The second Detective Pikachu trailer released today, showcasing more live-action Pokémon and the movie's plot. Although the Pokémon franchise is wildly popular, adapting it into live-action with a talking Pikachu (one voiced by Ryan Reynolds, no less) was initially met with skepticism. Since then, however, audiences have warmed up to the idea of the Detective Pikachu movie.
Based on the 2018 video game of the same name, the Detective Pikachu movie follows Justice Smith's Tim Goodman and Reynolds' Pikachu as they attempt to uncover the mystery behind the disappearance of Tim's father. Taking place in Ryme City, Detective Pikachu is filled to the brim with Pokémon from across the Nintendo franchise. While some of them were revealed in the first Detective Pikachu trailer and a recent TV spot, Warner Bros. has been holding back a few big names.
Just over two months out from its premiere date, Detective Pikachu has received a second trailer diving deeper into WB's new, big-screen Pokémon universe. Longtime fans will no doubt recognize many of them, but since the trailer moves quite fast at times, it's easy to lose track of all of the trailer's Pokémon. In total, there are 25 Pokémon in the second Detective Pikachu trailer, and we've caught them all.
Pikachu
Detective Pikachu (Reynolds) is up first, and it so far appears Reynolds is bringing much of the humor of the charm he breathed into Deadpool to his voice performance in Detective Pikachu (sans raunchy irreverence, of course). Detective Pikachu shares the spotlight with former Pokémon trainer Tim Goodman (Smith). Visually speaking, some fans first articulated doubts about a live-action Pokémon film due to the uncanny valley effect they claimed it induced. However, if the equally adorable and technically impressive rendition of Pikachu above isn't enough to sway the unassured, there may be no convincing them. For the first time in the latest trailer, Detective Pikachu can be seen flexing his electrifying moveset, using iconic move Thunderbolt and another resembling Zippy Zap, an Electric-type move introduced in Pokémon Let's Go Pikachu and Eevee.
Ludicolo
Much like in the Pokémon anime, it appears some Pokémon fulfill working roles best fitting them in Ryme City, Detective Pikachu's metropolitan setting. It's fitting, then, that a "sombrero"-wearing Ludicolo can be seen behind the counter at a trendy bar. There's little evidence to suggest Detective Pikachu will explore any adult themes beyond Detective Pikachu's demand for Tim to "get [him] the hell out of here" while fighting in a seedy Pokémon arena, but it's probable that Ludicolo serves alcohol to humans (and maybe even Pokémon). After all, Tim is a world-weary adult and Detective Pikachu is an amnesiac, caffeine-addicted investigator who's probably seen more than his fair share of crime.
Charizard
Detective Pikachu's live-action Charizard looks as dastardly as in previous appearances, with its scars, scales, and frame making it an intimidating sight to behold. Older footage showed Detective Pikachu facing off against the fearsome Fire/Flying-type with little context, but the new trailer reveals the Charizard is a contender in an underground Pokémon fighting ring, presumably owned by what Detective Pikachu refers to as "the wrong crowd." While it's possible this Charizard is living its best life as a champion of the arena, the implications of unregulated Pokémon cage matches in the underbelly of Ryme City explores a dimension of amorality largely ignored by the Pokémon universe.
Charmander, Growlithe, and Golurk
In a brief shot in which Tim approaches the Ryme City police station where his missing father and - presumably - Detective Pikachu work, three new Pokémon can be spotted. A Charmander walks beside its owner, while two cops are accompanied by working Growlithe. The use of the latter Fire-types as working animals could imply the trailer's Growlithe are akin to puppy K9 units in training, with Arcanine possibly serving as fully-grown police dogs. In the background, two hulking Golurk (ancient automaton Pokémon) stand watch over the department entrance.
Machamp and Snorlax
A muscular Machamp can be seen directing Ryme City traffic, an interesting but logical job for the four-armed Fighting-Type. Meanwhile, a surprisingly furry Snorlax snoozes in the middle of the road. This napping Snorlax is a hilarious visual nod to the first generation of Pokémon games, where the giant Pokémon blocks the critical path and players must wake the Snorlax using the Poké Flute item to progress.
Snubbull
A Snubbull was originally seen in the office of Lieutenant Yoshida (Ken Watanabe), snarling at the lawman when he reached his hand out to pet the pink Pokémon. In a jarring instance in which a Pokémon's actual size is demonstrated, Snubbull are apparently quite large despite their resemblance to the smaller American Bulldog. Considering the stature and unfriendliness of Detective Pikachu's live-action Snubbull, it's scary to consider how massive and angry its evolution, Granbull, could look with similar live-action treatment.
Bulbasaur
No Pokémon Gen 1-filled cast would be complete without Red and Blue's strongest starter, and the new Detective Pikachu trailer isn't the first peek at Bulbasaur given thus far. Considering the live-action Pokémon's excellent visual transition to CG, though, it's a safe bet that no one's complaining. A small herd of Bulbasaur are shown fording a river in the wild, but it's yet unknown how its Ivysaur and Venusaur evolutions may appear if they're also featured in the movie.
Page 2 of 3: Lickitung, Squirtle, Illumise, and More Pokemon
Lickitung
It's still hard to not feel weird about Lickitung's design in Detective Pikachu, and that seems to be intentional. Once again seen giving Tim an unsolicited look at its torso-length tongue, reptilian face, and soulless eyes, Lickitung seems poised to maintain its creepiness factor for children and adult viewers alike.
Squirtle and Pancham
While not fully rendered like other Pokémon in the Detective Pikachu trailer, missing posters for a Squirtle and Pancham were the first clues about Detective Pikachu's core conflict. Squirtle is another Pokémon Red and Blue starter, and it's sadly the only one yet to be shown in its live-action glory. Meanwhile, Pancham is a panda-inspired Fighting-type introduced in Pokémon Gen 6. As this trailer explores the fact that Ryme City (and perhaps the Pokémon world at large) are plagued by criminal activity, it's probable these posters point to a Team Rocket-like conspiracy stirring trouble for Detective Pikachu and Tim.
Illumise
Among the aforementioned wild Bulbasaur throng is a gathering of Illumise, firefly-like Bug Pokémon which are exclusively female. Set apart from their all-male Volbeat counterparts by their large eyes and purple hair-like crests, they produce eggs that have an equal chance of hatching into either Volbeat or more Illumise.
Psyduck
Carried on the back of journalist Lucy (Kathryn Newton), the deceptively helpless Psyduck is shown tagging along on the journey to uncover the truth behind Detective Pikachu's kidnappings. Resembling a large duckling, Psyduck is a Water Pokémon popularized by the classic Pokémon anime series, with Misty's star pocket monster enduring as a fan favorite. The apparent defenselessness of Lucy's Pokémon is deceiving, as all Psyduck are simply in a headache-inducing transitory stage prior to evolving into powerful Psychic-type Golduck. Proving its latent power, Psyduck causes an explosive shockwave later in the trailer.
Jigglypuff
One of the first live-action Pokémon showcased in the past Detective Pikachu trailer, Jigglypuff's cuddly appearance is nothing new but still worth its latest trailer screen time. Here, the pink, furry creature again demonstrates the effectiveness of its Sing move by serenading a man to sleep at an espresso bar.
Loudred
One of Gen 3's most visually bizarre Pokémon, Loudred is, well... really loud. It's therefore fitting that a pair of them seem to work as speakers of some kind at the sleazy underground Pokémon fighting ring. Also visible at this point of the trailer is an interesting way of acknowledging the series' video game roots in Detective Pikachu. A large screen feeds trainers and spectators information about battles with messages like "critical hit," which is usually only seen by real-world players looking at a handheld screen.
Blastoise and Gengar
Blastoise, the inarguably badass final form of Squirtle, is only visible outside of its shell for a few brief frames before retreating back inside to deliver a spinning volley from its water cannons. It can be spotted fighting what appears to be multiple Gengar. While the Gengar at times resemble their lower Haunter forms in the Detective Pikachu trailer, this is due to their non-corporeal, ghoulish nature.
Page 3 of 3: Cubone, Mewtwo, Flareon, and More Pokemon
Cubone
Cubone, the tragic Pokémon who wears the skull of its deceased Kangaskhan mother, is so far the first live-action Pokémon to be shown exiting a Poké Ball, and Detective Pikachu's handling of the iconic animation is on the money. The Cubone itself is only fully visible for three frames, but the CG Poké Ball's way of combusting to release the small, bone-brandishing Pokémon for battle is highly satisfying to watch.
Eevee/Flareon
Opting for a version of Eevee similar to the one players are given in Pokémon: Let's Go Eevee for Nintendo Switch, this materializing Eevee is actually Flareon, a Gen 1 evolution. Appearing out of thin air in front of Mythical Pokémon Dialga, Arceus, and Palkia statues - the Pokémon universe's respective masters of time, creation, and space - lend deeper insight into what's gone wrong in Detective Pikachu. While unconfirmed, but it's possible Team Rocket or a stand-in group are playing god, kidnapping Pokémon and using them to somehow create or simulate life.
Greninja
Well-known for its ninja-inspired design and replacement of Mewtwo and Lucario in Super Smash Bros. 4's roster, the second Detective Pikachu trailer's Greninja don't seem to mean well for movie's main characters. All-new footage shows Greninja chasing the protagonists around a facility, while a previously revealed shot features the malicious Water-Dark-type trio ambushing the heroes in the wild. It's interesting that most Pokémon in the film seem to be docile if not friendly, meaning there's a chance these Greninja are not acting on their own volition.
Aipom
For cute, purple apes with hands growing off their backsides, a swarm of live-action Aipom featured in the Detective Pikachu trailer more closely resemble rabid monkeys than anything else. Chasing Tim and Detective Pikachu around an abandoned building, it appears these small mischief-makers could also be hyper-aggressive, fabricated Pokémon.
Mewtwo
That's right: Mewtwo is in Detective Pikachu, meaning the movie might be the closest thing Hollywood ever gets to a live-action version of Pokémon the Movie 2000. Mewtwo is teased earlier in the new trailer when a three-toed hand is shown pulling its owner out of a laboratory pod, and then again when glass violently shatters out of what appears to be the same apparatus. Mewtwo is likely the Detective Pikachu villains' endgame: the perfect synthetic Pokémon. However, where there's smoke there's fire, and where there's Mewtwo there may be Mew. With luck, Detective Pikachu audiences will get to see the mega-powerful, cat-like Legendary Pokémon in live-action, as well.
Mr. Mime
Adding some levity to the end of the trailer after Mewtwo's dramatic reveal, the same Mr. Mime interrogated by Tim and Detective Pikachu in the first trailer attempts to escape from custody in a new scene. Fortunately for the protagonists, Mr. Mime seems to only understand reality through the lens of sight gags. The Pokémon mimes a motorcycle chase until dramatically "crashing," prompting Detective Pikachu to quip, "Shoulda worn a helmet."
And that caps off the last of the Detective Pikachu trailer's 25 live-action Pokémon, half of which were previously unseen in their fleshy, furry, and/or scaly CG forms. Detective Pikachu's theatrical release is a mere two months away, but when fans have to got to see 'em all, the film likely feels like it's still ages away.
