Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		0.5
Overall		3.0

Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle Blu-ray Movie Review

Pokemon: Secrets of the Jungle is an action-packed adventure film in the beloved anime franchise. The Pokemon: Secrets of the Jungle feature-film is based on the original Pokemon concept by Satoshi Tajiri. Executive produced by Hidenaga Katakami (Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!, Pokémon the Movie: The Power of Us) and Junya Okamoto (Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea, Pokémon: Giratina & The Sky Warrior), Pokemon: Secrets of the Jungle features theme song music performed by Beverly (opening) and Kaela Kimura (ending).

Produced by Ayaka Sekiguchi (Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution, Pokémon: To Be a Pokémon Master), Rui Kawaguchi (Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution, Pokémon Origins), Satoshi Shimohira (Pokémon the Movie: Hoopa and the Clash of Ages, Pokémon the Movie: The Power of Us), and Yuta Uchiyama (Pokémon the Movie: The Power of Us, Conan: Sunflowers of Inferno), Pokemon: Secrets of the Jungle is the 23^rd film produced in the ongoing anime franchise. The film features animation production by OLM (Pokémon Horizons: The Series, Pokémon Journeys: The Series) and Team Kato (Pokémon Sun & Moon, Pokémon: To Be a Pokémon Master). Pokemon: Secrets of the Jungle also features the following Pokemon: the legendary Pokemon Zarude and the beautiful Celebi.

Mystery awaits in the secret forests of Okoya. The forest are home to a host of mystical Pokemon with special abilities and gifts. The Pokemon form their own group and the team is strong and powerful in unison. The united Pokemon are the rulers of the jungle. Outsiders don’t usually mingle with these mysterious Pokemon and the clan stay close together as one. The Zarude Pokemon are powerful (wielding incredible strength) and the clan helps raise a young human boy, Koko (Kimlinh Tran), bringing the lad up as if he is one of their own.

 Unexpected outsiders appear with the arrival of Pokemon trainer Ash (Sarah Natochenny) and his beloved Pikachu (Ikue Ōtani) by his side. Koko recognizes that Ash looks more like him than the other Zarude Pokemon. Is Koko not a Pokemon himself – or is he part Pokemon and part human-being? Confused by the appearance of others who look more like him and not like the Zarude, Koko finds his family put to the test – and the strength of the family connection with him and the Pokemon who raised him. Meanwhile, Team Rocket is up to quite a few shenanigans. Can Ash and Pikachu help Koko and the other Zarude Pokemon out?

It's always great to go on an adventure with Ash and Pikachu. These iconic anime characters are some of the best characters in the entire medium of anime. It’s so easy to enjoy these two lovable characters and their journeys together. Pokemon: Secrets of the Jungle offers more fun with the iconic duo.

The character designs by Hirotaka Marufuji (Lupin III: Goodbye Partner, Lupin the 3rd Part 6) are well-done. The design work is impressive for both the Pokemon characters and the human characters. A wonderful mix of designs and the aesthetic for both the legendary Pokemon Zatude and Celebi adds some charm and intrigue to the filmmaking. Pikachu remains impressively designed (as always) and is such an iconic cute-character – who couldn’t love the adorable Pikachu? The Pikachu animation direction by Sayuri Ichiishi (Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!, Pokémon: The First Movie) adds something special to the film and every moment with Pikachu feels special.

The animation is well-done. Pokemon: Secrets of the Jungle wisely returned to a more traditional style of animation compared to the previous entries CGI use (which was a change of pace for the film series). The return to a more traditional style added something back into the franchise. The art direction by Katsumi Takao (Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!, Pokémon the Movie: The Power of Us) is quite impressive and works well for the film.

The chief animation direction by Hirotaka Marufuji (Pokémon the Movie: The Power of Us, Lupin III: Goodbye Partner) and Yasushi Nishiya (Pokémon the Movie: The Power of Us, Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You! ) also adds to the stylistic flourishes of the filmmaking. The forest background animation is especially effective and the scenic elements make the storytelling more engaging. Well-done. The art team did something special here and the animators have fun with the Pokemon animation sandbox.

The score composed by Kenta Higashiohji (Reborn to Master the Blade: From Hero-King to Extraordinary Squire, A Returner's Magic Should Be Special), Rei Ishizuka (Ayakashi Triangle, The Orbital Children), Shinji Miyazaki (Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution, Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew), Shota Kageyama (Pokémon Origins, Pokémon: To Be a Pokémon Master), and Taiiku Okazaki (Omoi no Kakera) adds charm and energy to the filmmaking. The score provides a nice backdrop for the action and the fun adventure. A solid effort by the team of composers.

Directed, co-written, and storyboarded by Tetsuo Yajima (Pokémon the Movie: The Power of Us, Pokémon: Black and White: Rival Destinies). Yajima wrote the script with co-screenwriter Atsuhiro Tomioka (Pokémon the Movie: Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel, Pokémon the Movie: Hoopa and the Clash of Ages). Pokemon: Secrets of the Jungle is a fun and laidback adventure in the anime film series. The script is somewhat average compared to the best Pokemon films but the action is fun throughout and its nice to go on a new adventure with Ash, Pikachu, and friends. The new Pokemon were interesting and the forest-setting added something unique to the film. A solid entry in the Pokemon franchise. Fans won’t want to miss it.

Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Released on Blu-ray by VIZ Media, Pokemon: Secrets of the Jungle is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high-definition in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.78:1 widescreen. The high-definition presentation looks crisp and colorful on the release. The animation is bright and colorful and the vibrant aesthetic adds a lot to the presentation. Colors have considerable "pop" and it makes the film feel more dimensional. The image is perhaps not razor-sharp looking but it is solid and well-encoded.

Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release is presented in English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround sound. The release highlights the sound direction by Masafumi Mima (Pokémon Journeys: The Series, Pokémon Horizons: The Series).  A solid lossless audio encoding. The lossless encoding on the release isn't quite as immersive as the best lossless presentations but it does offer a decent soundstage with some nice sound effects and score implementation. Though it's not the most imaginative of surround sound tracks either, it gets the job done. The bigger disappointment of the release is the lack of the original Japanese language version with English subtitles. However, the lack of the original Japanese language version should come as no surprise to Pokemon fans and collectors – VIZ media has yet to release an official home-media presentation of the original language version.

Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The release comes with a nicely designed o-card slipcover. The release also includes interior artwork on the back side of the cover-art. A nice package for fans.

Trailer (HD, 1:26)

Unfortunately, the release doesn't include substantial on-disc extras of note.

Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Pokemon: Secrets of the Jungle is a fun adventure with Ash, Pikachu, and friends. Pokemon fans who adore the franchise and look forward to each installment of the film series will want to see it and add the release to their Pokemon collection. The release provides solid high-definition video and lossless audio. The release also includes a nice o-card slipcover. Recommended.