Detective Pikachu may have been a great standalone film, but it wasn’t the live-action Pokémon adaptation most of us have been dreamed of. Despite being one of the most popular IPs in the world, with any new Pokémon property typically becoming a commercial hit, the franchise’s live-action future remains uncertain. Detective Pikachu (2019) garnered $450 million at the worldwide box office on a $150 million budget, yet surprisingly, a sequel has never materialized. The status of Detective Pikachu 2 has been unclear ever since.
Adding to the mystery, Variety reported in 2021 that a live-action Pokémon series was in early development at Netflix. However, with no updates on the rumored series and the uncertainty surrounding Detective Pikachu 2, it might be a while before Pokémon returns to live-action.
The timing seems perfect for beloved gaming and anime properties to receive live-action adaptations. Netflix’s One Piece became one of the most-watched shows of 2023, and a Naruto movie is in the works from Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings director Destin Cretton. Although Hollywood’s track record with live-action anime adaptations isn’t perfect, I believe Pokémon can thrive in this format—just not in the style of Detective Pikachu.
Detective Pikachu Was Great (But Not Really Live-Action Pokémon) Ryme City had no gym battles, trainers, or Poké Balls
Detective Pikachu was a fun movie that brought Pokémon to live-action for the first time since the franchise’s inception in 1996. The character models and visual effects were stunning, doing justice to the beloved Pokémon. As a lifelong Pokémon fan, I was thrilled to see Generation 1 Pokémon brought to life, and Detective Pikachu did not disappoint.
The film also delivered a compelling story about Tim reconnecting with his father, thanks to an unusual Pikachu and a mysterious plot revolving around Mewtwo. This engaging narrative, combined with the impressive visual effects, made Detective Pikachu a memorable and exciting experience for fans and newcomers alike.
While Detective Pikachu was a fun and visually impressive movie, it didn’t quite capture the essence of the Pokémon world as portrayed in the anime and most of the games. Despite being set in the Pokémon universe, the film’s tone and premise differed significantly from what fans are accustomed to.
Detective Pikachu takes place in Ryme City, a unique setting where humans and Pokémon co-exist in a different manner compared to the rest of the Pokémon world. This city lacks the familiar elements of Pokémon gyms, battles, or tournaments, and even Poké Balls are absent. As a result, while the film was set in the Pokémon world, it did not fully align with the traditional Pokémon experience most fans cherish.
From the first few minutes of Detective Pikachu, it’s clear that the movie isn’t a traditional Pokémon story. When Tim arrives in Ryme City, audiences quickly learn that this city is designed to be unlike any other region in the Pokémon world. The film makes it clear that viewers won’t see classic Pokémon battles or Tim challenging gym trainers, as Ash would do in the anime.
Instead, Detective Pikachu focuses on Tim investigating his father’s accident, with the help of an unusual Pikachu who acts as his detective partner. This unique storyline sets the movie apart from the typical Pokémon narrative, offering a fresh perspective within the beloved franchise.
Why Detective Pikachu Ignored Most Things That Define Pokémon (Detective Pikachu was based on the 2016 game)
As much as I enjoyed Detective Pikachu, I would have liked to see a more traditional Pokémon story with gym trainers and tournaments in live-action. However, that was never the intention behind Detective Pikachu. The Ryan Reynolds-led movie was loosely based on 2016’s Detective Pikachu game, which was quite different from usual Pokémon games.
Unlike the traditional Pokémon games, where players level up and catch Pokémon around the map, Detective Pikachu focused on a mystery that players had to solve with the help of a talking Pikachu. This game was more narrative-driven than most of the franchise’s releases, and the movie faithfully captured this essence. While it wasn’t the typical Pokémon adventure many fans hoped for, Detective Pikachu offered a fresh and engaging storyline within the Pokémon universe.
While I was surprised that the first live-action Pokémon movie was based on Detective Pikachu, the decision made sense. Adapting a story like Detective Pikachu’s into a three-act blockbuster movie is arguably easier than bringing Pokémon’s serialized format to the big screen. Tournament movies have a very distinct structure, whereas detective stories are frequently adapted into films.
The Detective Pikachu film was a reasonable way to introduce the Pokémon saga to the live-action movie franchise. However, I wished the first live-action Pokémon property had taken a different approach, one that included gym trainers and tournaments, capturing the traditional elements that many fans love about the Pokémon world.
What A True Pokémon Live-Action Adaptation Would Look Like (Pokémon is about the adventure (and Pokémon battles)
A true live-action Pokémon adaptation would preserve the essence of the franchise: adventurous Pokémon trainers embarking on exciting journeys to make their dreams come true. This doesn’t necessarily mean the movie should be about Ash Ketchum or Red, but rather that focusing on battles and tournaments would be a more thrilling way to bring Pokémon to other media.
After almost three decades, Pokémon has established a visual identity that can work in live-action properties, regardless of how unique it is. I would love to see a Pokémon movie or show following a brand-new character and their journey, capturing the spirit of adventure and excitement that defines the franchise.
Of course, a live-action Pokémon movie or show would need to adapt the game’s structure, particularly in terms of pacing. A movie can’t simply follow a trainer going from gym to gym and eventually fighting the region’s top trainer. However, this doesn’t mean a more traditional Pokémon story can’t work in live-action.
A Pokémon film could combine classic battles and challenges with an overarching story and recurring villains. This blend would capture the essence of the franchise while providing a cohesive and engaging narrative. That said, a big-budget TV show would be the best way to bring Pokémon into live-action, allowing for more detailed storytelling and character development over multiple episodes. This format would be ideal for capturing the adventure, excitement, and complexity of the Pokémon world.
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