A COROCORO SUPER SCOOP
A new setting! New encounters!!
TERASTAL TRAINING AT ORANGE ACADEMY!!
A NEW CHAPTER; "TERASTAL DEBUT"!
New and exciting developments are taking place in Liko, Roy and the others' adventure! They'll be exchange students at Orange Academy, which also appears in Pocket Monsters Scarlet!
THE SETTING OF THE NEW CHAPTER IS A SCHOOL?!
It looks like the group will all be putting on school uniforms and start studying Terastallizing?!
*They'll also reunite with Nemo at the academy. She'll now be their reliable senior.
*The Elite Four from the Paldea region are appearing as well! Does that mean we'll get some battles?!
The editorial board recommends these two episodes:
Scheduled for March 29th: "To a Place Far Far Away"
Liko and the others finally get to battle Rayquaza!
Scheduled for April 12th: "How Thrilling! Orange Academy"
Liko and the others decide to study on exchange at Orange Academy for Terastal training. After being told what the training will consist of, they look forward to their new life and the new encounters they'll make. And then a certain person appears...?!
The next issue will include a special feature-length manga!!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It has been announced that "Terastal Debut", the new chapter of the popular anime Pocket Monsters (airs on the TV Tokyo Network every Friday at 6:55pm, officially abbreviated "Anipoke"), will start airing April 12th.
The main visual that's been presented depicts Orange Academy from the video game Pocket Monsters Scarlet, with Roy and Dot wearing Orange Academy uniforms. And for some reason Liko's Nyahoja is nowhere to be seen...
They're all surrounded by Elite Four members Aoki, Chili, Poppy and Hassaku, popular characters from the video games, as well as Nemo and Gym Leaders Colza and Nanjamo, who have all appeared in earlier episodes.
This new chapter will depict Liko, Roy and the others' Terastal Debut, as well as show how they'll interact with the popular characters from the video games now that they've decided to study on exchange at Orange Academy for Terastal training.
A special Pokémon anime trailer has also been released! The "Terapagos' Shine" chapter is hitting its climax! What is the Explorers' Plan for Capturing Rayquaza? Will Liko and Roy be able to stop it? ...And then it's on to an all new chapter!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Actor Hikaru Takahashi has been appointed Pokémon Anime Debut Ambassador for the Pocket Monsters anime TV show.
In a video that just got released, Hikaru Takahashi, as Pokémon Anime Debut Ambassador and dressed in orange for the occasion, announced that the new chapter of the Pocket Monsters anime, "Terastal Debut", would begin April 12th.
Takahashi, who also appears on "Pokémon to Doko Iku?" as a PokéRookie, will help people make their Pokémon anime debut with the Terastal Debut chapter. She will also be at AnimeJapan 2024 and the Family Anime Festa 2024 with her fellow Pokémon to Doko Iku?! hosts Ryogo Matsumaru and Abareru-kun on the 24th, where she, as Pokémon Anime Debut Ambassador, will be presenting highlights of the new chapter, info on Pokémon anime voice actors and more at the "Pokédoko Presents a Special Pokémon Anime TV Series Stage Show".
A comment from Hikaru Takahashi:
When I was initially appointed Pokémon Anime Debut Ambassador, I just wondered what on earth that meant (laughs). However, I'm actually completely obsessed with the Pokémon anime myself, so I'm really happy to have been given such a perfect assignment, and I really want to make the Pokémon anime community grow so that everyone can enjoy the new chapter Terastal Debut!
I'm currently in my twenties, so it's been a while since I watched the Pokémon anime as a child, but I still regain that same thrill from the show I had back then when I watch it nowadays! There is this certain excitement you can only get from this anime, no matter how old you are! I want to show off the Pokémon anime's appeal specifically so that I can share that with sensation as many Pokénds as possible!
The latest news on the Pokémon anime:
Hikaru Takahashi-san has been appointed Pokémon Anime Debut Ambassador! The new chapter "Terastal Debut" is starting Friday April 12th! Make sure to keep your eyes on it!
The latest news on the Pokémon anime! My name is Hikaru Takahashi, and I'm just now making my debut as Pokémon Anime Debut Ambassador! Have you guys heard? Look here! I'm talking about the fact that a new chapter of the Pokémon anime is starting April 12th! It's called "Terastal Debut"! Terastal is a mysterious phenomenon that makes Pokémon glitter! In order to master Terastallization, Liko and Roy are making their school debut! "Pocket Monsters: Terastal Debut" starts Friday April 12th! Why don't you make your Pokémon anime debut with Terastal Debut?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We present a comment video from Hikaru Takahashi-san, who has been appointed Pokémon Anime Debut Ambassador. She talked so much about the Pokémon anime's appeal that we couldn't even fit it all into the video...! Let's all make our Pokémon anime debut together!
Hello everyone. This is Hikaru Takahashi. I will presently be serving as Pokémon Anime Debut Ambassador. I want to tell you about the Pokémon anime's appeal in order to make a lot of people fall in love with it and make their "Pokémon anime debut"!
What do you think the appeal of the Pokémon anime is?
I think the way the characters support each other, do their best and try to figure out what they want to do is really cool and feel like it cheers me up. Everyone in the show are really strong characters, and I personally particularly like... well, of course I like Liko and of course I like Roy, I really like all the characters, but what I PARTICULARLY like is the relationship between Explorers Amethio and Hamber. Amethio really shows how much he desperately wants to get stronger, and, well... it's so wonderful to see everyone's honest feelings on display like that. Just watching such scenes makes me want to do MY best too! There are so many scenes like that in the show that make me want to support the characters. This aspect is the one I really love about the Pokémon anime.
By the way, have you checked out the key visual for the new chapter "Terastal Debut" that starts on April 12th yet?
Here is the key visual!
Both Roy and Dot are wearing uniforms too! The Elite Four from the Paldea region are there! And Nyarote...! Nyahoja has become a Nyarote! That's what REALLY shocked me! And Hogator is... still a Hogator! There are so many intriguing things here that caught my attention! And when I think about how Liko and Roy's world is going to massively expand like this, I want us to see that together and cheer them on together! I'm excited already!
With that said, the Pocket Monsters anime TV show airs on the TV Tokyo Network every Friday at 6:55pm! Let's all make our Pokémon anime debut together! This has been Pokémon Anime Debut Ambassador Hikaru Takahashi!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Terastal Debut", the new chapter of the popular anime Pocket Monsters (airs on the TV Tokyo Network every Friday at 6:55pm, officially abbreviated "Anipoke"), will start airing April 12th. To celebrate this, news regarding new characters and new cast members has been revealed:
This reveal was of the Elite Four cast; Chili will be played by Mitsuki Saiga, Poppy by Miria Takagishi, Aoki by Kohsuke Toriumi and Hassaku by Ryotaro Okiayu. The reveal was accompanied by video comments and a trailer featuring their character voices.
A few hours later, it was announced on the official X account that Kaede, the manager of the patisserie “Mukuroji” and handler of Bug types, will be played by Kotono Mitsuishi-san!
This new chapter will depict Liko and the others' Terastal Debut, as well as show how they'll interact with the new characters now that they've decided to study on exchange at Orange Academy for Terastal training. An adventure alongside lots of Pokémon is going to unfold.
A comment from Mitsuki Saiga, the voice of Chili:
My name is Mitsuki Saiga, and I will be playing Chili-chan, one of the Elite Four. My first impression of her was that she's a very cool and handsome lady, but I also really like how open-hearted she is and the way she gets people around her involved in what she's doing. I'm having a lot of fun playing her. I believe you'll all get to meet her soon, so please look forward to seeing her!
A comment from Miria Takagishi, the voice of Poppy:
When I first learned I had been cast as Poppy, I thought it was a dream! I was really shocked that someone as young as Poppy-chan could be an Elite Four member, but also really happy that I get to play her in the anime. I want to give it my all when playing her so that everyone will love how strong and cute she is.
A comment from Kohsuke Toriumi, the voice of Aoki:
My name is Kohsuke Toriumi, and I will be playing Aoki, one of the office workers that are out there supporting modern-day society, as well as one of the Elite Four. Aoki was seen eating in silence back in episode 18, and apparently a lot of people have been waiting for him to make another appearance. I'd like to do my best to portray an Aoki-san that lives up to, or maybe even surpasses, the expectations of all those people that are looking forward to seeing if he'll actually talk this time (laughs)
A comment from Ryotaro Okiayu, the voice of Hassaku:
As a teacher that watches over his students, Hassaku-san has some very serious sides to him, but as some of you might now, he's also very expressive and can be really cute. Since he's not just a teacher, but also a member of the Elite Four, I hope I managed to get that passionate side of the character across. Look forward to seeing this fascinating character make his debut!
We're bringing you a series of comment videos from the Pokémon Anime Paldea Elite Four announced at AnimeJapan 2024:
"Maido! Chili-chan ya de!"
Here is the comment video from Mitsuki Saiga-san, who plays Chili:
Hello, everyone at AnimeJapan 2024. This is Mitsuki Saiga. This time I will be playing Chili-chan, one of the Elite Four, in the Pocket Monsters anime TV series. My first impression of her was that she's a very cool and handsome lady, very open-hearted and energetic. She seemed like she'd be very fun to play, and I was curious to see if the other characters will get swept up in that energy of hers. I was really looking forward to seeing more of her. I believe you'll all get to meet her soon. I'm having a lot of fun playing her, so I hope you'll all look forward to seeing her and that we can all drum up excitement for Pocket Monsters together. With that said, the new chapter "Terastal Debut" that my character Chili-chan appears in will start Friday April 12th. Make sure to watch it. In addition, the Pocket Monsters anime TV series airs every Friday at 6:55pm on the TV Tokyo Network. This has been Mitsuki Saiga. Bye bye.
We're bringing you a series of comment videos from the Pokémon Anime Paldea Elite Four announced at AnimeJapan 2024:
"Poppy no Pokémon-chan miinna katchikachi desu no de!"
Here is the comment video from Miria Takagishi-san, who plays Poppy:
Hello, everyone at AnimeJapan 2024. This is Miria Takagishi. This time I will be playing Poppy-chan, one of the Elite Four, in the Pocket Monsters anime TV series. When I first learned I had been cast as Poppy, I thought it was a dream! Elite Four members are ridiculously strong, aren't they? Even though I've watched the anime and played the video games, I've always seen the Elite Four members from the perspective of the challenger going up against them. What were the odds of me getting to be one in real life?! My first impression of Poppy was thinking that she was SO small and SO cute! I was really shocked that someone that tiny could possibly become an Elite Four member. But I was really really surprised and really happy that I get to play cute little Poppy-chan! With that said, the new chapter "Terastal Debut" that my character Poppy-chan appears in will start Friday April 12th. In addition, the Pocket Monsters anime TV series airs every Friday at 6:55pm on the TV Tokyo Network. This has been Miria Takagishi. Bye bye!
We're bringing you a series of comment videos from the Pokémon Anime Paldea Elite Four announced at AnimeJapan 2024:
"Sore de wa gyomu kaishi desu, yoroshiku onegaiitashimasu"
Here is the comment video from Kohsuke Toriumi-san, who plays Aoki:
Hello, everyone at AnimeJapan 2024. This is Kohsuke Toriumi. This time I will be playing Aoki, one of the Elite Four, in the Pocket Monsters anime TV series. When I first learned I has been cast as Aoki, I got really happy that I get to be involved with the Pokémon franchise, a franchise people all around the world know and love. My first impression of Aoki was... well, how do I put it? He looked like a really hard-working person, one of the office workers that are out there supporting modern-day Japan. Obviously those of you who have played the games know exactly what kind of role the Aoki role is. You know, he's actually made a tiny unvoiced appearance in the anime already, too. I think you all have a certain idea of what Aoki-san is like, and this time I'll be doing my portrayal of him. He's a very fun... well, I don't know if he's all that fun a person actually, but... let's leave that aside for now. I'd like to do my best to portray an Aoki-san that lives up to your expectations, or maybe even surpasses them, so I hope you'll all look forward to it. With that said, the new chapter "Terastal Debut" that my character Aoki appears in will start Friday April 12th. Make sure to watch it. In addition, the Pocket Monsters anime TV series airs every Friday at 6:55pm on the TV Tokyo Network. This has been Kohsuke Toriumi, the voice of Aoki. Bye bye.
We're bringing you a series of comment videos from the Pokémon Anime Paldea Elite Four announced at AnimeJapan 2024:
"Hassaku desu, yoroshiku onegaishimasu desu yo."
Here is the comment video from Ryotaro Okiayu-san, who plays Hassaku:
Hello, everyone at AnimeJapan 2024. This is Ryotaro Okiayu. This time I will be playing Hassaku, one of the Elite Four, in the Pocket Monsters anime TV series. When I first learned I had been cast as Hassaku, I couldn't believe it. See... you know the fruit hassaku orange, right? Just recently I had started eating hassaku again for the first time in forever, and I actually ended up sitting there every morning peeling hassaku. And when I posted about that on Twitter, some people that saw it commented that I'd make a good Hassaku. So at first I seriously thought that was the reason they had cast me! Since Hassaku is a teacher, I figured he'd be someone that watched over his students, and it seems he also has a passionate side to him... or well, it says so in the reference material and in-game text, so I hope I'm able to properly show both those aspects of the character. At the dubbing studio they instructed me to just "do my best to be a teacher". As a teacher, Hassaku has some very serious sides to him, but he also makes a number of cute facial expressions, and I hope I managed to get those fun aspects of the character across. With that said, the new chapter "Terastal Debut" that my character Hassaku appears in will start Friday April 12th. Make sure to watch it. In addition, the Pocket Monsters anime TV series airs every Friday at 6:55pm on the TV Tokyo Network. This has been Ryotaro Okiayu, the voice of Hassaku. Bye bye. Please watch!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A new trailer has been released for "Terastal Debut", the new chapter of the anime TV series Pocket Monsters, which will start airing April 12th.
The trailer depicts the new and exciting developments that will take place in the Paldea region now that Liko, Roy and Dot have disembarked from the airship, showing them in school uniform holding Terastal Orbs. It also shows the popular characters Clavel and Omodaka from the Pocket Monsters Scarlet/Violet video games, as well as the Paldean Gym Leaders, building further excitement for the Terastal training that awaits Liko and the others.
In addition, Sango and Onyx, executives in the antagonistic organization Explorers, are shown in uniforms as well...? Will Liko and the others manage to successfully learn Terastallization?
A digest video recapping chapter 1, "Liko and Roy Set Off", and chapter 2, "Terapagos' Shine" was released as well.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It was announced on the 29th that the utaite 9Lana, who primarily operates on TikTok and Youtube, will be making her major debut with Sony Music. Her debut song "Let me battle" is going to be used as the new ending theme for the TV Tokyo Network anime Pocket Monsters (airs every Friday at 6:55pm), and will be produced by Giga & TeddyLoid.
This highly surprising choice has a chameleon voice, being able to speak and sing in 9 entirely different ways, and is known for an expressiveness that almost makes you think the protagonist in the lyrics has taken possession of her. Her growling voice is particularly well regarded. Since the end of last year, she released 3 original songs in rapid succession; "Migi pocket", "Balalaika" and "Game", and was enjoying a steady increase in listeners as she announced her major debut.
"Let me battle", which is going to be the ending theme for the Pocket Monsters anime, was written by Giga & TeddyLoid, who have multiple hit songs on their resume. The lyrics are by TOPHAMHAT-KYO from FAKE TYPE. The song will premiere on April 12th, when the new chapter "Terastal Debut" begins, and will be available digitally on the 19th.
9Lana commented that it's such an honor both to do the ending theme for the Pocket Monsters anime, as well as to get to sing a song written by people she looks up to as much as Giga-san, TeddyLoid-san and TOPHAMHAT-KYO-san, that she still almost thinks this is just a dream.
A comment from 9Lana:
The first Christmas gift I ever got from Santa was a Pokémon video game, and I remember playing it for hours every day because it was so much fun I didn't know when to stop. It's such an honor both to do the ending theme for the Pocket Monsters anime, as well as to get to sing a song written by people I look up to as much as Giga-san, TeddyLoid-san and TOPHAMHAT-KYO-san, that I still think this is just a dream.
We've received comments from everyone that worked on the song:
9Lana:
When I first learned I was going to do the ending theme, I got so shocked my hands were trembling, but I also got extremely happy! I feel like this song is perfect for this exciting and thrilling spring when you'll be plunging head first into new encounters and new environments, and I hope you'll enjoy listening to "Let me battle" as you watch the anime!
Giga:
When I first learned I was doing this song, I screamed "All right!!!" in my mind! Both the feel and the rhythm of this song changes completely at all the various key points throughout it, so I think it'll be fun to picture various scenes from the anime as you listen to it, going "this is a battle scene, this is a...". It's! Such! A! Good! Song! Please give it a listen!
TeddyLoid:
It made me really happy to be asked to work on a show I'm so deeply emotionally attached to. We incorporated all kinds of elements into this song, such as the intense Pokémon battles that take place in a vast world, meetings and partings with friends, etc. "Let me battle" evolves as the curtain rises on a new adventure. Stay tuned.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Will", the first original Japanese song by Korean 6-member girl group IVE in about 11 months, will be the new opening theme for the TV Tokyo Network anime Pocket Monsters (airs every Friday at 6:55pm), and is going to be available digitally on April 12th alongside the premiere of the new chapter "Terastal Debut".
"Will" is IVE's very first anime tie-in song, and is a song themed around friendship and adventure, filled with a sparkling feel similar to that of Pocket Monsters. Japanese member Rei said with great joy that she's been very close to this anime ever since she was little, so she was extremely happy to hear they were doing an opening theme for it, and that all the members were really excited about it.
Wonyoung was visibly moved as she talked about how very happy and honored she was to get to sing the opening theme for an anime as extremely famous as Pocket Monsters, which she's a big fan of herself as well, having loved Pikachu since childhood and having wanted to live with Pokémon in real life back then.
A new trailer that shows what to expect from the beginning of the new chapter "Terastal Debut" was released today, the 29th, where you can hear part of IVE's "Will".
Comments from IVE:
Yujin:
I'm very honored and very happy to be singing the opening theme for the Pocket Monsters anime. This is a very fun song, so I had fun recording it as well. My favorite Pokémon is Eievui, and I always keep an Eievui plushie I got from Rei in my room. I want all you viewers to listen to "Will" as soon as you can, and I'm truly grateful for all the constant support we've been getting.
Gaeul:
I've been a huge fan of Pokémon since I was a child, so I'm really happy I get to sing one of its opening themes. Pokémon is of course a famous anime everyone in Japan knows, and this is also the case in Korea, so I was really honored to get this assignment and knew I had to do my absolute best. There was a huge Pocket Monsters card game craze back when was in elementary school, so I played that a lot with my cousins, and also collected cute Pokémon menko in all kinds of colors. I sang this song with all my might in order to fill it with the kind of cheerfulness and energy that's so unique to the Pocket Monsters anime, so please look forward to it!
Rei:
I've been very close to this anime ever since she was little, so I was extremely happy to hear we were doing an opening theme for it. All the members were really excited about it, and couldn't believe they were actually doing the opening theme (smile). When I was little, I would always be sitting in front of the TV on the days the anime was airing, looking forward to learning what kind of adventure we'd be getting that day (smile). I'd be really happy if I could share all the dreams, courage and sparkling memories I gained from watching the anime back then with you all. Please look forward to seeing IVE alongside Pokémon.
Wonyoung:
I'm very happy and honored to get to sing the opening theme for an anime as extremely famous as Pocket Monsters, which I'm a big fan of myself as well. I've loved Pikachu since childhood and wanted to live with Pokémon in real life back then, so I'm very happy to get to sing the opening theme. We'll be singing a cheerful song that will make you happy as you watch the show!
Liz:
I've enjoyed the anime ever since I was a child, and also played the video games a lot and collected a ton of Pokémon cards, menko and plushies together with my little brother, so I was extremely honored when I learned we were singing the opening theme. It made me so excited and happy I can't even put it in words. Since I was so excited about this song, I did my absolute best when recording it as well! I hope you guys are all excited for it as well, and would be really happy if you'd root for us a lot!
Leeseo:
It was like a dream come true to learn we were getting to sing this song. We've been graced with the wonderful opportunity it is to get to sing an anime opening theme, so I really wanted to do a good job with it. I regularly have fun collecting the "Decochara seal" stickers that come with Pokémon Pan pastry, and would put the stickers featuring my favorite Pokémon on my cell phone. I did my absolute utmost singing "Will", so it'd make me happy if lots of people liked it.
We've received comments from everyone in IVE:
Ready? Dive into IVE! Hello everyone, this is IVE! Our new song "Will" is going to be the opening theme to the Pocket Monsters anime TV series! Will is an original Japanese song themed around friendship and adventure, filled with excitement and sparkle! The Pocket Monsters anime TV series premieres Friday April 12th at 6:55pm on the TV Tokyo Network! Make sure to watch! This has been IVE! Bye bye!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additional cast members for the new Pocket Monsters anime series (airs on the TV Tokyo Network every Friday at 6:55pm, officially abbreviated "Anipoke") have been announced. The show will be entering its new chapter "Terastal Debut" with the episode airing April 12th, and these characters will be appearing from episode 1.
These popular teachers rich in personality that have also become popular through their appearances in the Pocket Monsters Scarlet/Violet video games will be appearing as early as episode 1 of the new chapter. Orange Academy's principal Clavel will be played by Mahito Ohba, president and Pokémon League chairwoman Omodaka will be played by Sanae Kobayashi, biology teacher Zinnia will be played by Tasuku Hatanaka, and the hot-blooded teacher of battle studies, Kihada, will be played by Eriko Matsui.
Breaking Pokémon Anime News:
We present the cast for the people from Orange Academy that will be appearing in the new chapter "Terastal Debut"
Clavel will be played by Mahito Ohba-san
Omodaka will be played by Sanae Kobayashi-san
Zinnia will be played by Tasuku Hatanaka-san
Kihada will be played by Eriko Matsui-san
You can also tap these images to see their facial expressions and character descriptions!
Clavel: The principal of Orange Academy. Kindly takes in Pokémon Trainers from all kinds of regions that come for Terastal training, including Liko, Roy and Dot.
Omodaka: The president of Orange Academy, as well as the chairwoman of the Pokémon League. Currently searching for talented people that can maintain the Pokémon League.
Zinnia: The teacher in charge of biology at Orange Academy. He studies Pokémon ecology and will review everyone's assignments.
Kihada: The teacher in charge of battle studies. Her Partner Pokémon is Hariteyama. She often takes her students to the sports field for classes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Terastal Debut", the new chapter of the popular Pocket Monsters anime (airs on the TV Tokyo Network every Friday at 6:55pm, officially abbreviated "Anipoke") premieres tomorrow, April 12th. As we approach this premiere, we've received comments from Minori Suzuki, who plays Liko, Yuka Terasaki, who plays Roy, and Yoshino Aoyama, who plays Dot.
In addition, videos where Chocolate Planet perform skits based on the Pocket Monsters anime will be released to further increase excitement for the new chapter "Terastal Debut". The video titled "It starts today" will be released April 12th, and the one titled "Watch the Youtube upload" will be released the 13th, both on the official Pokémon Youtube channel.
A comment from Minori Suzuki, the voice of Liko:
A new chapter is just about to begin. Liko and the others can't contain their dokimeki, glimmering like they're Terastallized themselves as they take another step forward when they enter Orange Academy in order to make their Terastal Debut! You'll get to see fascinating characters you know from the video games make their appearance, fierce battles both Trainer and Pokémon throw their heart and soul into, and the bond between a more experienced and mature Liko, Roy and Dot and their respective partners...! And they're going to grow more and more, bond more and more, and then meet the Black Rayquaza again and take Terapagos to Rakua! I'm positive Liko, Nyarote and the others will all get their feelings through to you!
Everything will continue to be fine this spring as well, as long as you have Pokémon and the Pokémon anime with you! Let's go to another place far far away alongside Liko and the others! It's time to adventure!
A comment from Yuka Terasaki, the voice of Roy:
At long last, Liko, Roy and Dot's journey towards their Terastal Debut begins. Tomorrow's episode is going to be a bonanza of new characters! We had lots of new people join us at the dubbing studio too, so the recording session for this episode was really lively and fun, and it felt like I got my beginner's spirit back and made a new step forward with a fresh mindset and attitude, just like Liko and the others are doing as they leap headlong into an all new location, and just like all you who are starting new lives in April are doing! Let's all amass a mountainload of excitement and thrills together!
Make sure to keep an eye on the battles in the new chapter as well, the cool and glimmering battle scenes featuring Terastallizing are an absolute must see! Please enjoy the "Terastal Debut" portion of the anime as well, okay?
A comment from Yoshino Aoyama, the voice of Dot:
This new chapter has a lot of highlights, including those resulting from the unique new characters and the all new ways of battling we'll get to see. One aspect I think is particularly worthy of attention is Dot's clever battle style, where she battles with her brain while fully mobilizing all the knowledge she's aquired so far. However, knowledge alone won't get you anywhere...
Liko and Nyarote, Roy and Hogator, and Dot and Kuwassu all have their own unique type of partnership, and I want you to focus on their respective bonds and on what they each have to learn in order to make progress. The relationship between the energetic Kanuchan and the awkward Dot is the one I personally find to be the heart of the matter, and I find that relationship absolutely lovely, so make sure to keep some of your focus on that too...!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We present facial expression illustrations of the Paldea Elite Four members that will be appearing starting with the new chapter "Terastal Debut" that airs today. If you tap the images of Chili, Poppy, Aoki and Hassaku, you can see them make all kinds of faces! Look forward to seeing what kind of roles they'll be playing!
Chili (Voiced by Mitsuki Saiga): A sociable and friendly Trainer who commands Ground types. Nicknamed "Chili-chan" because of her easygoing attitude.
Poppy (Voiced by Miria Takagishi): The youngest of the Elite Four, and a cute Trainer of Steel types.
Aoki (Voiced by Kohsuke Toriumi): A Normal type Trainer who serves as Elite Four member and Gym Leader. We actually saw him in episode 18 of the Pokémon anime, but only from behind.
Hassaku (Voiced by Ryotaro Okiayu): A Dragon type Trainer who's a member of the Elite Four, but also an art teacher at Orange Academy.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The new character Kaede will be making her debut in the popular anime Pocket Monsters (airs on the TV Tokyo Network every Friday at 6:55pm, officially abbreviated "Anipoke") with episode 47 (airing on the 19th). To celebrate this, we've interviewed her voice actress Kotono Mitsuishi about her Pokémon memories and more.
Episode 47 depicts Liko and Nyarote's Terastal training, and involves Liko, Roy and Dot going to visit Kaede, the Gym Leader of Cercle Town, for Liko's Terastal training assessment test. However, Sango from the Explorers barges in and the situation somehow turns into a confectionery cooking competition!
Q: Mitsuishi-san, you've appeared in the Pocket Monsters TV show several times before, including as Domino in the TV special "Mewtwo! I Am Here". Please tell us how you felt when you got picked to play Kaede.
Mitsuishi: I've been offered roles in previous Pokémon series several times, and I'm happy the timing finally worked out and I was able to say yes to such a request.
Q: Do you have any memories or personal stories related to Pokémon, not including the anime, that you would like to share?
Mitsuishi: One of my hobbies is playing video games, and that includes Pokémon. The first video game I played was Pocket Monsters Red/Green, where I picked Fushigidane as my partner. My "oshi Pokémon" is Metamon, but I also think Kaede's Himeguma Kuma-san is really cute. I'm also currently playing Pokémon Sleep.
Q: Kaede makes her first appearance in episode 47. How did you go about making the role your own?
Mitsuishi: Kaede stretches the last vowel sound of her words a lot, like when she goes "Domoooo, Kaede deeeesu" or "Ara araaaa". Since I didn't want people that had played the games to think the Kaede in the show felt too off in the way she talked and acted, I initially just tried performing her lines in an easy-going and relaxed manner like the script had them. However, since animation requires you to "act" a role, I made adjustments to how I played it as I discussed the role with the sound director.
Q: Exactly what kind of adjustments were these?
Mitsuishi: I started particularly emphasizing the "sentiments" she has towards others by virtue of her role as a Gym Leader. A Gym Leader's day-to-day work involves working directly with children and giving them supportive pushes and encouragement, you know. So instead of paying so much attention to the specific way Kaede talks and stretches her words, I instead focused on how she pushes Liko-chan to grow and mature and brings out the best in her.
Q: In other words, you focus more on what the character is like rather than the exact words in the script?
Mitsuishi: Yes. This means I occasionally deviate from what's actually in the script or in the video game dialogue, but that's just what you have to do sometimes if you want to sell the idea that these characters and Pokémon are real beings that actually exist in the world we're portraying. This is something I think adults need to put serious effort into doing in order to prevent the end result from being superficial and lazy, especially when producing something that's watched by so many children. Thankfully the staff that produces Pokémon feels just as strongly about this, so it's a very enjoyable show to work on.
Q: Finally, can you tell us the highlights and the things we should look out for in episode 47, the episode where Kaede appears?
Mitsuishi: In this episode Kaede will be battling Liko-chan, a character whose distress I think a lot of people will empathize with, and I hope you'll see just how much energy Kaede invests into her. The episode also has a scene where Kaede gets into a spat with Sandwich-chan, played by Ikue Ohtani-san, and I think that scene gets across just how much fun I had while playing it (laughs). I believe you'll enjoy both the "sweet" Kaede and the "bitter" Kaede you'll get to see in this episode, so please look forward to it!
