Pokémon Heroes[lower-alpha 1] (formerly titled Pokémon Heroes: The Movie) is a 2002 Japanese animated fantasy film, the fifth in the Pokémon series, the first to use digital ink and paint, the last to receive a North American theatrical release until Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!, and the last to feature the main cast from the first five seasons until the CGI remake of the first Pokémon movie. Directed by Kunihiko Yuyama and produced by OLM, Inc., the film stars the regular television cast of Rica Matsumoto, Yuji Ueda, Mayumi Iizuka, Megumi Hayashibara, Shin-ichiro Miki and Ikue Ōtani. The English adaptation was produced by 4Kids Entertainment and distributed by Miramax Films and was released in the United States on May 16, 2003.[1] The English version stars the regular television cast of Veronica Taylor, Eric Stuart, Rachael Lillis and Maddie Blaustein. The events of the film take place during the fifth season of the Pokémon anime.
Quick Facts Pokémon Heroes, Japanese name ...
Pokémon Heroes |
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Japanese theatrical release poster |
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Kanji | 劇場版ポケットモンスター 水の都の護神 ラティアスとラティオス |
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Literal meaning | Pocket Monsters the Movie: The Guardians of Alto Mare |
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Directed by | Kunihiko Yuyama |
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Screenplay by | Hideki Sonoda |
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Based on | Pokémon by Satoshi Tajiri |
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Produced by | Choji Yoshikawa Yukako Matsusako Takemoto Mori |
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Starring | see below |
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Cinematography | Hisao Shirai |
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Edited by | Toshio Henmi |
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Music by | Shinji Miyazaki coba |
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Production company | |
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Distributed by | Toho |
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Release date |
- July 13, 2002 (2002-07-13) (Japan)
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Running time | 72 minutes |
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Country | Japan |
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Language | Japanese |
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Box office | $27.7 million (Japan) $746,381 (US) |
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Pokémon Heroes focuses on the main characters, Ash, Misty and Brock, continuing their journey through the Johto region; the main location of the film is based on Venice, Italy. The name given to the city in the film is Alto Mare, meaning "high sea" in the Italian language. Although it is part of the group's adventure in Johto, the film takes place on an island off of the mainland.
Optimum Home Entertainment re-released the movie on DVD in the UK on May 9, 2011. StudioCanal released the film along with Pokémon 4Ever on Blu-ray in the UK as a double feature pack on April 2, 2012, just one day before Pokémon the Movie: Black—Victini and Reshiram and White—Victini and Zekrom came out on DVD on April 3, 2012. Echo Bridge Home Entertainment released the film on Blu-ray in the United States along with Pokémon: Destiny Deoxys on May 15, 2011.
The city of Alto Mare (アルトマーレ, Artomāre) is protected by the dragon siblings Latias and Latios. Their father, also a Latios, is said to have saved the city from an evil Pokémon Trainer and their Kabutops and Aerodactyl whilst transforming the city's streets into canals. The citizens built the Defense Mechanism of Alto Mare (D.M.A. for short) to protect the city if necessary, but have never had to use it. The father Latios died, leaving behind the Soul Dew (こころのしずく, Kokoro no shizuku, lit., "Heart Drop"), said to contain his own soul and can power the D.M.A.
In the present day, Team Rocket agents Annie (ザンナー, Zannā) and Oakley (リオン, Rion) acquire a book detailing the history of Alto Mare, plotting to control the D.M.A. Ash, Misty, and Brock are touring by and see an invisible Latias. Annie and Oakley stalk Latias, disguised as a human girl, trying to capture her using their Espeon and Ariados. Ash and Pikachu come to the rescue, guiding Latias to safety but she vanishes when Ash's back is turned.
Visiting the museum, the trio meet the curator Lorenzo (ボンゴレ, Bongore, Vongole) who details Alto Mare's history, the D.M.A., and the evil trainer's fossilized Pokémon on display. Ash spots a girl, Bianca (カノン, Kanon), who resembles Latias' disguise, and chases her across the city, but she does not recognize him. Latias herself appears, guiding Ash and Pikachu to a hidden garden where she and Latios live, protected by Lorenzo and Bianca, his granddaughter. While Pikachu plays with Latias and Latios, Lorenzo shows Ash the Soul Dew, unaware that Annie and Oakley's drone has infiltrated the sanctuary.
That night, Annie and Oakley sneak into the garden, successfully capturing Latios and the Soul Dew, but Latias escapes. Bianca and Lorenzo attempt to stop the thieves from using the D.M.A. but are captured, the Soul Dew and Latios are used to power the machine. Latias goes to Ash for help, with Latios' "Sight Sharing" ability allowing them to witness the events in the museum. Oakley becomes power hungry, using the D.M.A. to revive the Kabutops and Aerodactyl, and initiates a citywide lockdown to prevent interference. Ash, Pikachu, and Latias evade the lockdown, racing to the museum while being pursued by the Kabutops and Aerodactyl.
Oakley tries to drown the trio, but Latias' psychic powers cause the D.M.A. to go out of control. Reaching the museum, the trio rescue Latios and shut down the machine. However, Annie tries to take the blackened Soul Dew, which shatters, causing all of the city's water to flow out and return as a tidal wave. Latias and Latios combine their powers to stop the wave, with Latios giving his life in the process. The Kabutops and Aerodactyl are returned to their fossilized states, while Annie and Oakley remain trapped in the D.M.A..
Ash and friends find Latias, realizing Latios has died, but they share one last vision as he dies. Several days later, Ash, Misty and Brock get ready to leave Alto Mare, saying goodbye to Lorenzo, but Bianca does not appear. On their way out of the city, they spot Latias or Bianca (who has left her hat behind) on the docks. Latias/Bianca gives Ash a sketch of him and Pikachu, kisses him on the cheek, and leaves without saying a word, Ash bids her goodbye and Brock and Misty are left wondering whether the girl was Bianca or Latias.
Annie and Oakley are soon saved by authorities and sent to prison, where they go through the possessions of Lawrence III.