In celebration of the Pokémon franchise's 30th anniversary, The Pokémon Company has released an official "Pokérap" spanning 22 minutes and featuring all 1025 Pokémon introduced to date. This modern rendition pays homage to the original catchy songs that played at the end of episodes in the '90s, which showcased the then-current roster of pocket monsters.
The new musical piece, performed by singer Masayoshi Oishi, begins with an anime-inspired opening before evolving through a diverse range of musical genres. The track incorporates elements of swing, salsa, smooth jazz, and heavy metal, among others, before returning to a lively anime theme. This genre-bending approach mirrors the extended length of the song, offering dynamic shifts akin to an extended anime episode.
While the song is performed in Japanese, the accompanying music video provides a visual celebration of each Pokémon. The video features a compilation of official art, in-game screenshots, and clips from the anime series, dedicating a few seconds of screen time to every creature, regardless of its popularity. This comprehensive visual treatment ensures that even obscure or fan-favorite Pokémon receive a moment in the spotlight within the 22-minute epic, offering a nostalgic and celebratory experience for long-time fans of the series.