Pikachu is one of Japan’s most iconic mascots, and often appears on sporting goods - he was even on official Tokyo 2020 Olympics merchandise. Now, he is also going to be a part of the Yokohama Baystars official uniform. In addition to Pikachu helmets, there will also be a new Pikachu-themed hat for sale as part of thisnew collaboration. The news came via the baseball team’s official website this past week.
This collaboration is happening as part of a largerPokemoncelebration at the Baystars' stadium, Pacifico Yokohama, which is just outside of Tokyo. From August 11th to August 18th, 2023, Pacifico Yokohama will host thePokemonWorld Championships 2023 at an event calledPokemonBall Park Yokohama. This event will be the world championships forPokemon Go,Pokemon ScarletandPokemon Violet,Pokemon Unite, and thePokemontrading card game.
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Pokemonplayers of all of these games will come from around the world to compete in Japan for that week in August, which is also Japan’s Obon summer holiday week. Participants in the event will be able to wear the special Pikachu baseball helmet, or aPikachu-themedbaseball cap. There will also be a special Pikachu paper sun visor distributed for anyone who comes to watch the event in the stadium, cut out to look just like Pikachu’s face.
The baseball cap is also available for pre-order to the public for 7,200 yen ($53 USD), but the baseball helmet will not be available for sale. There are only going to be a limited number of these hats made, though, and they will not accept any more orders once the maximum number of orders has been reached. Additionally, as they are going to be made to order, cancelations or changes to orders will not be accepted. The pre-order period started on April 25th and will run until May 7th, 2023.
The announcement for the event and the new Pikachu head wear was made by two players from the Yokohama Baystars team, who appeared in a photo shoot along with their usual mascot - and of course, a giant Pikachu mascot as well! Yokohama is where thePikachu Outbreak eventhappens nearly every summer, featuring hundreds of Pikachu mascot characters, stage shows, special merchandise and collaborations, and more. Thus, Yokohama is the perfect setting for thePokemonWorld Championships, especially when it’s going to be a Pikachu-themed event.
Tickets for attending thePokemonWorld Championships 2023 are not yet available, but will be available for purchase via the Baystars Official Website. Additionally, the Baystars will be playing a game versus the Chunichi Dragons June 30th - July 2nd, where they will be wearing the Pikachu baseball helmets. This event will be another part of thePokemonBall Park Yokohama, though more details about what will occur at the event have not yet been released.
ThePokemonWorld Championships 2023 will be hosted at Pacifico Yokohama from August 11 to June 11, 2025.
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