Pokémon Celebrates 25 Years With Katy Perry as Musical Headline

Including opportunities to collect anniversary-themed cards, merch, and digital activations.

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In honor of 25 years, Pokémon Company International is celebrating the quarter of a century landmark with a massive music headline featuring global pop star, Katy Perry. Throughout the year, the franchise also promises to bring anniversary-themed activations to its video games, mobile apps, animations, and merchandise. Fans can expect themed-announcements on Pokémon GO and Pokémon Masters EX for a chance to unlock new journeys ahead.

P25 Music is a global music program curated by Universal Music Group (UMG) for the festivities. Pokémon will be working with many award-winning global artists, including Katy Perry, who will be the premier collaborator in the yearlong music campaign. Colin Palmer, the Vice President of Marketing at Pokémon comments on their partnership stating, “In Katy Perry, we see a kindred spirit to Pokémon, whose world is bright, fun and uplifting.” For its 25th anniversary, the artist is expected to bring music-based entertainment to accompany all Pokémon and fan-focused activations.

Katy Perry adds, “It is an honor to be chosen to help celebrate a franchise that has given me so much joy in the last 25 years, and to be able to watch it evolve in the ways it’s provided that kind of electric joy for the kids in my life and around the world.”

Throughout the year, Pokémon is also teaming up with Build-A-Bear Workshop, General Mills, Levi’s, and McDonald’s to bring celebratory merchandise to fans worldwide. Pokémon zealots will be pleased to hear that the company has invited fans to relive their journeys through 25 years of adventures in the Pokémon World. Fans can now digitally rediscover the different regions from Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield’s Galar to the classic Kanto from Pokémon Red and Blue.

Additionally, 25th anniversary-themed collections of Pokémon Trading Cards will be made available throughout the year, including special edition oversize cards commemorating the monumental milestone. Fans can also pre-order a limited edition anniversary skateboard, designed by Bear Walker, at the Pokémon Center starting from January 19.

Watch 25 years of Pokémon World highlights above. For more information about the activations announced throughout the year, fans can visit Pokémon’s 25th-anniversary online hub.

In other Pokémon news, people can now play Pokémon Red on Twitter.

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Joyce Li
Joyce Li Editor

For over half a decade, Joyce Li has served as an Editor on Hypebeast's global team, leveraging profound industry insights to capture the zeitgeist. Through her editorial lens, she anticipates emerging trends while dedicating her platform to spotlighting those making the greatest impact on culture today. A storyteller first and foremost, she examines the cross-pollination of fashion, footwear, art, music, and sports. This intersectional approach has led to compelling interviews with industry-defining figures like LeBron James, Pharrell Williams, Tom Brady, NIGO, A$AP Rocky, KAWS, and more.

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