Pokémon World Championships 2023 in Yokohama
Take a look back at all the great events that we saw at this year's Pokémon World Championships!
For the first time in the history of the Pokémon World Championships, this annual event has finally made it back “home” to the origin of the series in Japan. Taking place August 8-14 in Yokohama, spectators from around the world gathered to revel in a multitude of events and games throughout a week jam-packed with Pokémon fun. Let’s take a brief look at all the amazing sights and scenes from the Pokémon World Championships 2023 in Yokohama.
The Pokémon World Championship is an annual esports event held in August, organized by Play! Pokémon since 2004. This year, however, not only was this the first time the event was held Asia but also the first time for it to be hosted in Japan. Perhaps it’s a clear sign of what a global phenomenon the franchise as a whole has become. Although Japan had never been part of the World Championships before, compounded with the announcement in 2020 regarding the exit of Asia from the participating regions, this year’s events managed to give all fans something magical to remember.
© 2023 Pokémon. TM, © Nintendo.
Events
Pokémon Matsuri Park
A festive Japanese styled summer festival, or matsuri, was held in Rinko Park with many stalls called yatai where fans could get some yummy snacks or play various games from the series such as “Magikarp Fishing” and “Poké Ball Throw”. As musical arrangements from the games played, fans could take part in a traditional Japanese summer dance, the Bon Odori.
We Move!!
A large stage was erected in the center of Rinko Park for a spectacular laser light show with hundreds of drones lighting up the sky with colorful Pokémon. You could see many Pikachus dancing at this event.
Imagination! Into the Next!!
Taking place at Yokohama’s historic Red Brick Warehouse, this event was full of colorful light show with splash effects and projection mapping.
Pikachu Gathering!!
One of the most anticipated events is certainly the march of many Pikachus through Yokohama’s Grand Mall Park
Let’s Celebrate! The Pokémon Parade!!
The final day of events included a massive parade with Pikachu, Sprigatito, Fuecoco, Quaxly and many rare Pokémon.
Pokémon Trainer Cruise
The luxury cruise ship NIPPON MARU hosted the Pokémon Trainer Cruise event in which trainers from all over the world were able to gather and play Pokémon Scarlet or Pokémon Violet on the Nintendo Switch™ or enjoy card battles with the Pokémon Trading Card Game. Although guests were able to climb aboard the ship, it remained docked next to the Hammerhead complex.
The NIPPON MARU vessel is a cruise liner operated by MOL Group, offering cruises varying in length, ports of call, and theme. Cruises range from short there-and-back trips around Japan while others are lengthier overseas trips. The ship is fitted with 199 guest cabins, and each floor has a restaurant, lounge, theater, main hall, swimming pool, and other facilities. You can read more about the ship and its cruises here.
Pokégenic
For anyone just walking about Yokohama, you might unexpectedly come across some Pokémon art and displays hidden around the city. These spots are excellent to take a quick photo and share them with friends and family. Locations include MARK IS Minatomirai, Queen’s Square Yokohama, Yokohama Cosmoworld, Yokohama Hammerhead, Marine & Walk Yokohama, Yokohama World Porters, Navios Yokohama, NIPPON MARU Memorial Park, and Landmark Plaza.
Pokémon Activity Zone
PACIFICO Yokohama hosted Pokémon Video Games, the Trading Card Game and various other activities. The area included the 2023 Pokémon World Championships Live Streaming Area, “Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet” Play Area, the Pokémon Play Lab, “Pokémon GO” Quiz Rally, “Pokémon UNITE” Play Area, and more.
© FirePress Japan.
Announcements
Pokémon Trading Card Game: New game mechanics announced
The Pokémon Company group revealed the addition of new Ancient and Future Pokémon & ACE SPEC cards for the Pokémon Trading Card Game during the closing ceremonies on August 13, which will be releasing later this fall. Ancient and Future Pokémon additions include Roaring Moon ex, Iron Valiant ex, and as well as rare versions of Brute Bonnet and Iron Moth. Additionally, first introduced in the Black & White Series, the ACE SPEC cards will see the return to Standard format in 2023. Stay tuned for future updates.
Pokémon Scarlet / Violet – New details for The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC
During the closing ceremonies, it was revealed that first partner Pokémon from past titles in the primary series will appear in The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero Part 2: The Indigo Disk for both Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet. It is here in the Terarium, a facility that re-creates a variety of biomes where many Pokémon live and thrive in their respective environments, in which trainers can enter into battle with these Pokémon in hopes to recruiting them to their team. Lastly, a nineteenth Tera Type as well as connectivity with Pokémon HOME were also announced.
© FirePress Japan.
More Announcements
Pokémon Unite
Three new Pokémon, Blaziken, Mimikyu, and Meowscarada, will be added to the Pokémon Unite roster. Blaziken will be added on September 14 with the others to be released at a later date.
“Pokémon: Path to the Peak” animated series
During a special screening at the 2023 Pokémon World Championships on August 11, The Pokémon Company International debuted “Pokémon: Path to the Peak”, a new animated series in which viewers will follow Ava and her partner Pokémon, Oddish, on their journey to become Pokémon Trading Card Game World Champions. The first episode is currently available on the official Pokémon YouTube channel.
2024 World Championships in Honolulu & Wildfire Relief Donation for Hawaii
During the closing ceremony on Sunday, the 2024 Pokémon World Championships was announced to be held in Honolulu, Hawaii.
As a means to support relief efforts in lieu of the multiple devastating wildfires on Maui, vice president of Premier Events at The Pokémon Company International, Colin Palmer, announced that “The Pokémon Company is making an immediate monetary donation of $200,000 to its partners at GlobalGiving through their Hawaii Wildfire Relief Fund.”
The Pokémon Company International will also be matching employee donations to the Hawaii wildfire relief efforts.
Additional information on GlobalGiving’s relief efforts can be found here.
About Pokémon
The Pokémon Company International, a subsidiary of The Pokémon Company in Japan, manages the property outside of Asia and is responsible for brand management, licensing and marketing, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, the animated TV series, home entertainment, and the official Pokémon website. Pokémon was launched in Japan in 1996 and today is one of the most popular children’s entertainment properties in the world. For more information, visit www.pokemon.com.
About Nintendo
Nintendo Co., Ltd., headquartered in Kyoto, Japan, has created franchises that have become household names worldwide, including Mario™, Donkey Kong™, The Legend of Zelda™, Metroid™, Pokémon™, Animal Crossing™, Pikmin™ and Splatoon™, through its integrated hardware and software products. Nintendo aims to deliver unique, intuitive entertainment experiences for everyone, manufacturing and marketing video game devices such as the Nintendo Switch™ family of systems, developing and operating applications for smart devices, and collaborating with partners on a range of other entertainment initiatives like visual content and theme parks. Nintendo has sold more than 5.4 billion video games and over 800 million hardware units globally. From the launch of the Nintendo Entertainment System™ more than 30 years ago, through today and into the future, Nintendo’s continuing mission is to create unique entertainment that puts smiles on the faces of people all over the world. A wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo’s operations in the Americas. For more information about Nintendo, please visit the company’s website at https://www.nintendo.com.