A feature-length documentary that aims to follow the world's best Pokémon players is currently seeking funds on Kickstarter. Virginia Tech sophomore and two-time U.S. National Champion Wolfe Glick is spearheading To Be the Very Best, which is seeking $50,000 in funding.
In the video pitch, which you can watch above, Pokémon players discuss competition and the hang-ups associated with the video game series. To Be the Very Best will feature champions such as Ray Rizzo and Aaron Zheng.
"These top competitors go beyond merely beating the Elite 4 and completing their Pokédexes by testing their skills against the best the world has to offer in official Pokémon tournaments," the campaign reads.
" ... We will begin by taking an inside look at players from all corners of the globe and showing that they are more complex than the label of 'gamer' would suggest — that behind their screen names are real people who began their journeys by spending hours walking on virtual grass like any other kid growing up."
The documentary will also follow its players to the Pokémon Video Game World Championships, where they'll "go head-to-head to earn the right to be called the very best player on the planet."
Glick is joined by director Dan Karlok, a two-time Emmy Award-winner, director and cinematographer whose work includes directing for Law & Order and several documentaries, as well as former NBC Universal executive Bob Okun in an advisor and producer role. Also loosely attached to the film is Matt Weaver, producer of the Broadway show Rock of Ages and executive producer on Jiro Dreams of Sushi. Glick told Polygon that Weaver's level of advising is dependent on his availability and a busy schedule.
Speaking with Polygon via email, Karlok said he was drawn to the project because of the people involved.
"I walked into this not knowing much about the Pokémon gaming world," he said. "I had my preconceived notions; boy was I wrong! I'm impressed by the people I've interviewed; how smart, how friendly, how talented they are."
To Be the Very Best ends its campaign on June 20. At the time of this writing, over $8,000 of its goal has been raised.
