TELEVISION: Pokémon: The Arceus Chronicles (2022)

Pete Kirkpatrick , , ,

Anime Pokémon: The Arceus Chronicles is a spin-off to the main Pokémon anime (namely the ongoing Journeys sub-series) that originally aired on Amazon Prime in Japan for 4 episodes, with the dub later premiering on Netflix. Ash (Sarah Natochenny) and Goh (Zeno Robinson) head to Sinnoh to learn more about the region’s history, where they reunite with Dawn (Emily Jenness), Brock (Bill Rogers) and Cynthia (also Jenness). However, Team Galactic have reformed and are working to open a portal so that they can bring back their old leader Cyrus, so now Ash and the gang have to once again stop them as to do so would save the world.

PROS

  • This is a logical follow-on to the original Team Galactic storyline of the Sinnoh saga as it reminds us of just how much admiration and devotion Cyrus received from the team, features the return of the Lake Guardians (Bella Hudson), and old rivalries are revisited. Plus having Ash, Brock, Dawn and Cynthia all take them on together again appeased us long-term Pokémon fans.
  • The Pokémon battles and the teamwork of Ash and the gang to stop Team Galactic feature some quite exciting and fast-paced moments that stay true to their characters, whilst the climax is especially creative, with concepts that show the screenwriters really thought outside the box.
  • There are some quite creative designs in the climax that are beautifully animated and rich in detail, whilst the designs of ancient, historic Sinnoh are quite eye-catching and evoke well the imagery of the latest Pokémon game – Legends: Arceus.

CONS

  • Very inconsistent animation – some the imagery in the climax and featuring Arceus is gorgeously designed with a rich colour palette and a lot of detail, but much of the animation lacks smaller details and feels altogether rushed.
  • The first 15 minutes or so have a rather sluggish pace and lack tension, even when Team Galactic begin to get the wheels rolling on their scheme, and it feels like there was zero passion behind the screenwriting here.
  • With the original Sinnoh saga having ended in September 2010, there is a lot of very forced, almost patronising, expositional dialogue to explain to viewers who did not watch the series back then about Team Galactic and Brock.

VERDICT: 5/10

Leave a comment