Chasing the Moon

但愿梦长久 May Dreams Be Blessed with Longevity

Web release Japan September 17, 2024 United States September 17, 2024

English themes Opening None Ending

Japanese themes Opening None Ending None

Credits Animation Shanghai Animation Film Studio Screenplay Storyboard Assistant director Animation director No additional credits are available at this time.

Original review thread on BMGf

Chasing the Moon (Chinese:但愿梦长久Dànyuàn Mèng Chángjiǔ, transl.May Dreams Be Blessed with Longevity; Japanese:ポケモンたちと秋の月Pokémon and the Autumn Moon) is ananimated short based on theMid-Autumn Festival. It wasannounced on Weibo on September 11, 2024. It was released on Bilibili, Douyin, Weibo, and Xiaohongshu inmainland China on September 14, 2024, and on the official Japanese Pokémon Twitter account andYouTube channel and on the EnglishPokémon Kids TV YouTube channel on September 17, 2024.

Other posters and logos

• 
  Simplified Chinese poster
• 
  Simplified Chinese poster
• 
  Simplified Chinese logo

Blurb

The moon shines big and bright in the night sky. As Pikachu and the other Pokémon chase its glow, where could they be heading? Let’s find out.

Plot

APikachu stands atop a mountain, watching the scenery at twilight, when he notices the fleeting shadow of aLunala soaring towards the horizon. Pikachu rubs his eyes in surprise and happily runs after Lunala. He loses sight of it upon reaching a pond and contemplates his reflection, saddened. Suddenly, aGrookey splashes the water when swinging over on a vine. Grookey lands gracefully and offers the soaked Pikachu aPecha Berry. Pikachu gladly accepts it and eats it. As he munches on the berry, Grookey wipes the water off Pikachu's cheek. The two playfully nuzzle each other, and Grookey then knocks on the ground with his stick. Suddenly, a poisedUmbreon walks past them. The two decide to follow in its steps.

As Umbreon picks up the pace at a stone bridge-like formation, a pack ofGrowlithe trails behind, followed by aCorviknight. Grookey grabs onto Corviknight's leg and soars, but Pikachu fails to keep up. The Umbreon slows down again at a shallow lake and walks forward majestically. Many more Pokémon trail behind, most using paths of stepping stones on the sides. When Pikachu arrives, he encounters a large group ofChinchou, who also begin to swim behind Umbreon. Corviknight finally lands, and Pikachu and Grookey reunite. Grookey leads the way across the lake, and Pikachu hops on the stepping stones behind the pack of Growlithe. Lunala's shadow appears over them once more.

Being the last Pokémon to cross the lake, Pikachu loses sight of the rest due to some fog, but soon finds them gathered near a cliff over a city. Lanterns illuminate the dusk sky, and a group ofClefairy dance in a circle under the moon. Grookey swings over to Pikachu on a vine again, and everyone enjoys the view, with Lunala spreading out its wings in front of the moon.

Characters

Pokémon

• Pikachu
• Lunala
• Grookey
• Umbreon
• Growlithe (multiple)
• Corviknight
• Ledian (multiple)
• Butterfree (multiple)
• Teddiursa (multiple)
• Deerling (Autumn form)
• Sawsbuck (Autumn form)
• Poliwhirl
• Chinchou (multiple)
• Clefairy (multiple)

Staff

Video

Trivia

• The short's Chinese title is a reference to the phrase但愿人长久dànyuàn rén chángjiǔ (may we all be blessed with longevity) from the poemShuidiao Getou bySu Shi, which is associated with the Mid-Autumn Festival. It is also a pun on the Chinese name of Pokémon (宝可梦).
• The Japanese and Pokémon Kids TV uploads of this short do not contain ending credits, and instead end by fading to a black screen with a copyright notice.
• The descriptions of the Simplified Chinese and Japanese uploads of this short mention that the short is based on the Mid-Autumn Festival. The description of the Pokémon Kids TV upload does not mention this.
• The short is reported inChina Movie Channel's "China Film Report" program.

External links

• Video:
  • Bilibili,Douyin,Weibo,Xiaohongshu (Simplified Chinese)
  • YouTube (Japanese,English)

See also

• The Journey of One Dream
• Homecoming
• Meandering to a Bright Future
• Pokécology Diary
• Pokémon Beach Fest Adventure

This episode article is part ofProject Anime, aBulbapedia project that covers all aspects ofPokémon animation.

• Articles with accompanying video
• Animation