rivals in the tournament: Shootie (シューティー), Kenyan (ケニヤン), Bel (ベル), Kotetsu (コテツ), and Virgil (バージル).

Robert each got dressed up as the main Pokémon for some of the characters that will be participating in the Isshu League in the anime. Akiyama dressed up as Satoshi's Pikachu, Baba dressed up as Kotetsu's Riolu and Yamamoto dressed up as Bel's Enbuoh.


Joining Robert was also three Japanese comedians who also dressed up as main Pokémon for some of the characters that will be participating in the Isshu League in the anime. Yoshio Kojima (小島よしお) who is part of the group WAGE dressed up as Virgil's Eievui. Kinnikun Nakayama (なかやまきんに君 AKA 中山翔二) dressed up as Kenyan's Dageki. Finally, Tomoharu Shouji (庄司智春) dressed up as Shootie's Jalorda.


Their first power battle was to attach pairs of pantyhose to their heads and then in a tug of war like method attempt to pull the pantyhose off the other persons head. Yamamoto Enbouh and Baba Riolu were the first to be teamed up after they drew straws with numbers on them. Yamamoto won the first round. Nakayama Dageki and Kojima Eievui were the next pair and Nakayama Dageki won the second round. Akiyama Pikachu and Shouji Jalorda were the third round after a running battle, Akiyama Pikachu ended up winning.


The second power battle featured the three loosing contestants from the first round standing on a platform with their backs to each other. The object was to knock their opponents off and be the last one standing. Baba Riolu, Shouji Jalorda and Kojima Eievui were the first battlers with Kojima Eievui winning.

The third round was a dodgeball game. Baba and Shouji loaded a volleyball serving machine with volleyballs that had a number on it. If the player got hit by the volleyball they would take the amount of damage indicated on the ball. Each player had 100 hit points. Kojima Eievui was the first out as he got hit by the 100hp ball, instantly K.O'ing him. The then sped up the shooting of the balls at the remaining three. Nakayama Dageki then held Yamamoto Enbouh until he got hit by a few balls, knocking him out and left Akiyama Pikachu and Nakayama Dageki to battle it out in the final round.


In the final round of the Isshu League, Akiyama Pikachu vs Nakayama Dageki, the two of them had to stand on one leg while each player took turns picking a card that had an obstacle that the oppositing player had to overcome. Nakayama Dageki picked first and they both survived a leaf blower in the face. Akiyama Pikachu then picked a card that allowed Nakayama Dageki to rest on two feet for 10 seconds. Nakayama Dageki then picked a card that required them to eat a steaming hot soup dumpling (アツアツ 小籠包). Akiyama Pikachu 'barely' made it through. Akiyama Pikachu then picked the card that required Nakayama Dageki to drink a really spice juice drink (激辛ジュース) but he endured it. Finally Akiyama Pikachu picked the Shocking Pen card and Nakayama Dageki got shocked and fell on the floor. Satoshi was then crowned the winner of the Isshu League. The announcer then reminded viewers that the first Isshu League anime episode starts on November 22nd, 2012.


In the viewer battle, 9 year old Erika Takahashi battled against Shoko-tan. Shoko-tan ended up winning the battle.

The official Pokémon website has posted a sneak peak at the upcoming English dub version of Pokémon the Movie: Kyurem vs. The Sword of Justice which will air on Cartoon Network in the United States on December 8th, 2012. The clip does bring up an odd dubbing pronunciation of the legendary Pokémon Virizion (ビリジオン) and it makes it sound exactly the same as Verizon, a large telco in the United States. It's unclear why they would want to make such a horrible pronunciation of the name to confuse it with a large companies name which is trademarked. The Japanese version of the movie does not pronounce it the same way and the English dub should have stayed consistent with its pronunciation.


"The Verizon name and logos and all related product and service names, design marks and slogans are trademarks, service marks, registered trademarks or registered service marks of Verizon and may not be used in any manner without the prior written consent of Verizon."

Sneak Peek Video

Source: http://www.youtube.com/user/pokemon

Kids Station has announced that they will be airing three special rerun episodes that Musashi, Kojiro and Nyarth will each select their personal favorite episodes from the Pocket Monsters series. The special rerun episodes are called the Pokémon TV Show! The Rocket Gang Secret Empire: Pocket Monsters (ポケモン TV Show!　ロケット団ひみつ帝国・ポケットモンスター) and will air on December 19th, 20th, and 21st. More details about the episodes will be announced on the Pokémon Radio Show! The Rocket Gang Secret Empire in the coming weeks.


Source: http://www.kids-station.com/program/detail/28.html

The Japanese YouTube page has posted the promotional videos for the upcoming Nintendo 3DS games Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Magnagate and the Infinity Labyrinth (ポケモン不思議のダンジョン　～マグナゲートと∞迷宮～). Two of the videos are anime shorts. Below are the videos.

Promotional Videos

Source: http://www.youtube.com/user/PokemonCoJp

Beyond Home Entertainment will be releasing two new Pokémon DVD collections on 3 December 2012: Pokémon Sinnoh Region Collection and Pokémon Season 14: Black & White Complete Collection.

Pokémon Sinnoh Region Collection is a limited edition release containing all 189 episodes from the Sinnoh (Diamond & Pearl) arc of the anime. The packaging is styled like the Sinnoh Pokédex and includes a map of the region and statistics of Sinnoh pokémon. The release will be exclusive to JB Hi-Fi and Sanity stores, with an RRP of $179.95.

Pokémon Season 14: Black & White Complete Collection is essentially a compilation of the two already-released Black & White collections, containing the 48 episodes from the Black & White season. This collection will be available for general release with an RRP of $49.95.

These releases have been added to our DVD/Bluray database.

The announcer introduced the show by saying: "And today we will produce our new Pokémon Bakery on Pokémon Smash!". Yamamoto announced that Gunma Prefecture Day (群馬県民の日) was on October 28th. "In 1871, the Meiji Government abolished feudal domains and instead put in place prefectures to enhance centralization of power." (Source). Students generally have the day off from school but teachers don't. Yamamoto then playing as a teacher had a fill in the blank question for the crew: Stand! Eyes Forward! Bow! Return to seat! (起立！　注目！　礼！　着席！). Baba and Akiyama managed to solve it and then Yamamoto left the room and the rest of the crew acted out the saying as if they were students by standing, looking at Yamamoto, bowing to him and then returning to their seats.


Akiyama introduced this weeks rerun episode as part of the Pokémon Library. The theme for the episode was: Don't forget that warm feeling! (やさしい気持ちをわすれないで！). This weeks Pokémon Library rerun episode was A Nokocchi 'nok'-off!? (ノコッチはのこっちない!?) from the original series. A full summary of that episode is available in the episode guide. Professor Red said his go-to line 'OK! Pokémon Library!' to start the repeat episode.

After the Pokémon Library episode, the International division kids showed up and there was a desk of Pokémon merchandise. The kids and Shoko-tan began using the merchandise to start making Halloween related Pokémon paper cutouts. They showed off all the different items viewers could buy at the same time. Shoko-tan also showed off the Halloween picture she drew.


Robert and the International Division went off to the Daiichipan plant where they make Pokémon Bread. They were sent there to help commission the 'Pokémon Smash! Pokémon Bread'. Naoki Matsui (松井直樹), the Yokohama factory manager (横浜工場　工場長) greeted them along with some of the workers.


The were then given a guided tour of the plant. They then each tried one of the Melonetta Sponge Cakes (メロエッタの蒸しカステラ). After the tour was over, they went into one of the side rooms to determine what ingredients they should use in the Pokémon Smash! Pokémon Bread. They wanted to make a unique and original bread. Neese decided to make one with Caviar (キャビア) and Maple Syrup (メープルシロップ). Niccolo decided to make one with Salami (サラミ) and Cotton Candy (わたがし).


Yamamoto then decided to choose Apricot Jelly (杏仁どうふ) and Blueberry Jam (ブルーベリージャム) for his experiment. Maru picked Strawberry Jam (イチゴジャム) and White Bean Jam (白あん). Baba chose vegetables (野菜) and a special sauce (とくせいソース).


Noemi chose Wafers (ウェハース) and Strawberry Jam (イチゴジャム). Akiyama was the last one to pick his ingredients. He chose yokan (ようかん) and Whipped Cream (ホイップクリーム). Akiyama then made a second bread, this time it was Squid Ink (イカスミ) and Ramen (ラーメン) which he gave to Yamamoto to try out.


They continued testing a bunch of different combinations until they finally chose Maru's Strawberry Jam (イチゴジャム) and White Bean Jam (白あん) as the winner. Akiyama made an Usokkie out of a wafer, vegetables and the bread. Golgo, Red and Shoko-tan tried it back at the studio and they all enjoyed it. The will be distributed with the name "Audino, I guess it's pretty good-bread" (めちゃめちゃうまいよ！タブンネ…パン). It was made available in Japan starting on November 1st, 2012.


In the viewer battle, Yamamoto battled against 10 year old Soshi Okamoto (岡本壮志) and defeated him.

Media Factory and Shogakukan have revealed that the 15th movie Kyurem VS the Sacred Swordsman Keldeo (キュレムVS聖剣士 ケルディオ) as well as the 15th short Meloetta's Sparkling Recital (メロエッタのキラキラリサイタル) will be released on DVD and Bluray on December 19th, 2012. Both the DVD and Bluray are 2 disc sets and include the movie on disc 1 and the short on disc 2.

The Bluray set has the catalog number SSXX-1 and will retail for 5,229yen while the DVD set has the catalog number SSBX-2550 and will retail for 4,179yen. Both sets have been added to our DVD/Bluray database. Cover artwork will be added when it becomes available.

Both Sets Includes: Creditless Opening, Collection of Concept Art, Preliminary Sketches, Visuals Gallery, Pikachu the Movie 2012 trailer collection, Teaser trailer for next year's movie (特典:■ ノンテロップOP ■ イラスト設定資料集 ■ アイデアスケッチ集 ■ イメージビジュアルギャラリー ■ ピカチュウ・ザ・ムービー2012予告編集 ■ 来年も見てね!)

Pokémon TV Anime Theme Songs BEST OF BEST 1997-2012

Also announced was the Pokémon TV Anime Theme Songs BEST OF BEST 1997-2012 (ポケモンTVアニメ主題歌 BEST OF BEST 1997-2012) CD set. The 3 disc set is a collection of the best theme songs from past 15 years of Pocket Monsters. It includes a special deluxe 50 page booklet in addition to the 42 tracks on the CD's which includes a few bonus tracks. The CD has been added to our CD database. The finalized track list will be added when it becomes available.