Pokémon Cinematic Universe - Possible?

Some days ago, I regained the capability to watch many of the things that I used to be able to watch, though there have been many changes and a few bitter points. There are also a few sweet things, one of them is being able to watch the Detective Pikachu movie again - the first time in a long time for yet another time. Thinking about (and seeing) this movie makes me think of something that I haven't discussed on this blog: the possibility of a "Pokémon Cinematic Universe". Some people on the Internet have thrown around the possibility, and I'm about to do so as well, but I'm also coupling it with a semi-thorough discussion for added perspective.

The idea of a "cinematic universe" is nothing new. The popularity of many superhero movie series and their eventual crossovers is something that incites this term. This even applies to certain movie series that have only started yet already has a grand plan. Pokémon evidently doesn't tie in too much with superheroes, though some of the creatures that bear the name may be construed to have capabilities that even superheroes can only dream of. And if the Detective Pikachu movie is of any indication, along with pretty much any other showings on the little and big screen, Pokémon has a great story power to make things like a "cinematic universe" possible.

And in fact, one could be reportedly in the making, via a sequel to the above movie. It has been reported - even way ahead before the movie was released - that a sequel is in the works for the Detective Pikachu movie, though not much else has been reported even today. Whatever happens, with the current conditions of today's world, production will likely not commence any time soon even if the script were to be finished right now. There is a certain grand thinking in this, as if the Detective Pikachu movie does well - and it does - it can pave the way for similar and/or follow-up productions, and thereby create the "cinematic universe" as indicated.

For an actual sequel that ties to the above movie, I would say that it has to have a gripping story power that is equal to or greater than the original movie to avoid it from becoming a "cheesy ripoff", especially given that the game it was based on is a one-off storyline. If anything, I would say that one of the Pokémon games that deserves to have its storyline on the big screen is Pokémon Ranger, though arguably there is already an animated movie on it. If the intent, as with the Detective Pikachu movie, is to go "off the beaten path" with a story not based on Ash, then Pokémon Ranger should be the way to go with an enthralling other-character storyline.

This "Pokémon Cinematic Universe" is captivating because of the success of the Detective Pikachu movie and the overall story power of Pokémon in general, though it arguably has to be done right to appeal to Pokémon fans all around and not be a "thorn in the flesh" of the media supremacy of Pokémon. That too would perhaps be able to put it on par with all the superhero movies that have already conceived their own "cinematic universes" that are worthy of being watched time and again... just like the Detective Pikachu movie for me, or for that matter anything Pokémon being shown. Now I'll have to go see if the rediscovered capability can work just as well in that regard.

One year ago: Cosplay: Cosplay on the Street II

Two years ago: Romancing the Ball

Three years ago: Once and Again: Cosplay Teaser for 3/11/2018

Four years ago: We Three Birds of Kanto Are...