ANA to Launch Three Pokémon Themed Aircraft Featuring Starter Pokémon in 2026
Japan Airlines (ANA) announced plans to launch three Boeing 787-9 aircraft featuring full-body depictions of Pokémon’s original three starter Pokémon—Charmander, Squirtle, and Bulbasaur—in 2026, according to a company statement released March 15. The initiative, developed in collaboration with The Pokémon Company, marks the first time the franchise’s “御三家” (gohousei, or “starter trio”) will be prominently displayed on commercial aircraft.
The aircraft, scheduled to enter service between April and December 2026, will undergo exterior livery changes and interior design updates to incorporate Pokémon motifs. ANA confirmed the project aligns with its “Creative Journey” strategy to enhance passenger experiences through cultural and entertainment partnerships. A spokesperson for The Pokémon Company stated the collaboration “reflects the global appeal of Pokémon and its potential to inspire new travel trends.”
Details about specific flight routes, seating configurations, or interactive elements aboard the planes remain unconfirmed. However, ANA’s marketing team revealed preliminary sketches showing the Pokémon designs will cover the fuselage and tail, with cabin interiors featuring themed lighting and artwork. The airline’s 2026 schedule includes routes to major international destinations, though no direct links to Pokémon-related tourism initiatives were disclosed in official documents.
The partnership follows a 2023 agreement between ANA and The Pokémon Company to explore “cross-industry collaborations,” according to a joint press release. This marks the second major airline partnership for the franchise, following a 2018 collaboration with Air China that featured Pikachu-themed aircraft. Unlike the China project, which focused on limited-edition merchandise, ANA’s initiative emphasizes comprehensive branding across both aircraft and customer service protocols.
Representatives from the Japan Tourism Agency declined to comment on potential economic impacts, citing ongoing evaluations of the project’s scope. However, a 2022 report by the National Institute of Japanese Economy noted that themed aviation projects can increase passenger numbers by 8–12% in their first year, depending on regional demand. ANA’s previous themed flights, including a 2019 “Star Wars” collaboration, reported a 15% rise in bookings during their operational periods.
The Pokémon Company’s global licensing director, Hiromi Ogasawara, emphasized the initiative’s focus on “fostering connections between aviation and pop culture.” No details about additional Pokémon characters or future projects were provided. ANA’s 2026 fleet update plan includes replacing three existing aircraft with the newly branded planes, according to regulatory filings with the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism.
Questions about the project’s long-term sustainability remain unanswered. A 2021 study by the University of Tokyo’s Graduate School of Public Policy found that themed aviation campaigns often see declining engagement after 18 months, though repeated collaborations can sustain interest. ANA’s current contract with The Pokémon Company expires in 2028, leaving the future of the partnership uncertain.
The airline’s next scheduled update on the project is set for July 2024, when it will release full design specifications and route maps. Until then, the collaboration remains under active development, with no official timeline for public testing or passenger feedback collection.