Future Connection

Future Connection (Japanese: 未来コネクション Mirai Connection) is the third Japanese opening theme of Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon. It debuted in SM061, replacing Alola!!. It was replaced by Your Adventure in SM091.
==Opening animation==
===Synopsis===
The opening begins with a low camera view of and running along the beach. Their footprints are quickly washed away as a wave rolls in. It then cuts to scenes of the clouds quickly rolling over the island and of two running through a lush jungle with a nearby. Finally, the sun rises over the ocean and the series logo appears.
 is shown in a world of darkness until it notices a beam of light. The next shot shows Poipole racing through an Ultra Wormhole which eventually leads it to Alola. Poipole is then seen exploring multiple lights in its new world, such as a traffic light and a lantern, until it collapses on the roof of the Pokémon School, where it looks up to see Ash and having a battle. It becomes engrossed in the light from Pikachu's . It rushes towards Ash and Pikachu in excitement, who turn around and greet it with a smile.
Ash, , and their Pokémon are shown excitedly heading towards the Pokémon School, but then turn around to the camera and cheer. Ash and his classmates are then seen heading up an elevator and take off on their Ride Pokémon as the Ultra Guardians. They find themselves in front of several Ultra Beasts, who menacingly look down on them. Despite the threat, the Ultra Guardians are full of confidence as their Pokémon all cheer. The next scene is a series of colored sketches of Ash, his classmates, , , , , and their respective Pokémon. Finally, Ash and his classmates are seen at the Pokémon School, where they watch the sunset, as and its flock fly by.
===Characters===
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* Jessie
* James
* 
* 
* 
* Harper and Sarah
====Pokémon====
* ()
* ()
* ()
* ()
* ()
* (; )
* (; SM061-SM063)
* (; SM064-SM090)
* ()
* ()
* (; Ride Pokémon)
* ()
* (; Alolan form)
* ('s; Alolan form; Snowy)
* ()
* ()
* (; SM061-SM082)
* (; SM083-SM090)
* ()
* ()
* ('s)
* ()
* (; )
* ()
* ()
* (; ×5; four recurring)
* ()
* ()
* (Ride Pokémon)
* (Ride Pokémon)
* (Ride Pokémon)
* (Ride Pokémon)
* (Ride Pokémon)
* (×2)
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
==Lyrics==
===TV size===
! Japanese
! English
|-
| lang="ja" | <ab>Oh oh! Let's go!!
Oh oh!
Oh oh!
</ab>
| <ab>Oh oh! Let's go!!
The light beaming through is the starting signal
I want to change something, so I dashed on without a thought
Wandering alone into this world
But I've found it, a piece of the dream that I've been looking for
I choose you!
Future connection, let's start from a new today
Oh oh!
Going ultra, the sky clears with vibrant colors
Future connection, it feels tense but that's cool
Oh oh!
If we join our hands, look at how brilliantly you shine
Bright like the sun, I love you</ab>
|}
|}
===Full version===
! Japanese
! English
|-
| lang="ja" | <ab>Oh oh!
Let's go!!
 Oh oh!
 Oh oh!
</ab>
|<ab>Oh oh!
Let's go!!
The light beaming through is the starting signal
These tiny palms holding on tight
A ticklish heart stuffed into the bag
I want to change something, so I dashed on without a thought
Wandering alone into this world
But I've found it, a piece of the dream that I've been looking for
I choose you!
Future connection, let's start from a new today, oh oh!
Going ultra, the sky clears with vibrant colors
Future connection, it feels tense but that's cool, oh oh!
If we join our hands, look at how brilliantly you shine
As long as I breathe and never turn back
We'll get there, but we're still at the starting line
The road continues on from here, so relax
Our dreams are endless
Because you're here
Future connection, let's explore the unknown world
It's a miracle, the sky clears with vibrant colors
Future connection, it's alright if you stumble and fall
If we join our hands, look at how brilliantly you shine
On the way to our dreams, but what's ahead is still unknown
But to be honest, I'm scared
Important friends and important times
Seem to pass by and disappear
Our dreams seem to always be so far away
Can we still go? Someday
From here on out, I want to laugh with you
Future connection, I'm so glad to have met you
Let's head on to the unexplored tomorrow!
Future connection, let's start from a new today
Going ultra, the sky clears with vibrant colors
Future connection, it feels tense but that's cool
Anytime, look at how brilliantly you shine
Bright like the sun, I love you</ab>
|}
|}
==Opening animation spoilers==
* catches a .
==Variants==
# SM061 - SM063: The original animation.
# SM064 - SM082: 's is now shown as a .
# SM083 - SM090: 's is now shown as a .
===Gallery===
Group Shout Scene
OPJ22 Variant 1 Group Pan Mallow.png|The group pan scene in the chorus, focusing on Mallow and Steenee (SM061-SM082)
OPJ22 Variant 3 Group Pan Mallow.png|The group pan scene in the chorus, focusing on Mallow and Tsareena (SM083-SM090)
OPJ22 Variant 1 Group Shot.png|Ash and in the chorus (SM061-SM082)
OPJ22 Variant 3 Group Shot.png|Ash and his classmates in the chorus, with Steenee replaced with Tsareena (SM083-SM090)
Ultra Guardians dispatch
OPJ22 Variant 1 Guardians Elevator.png|The Ultra Guardians riding the base's elevator (SM061-SM082)
OPJ22 Variant 3 Guardians Elevator.png|The Ultra Guardians riding the base's elevator, with Steenee replaced with Tsareena (SM083-SM090)
OPJ22 Variant 1 Guardians Launch.png|Ash and Pikachu taking off on a Ride (SM061-SM082)
OPJ22 Variant 3 Guardians Launch.png|Ash and Pikachu taking off, with Steenee replaced with Tsareena (SM083-SM090)
OPJ22 Variant 1 Guardians Mallow Ride.png|Mallow and Steenee riding a Ride (SM061-SM082)
OPJ22 Variant 3 Guardians Mallow Ride.png|Mallow and Tsareena riding a Ride Flygon (SM083-SM090)
Ultra Guardians' Pokémon
OPJ22 Variant 1 Ash Guardians.png|Ash's Pokémon in their Ultra Guardian gear (SM061-SM063)
OPJ22 Variant 2 Ash Guardians.png|Ash's Pokémon, with Litten replaced with (SM064-SM090)
OPJ22 Variant 1 Girls Guardians.png|Snowy, , and Steenee in their Ultra Guardian gear (SM064-SM063)
OPJ22 Variant 2 Girls Guardians.png|Snowy, Popplio, and Steenee, with Torracat in the background (SM064-SM082)
OPJ22 Variant 3 Girls Guardians.png|Snowy, Popplio, and Tsareena (SM083-SM090)
Colored sketches
OPJ22 Variant 1 Ash Party.png|Ash's Pokémon (SM061-SM063)
OPJ22 Variant 2 Ash Party.png|Ash's Pokémon, with Litten replaced with Torracat (SM064-SM090)
OPJ22 Variant 1 Mallow Party.png|Mallow and Steenee (SM061-SM082)
OPJ22 Variant 3 Mallow Party.png|Mallow and Tsareena (SM083-SM090)
Sunset
OPJ22.png|Ash and his friends watching the sunset (SM061-SM082)
OPJ22 2.png|Ash and his friends watching the sunset, with Tsareena (SM083-SM090)
==Staff==
StoryboardUnit Director	
*	
* 冨安大貴
Animation Director 	
*	
* 中野悟史
Key Animation 	
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
*	
* 松原徳弘
* 酒井裕未
* 大橋藍人
* 西谷泰史
* 吉野真一
* 村上李香
* 村田理
* 難波功
* 秋山泰彦
* 安田周平
* 宮田忠明
* 香月麻衣子
* 今西亨
* 山崎玲愛
==Trivia==
===Errors===
* In the original variant of this opening, during the elevator scene, Sophocles's Charjabug is depicted without irises.
* Despite being replaced by in other scenes, Mallow's Steenee still appears on the sidelines during the scene where watches and battle.
* Several scenes where Mallow's Tsareena appears portray it with white arms.
OPJ22 Variant 3 Group Pan Mallow.png|Tsareena's white arms
==Related articles==
Category:Japanese opening themes
es:OPJ21
fr:Future Connection
it:Mirai connection
ja:未来コネクション
zh:未來連結