Detective Pikachu: Cases, Coffee And Attractive Women.

Benedict Cumberbatch, Michael Caine, John Cleese, Jeremy Brett, Basil Rathbone, Robert Downey Jr. Actors of the most revered calibre have all donned the legendary deerstalker belonging to the world’s foremost, yet only consultative detective Sherlock Holmes. Long time resident of 221b Baker Street, occupied by his civil partner John Watson and tenant/housekeeper Mrs “exposition” Hudson, this erstwhile sleuth is now portrayed with emphatic interpretation, by a diminutive yellow mouse with electrically conductive fur. Yes, a collaboration you didn’t even know you wanted. Sherlock Holmes will be portrayed by none other than versatile character actor that is Pikachu! Let’s just let that sink in for a second……….

“I’ll be the first to admit that Sherlock has never looked so adorable.”

Henceforth referred to as “Sherchu” the trailer for “Detective Pikachu”, displayed at this year’s super bowel half time show didn’t reveal much, but more information has been discovered and subsequently translated by Pokemon fan-site Serebii. According to the site players undertake the role of Tim, with your partner being detective Pikachu. As you travel around the city of “Rhyme” (without reason?) you’ll gather evidence by investigating specific locations across the city, using a magnifying glass to extract evidence pertinent to the case as well as conducting interviews with suspects, with Pikachu handling his own species. Most notably however is that Pikachu, usually afflicted with “expressive aphasia” whereby he/she expresses themselves with one word utterances is now endowed with an advanced vocabulary, allowing Pikachu to convey his/her detailed analysis on particularly investigations. Presumably Pikachu will speak with a posh British accent pontificating phrases like “You’ve been charged” or something. Though there’s already a petition to get Danny De Vito to voice the eponymous detective. Oh and “Sherchu” likes coffee and inviting attractive women round for tea. I kid you not! Evidently sanity is a relative term, largely influenced by your own perception of reality.

“The rough translation of this is presumably “get me more hallucinogenics!” 

This isn’t the first anthropomorphic portrayal of Holmes, with formative contributions from the likes of “Basil the great mouse detective” and “Sherlock Hound”. But this is the first time it’s been adapted into a world of such obscure distinctiveness. And credit to Nintendo for providing it’s fans with a game that we didn’t necessary require, and yet will still attract widespread appeal. Whether cases in the game will reflect the ones depicted in Conan Doyle’s original publishing’s remains to be seen, as I’d love “Sherchu” to battle wits with the nefarious Professor……Oak! Though from the information available and images we’ve seen, Pikachu’s Sherlockian appearance is more attributed to an embellished depiction of what a detective looks like rather than Holmes himself. Which is a shame when you consider how many of the classic novels, specifically there titles are ripe for creative interpretation, or more accurately satirical plagiarism. Including (and bare with me because I’ve been working hard on these) titles such as:

The Blue “Omanyte”.

The “Houndour” of the Baskervilles.

The Sign Of “The Elite” Four.

The Speckled “Fighting” Band.

The “Phanpy” With The Twisted Lip.

A Scandal In” Vermilion”.

Silver “Blaziken”.

I’ll stop now……”Detective Pikachu: Birth Of A New Duo”will be released in Japan on 3DS on February 3rd. No news yet on when it will see a release anywhere else.

Are you excited for this? Let me know what you think. Cheers as always.