The Pokémon Company International is set to air a 30-second commercial during the upcoming Super Bowl 50 on Feb. 7. It's released an extended version of the ad ahead of the event itself, and it is certainly … something.
The ad, which was filmed in Rio de Janeiro, follows a series of young folks as they strive for greatness. The basic idea is summed up with the “train on” mantra associated with the ad, and the repeated “I can do that” from people in it. There’s several nods to the Pokémon franchise — specifically the games and anime. However, it’s mostly thematically associated rather than specifically.
“For 20 years, the Pokémon world has inspired fans to train hard and have fun,” the press release quotes J.C. Smith, senior director of Consumer Marketing at the Pokémon Company International, as saying. “This ad is reflective of that passion, and I can’t think of a bigger stage to share this story than the Super Bowl.”
The ad is just one of many different ways in which the Pokémon Company International is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the franchise. The original Japanese Pokémon Red and Pokémon Green released in 1996 for the Game Boy. The company is also releasing several special bundles and games starting in February, like Nintendo eShop versions of Pokémon Red, Blue and Yellow, and they will also be distributing special event Pokémon each month at participating retailers.
The ad will be featured on a CBS special called Super Bowl’s Greatest Commercials on Feb. 2, which will provide a behind-the-scenes look at how the 20th anniversary commercial was made. Hopefully, it will also explain how all the messaging in the ad actually ties together to any one thing.
