Pokémon is coming to Universal theme parks, just as we have been hearing.
A new long-term partnership announced between The Pokémon Company and Universal Studios Japan to bring the popular franchise to theme parks was officially announced this morning.
According to the official press release, Universal seeks to “immerse guests into the world of Pokémon with innovative technology and creativity beginning in 2022.”
While there’s no word yet on Pokémon coming to Universal Orlando, it’s a safe bet given that Epic Universe has room for expansion next to Super Nintendo World.
Mickey should be losing some sleep over this. Pokémon is the highest-grossing media franchise of all time. Coupled with Super Mario and friends, Universal adding Pikachu to their parks could help to knock Disney out of the top spot for themed entertainment.
Here’s the complete press release from Universal PR…
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS JAPAN AND THE POKÉMON COMPANY ANNOUNCE CREATIVE ALLIANCE TO DEVELOP NEW INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT COMBINING INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY AND EXTRAORDINARY CREATIVITY THE REAL AND VIRTUAL WORLDS WILL COME TOGETHER CREATING A NEW REVOLUTIONARY THEME PARK EXPERIENCE OSAKA (October 6, 2021) – USJ LLC (headquarters: Konohana-ku, Osaka-shi / President and CEO: J.L. Bonnier) and The Pokémon Company (headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo / President and CEO: Tsunekazu Ishihara) announced a new collaborative partnership between the two entertainment leaders. Universal Studios Japan and The Pokémon Company will enter a long-term partnership to jointly explore groundbreaking entertainment that will immerse guests into the world of Pokémon with innovative technology and creativity beginning in 2022. President and CEO of USJ LLC, J.L. Bonnier, and President and CEO of The Pokémon Company, Tsunekazu Ishihara, both commented on the joint partnership as follows. J.L. Bonnier (President and CEO, USJ LLC) “Pokémon is beloved by fans around the world. We are honored to have a long-term partnership with The Pokémon Company while developing groundbreaking Pokémon entertainment at Universal Studios Japan for both Pokémon fans and our guests. The globally popular Pokémon characters combined with Universal’s innovative approach to creating authentic and one-of-a-kind theme park entertainment promise excitement for the entire family. Our efforts to develop new guest experiences will continue to help reinvigorate the tourism market.” Tsunekazu Ishihara (President and CEO, The Pokémon Company) “The incredible team at Universal Studios Japan have the creative vision and leading expertise in world-class theme park technology to imagine a uniquely Pokémon experience. For 25 years, Pokémon has curated a legacy of trendsetting innovation while becoming one of the most beloved entertainment brands in the world through video games, animation, and more. This strategic alliance with Universal Studios Japan reflects our commitment to continue delivering the joy of Pokémon in ever evolving ways for years to come. We are looking forward to the day when we can welcome fans from around the world to all enjoy it together.” About Universal Studios Japan Universal Studios Japan is wholly owned by Comcast NBCUniversal. Universal Studios Japan located in Osaka, Japan, has succeeded in establishing its position as a prominent entertainment and leisure landmark drawing many guests from distant areas in Japan as well as overseas. “Bringing You the Best of the World” – a theme park where its guests can have the world’s best experiences and create the world’s best memories, Universal Studios Japan offers world-class entertainment such as authentic attractions and shows, based not only on Hollywood blockbusters but also popular entertainment brands, and a variety of seasonal events entertaining its guests to the fullest. Universal Studios Japan has continued to evolve since its opening and has recently accelerated its growth with the launch of world-class entertainment experiences such as The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, The Flying Dinosaur, Minion Park and SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, a new area where you can enjoy entertainment based on world-renowned Nintendo characters and their worlds. COVID-19 Precautions The health and safety of guests and team members will always be top priority at Universal Studios Japan. USJ has continuously engaged with the industry and various associations to establish and update the “Novel Coronavirus Spread Prevention Guidelines for Theme Parks and Amusement Parks.” Please check the official website (https://www.usj.co.jp/web/ja/ About The Pokémon Company Pokémon was launched in Japan in 1996 as a video game franchise and has grown to become one of the most popular entertainment properties in the world. The Pokémon Company was established in 1998 to manage all aspects of the Pokémon brand. Today, Pokémon delights millions of fans around the world with video games and mobile apps, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, animation, movies, events, merchandise, Pokémon Center retail experiences, and more. Corporate Website: https://corporate.pokemon.co. ### |
Well, there it is. Color us surprised.
Now, will that Legend of Zelda rumor also come to pass?
Pirates & Princesses (PNP) is an independent, opinionated fan-powered news blog that covers Disney and Universal Theme Parks, Themed Entertainment and related Pop Culture from a consumer's point of view. Opinions expressed by our contributors do not necessarily reflect the views of PNP, its editors, affiliates, sponsors or advertisers. PNP is an unofficial news source and has no connection to The Walt Disney Company, NBCUniversal or any other company that we may cover.