Pokémon: The Legend of Thunder!

About Pokémon: The Legend of Thunder!

Looking for background on Pokémon: The Legend of Thunder! (Pokemon Crystal: Raikou Ikazuchi no Densetsu)? This action, adventure and fantasy series by OLM (2001) starts out like this. At its core: Kenta, a Pokemon master in the making, crosses paths with up with his childhood companion, Marina, at a Pokemon Center, to see how their skills have developed. Their clash is interrupted by a thunderstorm and the arrival of Bashou and Buson, two Roketto-Dan members using the Crystal System (which attracts Electric-type Pokemon).

Further in, their ultimate goal is to, under the guidance of Shiranui-hakase, bring Pokemon back to Sakaki. Kenta and Marina stumble upon this plan, and they try to stop it, but things get more difficult when the legendary Pokemon Raikou is captured.

As an action title, fight choreography, pacing and sound design carry much of the weight. It will appeal most to viewers who like fast, high-impact fights.

Production & Appeal

OLM is the studio behind Pokémon: The Legend of Thunder!, and its direction shapes everything from character design to motion. Because it leans on action, fight choreography, pacing and sound design carry much of the weight. Its 6.9/10 score suggests opinions are split, so it suits viewers who already like the genre. Released in 2001, it competed with that season's other new series for attention.