OrderToWatch Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You! poster

Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!

Movie, 2017, Alola, Set in A retelling of Ash's first journey

Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You! is #26 of 32 in release order and #26 of 32 in chronological order in the Pokémon.

The story

Ash Ketchum wakes up late one morning after having broken his alarm clock in his sleep. He eventually makes it to Professor Oak's lab, but is told that the three starter Pokémon, Bulbasaur, Squirtle, and Charmander, have already been taken by Trainers who were on time. However, Oak reveals that he has one more Pokémon, an Electric-type named Pikachu. Despite its volatile and feisty personality, as well as its refusal to get inside a Poké Ball, Ash happily takes Pikachu for his journey.

Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You! recap

In a new continuity that retells Ash's first days, Ash oversleeps, gets a Pikachu that refuses its Poké Ball, and wins its trust by protecting it from Spearow. Ho-Oh flies overhead and drops a Rainbow Wing, and Ash vows to find it. Instead of Misty and Brock, he travels with Verity, a confident young trainer, and Sorrel, a quiet student who lost his Luxray as a child. Ash takes in a Charmander abandoned by Cross, a trainer who values only strength, and it grows into Charmeleon. Marshadow, a shadowy Pokémon guarding Ho-Oh's path, puts Ash in a dream where Pokémon do not exist, and he wakes remembering how much Pikachu means to him. At Mount Tensei, Cross corrupts the Rainbow Wing, and Marshadow sends wild Pokémon into a rage.

Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You! ending explained

Charmeleon evolves into Charizard and beats Cross, but Ash is overwhelmed by the raging Pokémon and fades away. Pikachu's grief unleashes a huge Thunderbolt that breaks the corruption, and Ash comes back to life, holding a new Rainbow Wing. Ho-Oh appears, heals everyone, and Ash challenges it to a battle, which is not shown. The friends split up to chase their own goals, and Ash and Pikachu walk on together.

Where to watch Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!

Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You! is streaming on Tubi in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.

Ratings

IMDb 6.3/10, Rotten Tomatoes 33%, MyAnimeList 7.19

Where it fits

What to watch before Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!

In release order, 25 Pokémon essentials come before Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You! (2017), from Pokémon: The Original Series (1997) to Pokémon: Sun & Moon (2016). Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You! itself is optional in the Pokémon order.

Cast

Directed by Kunihiko Yuyama.