Summary:

Aim to be a Pokémon Master -20th Anniversary- is the second opening used in the Japanese Sun and Moon series and also the opening main theme for the 20th Pocket Monsters movie. It is sung once again by Rica Matsumoto. It is the 3rd time that a variation of song has been used as an opening. Previously the song was used as the very first opening and then Whiteberry did their version which was used during the Johto era.

This version of the song retains the qualities of the original song, but has also been reworked into a powered up arrangement that adds increased intensity. Most of the accompaniment music was recorded using acoustic musical instruments, and the vocals are an all-new recording by Rica Matsumoto, making for an extravagant piece of music that reaches a high degree of perfection!

When asked about the song, Rica Matsumoto commented "I have been singing this song for 20 years now, ever since Pokémon first started, and it's turned into the song that represents me... But now, when I was allowed to record it as a movie theme song for the first time ever, I felt really happy about having sung it all this time. I'm filled with gratitude."

Variants:

1. SM030 - SM037 - Initial Version.
2. SM038 - SM043 - Lychee scene is shortened to show Satoshi's Lugarugan using the Continental Crush move.

Pocket Monsters 1000th Episode Event

On Saturday, November 11th, 2017, a special event was held at Sunshine City Fountain Square to celebrate 1000 episodes of the TV animation series "Pocket Monsters". Various stage events were held throughout the day and Fountain Square was crowded with many Pokémon fans!

At the end of the live event, Rica Matsumoto sang the theme song to this year's movie "Aim To Be A Pokémon Master -20th Anniversary-"!

Rica Matsumoto and Asuca Hayashi Make A Surprise Appearance at the "Pikachu Outbreak-chu!"!

Rica Matsumoto and Asuca Hayashi made a surprise appearance on Thursday August 10th, 2017 at the Super Soaking Splash Show "Water Carnival" during the "Not-Just-Pikachu Pikachu Outbreak-chu" being held in the Yokohama Minato Mirai area. They came to sing the opening theme song Aim to be a Pokémon Master -20th Anniversary- and the ending theme song to "Pocket Monsters the Movie: I Choose You!"

Sunshine City Pokémon Fes 2017

On Saturday July 28th,2017 a "Special Rica Matsumoto & Asuca Hayashi Pokémon Movie Premiere Commemoration Concert" was held as part of the "Pokémon Fes I Choose You! in Sunshine City".


When Rica Matsumoto and Asuca Hayashi appeared, they were met with loud cheering and applauding. And then, when Matsumoto called out "I got a Pokémon!" in Satoshi's voice, a loud "Yeah!" roared back from the audience.

The concert started with Rica Matsumoto performing "Alola!!", which acted as the opening theme song to the anime TV series "Pocket Monsters Sun & Moon", and "Mezase Pokémon Master -20th Anniversary-", the opening theme song to this year's movie.

The audience sang along to both songs, forming a massive chorus. After her performance, Matsumoto commented "When I was singing (Mezase Pokémon Master), I thought about how the song gives me the happy feeling I'm transcending time and space and singing it together with everyone. I want the song to stay current and not turn into some golden oldie."

Pokénchi #96

Rica Matsumoto and Asuca Hayashu were special guests on Pokénchi #96 and they sang the opening theme song Aim to be a Pokémon Master -20th Anniversary- and the ending theme song to "Pocket Monsters the Movie: I Choose You!".

The 2017 FNS Music Festival - December 13th, 2017

The 2017 FNS Music Festival took place from December 6th, 2017 until December 13th, 2017 and was broadcast on Fuji TV. Rica Mastumoto sang the Pokémon Master 20th Anniversary song with Nogizaka46 and it was broadcast on the second show on December 13th, 2017.

2018 Platinum Events - Spring - Shanghai Hongqiao Art Center

Rica Matsumoto was a guest performer at a 2018 Platinum Events - Spring concert at the Shanghai Hongqiao Art Center on March 17th, 2018.

Next Generation World Hobby Fair '19 Winter Tokyo Fair - January 26th, 2019

"Special Pokémon Anime Concert & Talk Stage Shows" were held at the stage inside the Pokémon Booth. Rica Matsumoto and Taiiku Okazaki were present on Saturday, January 26th, 2019, raising the roof by watching the teaser for "Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution" together with the audience,challenging them to Pokémon tongue twisters, and more!

In addition, we got passionate performances of, among other songs, "Alola!!" and "Mezase Pokémon Master -20th Anniversary-" by Rica Matsumoto and "Pose" and "Kimi no boken" by Taiiku Okazaki, sending the venue into a state of excitement!

Rica x ESPOIR TRIBE MV

On August 7th, 2023, ESPOIR TRIBE released a cover version of the song which featured Rica singing with them. The making of music video was posted on YouTube but was region locked to Japan.

TV Tokyo Music Festival Special 1964→2024

On November 20th, 2024, the TV Tokyo Music Festival Special 1964→2024 (テレ東音楽祭スペシャル1964→2024) aired on TV Tokyo. Rica sang along with 3 Pikachu and Hogator. She was performance 80/100 during the special. Pictures from the special have been added to an Imageboard thread.

Episodes: