The Unique Entertainment Created by Universal Studios Japan and Pokémon

1. A Lively Parade Brings Summer Excitement

“Universal Studios Japan” – USJ for short – offers guests the chance to immerse themselves in the worlds of various much-loved stories. In 2023, the thrills of USJ got even more thrilling with the start of an all-new collaboration with The Pokémon Company.

The centerpiece of this collaboration is a theme park classic: the parade.

Reflecting on the beginnings of the project, a USJ parade staff member noted, “Pokémon has fans across the globe. As a theme park that provides world-class entertainment, we wanted to bring the world of Pokémon to life, right here at USJ.”

In the “NO LIMIT! Summer Splash Parade,” which ran during the summer of 2024, Water-type Pokémon took center stage. Parade entertainers dressed as Pokémon trainers and energized the crowd by drenching them with water guns. 

The excitement reached even greater heights as the Pokémon joined in, using their “water gun” moves to soak the audience. This high-energy event proved to be the perfect way to experience a summer day at the theme park.

2. Dynamic Pokémon in Motion

The highlight of the parade is the lifelike appearance of the Pokémon. To ensure each character felt authentic, staff from The Pokémon Company and USJ collaborated closely to refine each detail.

Gyarados, for example, made its debut in the “NO LIMIT! Summer Splash Parade.” To capture the fierce nature of this Pokémon, three entertainers worked in perfect synchronization to achieve stunningly dynamic movements.

Nearby, Charizard soared atop a float. We spent considerable time determining the exact volume and angle of the white plumes released from Charizard’s mouth to ensure they looked realistic in the exact way Pokémon fans would expect. After repeated testing and accounting for factors like wind speed, we finally achieved a motion that felt true to Charizard.

We applied this same level of dedication to the whole cast of Pokémon in the parade, focusing on the minute details to provide a truly realistic experience.

3. A Space for New Encounters and Discovery

We selected the cast of Pokémon for the parade from across the various games in the Pokémon series. Because USJ attracts visitors of all ages, we wanted to provide an opportunity for both adults and children to discover Pokémon they might not have encountered before.

At the same time, we included specific details to delight long-time fans. One example is the appearance of Vivillon in the “NO LIMIT! Parade.”

In the location-based game “Pokémon GO,” Vivillon features different wing patterns depending on the region where it is caught. Inspired by this, we featured two varieties in the parade: the Elegant Pattern, which is catchable only in Japan, and the High Plains Pattern, found along the West Coast of the U.S.

4. Experiences Only a Theme Park Can Provide

Our collaboration extends beyond the parade into exclusive merchandise and food. Guests can find various items throughout the park, including Pikachu hats and Pokémon-themed drinks.

This summer, we introduced the “Gyarados Whirling Smoothie – Soda & Pineapple.” To express Gyarados’s wild nature, we used the largest cup sleeve in the park’s history to showcase a bold and powerful depiction of Gyarados. The drink itself features a crackling texture and sparkling colors to evoke the sensation of splashing water.

By combining USJ’s knowledge of popular seasonal flavors with Pokémon, we created an ultimate summer refreshment.

One Pokémon staff member stated, “We want visitors to create lasting memories with Pokémon within the exciting, extraordinary atmosphere of USJ.”

This collaboration provides an overwhelming sense of wonder, excitement, and immersion. These realistic Pokémon experiences are made possible by the combined creative and entertainment strengths of USJ and Pokémon. Which has enabled us to create world-class entertainment.