Pokémon Announces First-Ever SDCC Panel

The Pokémon Company International has announced its first-ever San Diego Comic-Con panel celebrating the “legacy and future” of the Pokémon anime.

“Pokémon: Bringing Iconic Animation to Global Audiences” will take place on Thursday, July 20 from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. PDT in Room 6BCF of the San Diego Convention Center. The panel will highlight the conclusion of Ash and Pikachu’s 25-season story in the final episodes of Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series, as well as the upcoming Pokémon Horizons: The Series ahead of its international launch.

“This is an incredibly exciting time for the Pokémon brand and animated series as we celebrate Ash Ketchum’s legacy while gearing up for new adventures with Liko and Roy in Pokémon Horizons: The Series,” said Taito Okiura, The Pokémon Company International’s vice president of marketing. “Comic-Con International is the premier pop culture event and the perfect place to celebrate these icons who have made an indelible mark on popular culture. As we embark on this new chapter, we invite attendees to join us as we share never-before-seen insights into how we localize the beloved animated series so that Trainers around the world can enjoy their favorite stories and characters.”

What else will Pokémon bring to SDCC?

In addition to the “Iconic Animation” panel, Pokémon fans at SDCC 2023 will be able to attend the “Jazwares Spotlight” panel, hosted by Jazwares itself. The panel will “highlight the toymaker’s hottest products for 2023, including new Pokémon collectibles.”

SDCC attendees can also “engage with the Pokémon brand through various experiences on the show floor, such as photo opportunities, fan-focused giveaways and product previews, at the Jazwares booth #3513, Mattel booth #3029 and Bandai Namco booths #3329 and #301.” Additionally, the Jazwares and Mattel booths will be selling SDCC-exclusive Pokémon merchandise. Insight Editions, meanwhile, will “pass out recipe cards from its upcoming Pokémon Baking Book” at booth #2129.