Summary:

The first opening for the Pocket Monsters 2019 series made its debut as an ending during the first episode before transitioning to its normal broadcast position for the preceding episodes of the series. The song was produced by mafumafu from After the Rain with soraru×mafumafu performing the original version.

Variants:

Variant 1: After the Rain with soraru×mafumafu - PM2019 1 to PM2019 31
Variant 2: Nishikawa-kun and Kirisho - PM2019 32 to PM2019 49
Variant 3: Nogizaka46 Members Erika Ikuta and Sayuri Matsumu - PM2019 50 to PM2019 99
Variant 4: Rica Matsumoto and Daiki Yamashita - PM2019 100 to PM2019 135

Official Concept Art:

The official Japanese Anime PR Twitter account posted a tweet with 4 production artwork pieces and asked fans to identify the scenes they were from as part of their #AniPokeMania (#アニポケマニア) feature. The frame is from the battle between Go's Hibanny and Armorga just before the "Let's have a fight!" part in the lyrics.


On May 26th, 2020, the official Japanese Anime PR Twitter account posted a tweet with this artwork piece from the last scene of the opening. The tweet says: A side profile of #Go. With a clenched fist, he can only dream big and go on a journey of adventure! (りりしい #ゴウ の横顔 握った拳の中にあるのは大きな夢 そして冒険の旅にゴー!!)



On January 7th, 2021, the official Japanese Anime PR Twitter account posted a tweet revealing for the first time that a new opening would air during the January 8th, 2021 episode of Pocket Monsters. The tweet included two concept artwork pieces featuring Dande and Dande's Lizardon with interesting expressions!



On January 8th, 2021, the official Japanese Anime PR Twitter account posted a tweet announcing that there would be a new opening and showed the concept art of Lucario and Aceburn battling.



On February 25th, 2022, the official Japanese Anime PR Twitter account posted a tweet announcing that there would be a new opening variant and showed the concept art of Satoshi, Pikachu, Go, and Go's Sarunari.


On February 26th, 2022, the official Japanese Anime PR Twitter account posted a tweet showing production art of Chloe and Eievui from the 4th variant.


On February 27th, 2022, the official Japanese Anime PR Twitter account posted a tweet showing production art of the Sun and Moon characters in the 4th variant.


On February 28th, 2022, the official Japanese Anime PR Twitter account posted a tweet showing production art of Satoshi and his Pokémon in the 4th variant.


On March 1st, 2022, the official Japanese Anime PR Twitter account posted a tweet showing production art of Dande in the 4th variant.


On March 2nd, 2022, the official Japanese Anime PR Twitter account posted a tweet showing production art of Go and his main Pokémon in the 4th variant.

Cultural Reference:

This scene with Satoshi and the other main characters dancing funny is based off of Crayon Shin-chan: Pursuit of the Balls of Darkness - Movie #05 which who's Key Animation was done by Masaaki Yuasa (湯浅政明).


In the 4th variant, Regigigas has its hands on the rocks very similar in style to the artwork from Attack on Titan.

Notes:

The outfit that Koharu wears in the 4th variant is the same outfit that the main protagonist female wears during Pokémon Contests in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire.

YouTube Clip - Official Music Video

The official Mafumafu Channel YouTube account posted a full version music video of the song on November 17th, 2019.


On September 29th, 2020, the Takanori Nishikawa Official YouTube Channel posted the full version music video of 1・2・3 by Nishikawa-kun and Kirisho which was the second variant of the opening.

Live at TV Tokyo Music Festival Fall 2020 - September 30th, 2020

Nishikawa-kun and Kirisho performed 1・2・3 live as the 8th performance on TV Tokyo Music Festival Fall 2020 (テレ東音楽祭2020秋) which aired on September 30th, 2020.

Nogizaka46 Members Erika Ikuta and Sayuri Matsumura

On January 7th, 2021, the official Japanese Anime PR Twitter account posted a tweet revealing for the first time that a new opening that would air during the January 8th, 2021 episode of Pocket Monsters would feature Japanese idol girl group Nogizaka46 members Erika Ikuta and Sayuri Matsumura singing 1・2・3. The offical nogizaka46 Twitter account later that day posted a video of the two girls confirming the announcement and that they were looking forward to hearing viewers feedback using the hashtag #からあげ姉妹ゲットだぜ (#Let's Get Karaage Sisters).


On January 28th, 2021, the official Pocket Monsters Anime Twitter account posted a reaction video of Nogizaka46 Members Erika Ikuta and Sayuri Matsumura watching the completed opening video and they gave their comments about it.

Nogizaka46 Karaage Sisters "1, 2, 3" Music Video

The music video of "1・2・3", which is the opening theme of the popular TV animation Pocket Monsters featuring the Karaage sisters Erika Ikuta and Sayuri Matsumura from Nogizaka46, has finally been released! The single will be available to download on Friday, February 19th, 2021.

The video was shot in late January 2021 at Toshimaen, an amusement park in Nerima, Tokyo, Japan. The theme of the music video is the adventures of the Karaage sisters who came back after a long absence and "If we can meet Pikachu, we may be able to regain the facial expressions we've lost..."

They were excited to see Pikachu and said, "Cute! Cute!". They chatted with Pikachu a lot, and after the shooting, they were so happy to receive a monster ball-shaped cake to celebrate Ikuta's birthday! Also, the scene where they eat in the music video is also their actual lunch, and they really enjoyed it as their own meal!


In the personal PV of Erika Ikuta and Sayuri Matsumura, the "Karaage sisters" were born from the keywords: "No facial expression (表情がない)", "I like fried chicken (からあげが好き)" and "sisters (姉妹)". Video director Shigeru Tsukita, who directed at that time, also worked on this Music Video!! The costumes they wear are based on the girl scout/picnic girl who appears as an opponent in the Pokémon games.

Source: http://www.nogizaka46.com/news/2021/02/music-video-8.php

YouTube Clip - Karaage sisters (Erika Ikuta and Sayuri Matsumura from Nogizaka46) "1, 2, 3" PV

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThUatkJODZM

Variant 4 - Rica Matsumoto and Daiki Yamashita

On February 25th, 2022, the official Japanese anime Twitter account posted a teaser video of the 4th variant of １・２・３.

Starting Friday, March 4th, 2022, the opening for the Pocket Monsters anime will be renewed! Two artists will perform １・２・３, a song that has already been sung by many artists. The first part of the song has been released to celebrate Pokémon Day! Watch the next broadcast for the rest of the song!

3月4日（金）の放送から、アニメ「ポケットモンスター」のオープニングが新しくなるよ！さまざまなアーティストが歌い継いできた「１・２・３」を披露するのは、あの2人!?「Pokémon Day」を記念して冒頭部分が公開！続きは次回の放送を見てみてね！


Comments from Rica Matsumoto:
I've been waiting! I've been looking forward to my turn~♪♪♪ The story of the anime begins when the opening theme song is played! I think it's a magical song that brings you into the world of Pokémon and makes you smile just by listening to it.
I did my best to make everyone happy by ad-libbing harmonies for parts other than my own during the recording. It's been a long time since I've sang a duet. I hope everyone will join Satoshi and Go and will be full of energy.
Rica Matsumoto as Satoshi


Comments from Daiki Yamashita:
Since the beginning broadcast of the TV anime series of Pocket Monsters began, the songs "１・２・３" has been sung together by many different people. I always wondered who would sing the song next!? I was so excited to see who would sing next... But... But now a duet with Satoshi has arrived! I'm so happy!
Anyway, I had a lot of fun singing with Satoshi so you can imagine me singing with him at a karaoke! Let's go one, two, three toward our dreams!
Daiki Yamashita as Go

PokéDoko 37 - Rica Matsumoto and Daiki Yamashita Sing Live

Voice actors Rica Matsumoto and Daiki Yamashita sang the opening song live during PokéDoko 37 which aired on December 11th, 2022.

Episodes: