A launch event for Pokémon Pokopia was held in Tokyo, Japan, on Thursday, March 5, 2026.
Eiko Kano, Rino Sashihara, Hokuto Matsumura, and MAHINA, who appeared in the TV commercial, took the stage to experience the game and participate in a talk session themed around Pokémon Pokopia.
Pokémon Pokopia Launch Event Held!
Saiga NAK
The first-ever Pokémon slow-life sandbox game, Pokémon Pokopia, was released simultaneously worldwide on Thursday, March 5, 2026.
Players take on the role of a Ditto that has transformed into a human form to cooperate with various Pokémon and restore a town.
Excerpts from Tsunekazu Ishihara's Comments
This year marks the 30th anniversary of Pokémon.
The Pokémon world—catching, raising, evolving, trading with friends, and battling—began with Pokémon Red and Green and has thankfully gained global popularity.
And finally today, Pokémon Pokopia for Nintendo Switch 2 has launched worldwide.
It supports Japanese, English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Korean, Chinese (Simplified), and Chinese (Traditional), allowing everyone around the world to start playing this title at the same time.
This title is a Pokémon slow-life sandbox game jointly planned and developed by GAME FREAK inc., KOEI TECMO HOLDINGS CO., LTD., and The Pokémon Company.
Given the history of Pokémon so far, I believe you will feel something very nostalgic in the atmosphere of the towns you visit in Pokémon Pokopia.
Furthermore, this title supports multiplayer for up to four people, so you can enjoy town-building together by visiting friends' towns or inviting them to your own.
I sincerely hope that many people will pick it up.
Thank you very much.
(Translated from Japanese)
The Four Stars Appearing in the TV Commercial Take the Stage!
Here, Eiko Kano, Rino Sashihara, Hokuto Matsumura, and MAHINA, who appear in the Pokémon Pokopia TV commercial, took the stage in outfits coordinated in Ditto colors!
They shared behind-the-scenes stories from the Pokémon Pokopia TV commercial shoot.
SixTONES' Hokuto Matsumura (@sixtones_official), who says he plays Pokémon LEGENDS Z-A and Pokémon LeafGreen on his Nintendo Switch 2 at home and during travel time, revealed that he is looking forward to seeing a new user base play Pokémon through the release of this first-ever sandbox game in the Pokémon series.
Former HKT48 member Rino Sashihara (@345insta) performed a dance inspired by Ditto in the commercial.
She revealed that she felt anxious about the commercial shoot since some time had passed since her active idol days, and she was even "threatened" by Hokuto Matsumura—who was passing by during the transition—who told her, "The shoot is very difficult."
She asked fans to look out for the dance that she managed to get through.
Eiko Kano (@kano9x), whose game live streams on the YouTube channel EIKO!GO!! is popular across a wide range of generations, leaving an impact in the commercial despite only having a few cuts of a "serious face."
While self-deprecatingly saying, "If you blink, you'll miss me," he confessed that during the commercial shoot, he had actually recorded a dance scene just like the other performers.
Unfortunately, it seems it wasn't used in the finished commercial... but it was released on the official Pokémon YouTube channel.
MAHINA from the seven-member girl group HANA (@hana_brave_official) was in charge of the memorable, tongue-twister-like song.
She practiced with a stoic method of not leaving the bath until she could say it 10 times! and shared a message saying, "I hope everyone sings it a lot."
🕺#ぽこポケのうた 踊ってみた🕺
松村北斗さんが踊ってくれました！
ポイントはさりげないメタモンポーズ👉👈https://t.co/WooTOgc1Qqみんなも踊ってみてね🌟#ぽこあポケモン
— 【公式】ポケモン情報局 (@poke_times) March 2, 2026
A video of the four of them dancing to the Pokopoke Song is now available on the official Pokémon X account (@poke_times)!
Actually Playing Pokémon Pokopia!
Next, the four of them actually tried playing Pokémon Pokopia.
Since this title supports multiplayer for up to four people, you can collaborate on town-building and save memories of everyone gathered together in photos.
Setting up the camera for a group commemorative photo!
Additionally, Eiko Kano and Rino Sashihara revealed that they had built their own towns in advance.
Eiko Kano's town is scheduled for public release starting Thursday, March 12, 2026, and Rino Sashihara's town starting Thursday, March 19, 2026.
You will be able to actually visit the towns via the in-game virtual mode.
Check the official Pokémon social media for further updates!
What Parts of the Other Performers Would They Want to Transform Into? Advice for New Lives? Some Unusual Answers Too
After the game experience, a talk session themed around Pokémon Pokopia was held.
Rino commented that she wants MAHINA's vocal cords.
She conveyed her feeling that not only her singing voice but also her everyday speaking voice is cute and wonderful.
On the other hand, MAHINA praised how Rino can draw people into her unique worldview on both TV and YouTube, commenting that she wants those talking skills.
Rino smiled bashfully and said, "I haven't been able to show them yet today, so I'll do my best (laughs)."
Eiko, who also has a side as an artist, commented that he envies Hokuto's performance skills.
He shared that the "power to captivate" in this TV commercial was wonderful and made him stare involuntarily.
Hokuto commented that he envies Eiko's reactions to hidden camera pranks.
Eiko himself was perplexed, saying, "I'm really happy you say that, but it's really just my natural self... (laughs)."
Next, they were asked for advice for those starting a new life.
MAHINA argued that relying on those around you, something she is also good at, is important.
"Naturally, you can't do things at first, so don't keep it all to yourself and rely on those around you," she sent as words of encouragement.
Hokuto commented that he wants people to find something to immerse themselves in or a hobby as a time to escape from daily stress.
Hokuto says he also refreshes himself with games.
Rino commented that 80% motivation might be important.
"If it's 100%, you'll get tired eventually, so how long you can keep it at 80% leads to ease of living," she said.
...And while psychological advice based on the actual experiences of the three performers had been shared so far, it seems Eiko might have misunderstood the tone of the answer...?
It was a piece of advice that was serious in its own way: "You almost don't need anything to bring when moving to the city."
The venue was filled with laughter as Eiko shared an episode where he brought things like his graduation album and a pasta ladle from his parents' home, but he hadn't used them even once.
The first-ever Pokémon slow-life sandbox game Pokémon Pokopia is now available for Nintendo Switch 2!
For details, please visit the Pokémon Pokopia official website.
| Title Overview | |
|---|---|
| Name | Pokémon Pokopia |
| Release Date | Thursday, March 5, 2026 |
| Compatible Models | Nintendo Switch 2 |
| Genre | Slow-life Sandbox |
| Number of Players | 1 player (Up to 4 players via local or internet communication) |
| Sales Format | Physical version (key card), Download version |
| Supported Languages | Japanese, English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Korean |
| CERO | A |
| Planning and Development | The Pokémon Company, GAME FREAK inc., KOEI TECMO HOLDINGS CO., LTD. |
| Publisher | The Pokémon Company |