Universal Studios Japan and Pokémon are coming together in newer ways
Universal Destinations & Experiences and The Pokémon Company have announced that they are expanding their partnership with brand new experiences coming to Universal Studios Japan in the future. What are they? Who knows.
All that has been said for the new experiences is this:
plan to offer more innovative, immersive, and world-class Pokémon experiences. The project is part of Universal Studios Japan’s ongoing effort to enhance its offerings and bring fan-first, trip-driving characters to the park.
“Since announcing our long-term alliance in 2021, we have collaborated with Universal Studios Japan to produce authentic Pokémon experiences such as the NO LIMIT! Parade and Halloween shows. As Pokémon celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, we are thrilled to launch this new project at such a significant milestone. Our mission is to enrich both the real and virtual worlds through Pokémon, and with this project, we aim to create theme park entertainment that surprises and delights fans around the globe.”
This is not the first time the two have aligned, as they have been in the park via the No Limit! Parade, which you can watch further below. They also have had special variants of Pokémon in the park at Halloween time. They have also sold exclusive merch that even the Pokémon Center in Osaka, about 25 minutes away from the park does not sell. I took the below photos when I was there in 2023.
What makes the news more exciting is that the news is not just for Japan, but other parks globally. There are currently 5 Universal Resorts globally, with two more under construction. The park locations are:
Hollywood
Orlando
Japan
Singapore
Beijing
There is a special park being built in Texas, USA for Kids, called Universal Kids and will be aimed at 12 and under. This park will feature Trolls, Shrek, Minions, Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous and Gabby’s Dollhouse. You can learn more about that here. The 7th major park is currently under very early construction, as in the land is not fully cleared yet and is Universal Studios Great Britain, name not confirmed.
There have been rumours for Pokémon coming to the Orlando Resort, which is the largest resort in their line-up, as it has 3 parks, one water park and a dozen hotels. The current rumour is that the existing Simpsons ride and land will be removed when the contract expires and Universal won’t need to pay Disney for the use anymore.
“Collaborating with imaginative and inventive storytellers fuels our ability to create and deliver mind-blowing attractions and experiences that shatter guest expectations. The Pokémon Company is one of the most beloved interactive franchises in the world, and through our ongoing partnership, we will continue bringing its vibrant world to life in new and innovative ways for years to come.”
For Universal Studios Japan, the expected location is the former home of Spider-Man, which closed in January 2024 and has been cleaned out and the building repaired over the past 2 years. Given there are no details yet, I don’t expect construction to begin anytime soon, but I imagine we might get a hint once PokéPark Kanto opens up this year.
Would you head to Japan to experience Pokémon something? Or would wait until it opens at a closer location?
