Pokémon Direct 1.9.2020

[cheery synth music][speaking Japanese] [Mr.

Ishihara]-Welcome to the Pokémon Direct! I'm Ishiharafrom The Pokémon Company.

In today's broadcast, I'd like to touch on two topics.

Let's get startedwith the first topic! Have a lookat the following footage.

[music ends] [chirpy woodwind music] [music ends] [chirpy woodwind music] [heroic folk music] [epic male VO] -Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX! Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX! [music ends] [heroic folk music][Mr.

Ishihara] -It's beenabout 15 years since Pokémon Mystery Dungeon:Red Rescue Team, and Blue Rescue Team werereleased for the Nintendo DS and Game Boy Advance systemsin Japan, but nowthey will gain a new lifeas a Nintendo Switch title.

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX, will be released March 6, 2020.

What's more, we'll release a demo version on Nintendo eShop available later today.

You'll be able to carry over your save data to the full version of the game once purchased, so please take this opportunity to get a sample of the fun! Now, for the other topic, I think we'll ask GAME FREAKto share it with you.

Mr.

Masuda, Mr.

Ohmori, it's all yours.

[music ends] [epic orchestral music] [speaking Japanese][Mr.

Masuda] -Hello everyone!I'm Masuda from GAME FREAK.

[Mr.

Ohmori] -Hello.

And I'm Ohmori, also from GAME FREAK.

[Mr.

Masuda] -We hope everyonehas been finding somethingto enjoy in the latest entriesto the Pokémon series, Pokémon Sword andPokémon Shield, since theirrelease last November.

Our goal is always to deliverlively new adventures that delight Pokémon Trainersaround the world.

[Mr.

Ohmori] -We did our best to fill these titles with fun activities so that our players could have a fulfilling experience.

[Pokémon cry] And the Galar region is a vast one.

We suspect you've had many new discoveries and fun encounters along your adventure.

We've been thinking abouthow much we'd like it if everyone's Pokémon adventurescould go on even longer, with more to dig into and new discoveries to explore.

We've been working on plansfor some time, in fact.

This is why we at GAME FREAK are now developing thePokémon Sword Expansion Pass and Pokémon ShieldExpansion Pass, downloadable expansionsfor the Pokémon Sword andPokémon Shield games that will be available forpurchase from Nintendo eShop! [epic bagpipe music][Mr.

Masuda] -Until now, we've sometimes releasednew titles set in the sameregion as previous games, such as Pokémon Platinum Version or Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon.

This Expansion Pass will be different from those games.

You'll be able to set out on new adventures using the save data you're already playing with! [Mr.

Ohmori] -We're in the thickof development now, but we've prepared some footagefor you so you'll be able toat least get a feeling for what new experiencesawait you! Please have a look.

[music ends] [Nintendo Switch Snap] [uplifting orchestral music] [Pokémon cries] [crowd cheering] [Pokémon cry] [music ends] [swelling orchestral music] [music ends] [fast-paced heroic music] [music ends] [epic tribal music] [music ends] [angelic choir music] [music ends] [playful electronic music] [Mr.

Masuda]-What did you thinkof this first look? The Pokémon Sword Expansion Pass and the Pokémon Shield Expansion Pass will be composed of The Isle of Armor, planned to be released June 2020, and The Crown Tundra, planned to be released in fall 2020.

If you buy the Pokémon Sword orPokémon Shield Expansion Pass, you'll be able to enjoy both as they're released! Each part offersa different adventure, where you'll be able to visitunseen areas of the Galar region and meet new peopleand Pokémon that live there.

There are two versionsof the Expansion Pass, one for Pokémon Sword and one for Pokémon Shield.

Different Pokémon will appear in the different versions, and you'll also run into some different people in places! We're hoping players cancontinue with the classicPokémon experience of trading with one anotherand working together.

[Mr.

Ohmori] -Now, without further ado, let's have the director himself present more information onThe Isle of Armor andThe Crown Tundra! Mr.

Tani? [music ends] [lighthearted electronic music] [speaking Japanese]-Hello! I'm Tanifrom GAME FREAK.

I'm working as the director forthe Pokémon Sword Expansion Pass and Pokémon ShieldExpansion Pass.

The Isle of Armor and The Crown Tundra are in development as we speak.

So today, we'd like to show off some designs and concept art to help introduce you to these new areas! Your adventures in Galar aregetting even bigger! First, let us introduceThe Isle of Armor, which focuses on the theme of “growth.

” Take a look.

[music ends] [serene orchestral music][male VO] -The next destination in your adventure is a giant island off the shores of the Galar region known as The Isle of Armor.

This island is full of beautiful nature.

you'll find beaches, bogs, forests, caves, and dunes! And of course, you'll find Pokémon that you couldn't previously find in Galar dwelling there, too! [music ends] [epic ceremonial music] There's a dojo forPokémon battles on this island, and you'll take up an apprenticeship under the Pokémon Trainer who runs it! This is Mustard, who will become your mentor.

He's also the mentor of Champion Leon, who you probably know quite well.

In fact, Mustard has occupied the seat of Champion himself in the past! You'll also encounter new rivalsamong your fellow apprentices.

When playing with the Pokémon Sword Expansion Pass, you'll be training with Klara, who is a Poison-type user.

When playing with thePokémon Shield Expansion Pass, you will be training with Avery, who is a Psychic-type user.

They're both training hardso they can someday have a gymand stadium to call their own.

[music ends] [epic ceremonial music] Next, we'd like to introduce the Legendary Pokémon that will be central to the story.

.

.

Kubfu.

It's a Fighting-type Pokémonthat strives to become strongerwith single-minded dedication.

As you progress through your training, Mustard will entrust you with this Pokémon.

Once you complete your training together with Kubfu, it will be able to evolve into Urshifu.

Urshifu is a Pokémon with two distinct styles.

There is Single-Strike Style, a Fighting- and Dark-type stylethat delivers a single strike at blinding speed.

There is also Rapid-Strike Style, a Fighting- and Water-typestyle that focuses on unleashing a torrent of rapid strikes.

What's more, it's been revealed that Urshifu has a Gigantamax form! Each style will havea different appearance, as well as a different G-Max Move.

You'll be able to evolve your Kubfu into an Urshifu in one of these two styles, Single-Strike Style or Rapid-Strike Style, during your adventure.

Urshifu is a powerful Pokémon with a brand-new Ability, and it also has a new move for each of its two styles.

Once you've completed your training, bring it with you for some online battles or official competitions! [music ends] [playful big band music] We also want to talk about Rillaboom, Cinderace, and Inteleon.

Final Evolutions of the first three Pokémon youteam up with in the Galar region During your adventure in The Isle of Armor, these special partners in your teams will be able to Gigantamax! You can look forward to seeing their new forms and new G-Max Moves.

And, as you can see here, we've got even more in the works to make sure your journey isas smooth and fun as possible! There are new fashion items, and you'll even be able toobtain new looks for your bike.

We hope you'll look forwardto the new experiences coming in The Isle of Armor! [music ends] [whimsical soft rock music][Mr.

Tani] -Next, I'd like todiscuss The Crown Tundra the second area which has a themeof “exploration.

” I'm going to show youthe information we haveat the moment! [music ends] [mystical electric music][male VO] -This expansion is set in the snow-swept realm of the Crown Tundra.

Take a look for yourself at the beautiful scenery of this shining, silvery landscape! As it turns out, the Isle of Armor isn't the only uncharted area waiting for you all in the Galar region! In this frigid area, with its towering winter mountains, people live in small communities that support and rely on each other.

Much like on the Isle of Armor, you'll be able to find Pokémon that didn't appear in the Galar region before.

[cheerful rock music] Fitting right in with thisarea's theme of “exploration, ” there will be plenty for you to uncover.

You might find a strange temple where you least expect it or maybe spy a mysterious giant tree growing in a place it doesn't seem to belong.

A certain person will appoint you as the leader of their exploration team in the Crown Tundra.

You can gear up for adventure, and then head out to explore blizzard-swept fields and even deep inside Pokémon Dens, which you could only previously get a glimpse of during Max Raid Battles! [music ends] [mysterious choir music] Next, we'd like to introduce Calyrex, the Legendary Pokémon you'lldiscover during your adventure.

Legends say this Pokémononce ruled over a part of Galar that included the Crown Tundra.

It's characterized by its graceful, regal movements.

Get ready to experience a never-before-told story about the mysteries of Calyrex! [music ends] The Crown Tundra will have a new form of co-op play as well.

[energetic techno music]This will allow you and friends to enter and explore Pokémon Dens that existunderground in the Crown Tundra.

Deep inside the dens, you may see Legendary Pokémon from past games Dynamaxing before your eyes! You'll be able to meet and make allies of all kinds of Legendary Pokémon during your adventures in The Crown Tundra, including ones you'll be able to catch through this co-op play! It also appears that some brand new Legendary Pokémon are also waiting to be found somewhere in this land! [music ends] [snazzy chime music] And combined with The Isle of Armor, dozens of new clothing items will be added.

Plus, there will be new battles waiting for you to challenge once you complete your entire game, including The Isle of Armor and The Crown Tundra.

We can't go into the details of everything, but we're working on planning and developing new ways to enjoy Pokémon even as we speak![music ends] The Isle of Armor and The Crown Tundra areas themselves are actually two key examplesof the things we're working on![cheerful acoustic music] Both areas are in fact seamless maps much like the Wild Area you can already experience in the Galar region where players are able to move around freely and control the camera.

Of course, you'll be able to connect with other Trainers and play with them, too! There will be Pokémon Dens as well, and you'll be able to engage in Max Raid Battles against Pokémonthat haven't previously appeared in the Galar region.

There's more to see and do on the Isle of Armor and in the Crown Tundra than there was even in the Wild Area.

We'll bring you more information about them in future newsreports, so please stay tuned! [music ends] [lighthearted electric music][Mr.

Tani] -What did you think? We at GAME FREAKare all working hardto bring you new content, so you can spend more timehaving fun in the Galar region! We hope you're as excitedas we are for what's to come! [music ends] [cheery synths music][Mr.

Ohmori] -Thank you, Mr.

Tani.

On the Isle of Armorand in the Crown Tundra, you'll see some familiar Pokémonthat didn't appearin the Galar region before.

There will be more than200 Pokémon species that appear in these areasand you can add to your team, including the Legendary Pokémonmentioned before! [Mr.

Masuda]-Additionally, we'll bedistributing free updates for Pokémon Swordand Pokémon Shield that will coincide with thereleases of The Isle of Armorand The Crown Tundra.

These updates will allow people who don't have thePokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield Expansion Pass, to obtain the Pokémon that appear on the Isle of Armor and in the Crown Tundra throughother means, such as trading.

Players will also be able tobring over Pokémonto their games from the cloud servicePokémon HOME, as long as the Pokémon appear in the Pokémon Sword andPokémon Shield Expansion Pass.

Pokémon HOME is planned to launch in February 2020.

We intend to releaseeven more details before then, so please wait just a little bit longer! [music ends] [playful electronic beat][Mr.

Ohmori] -Finally, we havesome more news for our Pokémon Swordand Pokémon Shield players.

Starting today, it seems likeyou're more likely to run intoGigantamax Coalossal, Gigantamax Lapras, and Gigantamax Flappleor Gigantamax Appletun in Max Raid Battles in the Wild Area! Face these powerful Pokémon with your friends! There will also bea software update going liveavailable later today.

Once you've received the update, head to Wedgehurst Station.

In Pokémon Sword, you'll encounter Klara, while in Pokémon Shield, you'll run into Avery.

You'll also encounter a Galarian Slowpoke that's wandered in from the Isle of Armor.

You can try to catch it and add it to your team! Galarian Slowpoke can evolveinto Galarian Slowbro if you use an itemthat can be foundon the Isle of Armor or into Galarian Slowkingif you use an item that can be foundin the Crown Tundra.

Don't forget to check it out![music ends] [peaceful music][Mr.

Masuda] -Whatdid you think? Today, we've finally been ableto show you some of what we at GAME FREAKare hoping to achievegoing forward.

We hope we've been ableto get you excited for the continuing adventureswaiting for you, in The Isle of Armorand The Crown Tundra.

Each part offersa different adventure.

We'll do our best to fill itto the brim with adventures like you've neverexperienced before! [Mr.

Ohmori] -Whether you'rejust starting with Pokémon Swordand Pokémon Shield, or you've done everythingthere is to do, we'll do our bestto develop somethingthat everyone can enjoy! [both]-Stay tuned for more updatesin the future! [music ends] [cheery synth music][Mr.

Ishihara] -My thanksto everyone from GAME FREAK.

The Pokémon Sword Expansion Pass and Pokémon Shield Expansion Pass, which contains both The Isle of Armor and The Crown Tundra, will be available for pre-purchase on Nintendo eShop later today.

You'll also be able to access Nintendo eShop directly from the Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield menu once you install the latest update for your game.

As a special purchase bonus, we've also prepared someclothing items that can be used starting today! Pokémon will continueto try new things in 2020 to bring fun and joy to peoplearound the world.

Thank you for tuning in!.