Universal Studios Japan announced today that they would enter into a medium to long-term partnership with The Pokémon Company, responsible for the blockbuster Pokémon game and anime franchise.

The new partnership aims to provide new in-park entertainment experiences, with several projects already underway. The first of these aims to deliver by the end of 2022, with new experiences after designed to exceed Guest expectations.

Universal Studios Japan President J. L. Bonnier offered the following comment:

By combining the world-famous Pokémon franchise with Universal Studios Japan’s entertainment technology, we will create a world that no one has ever seen before on an overwhelming scale and quality. As the only place where people can connect with their hearts and minds to unleash their deepest instincts, we hope to boost the tourism market and become the destination of choice for people around the world.

Meanwhile, The Pokémon Company President Tsunekazu Ishihara offered the following:

This year, Pokémon celebrates its 25th anniversary. We have been producing Pokémon products and services in various fields such as video games, card games, animations, movies, licensed products and events, and Pokémon will continue to take on new challenges in the future. Through this alliance, we hope to produce new Pokémon entertainment at theme parks by collaborating with Universal Studios Japan’s creative vision and world-class technology, and we are looking forward to the day when everyone around the world will be able to experience it.

This seems to represent a new direction for Universal Studios Japan, as it largely has chosen to partner with franchises and IPs which may only be recognizable to niche audiences outside of Japan and anime-centric circles for short and medium-term entertainment in the past, such as Doraemon or Detective Conan. Whatever the result, we look forward to seeing Pikachu and friends at Universal Studios Japan starting next year!

For more Universal Studios news from around the world, follow Universal Parks News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. For Disney Parks news, visit WDWNT.