Gamers around the globe received a gift of nostalgia this week when Pokémon surprised gamers with the release of a new video called "GOTCHA!". With the popular band Bump of Chicken and the help of some of the best artists currently in animation, Pokémon created a visual experience to rival any of it's past animated projects. Generations of heroes, villains and regions go by so quickly that catching all the references on the first watch through is impossible. However, when watched again, it becomes clear that this video contains a special look into the world of Pokémon.
The video starts with a scene of boys walking along a railroad track. This is a reference to Pokémon Red and Blue, when the player very first strikes out from home and can interact with the television in the house. For many players, this interaction marked the beginning of a lifelong journey through the Pokémon world. Backing this, the video introduces a male and female protagonist that have not appeared in any games to date. The boy carries a Pikachu and the girl has an Eevee, referencing the Kanto reboot Pokémon Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee. From here the characters age and set out on a journey that appears to take them through every region so far.
As the characters progress their journeys, the background displays a montage of every gym leader by type. This then leads into a display of both characters overshadowed by the silhouettes of every legendary Pokémon and every region's antagonist. As the characters continue forward, the video pans to the champions of the Elite Four of every region, as well as many of the protagonists from other games. A series of scenes play out from generations up to the Galar region. All of these moments are well known by players, like the battle on Mount Silver, or the moment that Brenden beats Wally before the Elite Four in Pokémon Emerald.
GOTCHA! Shows The Importance Of Fans
After watching through the video, it becomes clear that these 'new' protagonists are meant to be the viewer. They alone, like the players of Pokémon, have the opportunity to interact with every region and every character. These characters are the representation of the players traveling through each game and region. The characters stand in for the player interacting with every protagonist and rival, every evil and every legendary. The players bonds are represented through these protagonists that, while never having been in an game, have still had a part in every game as the person behind the console screen.
The biggest indication of this is illustrated through the way "GOTCHA!" depicts how the protagonists interact with the world of Pokémon. At no point do either of the characters ever interact with anything outside of each other, Pikachu and Eevee. All of the scenes playing out happen as if on a screen behind the characters like a movie, or pan away from the characters to show the in-game content through each generation. This is because the characters represent the players, and the scenes show the influence Pokémon has had on so many people. The entire video is a visual metaphor for how Pokémon has given a lifetime of adventure to players around the world. The final gift is in the detail of Pikachu and Eevee. They are the manifestation of the player's love of Pokémon and how it brings people together to share a love of an epic adventure.
The world of Pokémon has been shaping the lives fans for decades. The games have created a magical world filled with rich story that has been a part of many players lives from childhood. That journey has brought a community together through a love of story-telling, adventure, and an emphasis on following your dreams. Pokémon has illustrated this beautifully in the "GOTCHA!" video, expressing the point that while the games themselves are wonderful, it is the fans that tell the story.