Netflix Pokémon: Live-Action Series (2022) | 10 Pokémon That Could Lead The Series
The Pokémon franchise will take on the streaming world in a new live-action series thanks to Netflix, and fans have plenty of reasons to be excited!
One of our main pitches for this upcoming series revolves around a new set of characters with no-tie to the 2019 Detective Pikachu Movie. After all, we weren’t exactly the biggest fans of the film.
This means that Netflix’s Live-Action Pokemon series needs to find a new lead Pokemon. Yes, we’re talking about saying goodbye to Pikachu… at least for a while.
We admit it seems impossible that Netflix or the Pokemon Company would want to move away from the Pokemon mascot himself but it’s time.
With that said we have given ourselves the impossible task of trying to find a Pokemon that is can take over the mantle from Pikachu. This is 10 Pokemon That Could and Should Lead the Series.
Number 10: Gible
In terms of evolution chains, they don’t get much better than this.
You have the adorable Gible that can pull in the casual audience and then both Gabite and Garchomp that will be able to sell the show's awesome battles.
Starting with a Dragon-type also gives this series its own unique flair.
Number 9: Shinx
Let’s be honest, there’s something alluring about the Netflix show picking an electric type Pokemon as the lead character, and if it’s not going to be Pikachu who is better than the adorable Shinx.
But what really sells this pick is Luxray, the final evolution of this chain. Luxray would look remarkable in live-action and would be a devastating partner for whoever chooses to master his abilities.
Number 8: Caterpie
The first Pokémon that Ash ever caught in the wild, Caterpie first made his original appearance in the third episode of the animated series. Just as quickly as it was caught, it evolved into a Metapod in the very same episode..
A similar storyline in the show could see our main hero have to train and dedicate time to other Pokemon before the Metapod's eventual evolution into a Butterfree, a giant butterfly with large red eyes and fangs.
Any fan of the franchise could tell you how popular it was amongst the original 150; it’s the first one caught by the hero of the series for crying out loud.
Number 7: Cyndaquil
Look at Cyndaquil and tell me a casual audience wouldn’t fall in love with him. It’s a fire-type mouse for goodness sake!
But beyond the obvious cuteness. If you haven’t guessed yet we love the look of the moody secondary evolutions. Quilava understands the assignment.
The idea of our main hero dealing with the attitude of a moody teenager writes itself and similarly would inject some excellent comedy into the show.
And of course, there is Typhlosion who will be able to battle with some of the most powerful Pokemon in the universe in later seasons.
Number 6: Chikorita
When choosing Pokemon for this list something kept bringing us back to Chikorita.
The adorable grass-type Pokemon would be a fantastic lead for the upcoming live-action franchise but beyond that idea of our heroes riding to battle on the back of Meganium is an idea that sells itself.
Number 5: Greninja
Greninja has been pushed heavily recently as a Pokemon mascot! The Gen 6 Water-type starter was a fan favorite from the get-go and appears in various other games, spin-offs and also has a strong presence in the manga and trading card game.
With a strong evolution chain and a design that was already mastered in Detective Pikachu, Greninja seems like a great pick.
Number 4: Lucario
Nobody’s arguing that Pikachu isn’t the unquestionable mascot of the original 150, but for future generations from Hoenn and up, Lucario was the coolest Pokémon under the sun.
And let’s be honest, Riolu could offer some seriously cute Grogu energy.
Lucario is already extremely recognizable and appears as one of the main representatives in the Pokemon anime, Nintendo games, trading cards, and more.
Pair his awesome design up with the fact that he’s also an insanely powerful fighter, and you have a Pokémon that is just begging to be featured in a live-action movie.
Number 3: Vulpix
A boy and his dog… or fox. It’s a story as old as time. Vulpix has everything you want from a Pokemon lead. A cute yet fierce starting form as well as a badass evolution in Ninetales.
As Generation One Pokemon Vulpix is iconic! Not to mention he himself has become somewhat of a mascot recently thanks to its Alolan form. Appearing in many video games, manhole covers and even getting its own Boeing 767 plane.
Number 2: Charmander
You probably saw this coming. Actually, if you didn’t see this coming, we’d be shocked.
Some people may want to move on from Generation 1 Pokemon but Charmander is one of the safest picks for a Live-Action Pokemon Series.
It’s one of the most recognizable Pokemon in the series and has consistently been voted among the most popular of all time. Again Charmander can offer a similar cuteness to Riolu before evolving into Charmeleon who can totally be the moody teenager and cause alot of headaches for our main trainer.
And then we finish perhaps the most iconic evolution chain in Pokemon history with Charizard who is arguably the second most recognizable Pokemon in the entire franchise.
There have been tons of Fire types that have come and gone in the anime, and in the franchise, but none that are so familiar and popular as Charizard.
Number 1: Eevee
When we get things wrong, we admit it. Not putting Eevee at number one on our previous list was a complete mistake.
Eevee is as popular as they come, becoming one of the main mascots for the Pokemon brand and featuring as the main player in many of the video games. That’s quite the achievement really, especially considering that there are now almost a thousand of the little critters to choose from.
And that’s what makes it a perfect choice, after all the show’s main hero will have to decide what Eevee evolution they want.
Perhaps the show’s creators could even alter the lore by allowing the Pokemon to evolve multiple times.
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That’s our list? What did you think? Which Pokemon would you live to see take over from Pikachu as the new lead for the upcoming Netflix Live-Action series? Also, feel free to check out our video version of this list.
