Pokémon's 25th Anniversary Celebration Will Involve New Cards, Merch and Katy Perry
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Pokémon franchise and some intel about the celebration has been revealed.
On Wednesday, the Pokémon Company International released the first details as to what it's planning for the Pokémon franchise in 2021, and it looks to be even bigger than fans expected. Before we run down all the specifics, check out this new trailer that celebrates 25 years of Pokémon.
P25 MUSIC
The most surprising piece of news from the 25th anniversary announcement is the partnership between Pokémon and Katy Perry. Yes, the pop icon will be the premier collaborator in bringing music to Pokémon fans all year long.
The Pokémon Company International is teaming up with Universal Music Group (UMG) to bring some of the biggest names in music—including Perry—on board for the program, titled P25 Music.
"Pokémon has been a constant in my life from playing the original video games on my Game Boy, to trading Pokémon TCG cards at lunch, to the adventures of catching Pokémon on the street with Pokémon GO. I've even visited the Pokémon Café in Japan while on tour! It is an honor to be chosen to help celebrate a franchise that has given me so much joy in the last 25 years, and to be able to watch it evolve in the ways it's provided that kind of electric joy for the kids in my life and around the world," Perry said in a press release.
Details about Katy Perry's participation, additional artist surprises and more about the P25 Music program will be announced throughout the year.
CELEBRATION OF POKEMON
The Pokémon Company is also ready to celebrate the many regions of the Pokémon world through a new hub that fans can enjoy.
Starting today, fans visit the new Pokémon 25 website that will serve as a hub for all of the year's activities as they're announced. The Galar region will be the first to get the spotlight as The Pokémon Company counts down to the Kanto region, where it all began.
POKEMON ANNIVERSARY PROGRAMS AND MERCHANDISE
The Pokémon Company is teaming up with brands throughout the year to bring the world of Pokémon to just about everywhere.
Collaborators include: Build-a-Bear Workshop, General Mills, Levis, McDonald's and more. Jazwares, Scholastic, Mattel, Funko, PowerA and The Wand Company are also expected to sell their own Pokémon anniversary merchandise throughout the year.
More partners will be announced throughout the year.
POKEMON ANNIVERSARY TRADING CARD GAME
The Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) is one of the cornerstones of the franchise and it wouldn't be a celebration without it.
Special 25th anniversary-themed collections of the Pokémon TCG are slated to drop later this year. However, fans will soon be able to collect oversize cards featuring Pikachu and other Starter Pokémon from the various regions.
The Pokémon Center website, the official shop for all things Pokémon, will also have special merchandise, including a special skateboard by Bear Walker that goes on sale starting January 19.
There is plenty more to come in 2021 that has yet to be announced, but Pokémon fans should keep an eye on their favorite games and the Pokémon anime as special announcements will be coming.
Are you excited for the Pokémon 25th anniversary? Let us know what your favorite aspect of the Pokémon franchise is—whether it's the games, anime or TCG—in the comments section.
