Pokémon Day

This article is about the anniversary of Pokémon Red and Green. For individual events named Pokémon Day, see Pokémon Day (disambiguation).

The contents of this article have been suggested to be split into Pokémon Day and Pokémon of the Year.
Please discuss it on the talk page for this article.

Pokémon Day is an annual celebration of the original Japanese release of Pokémon Red and Green, held on February 27. Various events are held around the world to mark this occasion.

Logo used for Pokémon Day since 2018

2016

Logo used for Pokémon Day in South Korea in 2016

Releases

As part of the year-long 20th Anniversary of the Pokémon franchise, the Pokémon Day in 2016 saw the Virtual Console releases of the Generation I games Pokémon Red, Green, Blue, and Yellow. In Europe, Australia, and Japan, special edition Nintendo 2DS bundles were released, pre-installed with one of the Virtual Console titles; the systems are transparent, matching the color of the installed version. The Japanese bundles included a map of the Kanto region, a set of stickers based on the VC game's mascot, and a serial code for a Mew for the Generation VI games. The European and Australian bundles included a download code for a HOME Menu theme and a different sticker set. In North America, New Nintendo 3DS bundles were released, with pre-installed copies of both Red and Blue, two cover plates themed on Red and Blue, and a HOME Menu download code.

A New Nintendo 3DS cover plate was also released in Europe, Australia, and Japan, featuring in-battle sprites from Red and Blue.

In Japan, the BREAK Starter Pack was released. The set only features Generation I Pokémon and emulates the Original Era Starter Deck in design and semi-random card inclusion.

At 12 a.m. JST, Pokémon Sun and Moon were announced in a worldwide Nintendo Direct.

Online events

The Pokémon Trading Card Game Online gave a set of commemorative card sleeves to players who logged in on Pokémon Day.

On the official Pokémon Twitch channel from 1 to 9 p.m. EST, Pokémon gameplay, interviews, and discussions were shown. A 24-hour anime marathon began on the officially-endorsed channel Twitch Watches Pokémon at 9 p.m. The channel streamed several movies and Pokémon Chronicles episodes, as well as the Pokémon Origins series on the following schedule:

On-site events

Several on-site events were held in various countries.

In Brazil, the local TCG distributor Copag sponsored tournaments held at select stores. The stores each received a kit with 55 prints of the exclusive XY Promo Pikachu card, three Badge cases, three bags with the Play! Pokémon logo, and 12 Mewtwo deckboxes. Exclusive merchandise was also available at these tournaments. The promotional Pikachu card could also be obtained at RiHappy, PB Kids, BMart, and Planeta Brinquedos from February 27 to 28, when customers bought two TCG products (barring booster packs).

In South Korea, a week-long event was held at Pangyo Hyundai Department Store in Seongnam. Stamps were hidden across four areas of the department store that, when collected, rewarded customers with a Pokémon Day notebook. On the 27th and 28th, players could receive a Mew between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Video game and TCG tournaments were also held for the two days. A Generation I Pokémon-only "Kanto Champion" tournament was held on the 27th, while an "All Star" tournament took place the next day; only Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire games were permitted to be used. The "3 vs 3 Winners League" TCG tournament ran for both days and competitors received the promotional All-Night Party card. A Pokémon Mini Museum and a Pokémon Mini Attraction were also held over these two days.

In the United States, select GameStops hosted Early Access Tournaments for Pokkén Tournament, with a grand prize of a trip to the 2016 US National Championships. All stores had exclusive Mew plushes and gave customers buying any Pokémon products a Mythical Pokémon poster. Holofoil Pikachu and Magikarp cards, activity books, and a poster featuring the original 151 Pokémon were given away at Toys "R" Us stores for the day. Binders themed on the Generations TCG expansion were available for sale as well. In New York City, New York, an event was held at Nintendo New York from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. In Los Angeles, California, the JapanLA Pop Culture Shop had a Pokémon-based pop-up shop run from Pokémon Day until March 27.

2017

For the 2017 Pokémon Day, Mewtwo Strikes Back, Celebi: The Voice of the Forest, and Zoroark: Master of Illusions were made available on Pokémon TV for a limited time. Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel was also released on Amazon Video, Google Play, and the iTunes Store, as well as a bundle of episodes of the Gold & Silver arc of the anime. On the official Pokémon Twitch channel, championship matches of the TCG, video games, and Pokkén Tournament were shown all day.

From 1 p.m. PST February 26 to 1 p.m. PST March 6, Pikachu found in Pokémon GO wore a party hat (which lasted beyond the event time). In the week leading up to Pokémon Day, the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online made extra Trainer Tokens available on the Bonus Wheel. A special Daily Bonus was also given out on the 27th.

The first set of the Pokémon Gallery Figures was released on February 27. The set of Pokémon figures was made exclusively for the US Pokémon Center Online.

2018

Logo used for Pokémon Day in 2018

Pikachu Talk was released internationally on February 26 to celebrate Pokémon Day in 2018. Snapchat lenses featuring the Kanto starter Pokémon were also made available. Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You! was also made available for streaming on Pokémon TV for the first time. A Pikachu with the move Present wearing a party hat was also made available in Pokémon GO. Merchandise released on the Pokémon Center website include a Charizard Pokémon Gallery Figure DX, and to commemorate the year of Legendary Pokémon, Dialga and Palkia pins.

In Brazil, the episode Alola, Kanto!, which features the return of Misty and Brock after a long absence, premiered on Cartoon Network Brazil at 4 p.m. BRT. Later that day, starting at 6 p.m. BRT, the channel aired a special marathon with the episodes The Guardian's Challenge!, Big Sky, Small Fry!, A Crowning Moment of Truth!, a rerun of Alola, Kanto!, and the premiere of When Regions Collide!, followed by Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!. On their social media, the channel also posted several Pokémon-related images and wallpapers. Additionally, the local TCG distributor and event organizer Copag used its Facebook account to share many code cards for the Trading Card Game Online.

2019

At 10 p.m. JST, Pokémon Sword and Shield were announced in a worldwide Nintendo Direct.

2020

Logo used for Pokémon Day in 2020

A new Mythical Pokémon, Zarude, was revealed. Its inclusion in M23 was also announced, alongside a new poster.

Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution was released on Netflix worldwide excluding Japan and Korea.

In Brazil and Latin America, Pokémon the Movie: The Power of Us aired at 8 p.m. local time on Cartoon Network.

DisneyXD played the first three Pokémon movies starting at 3:30 p.m. EST.

In Pokémon Sword and Shield, from 4:00 p.m. PST February 26 to 3:59 p.m. March 1, 2020, special Max Raid Battles featuring Dynamax Mewtwo were available. The Mewtwo was uncatchable but did reward rare items to players who defeated it such as Ability Capsules, Bottle Caps, and PP Maxes. Max Raid Battles featuring Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, Charmander, Charmeleon, Squirtle, and Wartortle were also available.

Pokémon Masters celebrated its six-month anniversary, adding the sync pair of Red and Charizard, new story chapters and events, the Battle Villa, and a 3,000 gem log-in bonus available until March 15, 2020.

Starting February 25, 2020 and running until March 2, 2020, Pokémon GO held a Pokémon Day Celebration. To coincide with the release of Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution, Armored Mewtwo with Psystrike was available in five star raids, along with clone Venusaur, Charizard, and Blastoise in four star raids. Other clone Pokémon also had a chance of spawning within the GO Snapshot mode. Additionally, party hat-wearing Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, Pikachu, and Eevee were available, the former three via 7 km eggs and one star raids, and the latter two in the wild. On the Raid Day on March 1, 2020, Nidorino and Gengar wearing party hats (in reference to the opening cinematic of Red and Blue) were available in two star and four star raids, respectively. The Shiny variant of all party hat Pokémon were also available.

The Pikachu Classics Collection was released on the US Pokémon Center Online. Additionally, all orders had free shipping for the day.

Original Stitch announced new shirt designs based on Johto Pokémon.

Pokémon of the Year

Logo for Pokémon of the Year

From February 5 until 5:59 a.m. PST on February 14, 2020, the first Pokémon of the Year vote was run in collaboration with Google. Searching Pokémon vote on Google between those dates would allow a person to choose one favorite Pokémon per category. The 890 Pokémon were split into eight categories based on the region they were first discovered (Galar was labeled "Galar, etc" to include Meltan and Melmetal). The voting results were revealed on Pokémon Day 2020:

Overall

#		Votes
1	Greninja	140,559
2	Lucario	102,259
3	Mimikyu	99,077
4	Charizard	93,968
5	Umbreon	67,062
6	Sylveon	66,029
7	Garchomp	61,877
8	Rayquaza	60,939
9	Gardevoir	60,596
10	Gengar	60,214
11	Dragapult	57,973
12	Tyranitar	56,834
13	Bulbasaur	56,015
14	Toxtricity	55,032
15	Lugia	53,268
16	Rowlet	52,367
17	Aegislash	51,517
18	Chandelure	50,943
19	Pikachu	48,060
20	Eevee	47,762
21	Luxray	46,032
22	Decidueye	44,011
23	Zoroark	43,782
24	Lycanroc	42,792
25	Corviknight	41,711
26	Flygon	41,420
27	Hydreigon	40,054
28	Sceptile	38,724
29	Blaziken	38,307
30	Snom	38,034

Kanto

#		Votes
1	Charizard	93,968
2	Gengar	60,214
3	Bulbasaur	56,015
4	Pikachu	48,060
5	Eevee	47,762
6	Dragonite	36,873
7	Mew	36,266
8	Mewtwo	34,585
9	Arcanine	29,795
10	Lapras	23,411
11	Snorlax	19,768
12	Ninetales	19,044
13	Squirtle	18,476
14	Blastoise	16,795
15	Vaporeon	14,887
16	Muk	14,358
17	Charmander	14,049
18	Ditto	13,843
19	Slowpoke	12,369
20	Nidoking	11,586
21	Porygon	11,311
22	Vulpix	11,224
23	Psyduck	11,212
24	Raichu	11,196
25	Pinsir	11,162
26	Jolteon	11,064
27	Dragonair	11,051
28	Venusaur	10,454
29	Articuno	10,450
30	Magnemite	9,955

Johto

#		Votes
1	Umbreon	67,062
2	Tyranitar	56,834
3	Lugia	53,268
4	Typhlosion	35,184
5	Scizor	34,691
6	Ampharos	32,009
7	Espeon	30,052
8	Cyndaquil	28,332
9	Suicune	26,227
10	Totodile	22,526
11	Crobat	21,548
12	Furret	21,447
13	Celebi	20,492
14	Chikorita	18,521
15	Ho-Oh	18,278
16	Feraligatr	18,245
17	Heracross	16,577
18	Natu	15,699
19	Pichu	15,695
20	Houndoom	14,742
21	Togepi	14,288
22	Quagsire	13,308
23	Entei	10,404
24	Quilava	10,032
25	Porygon2	9,902
26	Wooper	9,323
27	Misdreavus	8,156
28	Shuckle	8,129
29	Wobbuffet	7,745
30	Kingdra	7,418

Hoenn

#		Votes
1	Rayquaza	60,939
2	Gardevoir	60,596
3	Flygon	41,420
4	Sceptile	38,724
5	Blaziken	38,307
6	Mudkip	36,920
7	Metagross	35,631
8	Jirachi	29,611
9	Milotic	28,295
10	Absol	27,781
11	Swampert	26,540
12	Salamence	24,920
13	Aron	24,389
14	Aggron	18,120
15	Latias	17,478
16	Altaria	16,814
17	Kyogre	15,585
18	Mawile	15,523
19	Breloom	12,801
20	Torchic	12,568
21	Latios	12,487
22	Groudon	11,982
23	Deoxys	10,842
24	Grovyle	10,746
25	Banette	10,579
26	Treecko	9,339
27	Sableye	9,012
28	Ludicolo	8,708
29	Shedinja	6,703
30	Mightyena	6,459

Sinnoh

#		Votes
1	Lucario	102,259
2	Garchomp	61,877
3	Luxray	46,032
4	Piplup	34,680
5	Infernape	33,267
6	Darkrai	30,544
7	Glaceon	26,161
8	Arceus	24,502
9	Empoleon	21,773
10	Giratina	21,366
11	Leafeon	20,859
12	Torterra	20,632
13	Shaymin	17,465
14	Dialga	14,292
15	Gallade	14,144
16	Staraptor	14,054
17	Togekiss	13,426
18	Gliscor	12,676
19	Lopunny	11,411
20	Bidoof	10,924
21	Turtwig	10,865
22	Weavile	10,854
23	Froslass	10,408
24	Pachirisu	9,694
25	Rotom	9,417
26	Roserade	9,092
27	Mismagius	8,833
28	Shinx	8,373
29	Munchlax	7,289
30	Porygon-Z	7,040

Unova

#		Votes
1	Chandelure	50,943
2	Zoroark	43,782
3	Hydreigon	40,054
4	Volcarona	24,389
5	Haxorus	22,937
6	Serperior	22,269
7	Oshawott	21,990
8	Zekrom	21,477
9	Victini	20,957
10	Reshiram	20,123
11	Krookodile	19,628
12	Whimsicott	17,855
13	Snivy	17,020
14	Zorua	14,910
15	Scolipede	14,536
16	Reuniclus	14,129
17	Meloetta	13,915
18	Samurott	11,444
19	Excadrill	11,376
20	Lilligant	11,292
21	Litwick	11,140
22	Bisharp	10,975
23	Kyurem	10,338
24	Cinccino	9,892
25	Emolga	9,798
26	Keldeo	8,915
27	Joltik	8,796
28	Minccino	8,739
29	Golurk	8,035
30	Genesect	7,905

Kalos

#		Votes
1	Greninja	140,559
2	Sylveon	66,029
3	Aegislash	51,517
4	Noivern	34,795
5	Goodra	30,209
6	Talonflame	22,328
7	Dedenne	21,691
8	Yveltal	20,852
9	Goomy	20,299
10	Tyrantrum	18,778
11	Xerneas	17,415
12	Hawlucha	14,607
13	Meowstic	13,661
14	Fennekin	13,508
15	Zygarde	11,943
16	Diancie	10,918
17	Delphox	10,889
18	Braixen	10,807
19	Espurr	10,402
20	Hoopa	10,327
21	Aurorus	10,321
22	Pancham	10,187
23	Dragalge	9,882
24	Pumpkaboo	9,162
25	Trevenant	9,019
26	Pangoro	8,859
27	Phantump	8,231
28	Malamar	6,503
29	Heliolisk	6,386
30	Froakie	6,293

Alola

#		Votes
1	Mimikyu	99,077
2	Rowlet	52,367
3	Decidueye	44,011
4	Lycanroc	42,792
5	Zeraora	31,691
6	Incineroar	29,925
7	Golisopod	26,975
8	Primarina	25,953
9	Bewear	17,181
10	Solgaleo	16,274
11	Buzzwole	14,747
12	Pyukumuku	14,358
13	Litten	14,005
14	Silvally	13,897
15	Vikavolt	13,375
16	Salazzle	12,863
17	Kommo-o	12,790
18	Marshadow	12,107
19	Rockruff	10,986
20	Tsareena	10,900
21	Lunala	9,887
22	Lurantis	8,889
23	Togedemaru	8,531
24	Toxapex	8,221
25	Tapu Koko	8,090
26	Mudsdale	7,787
27	Necrozma	7,739
28	Popplio	7,542
29	Cosmog	7,515
30	Ribombee	7,126

Galar

#		Votes
1	Dragapult	57,973
2	Toxtricity	55,032
3	Corviknight	41,711
4	Snom	38,034
5	Alcremie	30,612
6	Cinderace	26,892
7	Zacian	26,158
8	Yamper	25,695
9	Wooloo	21,266
10	Inteleon	20,697
11	Sirfetch'd	20,217
12	Scorbunny	20,058
13	Hatterene	18,581
14	Sobble	17,155
15	Meltan	16,077
16	Falinks	16,009
17	Appletun	15,989
18	Eternatus	15,699
19	Morpeko	13,945
20	Grookey	13,478
21	Grimmsnarl	12,923
22	Zamazenta	12,641
23	Melmetal	12,356
24	Centiskorch	11,619
25	Dracovish	11,436
26	Frosmoth	10,988
27	Eiscue	10,392
28	Obstagoon	8,705
29	Rillaboom	8,625
30	Cramorant	8,436

Other events

"Pokémon Day" was also the name for a series of yearly events held in various European countries such as Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands since 2004. These events were usually to promote recently released Pokémon games or movies, often with event Pokémon distributions. These events have either ceased or been replaced by Pokémon Kids Tours.

In Singapore on November 24, 2014, an event also called "Pokémon Day" was held after a soccer game between Albirex Niigata and Home United FC. The event was sponsored by Nintendo and local distributor Maxsoft, and a Shiny Gengar was given away to visitors.

In other languages

Language		Title
French		Journée Pokémon
German		Pokémon Day
Italian		Pokémon Day
Portuguese		Dia de Pokémon
Russian		День Покемонов Den' Pokémonov
Spanish		Día de Pokémon