Pokémon Diamond & Pearl the Movie: Zoroark, Master of Illusions - A thorough review of the moving story and visual evolution

Pokémon Diamond & Pearl the Movie: Zoroark, Master of Illusions - Review and Details

Overview

"Pokémon Diamond & Pearl: Zoroark, Master of Illusions" is a feature-length animated film in the Pokémon series that was released on July 10, 2010. Set in Crown City, where the Pokémon Battle World Cup is held, the film follows the story of Satoshi and Pikachu as they meet Zoroark and Zoroark and confront the ambitions of the mysterious man, Kodai. The film is based on the video game "Pokémon Diamond & Pearl," directed by Yuyama Kunihiko, and produced by Shogakukan Shueisha Productions and OLM Team Koitabashi. It was distributed by Toho and consists of one 95-minute episode.

■ Story

Crown City is a city where water and greenery, old streets and modern buildings are beautifully in harmony. Satoshi and Pikachu are heading to Crown City to watch the Pokemon Battle World Cup being held here. During their journey, Satoshi and his friends meet Zorua, a mysterious Pokemon that can transform into other Pokemon and humans. Zorua says that he is looking for a friend, and Satoshi and his friends decide to help him.

In Crown City, Celebi was spotted for the first time since the incident 20 years ago. Meanwhile, the legendary Pokémon Raikou, Entei, and Suicune, the guardians of Crown City, were rampaging through the city, throwing people into panic. Behind the incident was Grings Kodai, the president of the giant corporation Kodai Network. Raikou, Entei, and Suicune were actually disguised Zoroarks controlled by Kodai. Zoroark is the friend that Zorua is looking for, so Satoshi and his friends struggle to thwart Kodai's ambitions.

■ Characters

Satoshi (voiced by Rika Matsumoto)
The protagonist continues to grow as a Pokémon trainer, and goes on adventures with Pikachu.

Pikachu (voice: Ikue Otani)
Satoshi's partner. An electric type Pokémon, he faces various challenges alongside Satoshi.

Zorua (voiced by Kurumi Mamiya)
A Pokemon that can transform into other Pokemon and even humans. He meets Satoshi and his friends during their journey to find companions.

Zoroark (voiced by Romi Park)
A Pokémon with the ability to create illusions. Controlled by Kodai, it causes chaos in Crown City.

Kodai (voice: Takanori Jinnai)
The president of Kodai Network. Known as the man who knows the future, he tries to use Celebi's powers.

Rioca (voiced by Natsuki Kato)
Kodai's secretary. A cool and intelligent woman, she approaches Kodai with a certain goal in mind.

Kurt (voice: Takashi Tsukamoto)
A newspaper reporter from Crown City, he and his partner Domirror are investigating the secrets of Kodai.

Celebi (voiced by Rie Kugimiya)
A Pokémon with the power to transcend time, said to only appear in times of peace.

■ Staff

Director : Kunihiko Yuyama
Screenplay : Hideki Sonoda
Character design : Kazuaki Mouri, Kazumi Sato, Sayuri Isshiki, Norihiro Matsubara, Toshiya Yamada
Music : Shinji Miyazaki
Animation Production : OLM Team Koitabashi
Produced by : Shogakukan Shueisha Productions

■ Ratings and reviews

"Pokémon Diamond & Pearl: Zoroark, Master of Illusions" is a must-see for fans of the Pokémon series. The story revolves around the adventures of Satoshi and Pikachu, but the addition of new elements such as the relationship between Zoroark and Zoroark and Kodai's ambitions adds depth and tension. In particular, the battle between Zoroark and Zoroark using illusions is visually very attractive, making it enjoyable for both children and adults.

The characters are also well-drawn, depicting Satoshi's growth, his bond with Pikachu, Zorua's purity, and Zoroark's maternal love. Kodai is one of the most memorable villains in the series, and his ambition and the fight against it add excitement to the story.

The music, composed by Shinji Miyazaki, also adds to the atmosphere of the story. The theme song "Ice Cream Syndrome" is particularly well-sung by Sukima Switch, and expresses the theme of the movie perfectly.

The animation quality is also high, with the beautiful scenery of Crown City and the intensity of the Pokémon battles beautifully depicted. In particular, the scenes using Zoroark's phantoms are visually impressive and well worth watching.

■ Related works

The movie is based on the world of Pokémon Diamond & Pearl, and many characters familiar to fans of the series appear. Another attraction is the storyline that is linked to the Pokémon games and anime series.

■ Theme songs and music

The theme song "Ice Cream Syndrome" is performed by Sukima Switch. The lyrics, composition, and arrangement were done by Takuya Ohashi and Shintaro Tokita, and it is a song that expresses the theme of the movie.

■ Recommendation points

This movie is recommended not only for fans of the Pokémon series, but also for those who are watching Pokémon for the first time. In particular, Zorua and Zoroark's battle using illusions, the bond between Satoshi and Pikachu, and the battle against Kodai's ambition are highlights. Also, don't miss the beautiful scenery of Crown City and the power of the Pokémon battles. It is a movie that the whole family can enjoy, from children to adults.

Conclusion

"Pokémon Diamond & Pearl: Zoroark, Master of Illusions" is a wonderful film that brings out the best of the Pokémon series. The story, characters, music, and animation are all of a high standard, making it a film worth watching. This film is recommended not only for Pokémon fans, but also for those who are watching Pokémon for the first time. Please come and experience its charm at the theater.