A new Pokémon live-action series is set to arrive in Japan later this year, with Tokyo TV announcing Pocket Filled With Adventure for this autumn. However, this doesn’t look like it’s set to employ the same sort of real-life versions of monsters we saw in Detective Pikachu. Instead, it looks like a tribute to one of the best Pokémon games, playing heavily into the nostalgia factor associated with the series.
According to Serebii, Pocket Filled With Adventure follows the story of Madoka Akagi, whose mother gifts her a copy of Pokémon Red before she moves to the big city to join an advertising firm. Outside of that synopsis, we don’t really know what to expect, but it’s a fair guess to assume that this story might take place in the late nineties when the Pokémon series was still in its infancy and before Pokémania gripped the planet.
The series begins on Tokyo TV on October 19, 2023, with new episodes weekly. It’s not yet clear whether we’re expecting a dubbed version to arrive in the West, though we’re certainly hopeful that we can add the live-action series to our list of upcoming Pokémon properties coming to our screens. Between this and Pokémon Concierge, there’s plenty to look forward to.
The new Pokémon live-action series stars Nanase Nishino as Madoka Akagi, with the former idol girl group member continuing her on-camera work following appearances in Dr. Chocolate and Police in a Pod. Shota Hatanaka is on hand to produce and write, with Atsuo Akari and Michihiro Odoshi joining him in the writer’s room.
From what we’ve seen so far, it isn’t clear what involvement The Pokémon Company and Game Freak might have in the series. Still, considering TV Tokyo is broadcasting the series, the same network responsible for airing the Pokémon anime for the last 25 years, and the recent Pokémon: Horizons spin-off, we assume there is some involvement from the IP owner.
There you have it, all we know so far about the new Pokémon live-action series, Pocket Filled With Adventure. For more pocket monsters, be sure to check out our guides to our favorite Pokémon characters and Pokémon gym leaders.