Pokémon- Pocket Monsters. I traveled across the land searching far and wide; trying to picture the creatures as they moved between my game systems and my TV screens. What did they look like- Mice? Dragons? Turtles? Were the amphibians like palm trees? I kept dreaming of events I thought I’d never see. Then, one day, something happened: I got in.
Now that I’ve got that out of the way, it’s finally time. Here is my look at the anime special “Pokémon: The Distant Blue Sky.” Taking place in the alternate continuity established in 2017’s “Pokémon The Movie: I Choose You,” the special is a great way to honor the past legacy of the franchise and provide a window into its future, so let’s begin.
The special opens on Ash and Pikachu swimming in a lake on their journey, having an encounter with a wild Gyarados and a young man named Ren. He’s going to be one of several characters unique to this special, and I really like this scene of Ash suiting up after his swim. Not sure why, but it’s a kind of element I’ve always had a soft spot for.
Anyway, Ash makes a stop near Tonari Town; getting a call from his mother Delia at the Pokémon Center. She says that his father will be around soon, and has something for him. I think that’s a sweet way of handling that aspect, and we’ll come back to that in a bit.
He heads off, none the wiser of a familiar looking trio hiding from behind newspapers. That night, as he’s resting; they make their move.
The next day, Ash is woken up by the lick of a Lickitung, and Pikachu is nowhere in sight! Also, remember the stones that have Gengar on them- it will be important later. Ash heads to find Pikachu, emerging from the tree he was sleeping under. Fortunately- a helpful young man saw where he was taken and shows Ash where he went: His name is Haruto; and he will also be important later.
Team Rocket has stuck Pikachu in a shockproof jar (guess the burlap bag would have been too easy): though they only have one biscuit to celebrate, they say there will be more later. Ash drops down after scoping them out, and while they say their motto; Ash simply unlocks it with the key while they’re distracted. Sometimes the simplest solution is the best.
After reuniting with Pikachu and sending them blasting off, Ash and Haruto are formally introduced. Also, the way Haruto doesn’t reach back when Ash extends his hand will be important later.
The two decide to observe the wild Pokémon in the forest, and hijinks ensue as an arrangement of the Kalos Friend Safari theme plays in the background. Highlights include getting dragged around by Diglett, trying to ride a Dodrio, getting a huff of Stun Spore and Sleep Powder from a Venonat and having to run from a swarm of Beedrill.
After all the rushing, the two decide to look for something to eat. They find a patch of Oran Berry bushes, and a cabin nearby. Inside is a reclusive artist painting skylines, with Haruto saying his favorite is right by the stool.
Looking over his shoulder, Ash is greeted by a woman holding a basket of fresh baked bread as the artist emerges from his house. Her name is Sae, and the artist his her husband Soh. She agrees to give Ash some of the berries along with the bread, and I like how that functions as a subtle callback to the fourth movie as well. It won’t be the only one either in this special.
Ash meets back up with Haruto, who saw a Pokémon in the vicinity. After expressing interest in having his favorite dish (his mother’s croquettes), he offers to help Haruto search for the Pokémon he saw.
Pikachu offers to go in at full voltage; but Ash decides on a different approach. Of course- while they’re not hurling rice balls/donuts or crashing through rocks, the ringleader with the hat is as mischievous as Ukiki from Super Mario 64.
Ash reclaims Haruto’s hat, and proposes an exchange for the dismayed Mankey- his own. This also explains why he has a different one in Yajima’s movies and the Mewtwo Strikes Back remake, more on that in a moment.
Ash returns with the hat to Sae and Soh, and the latter is surprised at how he got it. Here’s the reveal that made this special work so well- it turns out that Haruto wanted to be a Pokémon trainer like Ash, but he was very sick in the past. The exact illness is not mentioned, but the messaging is clear: Haruto died a year prior to the OVA’s events, and Soh has been painting the skies in his home ever since. This also explains why he didn’t take Ash’s hand or share any of the food with him.
Continuing on, Ash points out Haruto’s favorite painting; and they confirm it’s from the last time they saw each other that the sky looked like that. I genuinely like the symbolism of the shadows here; and how it connects to Ash’s own father.
Soh then decides to continue his art to honor his late son Haruto, even expanding to Pokémon and other landscapes. Before he leaves, Ash grants one last request to Haruto- to know what a Pokémon feels like. Using his ability to sense aura to pull it off, this also seems to imply the eighth movie and the DP series are canon to this continuity as well.
Though something came up with Ash’s father all of a sudden, he did leave him with a gift- his hat from the original series! I was wondering before how I’d approach my OC variant of Halloween cosplay this year- now I’m certain.
Ash then sits down to a dinner of his favorite croquettes. Honest thought as I pose this question: what if Ash getting his OS hat from his dad as a gift is a way of the anime letting us know it's ok to say goodbye to him; and to still enjoy the anime? Maybe this being the end can also be a new beginning for him, Pikachu and us as fans.
The next morning, Ash catches wind of Entei running through the area. Delia feeds him a piece of toast for breakfast on his way out, and we close this special on Ash heading off with Pikachu by his side; complete with archive narration from the late Unsho Ishizuka.
“Pokémon: The Distant Blue Sky” is a beautiful special, and a great way to start closing the book on this chapter of the anime. Much like the films in the alternate continuity it takes place in, it honors the legacy of the anime’s past while also laying foundations for its future.
Though I may have my concerns about the reboot going forward, I will say this: I am choosing not to be sad that this phase of the journey is ending, but glad that I got a chance to experience it. On that note, I will continue to not only explore the vast legacy of content in the anime in new ways; but also expand coverage of the video games as well. No matter what happens with this update, I intend to give a full review of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet once I have completed the main story.
That will be all for now.
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