The ultimate guide to every Pokemon spotted in the Detective Pikachu movie trailer
The movie opens in Singapore on May 9 and at least 30 were seen in the latest trailer. CNA Lifestyle’s resident Pokemon geek breaks it down for you because someone's got to do it.
We spotted Pikachu and 38 other Pokemon in the trailer. There might be more. (Photo: Pokemon: Detective Pikachu/Jasper Loh)
Some Pokemon are extremely photogenic, others not so much. In The Pokemon Company’s push towards realistic live-action, the upcoming Pokemon: Detective Pikachu movie features the well-loved characters in 3D, and audiences are still getting used to it.
Out of a current 809 Pokemon in the Pokedex, at least 30 have been spotted in the latest trailer for the movie, arriving May 9 in Singapore. The two-minute trailer showcases Detective Pikachu (voiced by Ryan Reynolds) trying to figure out what happened to the father of new partner Tim Goodman's (Justice Smith).
From a fuzzy Ludicolo to a creepy Mr. Mime, here is every Pokemon that has been revealed in Pokemon: Detective Pikachu. Some are so blink-and-you'll-miss-it, we're using cute illustration instead. But trust us, they're there.
1. PIKACHU
Pikachu may be the iconic face of Pokemon today, but it was almost passed over as the franchise mascot in favour of Clefairy, the pink furball, some 25 years ago.
It was thought that Clefairy would be engaging and would draw people in, but once the animated series began production, the team realised that a yellow central character would be the best for the brand, as it was easy for children to see from a distance.
Today, the mischievous electric-type rat has gone through a drastic weight loss from its original design, and remains the most recognisable character in the Pokemon universe.
2. AIPOM
This one’s competing with Ludicolo and Jigglypuff for the title of Most Likely To Give Us Nightmares. The purple Normal-type monkey bares its teeth for the camera in the trailer, while its three-fingered hand/tail presents itself as a menacing appendage in the background. Who gave Pokemon human teeth and why?
3. ARCANINE
The majestic second evolution of Growlithe is a little difficult to spot, but it seems the Fire-type beast works as police dogs in Ryme City, with Arcanine standing nearly as tall as its police trainers. So, so fluffy...
4. AUDINO
The hearing Pokemon Audino can use its ears like stethoscopes and feel the heartbeat of other Pokemon, assessing the Pokemon's feelings and overall physical condition. As Mega Audino, it can release pulses that reduce hostility, and the secondary feelers can put those who come in contact with the Normal- and Fairy-type Pokemon into a deep sleep. Another Pokemon destined for the medical industry.
5. BOUFFALANT
Introduced in Generation 5, the Normal-type buffalo Pokemon takes after Tauros, the wild bull Pokemon released among the original 151 species. When headbutting targets, Bouffalant is protected from damage by its thick head of hair.
6. BRAVIARY
The Normal- and Flying-type Braviary has a hardcore edge. Known for its extreme dedication to its friends, the “hero of the skies” is so strong, it is capable of lifting a car and flying with it. The more scars a Braviary has on its front, the more respect it gets from its peers, while scars on its back, signifying defeat, will bring it ridicule.
7. BLASTOISE
While the final form of the original Water-type starter seems to be overpowered by a group of Gengar in the trailer, Blastoise has come to be known as the durable tank with a high defense stat. The powerful cannons on its back are capable of producing water blasts that can pierce steel and concrete.
8. BULBASAUR
The overlooked Grass-type starter of Generation I has gained quite a following of late, with the (now adult) fans of the game coming to realise its balanced stats may prove more powerful than the lineages of Squirtle and Charmander. This cabbage frog dinosaur Pokemon places first in the Pokemon registry, with number 001 on the Pokedex.
9. VENUSAUR
As the final evolution of Bulbasaur, Venusaur is a massive, nature-controlling monster. Weighing 100 kilograms, the Grass- and Poison-type Pokemon offer well-balanced stats in the game, with the only exception of speed. It’s hard to dash around while supporting a giant flower on your back.
10. CHARMANDER
Everyone’s favourite Generation I starter sets fire to everything it sees. The Fire-type Pokemon offers an easy game throughout the Kanto region, with the hot-headed lizard Pokemon blasting through trainer battles.
11. CHARIZARD
The fearsome Charizard may have received years of “not a dragon” jokes, but the Fire- and Flying-type Pokemon still packs a punch in the game, especially with two Mega Evolutions. Say what you want about its 4x weakness to Rock-type moves, but having a fire-breathing dragon-lookalike is a plus in any team.
12. COMFEY
From that weird, rebellious phase of Pokemon comes Comfey, a sentient flower chain. The Fairy-type Coachella accessory is said to have magical healing properties. At this point, everything about Comfey sounds like a scam item from a pushy salesperson, but at least it’s cute.
13. CUBONE
Here come the waterworks. The Ground-type Pokemon Cubone wears the skull of its dead mother as a helmet and clubs enemies with a bone. Some questions about the feasibility of this culture remain, however, like how sibling Cubones share the skull of their mum. Pokemon, explain!
14. DODRIO
Dodrio is a three-headed ostrich/emu hybrid, or a tragedy in three parts. Each head has its own working brain and distinct personality, representing and expressing sorrow, anger and joy respectively. Three’s a crowd and this Pokemon is constantly bickering with itself, and life is a stressful experience for this Normal- and Flying-type Pokemon.
15. EMOLGA
The Electric- and Flying-type Pokemon marks just one of Nintendo’s many attempts at capturing the success of Pikachu with similar Electric-type rodents displaying cute features. None of these attempts worked, save for the last-ditch effort that is Mimikyu, an ominous being that disguises itself as a Pikachu because of the popularity of Pikachu-styled merchandise, thinking that its disguise would allow it to make friends with people.
16. FLABEBE
Measuring just 10 centimetres, Flabebe is a Fairy-type Pokemon that comes in five colours: red, orange, yellow, blue and white; a very marketable statement Pokemon for your team. While beautiful, it is the sort of Pokemon that is wilfully ignored in the game, though its typing is immune to the powerful Dragon-type moves.
17. FLAREON
The Fire-type evolution of Eevee, the brown, furry mascot of the Pokemon franchise, appears in a flash in the trailer, complete with blazing blue eyes and a mischievous grin. Flareon is favoured for its high attack stat and its large mass of soft, yellow fur.
18. GENGAR
One of the most sinister characters in the Pokemon franchise, the Dark- and Poison-type Gengar is known to take on the form of one’s shadows, then surprising people and Pokemon and terrifying them. It also has the ability to fly and possess people and Pokemon. Be afraid, be very afraid.
19. GOLURK
The Ground- and Ghost-type Pokemon Golurk stands at 2.8 metres and is said to have been created by ancient civilisations to serve as a labourer. The golem also boasts a seal across a giant crack in its chest, and will lose control of its energy if the seal is removed. Highly unstable and not a recommended machine.
20. GRENINJA
Greninja stole the spotlight in Pokemon X and Y as the Water- and Dark-type frog ninja capable of throwing compressed water shurikens. With a long tongue that wraps around its body and acts as a scarf, the Generation VI starter Pokemon helped create an uptick in interest in the game after many generations of overlooked starter Pokemon designs.
21. GROWLITHE
Before the police dogs in Ryme City become the large, furry beasts that are Arcanine, the Fire-type Pokemon start as mid-sized canines at 70 centimetres. Look at that brilliant bushy tail.
22. JIGGLYPUFF
Jigglypuff took just two seconds to become the scene-stealer of the first teaser trailer. The Normal- and Fairy-type Pokemon may appear to be just a ball of pink fluff, but with its microphone in hand, the singing Pokemon can lull people and Pokemon to sleep with its song.
23. JOLTIK
These tiny Bug- and Electric-type critters proved to be really annoying in the game, appearing to confront the player every few steps. Modeled after spiders, Joltik eventually evolve from just 10cm into the 80cm-long Galvantula.
24. LICKITUNG
This one was disturbing. Seeing the pale, pink, bald-headed Lickitung in the trailer with its long tongue hanging out was enough to rival the unsettling image of Mr. Mime. The Normal-type Pokemon is known to use its tongue as a tool and as a weapon, and I don’t admire its trainers.
25. LOUDRED
Some Pokemon use their skills for noble purposes, like Chansey aiding Nurse Joy in the Pokemon Centres, while others like Loudred… get used as a loudspeaker in a nightclub. The Normal-type Pokemon are known for their large ears and mouth, and for its loud voice, perfect for a DJ set.
26. LUDICOLO
Did no one guess that Ludicolo has a furry body? The Grass- and Water-type Pokemon seems to like partying, and will become more powerful when it hears festive music. As it becomes more energetic and active, it will break into a dance. Ludicolo is here for a good time, not a long time.
27. MACHAMP
The muscled, underwear-clad Machamp has made people uncomfortable for years. In the latest trailer, however, the four-armed Fighting-type Pokemon is using its limbs to direct traffic instead.
28. MEWTWO
The most powerful Pokemon of the original Red and Blue game emerges from a deflating Pikachu balloon in the trailer, reprising its role as the menacing Psychic-type Pokemon, hell bent on destroying everything it comes across.
29. MORELULL
Similar to the blue, glowing flora of James Cameron’s Avatar, Morelull is a Grass- and Fairy-type Pokemon that appears as a sentient mushroom. At night, Morelull can make the spores filling their mushroom caps glow with blue light, as it moves around searching for nutrients.
30. MR. MIME
Mr. Mime is an unsettling Pokemon for many reasons. Firstly, its blue “hair” are actually growths emerging from the sides of its head. It also vibrates its hands to manipulate air molecules, bringing its miming into reality. The Normal- and Fairy-type Pokemon is too humanoid-looking to not have any eyebrows.
31. PANCHAM
The Fighting-type Pokemon takes after a tiny panda, and tries its best to look tougher than it appears. The cuddly bear carries a leaf in its mouth to appear cool, and will grin when patted on the head.
32. PIDGEOTTO
The middle child in the Pidgey lineage already sports a long, red crest, though not as impressive as the one on Pidgeot. This Normal- and Flying-type Pokemon has cemented its status as the most recognisable avian Pokemon in the franchise, a feat that Nintendo has attempted to recreate in every generation of games since.
33. PSYDUCK
Here’s a case study for aspirin brands. While the Water-type Psyduck has no Psychic typing, it has a constant headache that occasionally manifests as strong psychic abilities. This poor yellow duck has contributed to the Pokemon television series’ comic relief for decades while its migraine remains untreated. Take two and call me in the morning.
34. RATTATA
Like rats in real life, Rattata are present in almost every continent in the Pokemon world. The Normal-type Pokemon even had its 15 minutes of fame as the only starter Pokemon in the 2009 WiiWare game Pokemon Rumble.
35. RUFFLET
The pre-evolution of Braviary sports a colourful plumage akin to a tribal headdress. Introduced in Pokemon Black and White, this Normal- and Flying-type Pokemon has powerful talons that can crush food and other Pokemon. Bloody.
36. SNORLAX
Everyone’ favourite food coma incarnate features as a furry traffic hazard, falling asleep right in the middle of a busy road, much like its role in-game as a road blockade. The Normal-type Pokemon is said to eat more than 400 kilograms of food a day before falling asleep; truly a role model for all.
37. SNUBBULL
Snubbull is a bundle of contradictions. Its pink fur with blue spots give the appearance of a cuddly toy poodle, yet it heavily resembles a bulldog with large teeth. Despite its fierce face, it is very playful and affectionate. It is not aggressive and tends to prefer to scare away its opponent rather than fight, and is saddened that others run from its frightening appearance. This Fairy-type Pokemon is the poster Pokemon of not judging a book by its cover.
38. SQUIRTLE
The adorable Water-type turtle has charisma that shines brighter than its bald head. The mascot for Pokemon Blue turns 21 this year, and still looks cool with his shades on as leader of the Squirtle Squad.
39. TREECKO
The agile Grass-type starter of the Hoenn region resembles a tree gecko and is known for his calm and collected personality. It will never panic under any circumstances, even when faced with a bigger foe. Also, that forehead.
