>>32909648I'm not hoping for them to have a major influence on the movie, but for them to have established reasons for joining Ash besides that "he's an interesting guy with an interesting Pikachu".
Soji is going to be the infodump character since he's a researcher in training. He'll probably explain what the Alolamons are to Ash and new attacks/evolutions instead of Ash having to use a Pokedex.
Bonji will probably be used only to tell Ash and co about the legend of Ho-oh and Mt. Tensei. He'll probably expand on the Johto Dog trio during the exposition.
Joy will be used in a minor role, treating Pikachu after the Spearow attack which gives Ash and Makoto a chance to meet and to be the reason Team Rocket is named.
Cross is the main villain it appears, a rival to Ash and someone who wants to be the strongest. going so far as to fight Ho-oh.
Makoto though, she's the one I can't figure out. We really don't know enough about her at this point to guess what her role will be.
