Pokémon Detective Pikachu

Pokémon Detective Pikachu

Year: 2019

Runtime: 104 min

Language: English

Director: Rob Letterman

ActionAdventureSci-FiMysteryFantasyComedyAnimationFamily

When Tim Goodman's father mysteriously disappears, young Tim is unexpectedly paired with a talking Pikachu, who happens to be a skilled detective. They embark on a thrilling quest through Ryme City, a bustling metropolis where humans and Pokémon live side by side. As they investigate, the unlikely duo uncovers a complex mystery, facing colorful characters and a dangerous plot that threatens the Pokémon world.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Pokémon Detective Pikachu yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Pokémon Detective Pikachu (2019) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Pokémon Detective Pikachu (2019), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

In the vibrant world of Pokémon, Tim Goodman (Justice Smith), a 21-year-old insurance salesman and former Pokémon trainer, is on a quest to find his missing father, Harry (Ryan Reynolds). Haunted by the loss of his mother and his father’s absence, Tim has turned his back on Pokémon training. Tragedy strikes when he learns that Harry, a veteran Ryme City police detective, has died in a car accident while working on a case.

Tim travels to the bustling metropolis of Ryme City, a place where Pokémon battles are illegal and humans and Pokémon share a unique bond. Determined to settle his father’s affairs, he encounters Lucy Stevens (Kathryn Newton), an ambitious fluff columnist with aspirations of becoming a reporter, who reveals her suspicions surrounding Harry’s death. Together with her Pokémon, Psyduck, they delve into the mystery.

In a startling twist, Tim meets a witty, deerstalker-wearing Pikachu (Ryan Reynolds), a remarkable detective whom only Tim can understand. Their confrontation with a group of Aipom, influenced by a mysterious purple gas accidentally released by Tim, propels them into an adventure filled with intrigue. Taking refuge in a café, Pikachu discloses that he was Harry’s police partner and has lost his memory, with only a deerstalker hat bearing Harry’s name as a clue.

Their investigation leads them to Mr. Mime, a former informant for Harry, who directs them to an underground Pokémon fighting arena owned by Sebastian (Omar Chaparro). Here, Tim confronts Sebastian and his Charizard, who challenge Pikachu to a rematch. In the chaos that ensues, a gas labeled “R” is released, prompting Tim to race against time as the authorities intervene.

Tim’s argument with Lieutenant Hideo Yoshida (Ken Watanabe) doesn’t yield the support he hoped for when Yoshida presents footage of Harry’s accident, casting doubt on the possibility that Harry is still alive. Undeterred, Tim and Pikachu visit the enigmatic benefactor Howard Clifford (Bill Nighy). In a shocking revelation, Howard shows them footage suggesting Harry survived the accident, abducted by the recently escaped Mewtwo, a powerful Pokémon cloned from DNA.

As their investigation deepens, Tim and Pikachu join forces with Lucy and Psyduck to uncover a nefarious plot orchestrated by Dr. Ann Laurent (Rita Ora). They learn that Harry had been aiding in experiments concerning Mewtwo and that trouble is more imminent than they feared. In a thrilling sequence, they evade an onslaught of Greninja in a lab facility but find themselves in a precarious situation with Pikachu suffering grave injuries.

In a dramatic turn of fate, a Bulbasaur leads Tim to a clearing where Mewtwo heals Pikachu. Yet, misunderstanding and betrayal loom as Pikachu leaves Tim, believing he has let Harry down. Meanwhile, a sinister plan unfolds as Howard intends to use Mewtwo to manipulate Pokémon behavior, forcing a fusion of consciousness between humans and their Pokémon.

In a climactic showdown, Tim confronts the truth about Roger (Chris Geere) and the form of Ms. Norman, realizing that deception runs deep within Ryme City. As chaos reigns, Tim manages to thwart Howard’s malicious plan, allowing Mewtwo to regain control. The aftermath sees Howard arrested and Roger impressed by Lucy’s determination, culminating in a heartfelt reunion where Mewtwo discloses Harry’s fate—his consciousness now residing within Pikachu.

By the film’s end, Harry, restored and revived, offers Tim a choice: to return home or stay and pursue his dream of becoming a detective alongside him and Pikachu. Choosing the latter, Tim embraces his new life, filled with adventure and camaraderie in the heart of Ryme City.

Last Updated: November 04, 2024 at 01:19

Ending Explained – What Happens at the End of Pokémon Detective Pikachu?

Still wondering what the ending of Pokémon Detective Pikachu (2019) really means? Here’s a spoiler-heavy breakdown of the final scene, major twists, and the deeper themes that shape the film’s conclusion.

At the end of the film, a surprising revelation is uncovered: Harry Goodman, Tim’s father, was actually present all along in a hidden form. It turns out that Harry didn’t die in the car crash as everyone believed. Instead, he was fused with his Pokémon partner, Detective Pikachu, in a unique experiment orchestrated by Mewtwo, the powerful psychic Pokémon. After Harry was injured during a rescue attempt, Pikachu offered his own body to save him, and Mewtwo used its abilities to merge Harry’s consciousness with Pikachu’s. This fusion meant that Harry’s mind was alive inside Pikachu, which explained the unusual mannerisms and the way only Tim could understand Pikachu’s speech.

In the climax, Mewtwo explains that Harry’s consciousness is still part of Pikachu, and the whole process was part of a larger plan to evolve humans by merging them with Pokémon. Mewtwo’s ability to fuse humans and Pokémon was granted through the R gas, created from Mewtwo’s DNA, which caused Pokémon to lose control but also allowed for the exchange of minds. The villain, Howard Clifford, had been experimenting with this for his own benefits, partly driven by his obsession with evolution and power.

The film concludes with Harry’s fusion dissolving, returning him to his human form, while Pikachu, now seemingly without memory of being Harry, remains with Tim. In a clever twist, it is revealed that the voice of “Detective Pikachu” was actually Ryan Reynolds, who also plays Harry Goodman, hinting that the two are one and the same. As the story closes, Tim chooses to stay in Ryme City with his father instead of leaving, aspiring to become a Pokémon detective himself, leaving the story open for potential future adventures where the remnants of Mewtwo’s powers and the possibility of more fused humans and Pokémon could play a role again. The ending leaves viewers pondering the implications of human and Pokémon merging, with Mewtwo still alive and capable of doing more in future stories.

Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:59

Unlock the Full Story of Pokémon Detective Pikachu

Don't stop at just watching — explore Pokémon Detective Pikachu in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Pokémon Detective Pikachu is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Pokémon Detective Pikachu Timeline

Track the full timeline of Pokémon Detective Pikachu with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Pokémon Detective Pikachu Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Pokémon Detective Pikachu

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Pokémon Detective Pikachu. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Pokémon Detective Pikachu

Pokémon Detective Pikachu Ending Explained

What really happened at the end of Pokémon Detective Pikachu? This detailed ending explained page breaks down final scenes, hidden clues, and alternate interpretations with expert analysis and viewer theories.

Pokémon Detective Pikachu Ending Explained

More About Pokémon Detective Pikachu

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Pokémon Detective Pikachu: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Pokémon Detective Pikachu