In celebration of the festive season in India, The Pokémon Company (TPC) unveiled a special Indian look for Pikachu. The male Pikachu sports a stylish navy-blue kurta with a beige vest, while the female Pikachu is clad in a pink saree. Expected to appear on special occasions, the traditionally attired Pikachu is part of a campaign titled ‘Pokémon Festivities’. The announcement was made at an event attended by media, social media personalities, and Pokémon enthusiasts in Mumbai.
Pikachu’s attire has a clear Indian influence, with the Mago Berry pattern, resembling India’s national fruit, the mango. The design also incorporates the Poké Ball motif that is well-known among Pokémon fans. These subtle yet meaningful details celebrate India’s cultural richness and align with Pokémon’s iconic identity. With its new look, Pikachu will appear in various initiatives scheduled over the coming months, including special in-game events in Pokémon GO.
One such initiative is the launch of a limited-edition Pokémon Festivities Gift Box, developed by Yakult Danone India Pvt. Ltd. These gift boxes, featuring Pikachu in a saree and kurta, are offered to customers who purchase four sets of five Yakult bottles. Priced affordably between INR 336 and INR 400 depending on the flavor combinations, this offering will be available until October 31, 2024 across urban metros such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore. Beyond retail stores, over 250 Yakult ladies across India will deliver these gift boxes directly to customers’ doorsteps.
As part of the ongoing campaign, TPC has also introduced the ‘Pokémon Festivities’ GIF sticker collection. This set of 10 animated GIF stickers features Pikachu in its new look, portraying a range of fun expressions, some of which take inspiration from gestures commonly seen in India. Created to enhance users’ communication experiences by adding a festive and playful touch to their interactions, these stickers will be accessible until January 15, 2025 on various social media platforms.
Additionally, the Indian attired Pikachu can be seen in a dance video on Pokémon Kids TV starting October 16, 2024. The video also features Mayo Japan and Kaketaku, who are popular Japanese influencers in India. The choreography of the song effectively combines Indian and Japanese dance steps to create a fun vibe. People can tune in to the Pokémon Kids TV YouTube Channel to watch Pikachu in action in its new outfit.
Pokémon Mela, an exciting and captivating on-ground activation is also being planned for fans to see Pikachu in its new look in-person from December 6-8, 2024 at Phoenix Marketcity, Vimannagar, Pune. This event offers fans a vibrant fest-like experience with mini games, stage shows, gift campaigns, photo spots and other interactive activities. Visitors can enjoy engaging with and taking pictures with Pikachu in its new look, while immersing themselves in the world of Pokémon.
Expressing enthusiasm about the launch Susumu Fukunaga, Corporate Officer at The Pokémon Company, said, “Over the years, Pikachu has grown to become incredibly loved and cherished across the globe, including India. With the increasing interest and engagement from the Indian market, we wanted to create a special connection with our fans here. By presenting Pikachu in celebratory traditional attire, we aim to bring joy to everyone during the festivities. We hope that people will enjoy Pikachu’s new look, celebrate with us and feel a stronger bond with Pokémon.”
The excitement does not stop here as Niantic, the co-developer of Pokémon GO also announced the integration of Pikachu’s festive look in the game. Pokémon GO Trainers can experience this unique cultural celebration from November 1-4, 2024 in-game and engage with Pikachu in its Indian look. Trainers will not only be able to catch this Pikachu wearing a saree but can also expect a variety of bonuses.
Pokémon GO also announced celebrity couple Riteish and Genelia Deshmukh as its brand ambassadors. Known for their genuine connection and the strong family values they represent, the couple embodies the spirit of togetherness and joy that Pokémon GO aims to foster among its players.
Omar Tellez, vice-president, Niantic, Inc. added, “We are thrilled to introduce Pikachu’s Indian look into Pokémon GO. It embodies the vibrant spirit of India’s culture and reinforces our commitment to bringing innovative and unique ways for millions of Indian Trainers to enjoy Pokémon GO. To further celebrate the Festival of Lights this year, we have some exciting raids and in-app activities lined-up that give trainers the opportunity to enjoy cultural festivities in a fun and interactive way.”
With exciting events and in-game experiences lined up, this festive season promises to be a memorable one for Pokémon enthusiasts across the country.
