The Pokemon phenomenon never fades. For the fans of the game, Pokémon Day is a much-awaited event full of surprising giveaways, announcements, and a chance to meet fellow Poke-maniacs. But when is Pokemon Day?
If you’re new to the fandom, don’t get left behind! Our team is here to help you find out the exact date of Pokémon Day and how the fandom celebrates it.
When Is National Pokemon Day?
Pokémon Day is a momentous annual event celebrating the anniversary of the Pokémon franchise and is held every February 27 [1]. On this day, Pokémon fans all over the world can join special events and battles filled with new challenges. There is also news of numerous events, exciting announcements, mobile game updates, and future plans for Pokemon games before their release.
However, Pokémon Day 2022 has already passed, held last February 27 (Sunday), and lasted for a week. Nonetheless, fans can look forward to news on the upcoming anniversary on February 27, 2023 (Monday).
Read: Our Favorite Pokemon Gifts
A Quick Background
Although the game became known worldwide, the Pokémon Red and Green for the Game Boy on February 27, 1996, was first released in Japan [2]. Nintendo hosts various events in IRL to mobile games during Pokémon Day to celebrate this occasion. Fans of the Pocket Monsters game can battle with their friends, enjoy in-game clothing, discounts, and catch specific Pokémon.
Moreover, the Pokemon Company will release announcements as the event nears its celebration for a week. The Pokémon Company released specific plans in the previous years - from movies to gallery figurines. During Pokémon Day 2022, the company hosted a Pokémon Presents Livestream regarding the latest game news.
How Fans Celebrate It
2016
Online
During Pokémon Day 2022, players that logged in on Feb 27 were given commemorative trading card sets from Pokémon Trading Card Game Online. Your favorite Nintendo game also hosted interviews, Pokémon gameplay, and a 24-hour marathon, including movies such as Mewtwo Strikes Back, Arceus and the Jewel of Life, and The Rise of Darkrai. The anime marathon also featured episodes of thePokémon Chronicles and Pokémon Origins series via their Twitch channel.
On-Site
Pokémon fans in Brazil also enjoyed tournaments in selected stores, receiving unique card kits of XY Promo Pikachu and badges. In other sites like South Korea, they celebrated a week of events where customers had to collect stamps hidden in a department store to receive a prize.
US Pokémon fans got access to Pokkén Tournament and rare Mew plushies. Toys “R” Us stores also gave away Magikarp cards and Holofoil Pikachu.
Shop The Pokemon Collection Now2017
In 2017, the game icon wore a party hat in Pokémon Go to celebrate Pokémon Day and was accessible to Pokemon players owning the character spawns. Gallery Figurines were also released by the US Pokémon Center, featuring Pikachu, Mew, Magikarp, and Eevee.
Aside from that, the Pokémon Company released the Volcanic and the Mechanical Marvel and showed three movies via Pokémon TV. On their Twitch channel, they aired the Pokkén Tournament, TCG, and video games match throughout the day.
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2018
For the 22nd Pokémon Day celebration, the “Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!” was streamed on Pokémon TV. The game’s iconic character also wears a party hat in Pokémon Go.
Avid collectors were also lucky to grab a Charizard Pokémon Gallery Figure DX and pins honoring the Legendary Pokémon Palkia and Dialga from Pokémon Center. This year, there are also added game effects like egg hatch Pichu, top to bottom clothing, and accessories, from wristbands to hats.
2019
On Pokémon Day 2019, Nintendo Switch players got the first chance to play the Pokémon Sword and Shield, and every Kanto Pokémon in Pokémon Go are played in spawns. A day before the event, a trailer for Detective Pikachu’s action movie was released.
The US Pokémon Center also produced an apparel collection, including wallets and bags. They aired Pokémon X and Y, Black and White, and Diamond and Pearl on their Twitch channel.
2020
Pokémon Day 2020 is one of the most exciting years, where Zarude, the new Mythical Pokémon, was unveiled worldwide, and the Secrets of the Jungle movie trailer was released in Japan. Apart from this, Pokémon Masters celebrated 2020 their six-month anniversary featuring the launch of Red and Charizard Sync Pair and Battle Villa. The Pokémon Sword and Shield also hosted a Pokémon Day Max Raid Event, featuring the first possible wild to catch Squirtle and Bulbasaur.
2021
The surprises got even better during 2021 Pokémon Day, where Post Malone starred at the first P25 Music concert. During this year, Pokémon Presents also features the new game trailer of New Pokémon Snap and unveiled the Pokémon Legends: Arceus and Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.
Leon and Charizard were introduced in the game to commemorate the 1.5 year anniversary of the Pokemon Masters Ex. The game icon also comes in shiny Gigantamax versions in the Pokemon Sword and Shield event.
2022
Pokémon Day 2022 is truly an eventful year, celebrating the 2.5 years of the Pokémon Masters Ex. In the Pokémon Cafe Remix, all players were given 26 stamina, and Hoopa was introduced in Pokémon Unite. A music video was also aired for Reconnect by Yaffle (February 26), and Pokémon Go hosted their 2nd annual Johto Tour while Pokémon Unite added the Full-Fury Battle Mode.
On February 27th, Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl introduced the Oak Letter and Pokémon Legends: Arceus got an update. Pokémon Day 2022 was truly legendary!
FAQs
Is there an international Pokemon day?
Yes, there is an international Pokémon Day, and it is held every February 27th of the year, which was the exact date the game was introduced in 1996.
Do all countries celebrate Pokemon Day on February 27th?
Yes, all countries commemorate Pokémon Day annually on February 27th, based on their local time.
Wrapping Up!
Pocket Monsters fanatics gather worldwide to flaunt their love for their favorite game. So, if you think Pokémon Day 2022 was full of surprises, stay tuned for more news and enjoy beating Master Trainers by being ahead of the newest game updates and challenges!
If you’re a Poke-maniac looking for Pokemon collectibles, make sure to check our website out!
Shop The Pokemon Collection NowReferences:
- https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/pokemon-day-what-is/
- https://www.inverse.com/article/28293-pokemon-day-2017-events-go-video-games-pikachu-hat
