Pokémon releases their multi-million dollar Super Bowl 50 advert
The prominent advert celebrates the Pokémon franchise's 20th birthday
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.This year's Super Bowl is just over a week away, and some of the famous adverts that fill the breaks in the game have begun to be released - including a very over-the-top Pokémon one.
The Pokémon Company has spent millions of dollars on a prominent minute-long Super Bowl advert this year, in order to mark the famous franchise's 20th birthday.
Beginning like any other 'inspirational' Super Bowl ad, we see a group of young people become motivated to follow their dreams and become the very best, as dramatic drums beat in the background.
One of the teens goes to become a chess champion, another gets motivated for an American football game, but the last has a very different goal, which is revealed as he strides into a packed stadium, pokéball in hand to face off against a Charizard, Magneton, Gyarados and a Mega Lucario.
Oddly, the advert isn't really promoting any particular product - it ends with the slogan 'Train On', and cuts to the Pokémon 20th anniversary logo.
Then again, Nintendo and The Pokémon Company have got a lot of stuff planned for the year of celebrations - including the release of new Nintendo 3DS bundles and reissuings of Pokémon Red, Blue and Yellow, rare Pokémon amiibo, and all of the Pokémon feature films.
2016 will also see the release of Pokémon Go, an upcoming mobile game that uses a kind of augmented reality location-tracking mechanic to put players into the shoes of Pokémon trainers.
If nothing else, the dramatic ad should send America's Pokémon nostalgia into overdrive.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments