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Tag: The Pokemon Company

  • Pika-boom! Pokémon powers up Realme Hip Hop India Season 2

    Pika-boom! Pokémon powers up Realme Hip Hop India Season 2

    MUMBAI: What happens when street dance meets supercharged nostalgia? A thunderclap of a collab. Amazon MX Player’s Realme Hip Hop India Season 2 just got an electrifying upgrade thanks to a first-of-its-kind collaboration with none other than Pokémon. In a move that’s equal parts nostalgia, pop culture, and pure entertainment, the show brought Pikachu straight to the dance floor, and audiences can’t get enough.

    Already clocking over 20.1 million viewers in just five weeks, the show’s fusion with the Pokémon universe marks a fresh cultural crossover where hip-hop meets pocket monsters. The collab kicked off with a high-voltage dance routine featuring a guest appearance by the iconic Pikachu, whose “moves” lit up the stage (and hearts) in true thunderbolt fashion.

    But that’s not all. The fun went digital too, with a wildly imaginative video blending Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket with hip-hop choreography starring none other than judge Malaika Arora. The film cleverly reimagines unboxing Pokémon card packs as dance-offs, where every move channels a Pokémon’s unique power, making it a visual and metaphorical dance of discovery.

    “Our collaboration with Pokémon perfectly reflects Amazon MX Player’s commitment to delivering bold, innovative experiences to our audience,” said Amazon MX Player director Aruna Daryanani. “By bringing together the iconic charm of Pokémon with the raw energy of Realme Hip Hop India Season 2, we’re offering viewers a one-of-a-kind cultural mash-up that is unique and memorable. At Amazon MX Player, we constantly strive to break new ground—crafting immersive entertainment and forging meaningful brand partnerships that truly connect with fans and advertisers alike.”

    Sharing her thoughts on being a part of the campaign, Judge Malaika Arora expressed, “There’s something truly magical about the world of Pokémon – the adventure, the action, the joy of discovery. Pair that with the energy of hip hop, and it just clicks. This was such a fun and imaginative concept to shoot, and it really captures how two different worlds can come together to create something unforgettable. I’ve always believed that dance is a powerful form of storytelling, and this one’s for every kid who loves the world of Pokémon and every dancer chasing that stage.”

    “Our goal with this collaboration was to spark imagination and joy, just as Pokémon has done for fans around the world for decades. Partnering with Amazon MX Player on an impactful show like Realme Hip Hop India S2 gave us the perfect canvas to showcase Pokémon’s playful spirit in a new, movement-driven way. The energy, creativity, and passion seen in this campaign aligns perfectly with what our brand stands for. We are excited to take Pokémon as well as Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket to dance lovers and their loved ones,” shared The Pokémon Company corporate officer Susumu Fukunaga.

    With judge Remo D’Souza also in the hot seat, Realme Hip Hop India Season 2 continues to be a battleground for India’s fiercest dancers, blending underground energy with mainstream swagger. And with brand integrations like Pokémon entering the arena, the show is levelling up in every possible way.

    New episodes drop every Thursday on Amazon MX Player available via the app, Amazon shopping app, Fire TV, and Prime Video. Because when Pikachu meets popping and locking, you don’t want to blink.

  • Eight teams revealed for Pokémon Unite ACL 2025 India League

    Eight teams revealed for Pokémon Unite ACL 2025 India League

    Mumbai: The Pokémon Company has announced details of the newly launched India League, part of the Pokémon Unite Asia Champions League (PUACL) 2025. As part of this initiative, eight Indian esports organisations have been invited to participate in the tournament, with the unique roadmap and incentives attracting the country’s top esports organisations to sign rosters in India.

    The eight partnered teams for the inaugural PUACL 2025 India League are as follows:

    ●    GodLike Esports
    ●    Gods Reign
    ●    Global Esports
    ●    Marcos Gaming
    ●    Reckoning Esports
    ●    Revenant Esports
    ●    S8UL Esports
    ●    True Rippers

    These teams will compete in the regular season of the PUACL 2025 India League, which takes place across eight matchdays on weekends from 16 Nov 2024 to 26 Jan 2025. The competition will include a group stage and playoffs to determine the champion team, which will represent the country at the Pokémon Unite ACL 2025 offline final in Japan.

    Seven of the matchdays will feature the group stage, where teams will compete in a single-elimination bracket on each day of competition. The overall standings in the group stage will decide their seedings for the Playoffs on 26 Jan 2025, where the eight teams will compete in a knockout round system to crown the champion.

    The prize pool for the Pokémon Unite ACL 2025 India League is an impressive $40,000, distributed as follows:

    ●    First place: $16,000
    ●    Second place: $8,000
    ●    Third place: $6,000
    ●    Fourth place: $4,000
    ●    Fifth place: $2,000
    ●    Sixth place: $2,000
    ●    Seventh place: $1,200
    ●    Eigth place: $800

    The Pokémon Unite team at The Pokémon Company said: “We are thrilled to bring the first-ever partnered PUACL League to India, marking a historic step in the evolution of the Indian Pokémon Unite community. With this tournament and our dedicated roadmap, we’re spotlighting the incredible talent within the country. This format provides a pathway for Indian teams to showcase their skills on a global stage in Japan, underscoring our commitment to building a vibrant, competitive future for Pokémon Unite in India.”

    Skyesports, which has been working with The Pokémon Company since 2022 to develop Pokémon Unite esports in India, has been selected as the esports partner for the event.

    Additionally, an open-for-all tournament for Indian players, the winter open, is also coming soon. More information about it will be announced at a later date.

    Skyesports founder & CEO Shiva Nandy commented: “Since 2022, we have been diligently working with The Pokémon Company to grow Pokémon Unite in India. Now, with a clear roadmap that ensures sustainability and offers a path to represent the country on an international stage, we’ve successfully brought India’s top esports organizations into the game, establishing it as a leading title in the country. The open-for-all Winter Open further gives every player a chance to earn their spot at PUACL Final in Japan, creating a truly inclusive and unprecedented opportunity for the Indian gaming community.”

  • The new series is all about making new friends: Susumu Fukunaga

    The new series is all about making new friends: Susumu Fukunaga

    Mumbai: The Pokémon Company (TPC) has announced the launch of ‘Pokémon Horizons: The Series,’ a new animated series which is currently airing on Hungama. For the first time in Pokémon’s history, the series stars a female lead named Liko, who, alongside her partner Pokémon Myaoha, embarks on adventures in the vibrant Pokémon world with fellow trainer Roy.

    Pokémon has captivated children’s imaginations for over two decades and remains a beloved entertainment choice, solidifying its place as a pop-culture phenomenon. Hungama has been the home of Pokémon since 2014, engaging millions of fans and amassing 87 million views across Disney Kids Channel in India last year alone.

    In this series, viewers encounter new characters like Liko and Roy, along with fascinating groups such as the Rising Volt Tacklers and the Explorers. The series introduces numerous new Pokémon, each showcasing unique abilities. Captain Pikachu leads daring voyages across sea and sky, adding thrilling adventures to the storyline.

    The Pokémon Company’s collaboration with Vishal-Sheykhar to produce original songs for the series in India highlights its commitment to establishing a strong presence in the Indian market and nurturing partnerships with local artists and enterprises. This initiative not only enriches the series with a local flavor but also celebrates the diverse appeal of Pokémon to fans worldwide.

    Indiantelevision.com reached out to The Pokemon Company’s Susumu Fukunaga where he briefly touched upon some insights about the show and more…

    Edited excerpts

    On the creative process behind developing the storyline and characters for the new series

    Our intent has been to create a new story that appeals to the new generation. If you watch the episodes you will realize that many elements in the story are very contemporary and reflect the day and age we live in.

    On the new series integrate elements of adventure, friendship, and teamwork, which are central themes in the Pokemon universe

    The new series is all about making new friends by going on an adventure and taking on challenges. The journey becomes more enjoyable and difficulties appear to be simpler when everybody comes together and supports each other as a team.

    On Pokemon anime receiving criticism for being too simplistic, repetitive and bland from a storytelling perspective even from a kids genre point of view

    We appreciate all feedback. We are grateful to our audiences across the globe for supporting us for all these years and we hope to remain relevant in the future as well.

    On conducting the first ever Pokemon VGC event in India, since online gaming industry in this country is booming

    We cannot disclose future plans at this point, but we are working on new initiatives and hope to make strides in the Indian market with a variety of content.

  • New Pokémon show “Pokémon Horizons: The Series” premieres on Hungama this 25 May

    New Pokémon show “Pokémon Horizons: The Series” premieres on Hungama this 25 May

    Mumbai: The Pokémon Company (TPC) has announced the launch of ‘Pokémon Horizons: The Series,’ a brand-new animated show set to premiere on Hungama on May 25th. For the first time in Pokémon’s history, the series features a female lead, Liko who alongside her partner Pokémon Myaoha will explore the exciting new world of Pokémon with another young trainer named Roy. At a press conference held today, TPC also unveiled the original opening and ending tracks composed by the music duo Vishal-Sheykhar and sung by Armaan Malik and Shirley Setia, created specially for Indian fans.

    For over two decades, Pokémon has consistently captured the imagination of kids and continues to be the preferred entertainment among fans today, solidifying Pokémon’s position as a pop-culture phenomenon. Hungama, the leading channel in the kids’ genre, has been home to the Pokémon series since 2014 and has engaged millions of fans through the years, generating 87 million views across Disney Kids Channel in India in the last year alone*.

    In addition to Liko and Roy, Pokémon Horizons: The Series also features other new characters, including interesting groups like Rising Volt Tacklers and the Explorers. There are many new Pokémon, each bringing unique abilities to the screen. Fans will see Captain Pikachu navigating the characters on daring voyages across the sea and sky.

    The Pokémon Company has also struck a one-of-its-kind collaboration with composer duo Vishal-Sheykhar to produce original opening and ending songs specifically for the series in India, bringing a local flavour to the series. This demonstrates Pokémon’s ongoing dedication to establishing a solid presence in the Indian market and fostering collaborations with local artists and enterprises.

    Sharing thoughts on the launch, Susumu Fukunaga, The Pokémon Company, remarked, “The new series comes with a brand-new storyline, new Pokémon and human characters, so there is a lot to look forward to. You will enjoy a fascinating adventure on an airship and see how secrets unfold due to the mysterious objects the main characters possess. All this is packed into a heartwarming story of friendship and self-discovery. We have also created original opening and ending tracks just for India for the very first time. This has been a challenging and interesting journey as we wanted to ensure that the music and lyrics align with Indian sensibilities. I think the songs capture the essence of Pokémon very nicely. We are also delighted to air our new series on the hugely popular Hungama channel. Their reach is bound to take our content to viewers across the entire country.”

    Disney Star business head – Kids and Infotainment,  Devika Prabhu said, “Hungama has established itself as a popular platform for Japanese anime and Pokémon, especially has been garnering immense love and appreciation over the years. With a devoted fan base of Pokémon enthusiasts in the country, our network has been their go-to destination when they want to immerse themselves in a world of captivating stories from the franchise. Through our dedicated localization efforts, we have customized the Pokémon viewing experience to align with the preferences of our audience, ensuring its continued relevance and appeal. The series and movies have consistently ranked among our top-performing content, and we are happy to introduce a new series as one of our key summer tentpoles on Hungama.”

    As the launch on 25 May approaches, Pokémon invites fans old and new to stay tuned for updates and embark on this thrilling adventure on Hungama.

    *Source: BARC | 2+ India Urban | Wk1 – Wk 52’23

  • Voot Kids to stream ‘Pokémon’ anime franchise content in India

    Voot Kids to stream ‘Pokémon’ anime franchise content in India

    Mumbai: Voot Kids has announced that it will be streaming the popular anime franchise “Pokémon” in India. The kids’ content platform will stream 21 films and over 10,000 minutes of “Pokémon” anime series episodic content.

    “This endeavor of ours has received significant impetus through last year with the kid’s fun learn category witnessing exponential demand growth,” said Viacom18 head – SVOD (Voot Select, Voot Kids) and international business Ferzad Palia. “The addition of the vast Pokémon slate to our content repertoire will allow us to further widen our audience base and continue to be category leaders.”

    The 21 ‘Pokémon’ films will premiere for the first time in India only on Voot Kids. The platform has launched a content initiative called ‘Chuno Voot Kids. Chuno Pokemon’ to market its association with the anime series.  

    “With the consumer at the heart for every initiative on the platform, this was the perfect opportunity to build on the fandom Pokémon holds in India, propelled by kids and those who are kids at heart,” said Voot Kids head of content Ashutosh Parekh. “Undeniably, this evergreen anime franchise with multiple extensions has evolved to be very relevant to today’s digital natives, with superlative story arcs and well-etched characters that unify action – adventure with humour.”

    The Pokémon franchise has expanded to the video gaming category, with its recently released Pokémon Unite, a Moba game playable across Nintendo Switch, Android and iOS platforms.

    “With support from our partners at Voot kids, we have finally been able to release the 1-21 films in India, we are thrilled to finally share with our fans in India the fun and excitement of the Pokémon movies,” said The Pokémon Company corporate officer Susumu Fukunaga. “Voot kids and TPC are preparing other fun offerings. We hope more fans in India can be part of this experience.”

    Dream Theatre is the master licensing agency for Pokémon in India and South Asia. “We are very excited to have partnered with Voot Kids and bring such a wide offering spanning movies and seasons to Pokémon fans in India,” said Dream Theatre founder and chief executive officer Jiggy George.
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