ThePokémonanime has had a huge number of movies, but most of them have been very poorly received by critics. In fact, there’s only onePokémonanimated movie that has a “Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and it happens to be one that would leave many fans surprised.
There are a wide variety of reasons why thePokémonanime’s films tend to be rated quite low by critics. Many can’t see past the marketing element, viewing the entire movie as little more than one big ad; in other cases, reviewers tend to be annoyed by the basic tropes of thePokémonanime, like Pokémon saying their names. Some just seem to hate children’s media in general, and probably never should’ve reviewed the film to begin with. And, of course, there are some legitimate criticisms in there, too, calling out moments of weak animation or poor performances.
The Pokémon Anime’s “Best” Movie is a Shocking One
Rotten Tomatoes' Only Fresh Rated Pokémon Anime Movie Isn’t One You’d Expect
Of all thePokémonfilms, the only one to be considered “Fresh” isPokémon the Movie: The Power of Us, the second in the reboot trilogy that began withI Choose You!Its title is a play off the alternate title for the second-everPokémonmovie,Pokémonthe Movie 2000, which was also known as “The Power of One.” Both movies focus on Lugia, tying them together in terms of plot as well as thematically.The Power of Uswas released in 2018, and followed the alternate version of Ash established inI Choose You!rather than the version that appears in the mainPokémonTV anime, as most movies had been.
The Power of Ustells the story of a Wind Festival in a place known as Fula City, which is dedicated to Lugia each year. As threats to the festival, and eventually the city, crop up, Ash joins forces with some locals to help protect the festival and keep Fula City safe. It’s a very different sort of movie than most of the previous ones, as the perspective strays from being limited to Ash, checking in with several original characters for this film, something that helps to give it a unique tone compared to many of the previousPokémonfilms.
Having a new director almost certainly had a major impact on how critics received the film; a new director was the breath of fresh air that the film franchise desperately needed.
Notably,The Power of Usis the firstPokémonmovie that wasn’t directed by Kunihiko Yuyama,the usual director of thePokémonseriesand films. Instead, it was directed by Tetsuo Yajima, who also helped with writing the script. Having a new director almost certainly had a major impact on how critics received the film; a new director was the breath of fresh air that the film franchise desperately needed. The script’s focus on multiple characters also helped keep the movie lively and engaging, so that even if one storyline wasn’t to one’s taste, there were others that might be.
What Critics Loved About The Power of Us
According to Rotten Tomatoes, the film received 5/7 positive reviews by critics, giving it a 71% Freshness rating. Both negative reviews once again complain that the film is little more than an ad, the same accusation levied at everyPokémonmovie. The positive reviews were a bit more varied in their praise, however. Rosie Knight of IGN Movies called it “Sweet and sincere,” praising it for its likable characters and the abundance of Pokémon that appear in the film. Ryan Brown called the film “a lighthearted, fun time,” while Nur Syahindah Ishak said that it was “a refreshing spin on the usual formula.”
The positive reviews aren’t exactly glowing, for the most part, but they do acknowledge what the film does right and that it does far more right than wrong.The most common refrain is that its change from the standardPokémonformula is very welcome after 20 films;The Power of Usaccomplishes this by splitting its focus across five different characters, including Ash, and showing how their lives with Pokémon come to be intertwined at the moment of crisis. Ash notably only has Pikachu with him for this adventure, allowing other characters to shine.
What Sets The Power Of Us Apart From Past Movies
The Film’s Distinct Structure Makes it Unique Among Pokémon Movies
The typicalPokémonmovie plot features Ash and his current companions stumbling across a situation, typically involving a Legendary or Mythical Pokémon, where they must help it to avoid the true villain of the film, who hopes to use their power for personal gain. Sometimes the Pokémon itself is the antagonist,like inMewtwo Strikes Back, but overall, this covers the format that the vast majority ofPokémonfilms take. Often times, the fate of a large city, or even the world, may be at stake, forcing Ash into a position where he must use his Pokémon to save the day.
The Power of Usinstead looks at several characters, not just Ash, who all have different perspectives.By making Ash just one of many storylines, he doesn’t dominate the story as much, and the other characters are actually given a chance to grow and change. Look at Risa, the main female lead of the film, for example. A former athlete tasked with catching an Eevee, she slowly warms up to Ash and becomes a critical assistant in the finale of the movie, helping to summon Lugia and put out the fires that were threatening Fula City.
While mostPokémonfans wouldn’t considerThePower of Usto be the bestPokémonfilm, it is a solid and enjoyable adventure that deserves the recognition it has received. The use of a new director, a fresh and distinct story structure, and a mix of old and new Pokémon made the film into a success. It’s good enough to have fans asking forPokémonmovies to be released again, and that’s a pretty substantial step up. All in all,The Power of Us, as well as its related continuity, paints a different story ofPokémon’s Ash Ketchum, and it provided the revitalization the franchise so desperately needed.
