Pokémon and Universal Studios Japan form a "long-term strategic alliance"

Pokemon Universal Studios
Pokemon Universal Studios (Image credit: The Pokémon Company, Universal Studios)

What you need to know

  • Universal Studios are a series of theme parks belonging to NBCUniversal, with parks in North America and Japan.
  • Universal Studios Japan announced an alliance with The Pokémon Company, with projects in development.
  • The first collaboration project between both companies will be revealed in 2022.

A report by Game Watch reveals that Universal Studios Japan and The Pokémon Company are currently collaborating in the wake of a newly established alliance. JL Bonnier, acting President and CEO of Universal Studios Japan, states that the strategic alliance is "medium- to long-term", and that the company plans to "create a world that no one has seen yet with overwhelming scale and quality" by fusing Pokémon with Universal Studios.

This news comes to light within Pokémon's 25th anniversary year, during which the anticipated Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl will release. The Pokémon Company seems to be going in a new direction with their games, as can be seen with Pokémon Legends Arceus, so it's not surprising that their marketing strategies are evolving, as well.

The first fruits of the two companies' collaboration will release in 2022. Both entities are based in Japan and know how to cater to Japanese audiences, so it will be interesting to see how this collaboration holds up against other theme parks like Tokyo Disney Resort. We'll be sure to keep you updated should any new information arise on the nature of this new alliance.

Nadine Dornieden
Contributor

Nadine is a freelance writer for iMore with a specialty in all things Nintendo, often working on news, guides, reviews, and editorials. She's been a huge Nintendo fan ever since she got to pet her very own Nintendog, and enjoys looking at Nintendo's place in the video game industry. Writing is her passion, but she mostly does it so that she can pay off her ever-growing debt to Tom Nook. Her favorite genres are simulation games, rhythm games, visual novels, and platformers. You can find her at @stopthenadness on Twitter, where she'll more than likely be reposting cute Animal Crossing content.