The 2023 Pokémon World Championships took place over three days in Yokohama, Japan, and were hosted by The Pokémon Company International. The event welcomed the best Trainers from around the world to compete in the top tournament for Pokémon video games and the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG). This year’s event included various games, such as the Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet video games, the Pokémon TCG, Pokémon GO, and Pokémon UNITE. Over 10,000 players and fans from all over the globe attended the event held at the PACIFICO Yokohama Convention Center. You can find the winners of each division here.
Alongside crowning this year’s top competitive Pokémon players, the event also revealed new announcements and experiences across the brand. Some of the highlights include:
Ancient and Future Pokémon, ACE SPEC Cards Coming Soon to the Pokémon Trading Card Game
During the closing ceremonies on August 13, The Pokémon Company group announced new cards and mechanics for the best-selling Pokémon TCG. Beginning in fall 2023, Trainers can expect to see Ancient and Future Pokémon in the Pokémon TCG, including Roaring Moon ex, Iron Valiant ex, and illustration rare versions of Brute Bonnet and Iron Moth. Additionally, ACE SPEC cards, which were first introduced in the Black & White Series, will return to the Standard format in 2024. More details will be shared in the future.
First Partner Pokémon from Previous Titles Appear in The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero Part 2: The Indigo Disk
New information about The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero for Pokémon Scarlet or Pokémon Violet was revealed during the closing ceremonies. First partner Pokémon from previous titles in the core Pokémon series will appear in the Terarium housed within Blueberry Academy, the setting of Part 2: The Indigo Disk. The Terarium is a facility that re-creates a variety of biomes where many different Pokémon thrive in their natural environments. Trainers will also be able to battle these Pokémon to try adding them to their team and observe how the Terastal phenomenon affects them. Additionally, a nineteenth Tera Type and upcoming connectivity with Pokémon HOME were announced. For more information, visit this link.
Pokémon UNITE Update
Pokémon UNITE will soon be adding three new characters: Blaziken, Mimikyu, and Meowscarada. Blaziken will become available on September 14, and information on when Mimikyu and Meowscarada will debut on Aeos Island will be released soon. For further details about Pokémon UNITE, please visit https://unite.pokemon.com/en-gb/.
“Pokémon: Path to the Peak”
On August 11, during the 2023 Pokémon World Championships, The Pokémon Company International premiered a new animated series called “Pokémon: Path to the Peak”. The show follows Ava and her partner Pokémon, Oddish, as they aspire to become the best in the competitive world of Pokémon Trading Card Game play. The first episode is now available for fans to watch on the official Pokémon YouTube channel.
2024 Pokémon World Championships Location
The location of the 2024 Pokémon World Championships was also announced during the closing ceremony on Sunday evening. Trainers from around the world can look forward to the next exciting Pokémon World Championships to be held in Honolulu, Hawai’i.
“Our hearts go out to all those who have been impacted by the devastating wildfires in Hawai’i, said Colin Palmer, vice president of Premier Events at The Pokémon Company International. “Our priority is to aid children, families, and their affected communities. To support relief efforts, The Pokémon Company International is making an immediate monetary donation of $200,000 to its partners at GlobalGiving through their Hawaii Wildfire Relief Fund.”
To learn more about GlobalGiving’s local relief efforts and to join in supporting, please visit GlobalGiving.org/Pokemon.
