When the Pokémon anime’s protagonist Ash Ketchum was finally shown earning the title of world champion, fans were overjoyed that he had finally achieved his lifelong dream. Following this, it was announced that the anime would continue, but with a completely new story and different set of protagonists. While some are understandably upset that Ash will no longer be the star of the show, others were excited about the breath of fresh air the anime will be taking in April 2023.
However, this is not the first time Pokémon has shifted from its focus on Ash. While it does not have a protagonist of its own, the spinoff anime Pokémon Chronicles followed several side and recurring characters and their own adventures. Meanwhile, Pokémon Origins and Pokémon Generations took a much more faithful route to making adaptations of the games. Although the latter two have been praised for this, one that did not receive as much attention was the animated trailer for Pokémon Black and White 2.
The Official Animated Trailer for Pokémon Black 2 and White 2
Prior to its release, an animated trailer for Black and White 2 was uploaded onto YouTube, garnering thousands of views. The trailer starts with N, a character from the previous Pokémon game, standing from the top of a ruined tower proclaiming his ideals. The scene then cuts to Nate, this game’s male protagonist, and his rival and best friend Hugh as they race to obtain their first Pokémon.
After Rosa, the game’s female protagonist, is shown having a battle against a gym leader, the trailer goes back to showing what Nate has accomplished so far on his journey and how much his Pokémon have grown. He and his friends are then seen having a confrontation with Neo Team Plasma, the game’s antagonists, and strategizing on how to defeat them. Following Nate’s sudden frustration at them, the trailer cuts to showing off the two main legendary Pokémon mascots that are to be obtained, right before advertising the cases for both games.
This Trailer Missed a Golden Opportunity for a New Pokémon Anime
While there has been an anime for every new region, Ash’s travels through them barely followed the events of the games at all. Instead, the Pokémon anime did its own creative take with adapting the games — creating its own storyline as well as inserting several fillers — although Ash still battled the gym leaders in order for the most part. Although this has stretched out exploring the world of Pokémon in more ways than one, namely the Unova region, fans have often wished the anime corresponded more closely with the events of the games.
However, the trailer for Pokémon Black and White 2 seems to provide just that, much to the delight of fans. Not only does it depict Nate’s growth from the start of his adventure, it also displays stunning animation all around — especially when Nate and Neo Team Plasma are telling their respective Pokémon what to do and the aftereffects of the ensuing attacks.
The trailer takes its faithfulness to the games to another level by even inserting part of the soundtrack in the background, making it feel as if an animated version of is taking place. Sadly, a true spinoff anime for Pokémon Black and White 2 was never given the green light for serialization, despite the potential it had and its mostly positive feedback from fans.
