Ash & Pikachu are back in a brand new film that remakes the original arc of Pokemon. Once again taking Ash back to the Kanto League, he and his companion Pokemon, Pikachu where they encounter the legendary Ho-Oh in a life changing adventure.

Pokemon the Movie: I Choose You! is a 2017 remake film of Pokemon, it produced by OLM and licensed by Viz Media. It is currently available on DVD & Blu-Ray in English and Japanese.

Editor’s Note: A review copy of Pokemon the Movie: I Choose You! was provided by Viz Media in support of this review.

Ash & Pikachu as they appear in Pokemon I Choose You.

Ash & Pikachu are back at square one for a soft reboot of their original journey in the Kanto region. In Pokemon: I Choose You! the two leads try to cope with one another, but Pikachu is extremely difficult towards his new trainer. As they continue on their paths they eventually come to an understanding. This film covers the first several dozen episodes of the Pokemon anime, and as a retelling original companions Misty & Brock are not present and are instead replaced by two new companions named Sorrel & Verity.

I Choose You is a surprisingly entertaining reboot film.

THE GOOD: Pokemon: I Choose You is essentially a shot for shot remake of the pilot arc of the Pokemon anime with a mixed bag of minor and major differences in between. The main edit is the absence of Brock & Misty two fan favorites of all of Ash’s companions throughout the years of it’s run. OLM blended the new story edits with the canonical story well enough to where it feels like the new scenes belong with the older scenes. The Sun & Moon Pokemon also seemed to belong in the Kanto region as well.

I Choose You covers a fair bit of the original season of the anime.

THE BAD: Sorrel & Verity felt like filler characters in comparison to Brock & Misty who’s roles they were supposed to be replacing. I kind of also didn’t like how heavy the Legendary Pokemon was featured even if it was just two or three of them used within the film.

I Choose You is a fun remake for modern and classic Pokemon fans.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: Pokemon: I Choose You, while not perfect is a faithful retelling that has a lot more good than bad. The different generation of fans will have their own reasons as to why they may be on the fence, but if they’re willing to give it a chance I’m sure classic & new fans alike will finish the film with feelings of joy. Otaku Dome give Pokemon the Movie: I Choose You a 79 out of 100.