POKÉMON DETECTIVE PIKACHU Japanese Press Notes, Photos and Logo From Toho

Source: Toho Co., Ltd.
Official Movie Site: detectivepikachumovie.com (US), meitantei-pikachu.jp (Japan)
Official Movie Twitter: #DetectivePikachuMovie

A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

Toho Co., Ltd. has provided press materials for the Japanese release of POKÉMON DETECTIVE PIKACHU (名探偵ピカチュウ, Meitantei Pikachū). They will open the film in Japan on Friday, May 3; one week ahead of the international release from Warner Bros. Pictures, and the Chinese launch from Legendary East.

INTRODUCTION

“Pikachu” has his first live-action Hollywood movie!
The main character looks cute on the outside, but on the inside is an “Old Man” Pikachu!?

The Pikachu character, beloved by generations all over the world, is making its live-action movie debut in Hollywood! Legendary Pictures, who worked on the DARK KNIGHT, MonsterVerse and PACIFIC RIM series, has brought together a high quality creative team to make the world of Pokémon a reality.

While Pikachu has a cute appearance, this Pikachu is more of an “old man” on the inside. Ryan Reynolds, star of the blockbuster DEADPOOL series, who plays the Detective Pikachu who speaks human language. Ryan, once chosen by People Magazine as the “Sexiest Man Alive”, delivers a completely new Pikachu to the world. Justice Smith (JURASSIC WORLD: FALLEN KINGDOM) plays Tim, who becomes the partner of Detective Pikachu. The movie also stars Kathryn Newton (LADY BIRD, TV’s BIG LITTLE LIES), Bill Nighy, Rita Ora, Suki Waterhouse and Oscar nominee Ken Watanabe (GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS, THE LAST SAMURAI) from Japan… the birthplace of Pokémon.

In May 2019, the curtain rises on a new Pikachu story that no one has ever seen before!

STORY

As a boy, Tim Goodman (Justice Smith), was a boy who loved Pokémon. As he grew up, he became estranged from his father, Harry, a highly-regarded detective. One day, Tim receives a phone call comes from Lt. Yoshida (Ken Watanabe), a colleague of Harry’s… “Your dad died in an accident.”

His thought in turmoil, Tim returns to Ryme City, a place where humans and Pokémon coexist. Heading to Harry’s apartment to collect is father’s effects, Tim encounters a detective Pikachu (Ryan Reynolds) who speaks human language that only he can understand.

Detective Pikachu, who was once Harry’s partner, had lost his memory following the accident. But the Pokémon maintains with conviction that “Harry is still alive.”

If true, then why did Harry disappear? What was the mysterious incident that happened in Ryme City?

CREDITS

Cast
Pikachu (Voice): Ryan Reynolds
Tim Goodman: Justice Smith
Lucy Stevens: Kathryn Newton
Lt. Yoshida: Ken Watanabe
Bill Nighy
Rita Ora
Suki Waterhouse

Japanese Dub Cast
Tim: Ryoma Takeuchi
Lucy: Marie Iitoyo
Lt. Yoshida: Ken Watanabe

Staff
Director: Rob Letterman
Screenplay: Rob Letterman, Nicole Perlman

About Toho

Toho Company, Limited, is a Japanese entertainment studio focused on the development, production, exhibition, and distribution of powerful content for motion pictures, television and theater. Founded in 1932, it remains a prominent force in bringing brands and original storytelling with versatile talents to audiences worldwide. Its subsidiaries include Toho Cinemas, the highest grossing exhibition company in Japan.

About Warner Bros. Pictures

Warner Bros. Pictures has been at the forefront of the motion picture industry since its inception and continues to be a leading creative force in the industry.

Warner Bros. Pictures produces and distributes a wide-ranging slate of some 18-22 films each year, employing a business paradigm that mitigates risk while maximizing productivity and capital. Warner Bros. Pictures either fully finances or co-finances the films it produces and maintains worldwide distribution rights. It further monetizes its distribution and marketing operations by distributing films that are totally financed and produced by others. Current multi-faceted co-financing joint ventures include those with Village Roadshow Pictures and RatPac-Dune Entertainment. Warner Bros. Pictures also has a distribution, co-financing deal with Alcon Entertainment.

About Legendary Entertainment

Legendary Entertainment is a leading media company with film (Legendary Pictures), television and digital (Legendary Television and Digital Media) and comics (Legendary Comics) divisions dedicated to owning, producing and delivering content to worldwide audiences. Legendary has built a library of marquee media properties and has established itself as a trusted brand which consistently delivers high-quality, commercial entertainment including some of the world’s most popular intellectual property. In aggregate, Legendary Pictures-associated productions have realized grosses of more than $14 billion worldwide at the box office. To learn more visit legendary.com.

About The Pokémon Company

The Pokémon Company International, a subsidiary of The Pokémon Company in Japan, manages the property outside of Asia and is responsible for brand management, licensing, marketing, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, the animated TV series, home entertainment and the official Pokémon website. Pokémon was launched in Japan in 1996, and today is one of the most popular children’s entertainment properties in the world. For more information, please visit pokemon.com.

For more information on POKÉMON DETECTIVE PIKACHU, please see the earlier coverage here on SciFi Japan: