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Pokémon: Secrets of the Jungle Film Opens in Taiwan on December 10
posted on by Rafael Antonio Pineda
Taiwanese anime distributor Mighty Media announced on Monday that it will screen Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle (Gekijōban Pocket Monster Koko), the 23rd anime film in the Pokémon franchise, in Taiwan beginning on December 10.
The film's story is set in Okoya Forest, a Pokémon paradise protected by strict rules that forbid outsiders from setting foot inside. The film centers on Koko, a boy who was raised by Pokémon and also considers himself as one, treating the Mythical Pokémon Zarude as his father. Ash and Pikachu encounter Koko during an adventure. The film focuses on the theme of a "human raised by Pokémon," instead of the previous films' focus of the "bond between a human trainer and their Pokémon."
The film opened in December 2020 in Japan. TOHO had originally planned to open the film in July 2020, but the staff delayed the film due to the spread of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Tetsuo Yajima returned from 2018's Pokémon the Movie: The Power of Us film to direct the film at OLM, and he also co-wrote the film's script with Pokémon series writer Atsuhiro Tomioka. TOHO distributed the film. Hiroyuki Kato was the animation producer. Hirotaka Marufuji (Pokémon the Movie: The Power of Us chief animation director, sub-character designer) designed the characters, and was also the chief animation director alongside Yasushi Nishitani (Pokémon the Movie: The Power of Us). Masafumi Mima was the sound director.
Taiiku Okazaki produced the theme song and five other songs including "Okite no Uta" (The Song of Rules). (He previously contributed opening and ending songs to the Pokémon Sun & Moon television series.) Okazaki personally wrote the lyrics, wrote and arranged the music, and sang for the song "Show Window."
Pokémon the Movie: The Power of Us, the 21st film in the franchise, opened in Japan in July 2018. Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution, the 22nd film in the Pokémon franchise, opened in Japan in July 2019.
