Everything Old Is New Again

I've had the idea for this post for some time, but I'll admit that I've lost some of the direction that is intended for the post. However, with the release of the Detective Pikachu movie, I feel I've regained some of that direction - or even, enough for a slight redirection. The general idea is that many of the things that I (and many other fans) have come to love about Pokémon in the past are alive and well in the present. It is as the title of this post describes, and it's also a bit of an extension of an older post (or two) on this blog.

There's a certain euphoria about this new movie that is reminiscent of when the first anime feature film was released on Western shores. Only this time, the euphoria seems to be more widely felt due to the film being a Western production and (in my area) is shown in cinemas that typically only carry Western and national productions. Pokémon remains a thing of Eastern origin, but today it's well-liked all over, and the euphoria is indicative of that. Even yesterday, when I decided to watch the movie yet again for the third time (ahem), there were still a few enthusiastic people in the audience despite the fact that there was, well, not much of an audience. That seems to be pretty good for the movie and Pokémon as a whole.

Another old-and-new thing seems to be the Pokémon Theme, that is, the first English opening theme with which Pokémon became popular. In the Detective Pikachu movie, it is heard in two places, the first being its instrumental backing, and the second being a vocal rendition of it; I won't tell where exactly and who or what is involved, for the sake of a would-be viewer's enjoyment. As well, even as early as two years ago with the English dub of the 20^th movie, the same song was present in the early moments of the movie, effectively also opening it. So, by now it's an old song, though with these two instances, it's essentially renewed and here to stay.

This movie involves Mewtwo - that much I can say, as it is revealed in one of its preview trailers - which is also the subject of the first anime feature film. Though the involvement of Mewtwo may be considered coincidental, this also means it's a renewal of sorts. The 20^th movie as well is yet another effective renewal of the early story of the Pokémon anime. And the big thing is that the next Pokémon movie or feature film is also a full-on renewal, but this deserves its own time and post. The "new old things" continue.

After two-plus decades, Pokémon has lasted quite a bit of time to be called "old". But then, fast forward to today, and some of that early history is resurfacing in a new way, to which the new Detective Pikachu movie contributes in a way. I suppose it's extremely great for old fans like me to see how even old Pokémon features and things can manage to become renewed, as well as new fans to revel in those old things. This new direction is not really new, but it's always one worth taking.

One year ago: 15 Minutes of Fame
Two years ago: Adventuresome Pikachu