One of the most exciting things about the Detective Pikachu film and its numerous trailers so far is seeing each new Pokemon shown for the first time. The film’s unique 3D art style that braves the realistic side of the uncanny valley is equally impressive and unsettling. It seems like Warner Bros. has noticed how excited fans are seeing all of Detective Pikachu’s Pokemon and has cut to the chase. The latest Detective Pikachu “Casting” trailer features over 30 different Pokemon, many previously unseen.
The Casting trailer feigns being an actual screen test for Pokemon who are starring in Detective Pikachu, having a number of Pokemon pose in front of the camera and test for lighting and color correction. What at first seems like just a handful of previously revealed Pokemon, with just one or two new ones mixed in, becomes a cascade of newly revealed characters as they’re shown rapid fire.
The first half of the Detective Pikachu trailer is filled with short introductions to various Pokemon, many with short on-screen text descriptions. There’s Jigglypuff, Pancham, Aipom, Dodrio, Venusaur, Eevee, Charizard, Pikachu, and Psyduck. Psyduck then receives their own short clip from the movie, followed by another series of Pokemon reveals. There’s Snubbull, Squirtle chasing a bubble, Lickitung, Bulbasaur, and a Cubone getting caught in a Pokeball.
Following a short movie clip in which Eevee is shown to evolve into Flareon, 12 Pokemon are shown very quickly. Those Pokemon include Pangoro, Ludicolo, Emolga, Charmander, Loudred, Purrloin, Rufflet, Sneasel, Torterra, Treecko, and Kingler. The trailer then closes with a clip featuring an eerily realistic Magicarp and a glimpse at Mewtwo in his water tank prison.
Adding up the as-yet listed Pokemon, notice that the total hasn’t quite reached 30 yet. The final three Detective Pikachu Pokemon shown in the trailer aren’t featured in the flesh, so to speak. In the scene where Eevee evolves into Flareon, three statues can be seen in the background. They’re statues of the god Pokemon, Dialga, Palkia, and Arceus. Where Giratina is remains a mystery.
That’s over 30 Pokemon shown in the new Detective Pikachu trailer, many of which were previously unrevealed. Also of note is that all of Pokemon’s first 6 generations are represented in the trailer, while Pokemon Sun and Moon alone is missing. Only Warner Bros. and Ryan Reynolds know how many Pokemon are left to unveil, but there’s no denying that the project isn’t already an impressive and exciting undertaking to Pokemon fans. Here’s hoping there’s even a Pokemon Sword and Shield Easter egg or two.
Detective Pikachu releases in theaters May 10.
