Universal Studios Japan and The Pokemon Company have struck a deal that will see the massively popular Pokemon brand come to life within the theme park starting in 2022. We don't know exactly what this partnership wil entail, but Universal promised "groundbreaking entertainment" that will combine "innovative techology and creativity."
"We are honoured to have a long-term partnership with The Pokémon Company while developing ground-breaking Pokémon entertainment at Universal Studios Japan for both Pokémon fans and our guests," said Universal Studios Japan boss J.L. Bonnier.
This is Universal's second major video game partnership following a deal with Nintendo that ultimately led to Super Nintendo Land. It's unlikely, given the 2022 date, that this will be a full-blown park expansion -- that would take years of planning and construction. For reference, construction on Super Nintendo Land began in 2017, two years after the partnership with Nintendo was announced in 2015. It was intended to open in 2020, but delayed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Still, the prospect of bringing the pocket monster franchise to theme parks is certainly exciting.
"The incredible team at Universal Studios Japan have the creative vision and leading expertise in world-class theme park technology to imagine a uniquely Pokémon experience," said The Pokémon Company boss Tsunekazu Ishihara.
Super Nintendo World is currently open in Universal Studios Japan with a new Donkey Kong expansion announced. The primary focus is on the Mario franchise and its varous sub-series. Super Nintendo World is also coming to Universal Studios Hollywood as well as Universal's Epic Universe park at Universal Orlando Resort, so it's not unreasonable to think Pokemon could too come to parks in the United States.
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