This wasn’t my intended plan, but I might as well have a go while this is still fresh. Since there are all manner of leaks making the rounds (presumably with more to come); I thought I would give a few moments to address them. Here are my thoughts on the recent “tera leak” impacting the Pokémon Company and Game Freak, as well as what it might mean for the near future of the franchise.
First, a disclaimer as a 25-plus-year veteran fan- I will not be showing the leaked information; but I can describe it for you all. Also, please be aware this information is subject to change; and I will bring you any official details as they become available. Finally, I will not be addressing details about past works that are coming out; I will be mainly focusing on the potential near future. Some of the details here also corroborate information that’s been circulating a while; and when it falls under that; I will mention it.
Case in point- the highly anticipated Pokémon Legends Z-A. Not only is Lumiose City the main hub of the game; but both it and Generation X (the latter of which is known under the codename “Gaia”) are being developed for both the existing Switch and its eventual successor (codename “Ounces”). Legends Z-A was also going to be out this year; but was pushed to 2025 in light of the Generation IX launch and its fixes.
There is also a new multiplayer title codeveloped with ILCA, codenamed “Synapse.” The gameplay will reportedly be similar to the “Splatoon” games, which I really enjoy. Though not much is known about the game, it will be interesting to see what comes out of this; if anything.
Now, onto the anime and other adaptations. I cannot be certain if all the details about the remainder of Pokémon Horizons are true, but I’m not entirely surprised they’re planning to wrap it up before the next generation. Though it remains to be seen what will happen to the main anime; this, along with other projects (more on that in a bit) seems to corroborate the plans of going back to basics.
Apart from that, Studio Colorido is developing a 12-episode OVA for TV, with all the episodes being the standard 22 minutes. As someone who has an appreciation for their work, I am intrigued.
Even with the current management at WB Discovery (talk persists of a potential breakup), I am glad to mention a sequel to the 2019 hit Pokémon Detective Pikachu is still being developed as The Great Detective Pikachu; with Jordan Vogt-Roberts (“Kong: Skull Island”) set to direct. I never thought it was shelved, just waylaid by strikes and the pandemic.
The live-action Netflix event is also still being developed (codenamed Discovery). The first season is the standard eight episodes, and there is said to be a pickup for about five at least. Whether or not they make it a period piece (they could for the ‘90s what Stranger Things did for the ‘80s in tone and presentation) or bring the story into the present day; I’m open to the idea. The only detail I know for sure is that they’re going to be adapting the original games, which brings me to the final topic I will mention today.
Lastly, there is an in-development reboot of the anime movies, codenamed Project Bauer. Tentatively focusing on the original 151 monsters (with Mew being a major focus), this very much fits the mold of the back to basics approach I was hearing about after HZ ends. Not certain about a whole new protagonist- if this is one of the proposed adaptations of the original games, I would just use Red (or at least, a new variant of him for this continuity). Kobun Shizuno is currently attached to direct, and he does have plenty of experience. Honestly, I'm open to the idea; especially as the movies have been on hiatus since M23 and previous ones largely escaped the video game adaptation curse. If it works, then similar films about the other regions could follow. At worst, I honestly can't imagine it being a disaster. That’s all for now, take care.
