Polygon Pictures Unveils Enchanting Detective Pikachu Anime Short

Pokémon has debuted a new CG anime short featuring Detective Pikachu.

On the official Pokémon YouTube channel, the short film titled "Detective Pikachu and The Mystery of the Missing Flan" follows Pikachu and Tim as they team up to solve the mystery of Tim's beloved dessert being stolen. While initially suspecting Pikachu's friend Munchlax, they soon uncover that someone else is responsible for the crime. The animation for the short was done by Polygon Pictures, known for their CGI work on various Pokémon movies, as well as their collaboration with Studio Ghibli on the CG animated series "Ronja, The Robber's Daughter."

The Detective Pikachu franchise kicked off with its initial Nintendo 3DS video game in 2016. In this game, players assume the role of the iconic character to unravel mysteries in a fresh region known as Ryme City. With its offbeat sense of humor and relaxed gameplay, the game captivated players, leading to the expansion of the franchise into a live-action film and a sequel game for Nintendo Switch. Recently launched, Detective Pikachu Returns follows Junior Detective Tim Goodman and his candid partner as they confront a brand-new mystery triggered by a disruptive Corviknight during an awards ceremony held in their honor. While the game's structure deviates from the typical Pokémon titles, it has garnered praise for being one of the finest ways to explore the ever-expanding world of Pokémon.

The live-action film adaptation of Detective Pikachu premiered in 2019, introducing Pokémon fans to a slightly darker portrayal of Ryme City. Tim Goodman, a 21-year-old who discovers he can communicate with Pikachu, teams up with the electric Pokémon to find his missing father, Harry. Their quest leads them to uncover a bigger mystery involving the legendary Pokémon, Mewtwo. The film was a huge success, fulfilling fans' desire to see Pokémon in a real-world setting. It earned over $144 million in the domestic box office and over $289 million globally.

Earlier this year, Legendary Entertainment confirmed that Detective Pikachu 2 is currently in active development. They also announced that Jonathan Krisel, a writer from Portlandia, will take over as the director, replacing the previous director, Rob Letterman. Additionally, there are potential plans for future video game sequels, with Pokémon Company President Tsunekazu Ishihara suggesting the creation of a spinoff title if Returns is well-received by audiences.

Detective Pikachu Returns is available now for Nintendo Switch. Detective Pikachu (2019) is available on Prime Video and Apple TV.

Source: YouTube