Multiple titles and synopses for upcoming episodes ofPokemon Journeys, season 23 of the ongoing anime based on the popular video game franchise, were put out in Japan recently. A few different plotlines of interest were picked up by fans as a result, such as one episode that will seeconflict between Ash Ketchum and his Pikachu, and another where the Mythical Pokemon Celebi will be a prominent centerpiece.
According to a translation of the Japanese synopsis forPokemon Journeysepisode 32 by Serebii staff member and forum moderator Dephender, Ash and his companion Goh will be returning to the Johto Region where they meet up with one of Goh’s old friends Tokio, who has spent years searching for Celebi. One of the Goh’s primary goals inPokemon Journeysis to find and catch the Mythical Pokemon Mew, so having an interest in Celebi as well would track with his character.
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As some fans point out in the forum post, the idea that an episode of the anime focused on Celebi is primed to release around the same time asPokemon The Movie: Coco, which features a shiny variant of the Mythical monster, does not seem like a coincidence. However, due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic,Pokemon The Movie: Cocowas delayedlast month, so that timing may be somewhat off now.
The same can be said forPokemon-centric mobile games that had tie-in events prepared for the upcoming anime film’s release. DeNa’sPokemon Mastersadded Jessie, James, and Meowthsearching for shiny Celebi, and Niantic’s AR gamePokemon GOhas also started an event centered around the iconic members of Team Rocket.
One of the defining features of the latest season of thePokemonanime has been Ash and Goh’s propensity to hop between different Regions across the series' history, letting it experiment with different plots and Pokemon. Social media has been keenly aware of this shake-up for the formula, leading to widespread attention and sometimes Twitter trending moments wheneverAsh catches a new Pokemon, like Galarian Farfetch’d.
It will still be a few weeks in Japan before episode 32 focused around Celebi airs, and even longer until it premieres in English. Netflix has acquired the rights to publish the anime in the west, and is onlyreleasing episodes ofPokemon Journeysin batches of 12 every quarter. Hopefully, this episode and others will be worth the wait.
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