I Choose You! trilogy

Ash and his Pikachu in I Choose You!

The movie trilogy consisting of I Choose You!, The Power of Us, and Secrets of the Jungle, along with the special episode The Distant Blue Sky, features an alternate version of the characters and world from Pokémon the Series. As part of the Pokémon movies and animated series specials, it is not considered directly part of Pokémon the Series, though it is closely related.

Plot

As with Pokémon the Series, the movie trilogy follows Ash as the central character. His story begins very similar to the Ash of the main animated series, oversleeping on his tenth birthday and ending up with a stubborn Pikachu as his first partner that goes on to be his best friend. After catching some of the same Pokémon as his main series counterpart, Ash's story takes a different path leading him to meet a variety of different people and Pokémon and have his own adventures.

List of movies

Movie	Poster	English title	English release	American distributor	Japanese title	Japanese release	Japanese distributor
20		Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!	November 5, 2017	Fathom Events VIZ Media / Warner Bros.	キミにきめた！ I Choose You!	July 15, 2017	Toho
		Summary: On his tenth birthday, Ash sets off from Pallet Town to become a Pokémon Trainer alongside a Pikachu that disobeys him. The duo encounter Ho-Oh and, after acquiring a Rainbow Wing, pledge to meet it again one day. With his travel companions Sorrel and Verity, and guided by the mysterious Marshadow, Ash travels to Mount Tensei in search of Ho-Oh. However, they encounter a powerful opponent who stands in their way.
21		Pokémon the Movie: The Power of Us	November 24, 2018	Fathom Events VIZ Media / Warner Bros.	みんなの物語 Everyone's Story	July 13, 2018	Toho
		Summary: A young athlete whose running days might be behind her, a compulsive liar, a shy researcher, a bitter old woman, and a little girl with a big secret—the only thing they have in common is the annual Wind Festival in Fula City. The festival celebrates the Legendary Pokémon Lugia, who brings the wind that powers this seaside city. When a series of threats endangers not just the festival, but all the people and Pokémon of Fula City, it'll take more than just Ash and Pikachu to save the day! Can everyone put aside their differences and work together—or will it all end in destruction?
23		Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle	October 8, 2021	Netflix VIZ Media / Warner Bros.	ココ Koko	December 25, 2020	Toho
		Summary: Ash and Pikachu encounter Koko, a young man who was raised as a Pokémon by Zarude and thus believes himself to be one. They help him begin to uncover his true identity and past, which leads to the revelation of a plot at the Biotope Company that threatens to destroy Zarude's home in the Forest of Okoya.

List of specials

Special	Poster	English title	English release	Japanese title	Japanese release
21		Distant Blue Sky!	September 8, 2023	ポケットモンスター 遥かなる青い空 Pocket Monsters: The Distant Blue Sky	December 23, 2022
		Summary: Ash and Pikachu are doing what they love as they travel to different places. But when Ash’s mom asks to meet at a nearby Pokémon Center, he heads out right away—his dad will be there, too! On the way, Ash befriends a boy named Sunny, who eventually leads him to a berry patch near a house. There, Ash meets a man and woman who reveal that Sunny is their son who passed away a year ago. Ash returns Sunny’s hat to them, then helps Sunny pet Pikachu before they part ways. At the Pokémon Center, Ash’s dad has already departed, but he left Ash a present—a brand-new hat!

References

This episode article is part of Project Anime, a Bulbapedia project that covers all aspects of Pokémon animation.