February 27 is Pokémon Day, which marks the anniversary of Pokémon Red and Green‘s release in Japan in 1996. Over the last 27 years, The Pokémon Company has grown exponentially, at one point becoming the largest multimedia franchise in the world.
Recently, every Pokémon Day is accompanied by a fellowship of announcements to get the fans excited about the months, and years, to come. The 27th Anniversary is no exception, as we recap some of the biggest news announced during the latest Pokémon Presents.
New Pokémon anime coming to Netflix
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the day, The Pokémon Company and Netflix announce a partnership for a brand new, stop-motion series called Pokémon Concierge. Dwarf Studios, the creators behind Rilakkuma and Kaoru, is tasked with producing this brand-new series for the streaming giant.
Coming soon, the series will showcase Haru, a concierge at a Pokémon Resort, and her experiences with the Pokémon and guests that visit. The teaser trailer is cute, wholesome, and will hopefully provide a dose of the slice-of-life content on which the Pokémon franchise thrives.
Pokémon Sleep finally wakes up on Pokémon Day
One of the most anticipated projects of every Pokémon Day since this game was revealed, fans have speculated whether Pokémon Sleep is ever going to release. After 1,371 days since its initial announcement, Pokémon Sleep will finally become available later this year.
The game will serve as a sleep tracker. Different types of Pokémon will appear in a mobile app depending on how the user sleeps. There are a variety of Pokémon separated into the sleeping patterns of dozing, snoozing, and slumbering.
The game will also introduce the poorly named Pokémon GO+ Plus– a device that can be used as an extended sleep tracker as well as a Pokémon GO supplementary tool. Check out the trailer below for more information!
Pokémon Day announces DLC is coming for Scarlet and Violet
The most anticipated and speculated announcement for Pokémon’s 27th Anniversary was for DLC of the latest release, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Split into two parts, a paid DLC is coming to the Generation 9 titles.
The two parts are titled “The Teal Mask” (Part 1) and “The Indigo Disk” (Part 2).
“The Teal Mask” (Part 1)
Dropping in Fall 2023, “The Teal Mask” will be Pokémon Scarlet and Violet’s first DLC.
“Step out of the Paldea region as you take a school trip to the land of Kitakami. There, you’ll meet new people and Pokémon while unraveling the mysteries behind the area’s folk tales.”
— The Pokémon Company
Among these Pokémon seem to be a new trio: Okidogi (a bipedal green dog), Monkidori (a blue, cylindrical-shaped ape), and Fezandipiti (an elegant red and brown pheasant). The three are quite symbolic of the old Momotarō story with his animal companions. The story is about a boy on the search for treasure who befriends a dog, a pheasant, and a monkey, and ends up coming face to face with an ogre.
As Momotarō’s story being called “Story of the Son of a Peach,” there is the possibility that a third, peach-themed school, could be entering the fray. Scarlet and Violet‘s schools are based off of oranges (naranjas) and grapes (uvas) respectively.
Part 1 is also set to star a new legendary Pokémon called Ogerpon. Not much is known yet on the typings on any of these new pocket monsters.
“The Indigo Plate” (Part 2)
The second part of the DLC is slated for Winter 2023. While “The Teal Mask” seems to focus more on storytelling, the “The Indigo Plate” will be more battle focused.
“The story continues as you become an exchange student and visit Blueberry Academy. Most of this unusual school is located under the ocean, and its curriculum emphasizes Pokémon battling.”
— The Pokémon Company
This could possibly bring back something similar to the Battle Tower, a good place to test your battling skills. Or it could take a step further and bring on a complete Battle Frontier—a challenging place introduced in Generation 3 that creates unique rules and limits per facility within the Frontier itself.
Terapagos is seemingly the focus of Part 2 of the DLC. Similar to Part 1, not much is known about the typings or story on any of these new Pokémon.
New raid event
To celebrate the 27th Anniversary of Pokémon in the here and now, Scarlet and Violet are offering special raids for the paradox forms of Suicune and Virizion: Walking Wake, and Iron Leaves. Walking Wake is exclusive to Pokémon Scarlet, and Iron Leaves is exclusive to Pokémon Violet.
What is your favorite announcement from Pokémon Presents? Let us know in the comments, or on the Agents of Fandom socials!
