National Pokemon Day

National Pokémon Day is an American holiday dedicated to the world of Pokémon. This Japanese cultural phenomenon is incredibly popular—not only in the United States, but around the world. From manga, anime, and movies to toys and games, so much has been inspired by these little creatures. The popularity of Pokémon truly knows no bounds! The holiday is celebrated every year on February 27.

History

National Pokémon Day commemorates the release of Pokémon Red and Green on February 27, 1996—classic games that originally launched for the Game Boy console.

Pokémon was created by Satoshi Tajiri, a Tokyo native born in 1965. As a child, Tajiri loved collecting insects, a passion that later inspired the idea of Pokémon. When video games emerged, he imagined new characters, and with the support of Nintendo, these ideas evolved into a groundbreaking game series.

In 1997, the Pokémon anime series debuted, following the adventures of a boy named Ash (Satoshi in Japan) and his companion Pikachu as he strives to become the world’s greatest Pokémon master. In 2019, the first live-action Pokémon movie, Pokémon Detective Pikachu, was released as a collaboration between American and Japanese studios.

Interesting Facts

• In Japanese, the name “Pikachu” combines two words: “pika” (spark) and “chu” (squeak).
• Many Pokémon are based on real animals. For example, Poliwag is inspired by a tadpole, and the spiral on its belly represents its intestines—something you can actually see on real tadpoles due to their translucent skin.
• Originally in Japan, Pokémon were called Pocket Monsters. The name Pokémon is a contraction of this term.

How to Take Part

Celebrate National Pokémon Day by playing a Pokémon game, watching the anime, or enjoying a Pokémon movie. Learn more about the characters in the Pokémon universe. You might also want to buy a plush Pikachu or gift one to a child.

Share your memories on social media. Ask others when they first discovered Pokémon and what their favorite part of the franchise is.

When is National Pokémon Day in 2026?

National Pokémon Day is observed on February 27 each year.

Observations