The Incredible Detective Pikachu Returns: A Spectacular Animation Showcase!

WARNING: This article contains MAJOR Detective Pikachu Returns spoilers. Proceed at your own risk.

Highlights

Many fans found the animation of Detective Pikachu as a human to be unnecessary and off-putting, as it placed too much emphasis on the character's human traits. However, the playable flashback section in Detective Pikachu Returns demonstrates that the character can exist as a Pikachu and be animated in a manner that is familiar and beloved by fans.

There is still ample room for improving Detective Pikachu to appeal to a wider audience, and future titles should avoid repeating past mistakes.

The success of a media experience often hinges on how well the animation is executed. This was particularly evident in the discussions surrounding the presentations of the mascot characters in Detective Pikachu and Sonic the Hedgehog films. The concept of the uncanny valley is a divisive issue among viewers, as everyone has their own threshold for discomfort with animated portrayals. Once someone feels uneasy about the animation, it becomes incredibly difficult to change their opinion. The Detective Pikachu games, such as Detective Pikachu Returns, illustrate this phenomenon effectively.

Since the release of the first 3DS Detective Pikachu game, there has been ongoing debate about the animation of the character. In order to align with the true nature of Detective Pikachu, where it is revealed that this particular Pokémon is host to the consciousness of Harry Goodman, the Electric-Type Pokémon has always exhibited human-like behaviors, such as drinking coffee and even having a face that closely resembles a human rather than a traditional Pikachu face. This aspect has often unsettled many fans. However, the recent release of Detective Pikachu Returns unintentionally brings to light the fact that these changes were unnecessary from the start.

Detective Pikachu Returns' Playable Flashback Section

During Detective Pikachu Returns, the beloved Pokemon experiences fainting spells due to recurring flashbacks of his past life as Pikachu and his shared existence with Harry. This phenomenon reaches its climax in Bamboo Borough, where Detective Pikachu collapses, allowing players to assume the role of Harry and relive the moment when he first encountered his Pikachu partner. This endearing and comedic section offers a detailed glimpse into their collaborative journey, highlighting their remarkable ability to understand each other swiftly while also acknowledging occasional disagreements between Harry and his loyal companion.

However, since Pikachu and Harry are distinct individuals in this particular section, the yellow creature is able to exist as a Pikachu and is animated accordingly, in addition to the regular Detective Pikachu model. Observing "Detective Pikachu" display the familiar and adored movements of a Pokemon is truly a delightful experience. With Pikachu's endearing gestures, it undeniably showcases what could have been if the emphasis on Harry's human nature as Pikachu had been less pronounced.

Why Animating Detective Pikachu Like a Human Wasn't Necessary in the End

The portrayal of Detective Pikachu as an extraordinary Pikachu is understandable, but the animation takes it to an excessive level, even considering the unexpected turn of events. Having Detective Pikachu consume coffee, speak, and mimic human gestures is already impressive, and the Bamboo Borough scene emphasizes that it would have been preferable for Detective Pikachu to retain his typical facial expressions.

The animation of Detective Pikachu, particularly its facial expressions, has always been off-putting to many fans. While the Detective Pikachu movie improved upon this by focusing on Pikachu's features, Detective Pikachu Returns only slightly improves on the unsettling expressions from the original 3DS title. There is still much for Creatures, Inc. to learn in order to make Detective Pikachu a character that can appeal to a wider audience. Despite concerns that Detective Pikachu Returns may not generate enough profit for a sequel, the Pokemon spin-off might sell well during upcoming holidays. Considering the mixed reception of the Switch game, it is hoped that a third title will learn from the mistakes made since the beginning.

Detective Pikachu Returns is now available on Nintendo Switch.