: The first ~15 minutes mirror the original episode: Ash oversleeps, receives a rebellious Pikachu from Professor Oak, and is eventually chased by a flock of Spearow.
: Director Kunihiko Yuyama noted that the Spearow flock was scaled up for the movie; while there were 50 Spearow in the original 1997 episode, there are 1,000 in the film. Pokemon Movie 20: Kimi ni Kimeta! Episode 1
: The credits feature still images of all of Ash’s past traveling companions from the main series, confirming that even in this timeline, they exist elsewhere. : The first ~15 minutes mirror the original
: Unlike the original, Misty and Brock do not join Ash. He instead travels with new companions, Verity and Sorrel . : Unlike the original, Misty and Brock do not join Ash
: After Pikachu repels the Spearow, Ho-Oh drops a "Rainbow Wing" for Ash. The movie follows his quest to find Ho-Oh at Mount Tensei, guided by the mysterious Pokémon Marshadow .
The text for (Movie 20) is a reimagined retelling of the very first episode of the anime. Released to celebrate the 20th anniversary, it explores a parallel reality where Ash's journey diverges after his initial encounter with the legendary Ho-Oh. Key Plot Points
: In a controversial scene, Pikachu "talks" to Ash in human speech (childlike voice) to explain why he won't go in his Poké Ball: "It’s because... I always want to be with you".
