Though it’s hard to imagine anyone unfamiliar with the video game or animated series, Detective Pikachu will undoubtedly bring the Poké-craze to a whole new fanbase. The film stars Ryan Reynolds in motion capture as Pikachu himself. The joint Japanese-American project had its second trailer released yesterday to the delight of fans.
Which Pokémon appear in Detective Pikachu?
According to the eagle-eyed Alex Nelson at iNews, the following Pokémon appear in all Detective Pikachu clips and trailers:
Bulbasaur, Charmander, Charizard, Squritle, Blastoise, Rattata, Fearow, Pikachu, Clefairy, Jigglypuff, Psyduck, Growlithe, Arcanine, Machamp, Dodrio, Cubone, Lickitung, Mr Mime, Magikarp, Flareon, Snorlax, Mewtwo, Aipom, Snubbull, Octillery, Treecko, Ludicolo, Slaking, Loudred, Audino, Emolga, Joltik, Golurk, Bouffalant, Rufflet, Braviary, Greninja, Flabébé, Pancham, Morelull, and Comfey.
The trailer itself focuses on a few Pokémon in particular.
Mewtwo is given only a glimpse, but he is very powerful and clearly an enemy to be reckoned with.
Pikachu enters into something like an MMA fight ring with an angry Charizard.
Psyduck will likely have a larger role as they accompany Lucy Stevens, a reporter in Ryme City, throughout the film.
In the first clip, a very large Lickitung appears – a Pokémon whose tongue is twice the length of its body.
Mr Mime appears in both trailers, in the second trailer humorously falling off an imaginary bike.
The official plot synopsis reads: “In the Pokémon universe, Tim Goodman is a former Pokémon Trainer and the son of prominent detective Harry Goodman.
“When his father disappears in a car crash, Tim arrives in Ryme City and ends up meeting Detective Pikachu who was Harry’s former Pokémon partner.
“Tim is somehow able to understand the Detective, and they reluctantly team up to find Harry and uncover the mystery surrounding his disappearance.
“Chasing clues through the streets of Ryme City, the dynamic duo soon discover a devious plot that poses a threat to the Pokémon universe.”
Ikue Ōtani (Pokémon) is Detective Pikachu’s normal Pikachu voice, as heard by humans other than Tim.
Justice Smith (Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom) plays Tim Goodman, the former Pokémon Trainer looking for his missing father.
He is also Detective Pikachu’s partner, and the only person capable of hearing him speak, with Max Fincham as a younger Tim.
Kathryn Newton (Paranormal Activity 4) as Lucy Stevens, a reporter who is accompanied by a Psyduck.
Ken Watanabe (Letters from Iwo Jima) plays Detective Yoshida, a Ryme City police lieutenant and friend of Harry Goodman who is accompanied by a Snubbull.
Paul Kitson plays Harry Goodman, the missing father of Tim Goodman who is a famous Ryme City detective.
Karan Soni (Deadpool, Deadpool 2) plays Jack, and Omar Chaparro (Snow Dogs) plays Sebastian.
Bill Nighy, Suki Waterhouse, Chris Geere, Rita Ora, and Rob Delaney have been cast in undisclosed roles.
Pokémon: Detective Pikachu is out in UK cinemas on May 10, 2019.