Pokemon Themed Park: Japan breaks the exciting news

Universal Studios Japan confirms a new “Pokémon-themed attraction” park is underway. The themed park is aimed to bring immersive experience.

The park will bring long running franchise into a theme park setting. The announcement was made on January 22, with the park confirming it is developing what it called “innovative, immersive, and world-class Pokémon experiences”.

According to a translated statement released alongside the reveal, the new project will be built around an “ultra-real experience that stimulates all five senses”.

The Pokémon franchise features 1,025 fictional species of collectable creatures, each with unique designs, skills, and powers. Conceived by Satoshi Tajiri in early 1989, Pokémon (or Pocket Monsters) are fictional creatures that inhabit the fictional Pokémon World.

The designs for the multitude of species can draw inspiration from anything, such as animals, plants, and legendary creatures. Many Pokémon are capable of evolving into more powerful species, while others can undergo form changes and achieve similar results.

Originally, only a handful of artists, led by Ken Sugimori, designed Pokémon. However, by 2013, a team of 20 artists worked together to create new species designs. Sugimori and Hironobu Yoshida lead the team and determine the final designs.

The vast array of creatures is commonly divided into “generations”, with each division primarily encompassing new titles in the main video game series and often a change of handheld platform. Generation I with 151 Pokémon refers to Red, Blue, and Yellow; generation II with 100 Pokémon refers to Gold, Silver, and Crystal; generation III with 135 Pokémon refers to Ruby, Sapphire, FireRed, LeafGreen, and Emerald; generation IV with 107 Pokémon refers to Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold, and SoulSilver; generation V with 156 Pokémon refers to Black, White, Black 2, and White 2; generation VI with 72 Pokémon refers to X, Y, Omega Ruby, and Alpha Sapphire; generation VII with 88 Pokémon refers to Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, Ultra Moon, Let’s Go, Pikachu!, and Let’s Go, Eevee!; generation VIII with 96 Pokémon refers to Sword, Shield, Brilliant Diamond, Shining Pearl, and Legends: Arceus; and generation IX with 120 Pokémon refers to Scarlet, Violet, and Legends: Z-A.

Due to the large number of Pokémon, a listing of each species is divided into articles by generation. The 1025 Pokémon are organised by their number in the National Pokédex, an electronic encyclopedia that provides various information on Pokémon. The National Pokédex is subdivided into regional Pokédex series, each revolving around species introduced at the time of their respective generations, along with older generations.

For example, the Johto Pokédex, generation II, covers the 100 species introduced in Gold and Silver in addition to the original 151 species. The encyclopedias follow a general ordering: first partner Pokémon are listed first, followed by species obtainable early in the respective games, and are concluded with Legendary and Mythical Pokémon. Generation V is the sole exception, as Victini is the first Pokémon in the Unova Pokédex.

Universal Studios Japan confirmed that the attraction is currently being prepared for a world-first debut in Japan, though no specific opening date has been announced.

The company said the initiative builds on its existing partnership with The Pokémon Company and follows the success of previous Pokémon-themed offerings at the park.

Universal Studios Japan described the new project as a significant step towards realising Pokémon as a large-scale theme park experience.