Pokémon Centers Across Japan Celebrate 30 Years of Memories With “#IMetYou!” Campaign
The Pokémon Company has announced a heartwarming new campaign for the franchise’s 30th anniversary, inviting fans across Japan to celebrate the Pokémon that have accompanied them throughout their journeys.
Running from June 1st to June 30th, 2026, the campaign is titled “#I Met You!” and will take place at Pokémon Centers nationwide. The event focuses on the special memories and connections Trainers have made with their partner Pokémon over the past three decades.
Meet 27 Starter Pokémon Across Japan
As part of the celebration, Pokémon Centers throughout Japan will host special greeting events featuring Pikachu alongside one of the 27 starter Pokémon that have appeared throughout the history of the Pokémon series.
Whether your first partner was Bulbasaur, Chikorita, Torchic, Oshawott, Sprigatito, or any of the other starters from the past 30 years, fans will have the opportunity to meet Pokémon representing every generation of adventures.
Each Pokémon Center will feature different appearances throughout the month, encouraging visitors to check schedules and visit multiple locations to meet their favourites.
Receive a Special “#I Met You!” Sticker
Visitors can also receive a commemorative “#I Met You!” sticker during the event.
To receive one, fans can:
- Visit a Pokémon Center with their partner Pokémon.
- Share a memory about their favourite Pokémon with Pokémon Center staff.
The stickers allow fans to record:
- Their Pokémon’s name
- When they met them
- Where they met them
Creating a personal keepsake celebrating their Pokémon journey.
The “Treasures Galore Project”
One of the most unique parts of the campaign is the new Treasures Galore Project.
Pokémon fans are being encouraged to share stories about their Pokémon memories by:
- Writing messages on special Treasure Cards in-store.
- Posting memories online using the campaign hashtag.
The collected messages will be placed into giant Poké Ball displays located inside Pokémon Centers.
According to The Pokémon Company, if enough “treasures” are collected by the end of the event, special surprises may be revealed.
Some of the submitted stories may also be featured on official Pokémon Center social media channels and websites.
Exclusive Pokémon HOME Reward
Fans using the smartphone version of Pokémon HOME will also be able to receive a special commemorative medal.
By visiting participating Pokémon Centers and interacting with special event panels, players can unlock an exclusive 30th Anniversary Pokémon Center Medal for their Pokémon HOME collection.
It’s a small bonus, but one that many dedicated Pokémon HOME collectors will certainly want to add to their profile.
Special Shipping Boxes From Pokémon Center Online
The celebration extends beyond physical stores.
Customers ordering from Pokémon Center Online during the campaign period will receive their purchases in special “#I Met You!” shipping boxes.
The contents of the box design will remain a surprise until arrival, but each package will include one of the 30th Anniversary Pokémon logos representing one of the franchise’s 1,025 Pokémon.
In true Pokémon fashion, fans won’t know which Pokémon they’ll receive until they open the box.
A Celebration of Pokémon Memories
Unlike many Pokémon anniversary events that focus on merchandise or new products, the “#I Met You!” campaign is centred entirely around the memories fans have created with their Pokémon over the last 30 years.
From a first starter Pokémon encountered as a child to a favourite shiny hunted years later, the campaign encourages Trainers to reflect on the Pokémon that became part of their lives.
Personally, I think this is one of the nicest Pokémon 30th Anniversary events announced so far. Rather than focusing on buying something new, it’s about celebrating the memories we already have. Every Pokémon fan remembers their first starter, their first shiny, or that one Pokémon that carried them through a difficult battle. Those memories really are treasures, and it’s nice to see The Pokémon Company recognising that.
