The Pokémon phenomenon never dies. Nor does it fade away. Just a few years after the Pokémon craze came and supposedly went, it’s still going strong. So much so that it now has its own day. Get to know all about Pokémon Day 2024 - what has been announced so far and what fans are expecting to see as we get closer to “Gotta catch them all!” day.
Get ready to celebrate with authentic Pokémon cards, merchandise, and more from official Pokémon stores. Sign up with forward2me, get a free shipping address, and start shopping exclusive items at the biggest Pokémon retailers. Stock up on cards, plushies, figurines, pins, clothing, and even home decor. Or why not a new video game? However you decide to celebrate this year, there are no limits to the ways you can treat yourself or the Pokémon geek in your life.
Since 2016, Pokémon Day has been celebrated every year on February 27. This is the date on which in 1996 the first Pokémon video games - Pokémon Red and Pokémon Green, were launched in Japan. They introduced players to the concept of battling and trading Pokémon by connecting their GameBoy devices.
As a result, a community of fans known as Trainers was created, which would grow into one of the world's most beloved entertainment franchises. Since then, Trainers around the world come together to celebrate their love for the brand on February 27, better known as Pokémon Day.
Anticipation is mounting for this year's Pokemon Presents event. Since mid-January, rumors have been swirling about a potential new Pokémon remake making its way to the Nintendo Switch. Speculations range from a remake of Pokémon Black & White, originally released on the Nintendo DS, to a reimagination of Pokémon Gold & Silver akin to the style of Pokémon Let’s Go. The notion isn't far-fetched, given the pattern of releases in recent years, often featuring remakes between mainline installments.
While there's no buzz surrounding it, the prospect of a new installment in the Pokémon Legends sub-series would be a pleasant surprise. Considering the recent DLC, it's reasonable to anticipate special Pokémon distributions for Pokémon Scarlet & Violet.
During the August presentation, Pokémon unveiled additions to the Nintendo Switch Online service, including Pokémon Stadium 2 for Nintendo 64 and Pokémon Trading Card Game for GameBoy. Although unexpected, fans eagerly hope for more Pokémon titles to grace this platform, even if they're spin-offs, reminiscent of the announcement of Detective Pikachu Returns during the previous reveal.
Regarding smartphone titles, updates for Pokémon GO, Pokémon Unite, Pokémon Masters EX, or Pokémon Café Remix can't be ruled out. The possibility of an update for Pokémon Sleep remains open, considering its introduction just last year. Temporary events tied to these games are also anticipated.
Pokemon TCG enthusiasts can look forward to a new set release, accompanied by a Ceruledge promo card for the occasion.
In the realm of animations, The Pokémon Company has been busy. At the last Pokémon Presents event preceding the Pokémon World Championships, they unveiled Pokémon Paldean Winds animations and offered a sneak peek of Pokémon Horizons The Series. Notably, Pokémon has been increasingly active in raids lately, exemplified by Pokémon: Path to the Peak, an animation linked to its Trading Card Game.
In the early days of the Pokémon Day festivities, some commemorative offerings were in line with the franchise. During that time, it wasn't surprising to find exclusive versions of the 2DS and 3DS (Nintendo's then-popular handheld consoles), all of which were Pokémon-themed and even came with copies of the original Red and Blue preloaded.
A movie marathon is also offered, running through all the Pokémon movies released at the time. The festivities ended with a live broadcast announcing the release of Pokémon Sun and Moon, introducing the 7th generation of Pokémon, and paying homage to a lot of history in the franchise.
The following Pokémon Day celebrations for 2017 and 2018 weren’t as grand as the year before, as no major games or projects were announced. Like the first celebration in 2016, the merchandise was released that commemorated the franchise as a whole.
In a similar vein, movies and episodes from the anime were streamed and marathon for anyone to watch at their leisure, with the Pokémon’s TCG (Trading Card Game) getting more attention this time around with several events that gave its players goodies for participating in them.
During the celebration of Pokémon’s 23rd anniversary, Pokémon fans were treated to several announcements coming from The Pokémon Company. One of the first significant announcements and treats that were given out during Pokémon Day 2019 was the new trailer release of Detective Pikachu, the live-action Pokémon movie.
During the celebration of Pokémon’s 23rd anniversary, Pokémon fans were treated to several announcements coming from The Pokémon Company. One of the first significant announcements and treats that were given out during Pokémon Day 2019 was the new trailer release of Detective Pikachu, the live-action Pokémon movie.
The succeeding Pokémon Day celebrations following the celebration in 2019, Pokémon Day celebrations for 2020 and 2021 were very similar to those back in 2017 and 2018. One of the major announcements that many fans would remember was back in 2020 when a new mythical Pokémon, Zarude, was announced.
Along with Zarude’s announcement, it was also revealed that this same Pokémon would play a major role in the series’ upcoming movie, Secrets of the Jungle. The Zarude featured in this film is called “Dada Zarude” on the account that it adopted and took care of a human Ash meets later in the film.
Pokémon Masters Ex was also given attention during this time as the game was reaching its 6 months anniversary (for the year 2020), which featured the original protagonist, Red, making an appearance with his Charizard.
A similar event occurred for the game’s 1.5 anniversary in the next Pokémon Day celebration in the year 2021, which also features an event called P25 Music, featuring songs from different artists themed around Pokémon.
Lastly, the 2021 celebration of Pokémon Day also announced the release of its new set of games focused on the 4th generation with Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl alongside Pokémon Legends: Arceus.
The most recent celebration of Pokémon Day, which followed the franchise’s 26th anniversary, has become more streamlined as it follows a general formula that the past few celebrations followed.
Announcements to Pokémon’s ongoing games like Pokémon Masters, Pokémon Go, and Pokémon Unite were made. The first of the three was nearing its 2.5 anniversary, and the latter was introducing a new Pokémon into the roster, Hoopa.
During this time, a trailer for the series’ next entry and generation was made, making way for the reveal of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet and the trio of starters with Quaxly, Fuecoco, and Sprigatito.
Last year, The Pokémon Company International commemorated the original essence of connectivity that has been integral since the inception of the Pokémon games by launching the "Pokémon Together" campaign, which spanned throughout 2023. To kick off this initiative, they organized "Celebrate Pokémon Together" on Pokémon Day, inviting Trainers worldwide to share their affection for the franchise by posting photos and videos and reminiscing about their favorite memories on social media platforms.
During the festivities, The Pokémon Company International unveiled exciting releases and updates. They introduced Pokémon Concierge, a captivating stop-motion series slated for a late 2023 debut, with a subsequent announcement of its second season. Additionally, they provided updates for Nintendo Switch and smartphone games, further enriching the gaming experience for Pokémon enthusiasts globally. This celebration encapsulated the enduring spirit of community and camaraderie that has characterized the Pokémon universe since its inception.
From the beautiful animation of TV shows, movies and video games, the magical world of Pokémon has been praised by fans all over the world. This franchise is a sensation like no other, with its enduring fanbase going all out in a day with their costumes, themed sessions, viewing parties, and Pokémon sessions.
The Pokémon Online community is incredibly active on this day. They host discussions and role-plays, showcasing Pokémon they've caught on Pokémon Go and screenshots of their battles online. The Pokémon Movie Marathon also happens, and the media usually releases exciting news about the future of the franchise.
However you decide to celebrate this year's Pokémon Day, whether you think it's finally time to start your own Pokémon cards collection or you're looking for the newest releases at the official Pokémon centers, forward2me will help you get your hands on the items you're seeking. Sign up today for a free shopping address and explore the world of Pokémon at the leading global retailers.
