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|status=<span style="color:orange;">'''Partially Found'''</span>
|status=<span style="color:orange;">'''Partially Found'''</span>
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''Pokémon Live!'' was a live-action musical based on Nintendo's popular Pokémon franchise. Touring the United States from September 2000 to January 2001, the show was approximately 90 minutes long and was produced by Radio City Entertainment, 4Kids, and Nintendo. '''A professionally-recorded version of the musical''' was shot at one of the Chicago shows, and was planned for release on TV and home video. However, these plans fell through, and no full recordings of the US show have surfaced, outside of bootlegs.
''Pokémon Live!'' was a live-action musical based on Nintendo's popular Pokémon franchise. Touring the United States from September 2000 to January 2001, the show was approximately 90 minutes long and was produced by Radio City Entertainment, 4Kids, and Nintendo. '''A professionally-recorded version of the musical''', was shot at one of the Chicago shows and was planned for airing TV and a release on home video. However, these plans fell through, and no full recordings of the U.S. show have surfaced, outside of bootlegs.
 
==Plot and Production==
==Plot and Production==
The play begins with Ash, Misty, and Brock setting out for a Pokémon Gym, in response to a challenge from a mysterious Gym Leader. The challenge stipulates that anyone who can defeat the Gym Leader's Pokémon in a battle will win a special "diamond badge". Afterwards, it is revealed that the challenge was set up by Team Rocket leader Giovanni, who has created a powerful Pokémon named MechaMew2, and intends to use it for world domination.<ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pokémon_Live! Wikipedia page for Pokémon Live!] Retrieved 31 Dec '16</ref>
The play begins with Ash, Misty, and Brock setting out for a Pokémon Gym, in response to a challenge from a mysterious Gym Leader. The challenge stipulates that anyone who can defeat the Gym Leader's Pokémon in a battle will win a special "diamond badge". Afterwards, it is revealed that the challenge was set up by Team Rocket leader Giovanni, who has created a powerful Pokémon named MechaMew2, and intends to use it for world domination.
   
   
The musical used live action actors for both characters and Pokémon, albeit with some exceptions for string-controlled characters. A DVD release was alluded to in promotional material, such as a page on the Pokémon website from the time, but was presumably abandoned around the same time the show's planned UK tour had to be cancelled due to "unforeseen circumstances".<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20011019041628/http://www.pokemon.com/events/live.html Archive of the official Pokémon website mentioning a home video release] Retrieved 31 Dec '16 '''|''' Archived 19 Oct '01</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20030104055909/http://pkmn.co.uk/?viewnews=1034880570 News article on the UK tour's cancellation] Retrieved 31 Dec '16 '''|''' Archived 04 Jan '03</ref>
The musical used live-action actors for both characters and Pokémon, albeit with some exceptions for string-controlled characters. A DVD release was alluded to in promotional material, such as a page on the Pokémon website from the time, but was presumably abandoned around the same time the show's planned UK tour had to be cancelled due to "unforeseen circumstances".<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20011019041628/http://www.pokemon.com/events/live.html Archive of the official Pokémon website mentioning a home video release.] Retrieved 31 Dec '16</ref><ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20030104055909/http://pkmn.co.uk/?viewnews=1034880570 News article on the UK tour's cancellation.] Retrieved 31 Dec '16</ref>
 
==Search for the American Show==
==Search for the American Show==
After the show ended in 2001, it was largely forgotten by the general public. However, interest in ''Pokémon Live'' was revived in April of 2016, when popular YouTuber Chadtronic created a video on the topic entitled "THE MYSTERY OF POKEMON LIVE". The video contained comments from the musical's production stage manager, Chris Mitchell, who had previously uploaded a bootleg recording of the Chicago show in a series of 7 parts. Mitchell cited lack of interest and monetary concerns as the reason for the show's failure, claiming that "[the] Pokemon craze was not as big in 2000 as it was in 1999."<ref>[http://youtu.be/OpJhTN-QSQ8 Chadtronic's "THE MYSTERY OF POKEMON LIVE", containing many comments from Chris Mitchell] Retrieved 31 Dec '16</ref>
After the show ended in 2001, it was largely forgotten by the general public. However, interest in ''Pokémon Live!'' was revived in April of 2016, when popular YouTuber Chadtronic created a video on the topic entitled "The Mystery Of ''Pokémon Live!''. The video contained comments from the musical's production stage manager, Chris Mitchell, who had previously uploaded a bootleg recording of the Chicago show in a series of 7 parts. Mitchell cited lack of interest and monetary concerns as the reason for the show's failure, claiming that "[the] Pokémon craze was not as big in 2000 as it was in 1999.
 
He also confirmed that a high-definition multi-camera version was shot but never released for unknown reasons and that it was currently lost in the archives of the respective rights holders. Reportedly, Mitchell himself has repeatedly tried to obtain a copy of the professional recording but has been unsuccessful. Chadtronic ended the video by starting the hashtag #FindPokemonLive and encouraging anyone with information to contact him.
 
The search did bring forth some new information, such as a promotional video in which Brock's actor mentions the DVD release, as well as the script for the musical.<ref>[http://youtu.be/8Wr_U6CRLTY&t=20m5s A behind-the-scenes video where the DVD release is mentioned.] Retrieved 31 Dec '16</ref><ref>[http://fanpop.com/clubs/pokemon/articles/87449/title/original-pokemon-live-script The script for the musical.] Retrieved 31 Dec '16</ref> However, it was ultimately unsuccessful in its goal of finding the professional recording, and interest died back down after a few months.


He also confirmed that a high-definition multi-camera version was shot but never released for unknown reasons, and that it was currently lost in the archives of the respective rightsholders. Reportedly, Mitchell himself has repeatedly tried to obtain a copy of the professional recording, but has been unsuccessful. Chadtronic ended the video by starting the hashtag #FindPokemonLive, and encouraging anyone with information to contact him.
{{Video|perrow  =4
  |service1    =youtube
  |id1          =bDLj7hT1bk4
  |description1 =Chris Mitchell's recording of the show.
  |service2    =youtube
  |id2          =GiuG0zVC65Q
  |description2 =A "making of" video for the musical.
  |service3    =youtube
  |id3          =8WE5RAG68UI
  |description3 =Michael Slade (writer of the musical) interview.
  |service4    =youtube
  |id4          =OpJhTN-QSQ8
  |description4 =Chadtronic's The Mystery Of ''Pokémon Live!''", containing many comments from Chris Mitchell.
}}
==International Versions==
===Dubai Show===
While the U.S. show remains elusive, in October of 2016, a professional recording of Pokémon Live actually ''did'' surface - albeit, from the Dubai performance of the show. The video was uploaded by MiG Ayesa, the actor of Ash for this particular performance, and was uploaded to YouTube as a response to the popularity of the ''Pokémon GO'' app.


The search did bring forth some new information, such as a promotional video in which Brock's actor mentions the DVD release, as well as the script for the musical.<ref>[http://youtu.be/8Wr_U6CRLTY&t=20m5s Behind-the-scenes video where the DVD release is mentioned] Retrieved 31 Dec '16</ref><ref>[http://fanpop.com/clubs/pokemon/articles/87449/title/original-pokemon-live-script Script for the musical] Retrieved 31 Dec '16</ref> However, it was ultimately unsuccessful in its goal of finding the professional recording, and interest died back down after a few months.
The performance appears to be significantly different from the American production, with lower production values and a shorter run time of 50 minutes. In addition, multiple music numbers and even entire characters have been removed, such as Professor Oak, and Delia (Ash's mother). Still, the video gives a decent representation of what the U.S. recording may have looked like and provides new hope that it may surface sometime in the near future.
<div style="margin:0 auto; text-align: center;">
<div style="width:320px; display:inline-block; margin-right:25px; margin-bottom:0px;">
{{#ev:youtube|bDLj7hT1bk4|320x240|center|Chris Mitchell's recording of the show.|frame}}</div>​
<div style="width:320px; display:inline-block; margin-right:25px; margin-bottom:0px;">
{{#ev:youtube|OpJhTN-QSQ8|320x240|center|Chadtronic's video on the subject.|frame}}</div>​
<div style="width:320px; display:inline-block; margin-right:25px; margin-bottom:0px;">
{{#ev:youtube|GiuG0zVC65Q|320x240|center|A "making of" video for the musical.|frame}}</div>​ 
<div style="width:320px; display:inline-block; margin-right:25px; margin-bottom:0px;">
{{#ev:youtube|8WE5RAG68UI|320x240|center|Michael Slade (writer of the musical) interview.|frame}}</div>​ 
</div>​
----
==='''Sound Equipment'''===
The second newsletter from Electro-Voice, "Speaking of EV Volume 1 No 2".<ref>[http://electrovoice.com/downloadfile.php?f=MarApril_EV_newsltr.pdf Full Speaking of EV Volume 1 No 2 newsletter] Retrieved 06 Jan '17</ref> has on the last page a section, where they list all (or a couple) of the sound equipment used for some of the most popular U.S or Europe tours. One of the tours listed was none other than "Pokémon Live"
<font size="2">
<ul>
<li>16 X-Line XVLS full range speaker cabinets</li>
<li>8 SX300 speaker enclosures 4 EV Xi1082 speaker enclosures</li>
<li>2 EV S40 speaker enclosures</li>
<li>1 EV MTH2 speaker enclosure 2 EV MTH2/64 speaker enclosures</li>
<li>1 EV MTH2/94 speaker enclosure</li>
<li>4 EV MTL4 speaker enclosures</li>
<li>2 EV DMC 2181A speaker processors</li>
<li>14 Telex BP325 intercom beltpacks</li>
<li>1 Telex MCE 325 intercom station</li>
<li>1 Klark Teknik 7204 delay plus EQ</li>
<li>4 Klark Teknik DN360 stereo equalizers</li>
<li>1 Klark Teknik DN60 analyzer EV</li>
</ul></font>
----
==='''Appearance/Removal Dates of Websites/Advertisements'''===
Here, I have listed when each of the official "Pokémon Live" websites opened and closed. All of this couldn't have been possible without the Wayback Machine. I know this isn't any help, but I'm trying my best to find ''ANYTHING'' about this show.
<font size="2">
<ul>
<li>First mentioned on Pokémon World website<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20010602024123/http:/www.pokemon.com/events/index.html Official Pokémon Live Website] Retrieved 06 Jan '17 '''|''' Archived 09 Nov '00</ref>sometime between: '''May 27, 8:43 AM - June 13, 10:06 AM, 2000'''</li>
<li>First appearing on Radiocity page<ref>
[http://web.archive.org/web/20001207211000/http:/www.radiocity.com/pokemon/index.htm Radiocity website] Retrieved 06 Jan '17 '''|''' Archived 07 Dec '00</ref>sometime between: '''May 27, 8:43 AM - June 13, 10:06 AM, 2000'''</li>
<li>eKIDSinternet ecenter homepage<ref>
[http://web.archive.org/web/20001205195700/http:/www.ekidsinternet.com/demowebr7/ecenter.htm Ekidsinternet ecenter homepage] Retrieved 06 Jan '17 '''|''' Archived 05 Dec '00</ref>sometime between: '''August 18, 6:11 AM – October 8, 10:44 AM, 2000'''</li>
<li>First Wayback Machine record of diamondbadge.com redirecting to Radiocity is on: '''November 9, 4:09 AM, 2000'''</li>
----
<li>Diamondbadge stopped redirecting to Radiocity sometime before: '''April 5, 9:42 PM, 2001'''</li>
<li>Radiocity page got taken down sometime between: '''December 7, 9:10 PM, 2000 – April 5, 9:42 PM, 2001'''</li>
<li>Pokémon World article got taken down sometime between: '''June 2, 12:17 PM – August 5, 3:33 PM, 2002'''</li>
<li>Ekidsinternet ecenter homepage got taken down sometime after: '''June 2, 12:17 PM, 2002'''</li>
</ul></font>
----
==='''eKIDSinternet Pokémon Contest'''===
eKIDSinternet also held a Pokémon contest<ref>
[http://web.archive.org/web/20010123230200/http://www.ekidsinternet.com/ecenters/pokemon/contest/contestform.html Contest form given to people who guessed the 5 songs] Retrieved 06 Jan '17 '''|''' Archived 23 Jan '01</ref>sometime during January, 2001. The first contest involved listening to 5 songs from Pokémon Live, and naming all of them correctly. The prize was a Nintendo 64, and the winners were chosen January 23, 2001. There was another contest, which involved finding Pikachu on the eKIDSinternet website. The main Pokémon ecenter<ref>
[http://web.archive.org/web/20010206231025/http:/www.ekidsinternet.com/ecenters/pokemon Ekidsinternet Pokémon ecenter] Retrieved 06 Jan '17 '''|''' Archived 06 Feb '01</ref>had an Adobe Flash “movie” playing, but is no longer viewable. Fortunately, anyone who scans the website with HTML can see that the developer typed what was said in that  Flash “movie”. Here is the text, extracted from the Pokémon ecenter website, before it was removed sometime after February 6, 2001:
<br>
<br>
<font size="2">CONTEST play Name that Pokemon Tune We bet you've heard all the cool original songs from PokemonLive.  Now it's time to test your ear…  Name all 5 Pokemon Tunes to enter a special drawing sponsored by eKIDSinternet.com. the presenter of PokemonLive!  Grand Prize a brand new Nintendo 64! Plus loads of runner-up prizes!  It's easy! Listen to each selection and click on the name of the song. Answer all five correctly to enter the drawing. The drawing takes place on January 23, 2001.  So play to enter.  You may be the lucky winner of a Nintendo 64.  But remember, you gotta enter to win! Hey! Want another chance to win a Nintendo 64!  Here's how…Order an eKIDSinternet disk now and enter a whole new sweepstakes.  Pikachu's  hiding" only on eKIDSinternet and only you can find him when you get your disk for a 6 month free trial.  But remember, you gotta order an eKIDSinternet disk now to enter. To play: 1.Click the play button and listen to the song.  2.Click on the correct title of the song.  3.Continue until you have answered all 5 correctly.  4.Enter your first name, e-mail address and city on the form, and submit entry. Good Luck! FIRST NAME: E-MAIL: CITY:</font>
==Dubai Show==
While the U.S show remains elusive, in October of 2016, a professional recording of Pokémon Live actually ''did'' surface - albeit, from the Dubai performance of the show. The video was uploaded by MiG Ayesa, the actor of Ash for this particular performance, and was uploaded to YouTube as a response to the popularity of the ''Pokémon GO'' app.


The performance appears to be significantly different from the American production, with lower production values and a shorter runtime of 50 minutes. In addition, multiple music numbers and even entire characters have been removed, such as Professor Oak, and Delia (Ash's mother). Still, the video gives a decent representation of what the US recording may have looked like, and provides new hope that it may surface some time in the near future.
It seems like these Dubai performances resulted from a mix of people and companies from different countries. The cast, director, and producer were completely Australian. The wardrobe came from the U.S.A. The sound effects and music were also aided by a British sound company.


It seems like these Dubai performances resulted from a mix of people and companies from different countries. The cast, director, and producer were completely Australian. The wardrobe came from the U.S.A. The sound effects and music were also added by a British sound company.
{{Video|perrow  =1
{{#ev:youtube|4cXLN8SmH84|320x240|center|The Dubai performance of the musical.|frame}}
  |service1    =youtube
==Portuguese Show==
  |id1          =4cXLN8SmH84
A 6 minute clip of the Portuguese version, showing parts of You and Me and Pokemon has been uncovered March 3rd. The clip<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20111105020553/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7llT8IgHkr4&gl=US&hl=en Recovered Portuguese clip] Retrieved 16 March '17</ref> was originally uploaded by a YouTube user, craenerX (aka Cláudio Vasconcelos)<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090908143752/http://www.youtube.com/user/craenerX Wayback Machine record of craenerX's YouTube channel] Retrieved 16 March '17</ref> but has since been deleted. There are more clips of Pokemon Live, which he deleted, for unknown reasons.  
  |description1 =The Dubai performance of the musical.
{{#ev:youtube|JCzLyftOoqg|320x240|center|A Portuguese clip of the musical.|frame}}
}}
===Mexican Show===
The musical, now dubbed as ''Pokémon El Espectáculo En Vivo'' (or ''Pokémon The Live Show'') was performed for one day only on May 27th, 2001 at the "Auditorio Nacional" (or National Auditorium) in Mexico City.<ref>[https://twitter.com/auditoriomx/status/760567369462722560 Tweet from Auditorio Nacional.] Retrieved 25 Dec '18</ref><ref>[http://pokemex.com/2001/05/15/pokemon-live-en-mexico Pokémex article on ''Pokémon Live!'' in Mexico.] Retrieved 16 Mar '18</ref> It aired on Canal 9 on August 17th, 2001 with a runtime of 2 hours.<ref>[http://hemeroteca.informador.com.mx/Cache/1793378647/00112-01.tif "El Informador" Newspaper TV listing of ''Pokémon El Espectáculo En Vivo''.] Retrieved 03 Jul '18</ref>
 
On February 16th, 2020, YouTube user [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyEU1pjtJNzHX0W4dCV8fOw The Cooler Yamask] uploaded a [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lSRl1RSMso "99.8%" version of the Mexican show]. Yamask cut out 5 anime clips that appeared in the show as they were copyrighted by YouTube. Yamask later uploaded a full version to the Internet Archive on March 22nd, 2020.
 
{{Video|perrow  =1
  |service1    =archiveorg
  |id1          =pokemonlivehd
  |description1 =The full version of ''Pokémon El Espectáculo En Vivo'' in México, 2001.
}}
<gallery mode=packed heights=175px>
Mexicanpokemonlive1.jpg|Ash standing next to Pikachu.
Mexicanpokemonlive2.jpg|Dance sequence from "Pikachu, I Choose You!".
Mexicanpokemonlive3.jpg|Ash, Pikachu, and Mewtwo.
</gallery>
===Portuguese Show===
Following the Mexican show was a final tour in Lisbon, Portugal. The show, now dubbed as ''Pokémon Ao Vivo'' went on from March 21st to March 27th, 2002 at the Pavilhão Atlântico.<ref>[http://youtu.be/Im8kNju_bjM Portuguese commercial of ''Pokémon Ao Vivo''] Retrieved 29 Dec '17</ref> A 6-minute clip of the Portuguese version, showing parts of You and Me and Pokémon has been uncovered March 3rd. [http://web.archive.org/web/20111105020553/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7llT8IgHkr4&gl=US&hl=en The clip] was originally uploaded by a YouTube user, [http://web.archive.org/web/20090908143752/http://www.youtube.com/user/craenerX craenerX (aka Cláudio Vasconcelos)] but has since been deleted.  
 
====cranerX's Deleted ''Pokémon Live!'' Videos====
There are more clips of ''Pokémon Live!'', which he deleted, for unknown reasons.  


Here is the list of the videos deleted by craenerX (not complete)
Here is the list of the videos deleted by craenerX (not complete)
<ul>
<li>Pokemon Live - You and Me and Pokemon (V.2)</li>
<li>Pokemon Live - Introducao ao Team Rocket</li>
<li>Pokemon Live - Ash, Misty e Brock na Floresta</li>
<li>Pokemon Live - Discurso de Giovanni e primeira cena</li>
<li>Pokemon Live - It will all be mine</li>
</ul>


[http://web.archive.org/web/20090908143752/http://www.youtube.com/user/craenerX Here] is a link to his channel from Sept. 8, 2009. These clips will probably be a little easier to find, compared to the still elusive U.S show.
* ''Pokémon Live!'' - You and Me and Pokemon (V.2)
* ''Pokémon Live!'' - Introducao ao Team Rocket
* ''Pokémon Live!'' - Ash, Misty e Brock na Floresta
* ''Pokémon Live!'' - Discurso de Giovanni e primeira cena
* ''Pokémon Live!'' - It will all be mine
 
<font size="2">The video, '''''Pokémon Live!'' - Ash, Misty e Brock na Floresta''' was uploaded on Jun 14, 2008, with a run time of 1 min 28 sec.
Here is the found description of the video:
 
"Sorry, but this video is in portuguese Neste clip, os nossos amigos estão a caminho do ginásio de Giovanni, e como sempre, vão por uma floresta. Nota: Este vídeo está muito imcompleto, pois apenas possui +/- 10 segundos. Atenção: Provavelmente este será o último clip que eu vou postar. Por enquanto..."</font>
 
==See Also==
*[[Pokémon "Computer Warrior Porygon" (lost unaired English dub of anime episode; 1998)]]
*[[Pokémon "The Legend of Dratini" (non-existent unaired English dub of anime episode; 1997)]]
*[[Pokémon "Battle Aboard the St. Anne" (found first American broadcast version of anime episode; 1998)]]
*[[Pokémon "Battle of the Quaking Island! Barboach VS Whiscash!!" (partially found unaired episode of anime; 2004)]]
*[[Pokémon "Cream of the Croagunk Crop" (found original "Hiroki version" of anime episode; 2008)]]
*[[Pokémon "Rocket-dan VS Plasma-dan!" (partially found unaired two-part episode of anime; 2011)]]
*[[Pokémon 3: The Movie (lost first draft of script of anime film; late 1990s)]]
*[[Pokémon 3D Adventure: Mew o Sagase! (lost 3D short of anime; 2005)]]
*[[Pokémon 4D: Pikachu's Ocean Adventure (partially found 4D short of anime; 2006)]]
*[[Pokémon! I Choose You! (found original Japanese airing of anime series pilot; 1997)]]
*[[Pokémon "It's New Year's Eve! Pocket Monsters Encore" (lost unaired special of anime series; 1997)]]
*[[Pokémon "Pocket Monsters, Fall Special!" (found "clip show" episode of anime series; 1997)]]
*[[Pokémon "Pocket Monsters, Winter Special!" (lost unaired "clip show" episode of anime series; 1998)]]
 
==External Link==
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pokémon_Live! Wikipedia page for ''Pokémon Live!''.] Retrieved 31 Dec '16


<font size="2">This article does go into a ramble. I apologize. The video, <b>Pokemon Live - Ash, Misty e Brock na Floresta</b> was uploaded on Jun 14, 2008, with a run time of 1 min 28 sec.
Here is the now found description of the video:
<center><u>NOTE THIS VIDEO IS STILL LOST!</u></center>
"Sorry, but this video is in portuguese Neste clip, os nossos amigos estão a caminho do ginásio de Giovanni, e como sempre, vão por uma floresta. Nota: Este vídeo está muito imcompleto, pois apenas possui +/- 10 segundos. Atenção: Provavelmente este será o último clip que eu vou postar. Por enquanto"</font>
==Latin American Show==
There was supposedly another show in Latin America. The musical was aired on Canal 5 in the early 2000s. Unfortunately, any recordings of this televised event are non-existent.
==References==
==References==
<references />
{{reflist}}


[[Category:Lost films]]
[[Category:Lost films]]
[[Category:Partially found media]]
[[Category:Partially found media]]

Revision as of 19:52, 25 March 2020

Pokemonlive.jpg

Photo of the show's original cast.

Status: Partially Found

Pokémon Live! was a live-action musical based on Nintendo's popular Pokémon franchise. Touring the United States from September 2000 to January 2001, the show was approximately 90 minutes long and was produced by Radio City Entertainment, 4Kids, and Nintendo. A professionally-recorded version of the musical, was shot at one of the Chicago shows and was planned for airing TV and a release on home video. However, these plans fell through, and no full recordings of the U.S. show have surfaced, outside of bootlegs.

Plot and Production

The play begins with Ash, Misty, and Brock setting out for a Pokémon Gym, in response to a challenge from a mysterious Gym Leader. The challenge stipulates that anyone who can defeat the Gym Leader's Pokémon in a battle will win a special "diamond badge". Afterwards, it is revealed that the challenge was set up by Team Rocket leader Giovanni, who has created a powerful Pokémon named MechaMew2, and intends to use it for world domination.

The musical used live-action actors for both characters and Pokémon, albeit with some exceptions for string-controlled characters. A DVD release was alluded to in promotional material, such as a page on the Pokémon website from the time, but was presumably abandoned around the same time the show's planned UK tour had to be cancelled due to "unforeseen circumstances".[1][2]

Search for the American Show

After the show ended in 2001, it was largely forgotten by the general public. However, interest in Pokémon Live! was revived in April of 2016, when popular YouTuber Chadtronic created a video on the topic entitled "The Mystery Of Pokémon Live!. The video contained comments from the musical's production stage manager, Chris Mitchell, who had previously uploaded a bootleg recording of the Chicago show in a series of 7 parts. Mitchell cited lack of interest and monetary concerns as the reason for the show's failure, claiming that "[the] Pokémon craze was not as big in 2000 as it was in 1999.

He also confirmed that a high-definition multi-camera version was shot but never released for unknown reasons and that it was currently lost in the archives of the respective rights holders. Reportedly, Mitchell himself has repeatedly tried to obtain a copy of the professional recording but has been unsuccessful. Chadtronic ended the video by starting the hashtag #FindPokemonLive and encouraging anyone with information to contact him.

The search did bring forth some new information, such as a promotional video in which Brock's actor mentions the DVD release, as well as the script for the musical.[3][4] However, it was ultimately unsuccessful in its goal of finding the professional recording, and interest died back down after a few months.

Chris Mitchell's recording of the show.

A "making of" video for the musical.

Michael Slade (writer of the musical) interview.

Chadtronic's The Mystery Of Pokémon Live!", containing many comments from Chris Mitchell.

International Versions

Dubai Show

While the U.S. show remains elusive, in October of 2016, a professional recording of Pokémon Live actually did surface - albeit, from the Dubai performance of the show. The video was uploaded by MiG Ayesa, the actor of Ash for this particular performance, and was uploaded to YouTube as a response to the popularity of the Pokémon GO app.

The performance appears to be significantly different from the American production, with lower production values and a shorter run time of 50 minutes. In addition, multiple music numbers and even entire characters have been removed, such as Professor Oak, and Delia (Ash's mother). Still, the video gives a decent representation of what the U.S. recording may have looked like and provides new hope that it may surface sometime in the near future.

It seems like these Dubai performances resulted from a mix of people and companies from different countries. The cast, director, and producer were completely Australian. The wardrobe came from the U.S.A. The sound effects and music were also aided by a British sound company.

The Dubai performance of the musical.

Mexican Show

The musical, now dubbed as Pokémon El Espectáculo En Vivo (or Pokémon The Live Show) was performed for one day only on May 27th, 2001 at the "Auditorio Nacional" (or National Auditorium) in Mexico City.[5][6] It aired on Canal 9 on August 17th, 2001 with a runtime of 2 hours.[7]

On February 16th, 2020, YouTube user The Cooler Yamask uploaded a "99.8%" version of the Mexican show. Yamask cut out 5 anime clips that appeared in the show as they were copyrighted by YouTube. Yamask later uploaded a full version to the Internet Archive on March 22nd, 2020.

The full version of Pokémon El Espectáculo En Vivo in México, 2001.

Portuguese Show

Following the Mexican show was a final tour in Lisbon, Portugal. The show, now dubbed as Pokémon Ao Vivo went on from March 21st to March 27th, 2002 at the Pavilhão Atlântico.[8] A 6-minute clip of the Portuguese version, showing parts of You and Me and Pokémon has been uncovered March 3rd. The clip was originally uploaded by a YouTube user, craenerX (aka Cláudio Vasconcelos) but has since been deleted.

cranerX's Deleted Pokémon Live! Videos

There are more clips of Pokémon Live!, which he deleted, for unknown reasons.

Here is the list of the videos deleted by craenerX (not complete)

  • Pokémon Live! - You and Me and Pokemon (V.2)
  • Pokémon Live! - Introducao ao Team Rocket
  • Pokémon Live! - Ash, Misty e Brock na Floresta
  • Pokémon Live! - Discurso de Giovanni e primeira cena
  • Pokémon Live! - It will all be mine

The video, Pokémon Live! - Ash, Misty e Brock na Floresta was uploaded on Jun 14, 2008, with a run time of 1 min 28 sec. Here is the found description of the video:

"Sorry, but this video is in portuguese Neste clip, os nossos amigos estão a caminho do ginásio de Giovanni, e como sempre, vão por uma floresta. Nota: Este vídeo está muito imcompleto, pois apenas possui +/- 10 segundos. Atenção: Provavelmente este será o último clip que eu vou postar. Por enquanto..."

See Also

External Link

References