To determine the best time to watch Pokémon movies, you can consider a few different factors:
1. Release Order
Watching Pokémon movies in the order they were released can help you follow the development of the franchise and its characters. Here’s how to watch them in release order:
– 1998 – Pokémon: The First Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back
– 1999 – Pokémon: The Movie 2000: The Power of One
– Continue watching in the order of release. The movies generally align with the timeline of the main series of the Pokémon anime.
2. Chronological Order
If you prefer to follow the storyline of Ash and his Pokémon companions in chronological order, you can watch the movies based on their release within the show’s timeline. For example, Pokémon: The First Movie fits after the events of the first season of the anime, while Pokémon: The Movie 2000 fits after Ash’s journey in the Orange Islands arc.
3. Seasonal Theming
Some Pokémon movies are set in particular seasons or have themes that align with certain times of the year. Watching them during those times might enhance the experience. For example:
– Winter: Movies like Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew could be nice to watch around the winter holidays due to their themes of friendship and discovery.
– Summer: The movie Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You! could be a good pick for a nostalgic, feel-good summer movie.
4. Special Movie Releases
Some Pokémon movies are released in theaters or on TV during special events or holidays. You can plan to watch them during these limited runs to experience the films as they are meant to be seen.
5. For New Fans vs. Long-time Fans
– New Fans: If you’re just starting to watch Pokémon, begin with the first movie and move through the series to understand the evolution of the characters and plot.
– Long-time Fans: If you’ve followed the series for years, it may be fun to revisit older movies, or you can focus on the more recent films like Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution (2019) for a modern update on classic themes.
In short, when to watch Pokémon movies depends on whether you want to follow the release or chronological order, tie the movie watching to a season or holiday, or if you’re a new or returning fan with different preferences.
