Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!
劇場版 ポケットモンスター キミにきめた！
Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!
劇場版 ポケットモンスター キミにきめた！
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Watch-outs
What this film brings
Content barometer
Violence
2/5
Moderate
Fear
2/5
A few scenes
Sexuality
0/5
None
Language
0/5
None
Narrative complexity
1/5
Accessible
Adult themes
0/5
None
Expert review
This animated film revisits Ash's beginnings as a Pokémon Trainer in a lively fantasy adventure that is broadly family friendly and easy for children to follow, especially if they already know the Pokémon world. The main sensitive elements are stylized creature battles, several moments of physical danger, an eerie shadow creature, and emotional material involving abandonment, self doubt, and fear of losing a companion. The intensity stays moderate and non graphic, with no adult content, but a few scenes feel stronger than a typical television episode, especially when characters are injured, chased, or surrounded by a darker atmosphere. There are also sad moments connected to a harsh trainer rejecting his Pokémon and to memories of loss. For many children, this works best from about age 7 with a parent nearby, particularly if they may be upset by chase scenes or by the idea of a beloved creature being treated cruelly, and if an adult can reinforce the film's positive lessons about friendship, bravery, and caring partnership.
Synopsis
Ash Ketchum wakes up late one morning after having broken his alarm clock in his sleep. He eventually makes it to Professor Oak's lab, but is told that the three starter List of Pokémon (Bulbasaur, Squirtle, and Charmander) have already been taken by Trainers who were on time. However, Oak reveals that he has one more Pokémon, an Electric-type named Pikachu. Despite its volatile and feisty personality, as well as its refusal to get inside a Poké Ball, Ash happily takes Pikachu for his journey.
Difficult scenes
Early in the journey, Ash accidentally provokes a flock of Spearow and then has to run with an injured Pikachu through a storm. The chase lasts long enough to feel intense for younger viewers, with a real sense of threat, visible exhaustion, pain, and the fear that the heroes could be overwhelmed by the attacking birds. The film shows a Charmander abandoned in the rain by a disdainful trainer who calls it weak. This can be upsetting for sensitive children because the rejection is clear and the Pokémon's condition creates real worry that it might not survive unless someone helps it. During a battle with a rival, one of Ash's Pokémon suffers a harsh defeat and Ash reacts with visible grief and frustration. The action is still non graphic, but the emotional impact of the loss and the sense of humiliation may be strong for younger children who become deeply attached to the creatures. In a darker section, Marshadow influences Ash in a troubled sleep like state where his sense of reality becomes uncertain. This is not full horror, but the mood turns stranger and heavier, creating emotional unease that may unsettle children who prefer consistently comforting stories.
Where to watch
No verified platform for the US market yet. We keep this section updated as availability changes.
Availability checked on Apr 01, 2026
About this title
- Format
- Feature film
- Year
- 2017
- Runtime
- 1h 38m
- Countries
- Japan
- Original language
- JA
- Directed by
- Kunihiko Yuyama
- Main cast
- Rica Matsumoto, Ikue Otani, Megumi Hayashibara, Shin-ichiro Miki, Inuko Inuyama, Unsho Ishizuka, Masami Toyoshima, Shoko Nakagawa, Kanata Hongo, Shiori Sato
- Studios
- OLM, Pikachu Project, Shogakukan, Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, TV Tokyo, The Pokémon Company, TakaraTomy, jeki, TOHO
Content barometer
Violence
2/5
Moderate
Fear
2/5
A few scenes
Sexuality
0/5
None
Language
0/5
None
Narrative complexity
1/5
Accessible
Adult themes
0/5
None
Expert review
This animated film revisits Ash's beginnings as a Pokémon Trainer in a lively fantasy adventure that is broadly family friendly and easy for children to follow, especially if they already know the Pokémon world. The main sensitive elements are stylized creature battles, several moments of physical danger, an eerie shadow creature, and emotional material involving abandonment, self doubt, and fear of losing a companion. The intensity stays moderate and non graphic, with no adult content, but a few scenes feel stronger than a typical television episode, especially when characters are injured, chased, or surrounded by a darker atmosphere. There are also sad moments connected to a harsh trainer rejecting his Pokémon and to memories of loss. For many children, this works best from about age 7 with a parent nearby, particularly if they may be upset by chase scenes or by the idea of a beloved creature being treated cruelly, and if an adult can reinforce the film's positive lessons about friendship, bravery, and caring partnership.
Synopsis
Ash Ketchum wakes up late one morning after having broken his alarm clock in his sleep. He eventually makes it to Professor Oak's lab, but is told that the three starter List of Pokémon (Bulbasaur, Squirtle, and Charmander) have already been taken by Trainers who were on time. However, Oak reveals that he has one more Pokémon, an Electric-type named Pikachu. Despite its volatile and feisty personality, as well as its refusal to get inside a Poké Ball, Ash happily takes Pikachu for his journey.
Difficult scenes
Early in the journey, Ash accidentally provokes a flock of Spearow and then has to run with an injured Pikachu through a storm. The chase lasts long enough to feel intense for younger viewers, with a real sense of threat, visible exhaustion, pain, and the fear that the heroes could be overwhelmed by the attacking birds. The film shows a Charmander abandoned in the rain by a disdainful trainer who calls it weak. This can be upsetting for sensitive children because the rejection is clear and the Pokémon's condition creates real worry that it might not survive unless someone helps it. During a battle with a rival, one of Ash's Pokémon suffers a harsh defeat and Ash reacts with visible grief and frustration. The action is still non graphic, but the emotional impact of the loss and the sense of humiliation may be strong for younger children who become deeply attached to the creatures. In a darker section, Marshadow influences Ash in a troubled sleep like state where his sense of reality becomes uncertain. This is not full horror, but the mood turns stranger and heavier, creating emotional unease that may unsettle children who prefer consistently comforting stories.