Lady Gaga and Jigglypuff Team Up for Pokémon’s 30th Anniversary Celebration
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Pokémon series, and the celebrations have kicked off with a star-studded Super Bowl ad featuring a duet between Jigglypuff and Lady Gaga. The commercial also showcased other celebrities, including comedian Trevor Noah, Blackpink’s Jisoo, and Never Have I Ever’s Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, as they shared their favorite Pokémon.
Pokémon Day, the franchise’s official birthday, is just around the corner on February 27, and fans are buzzing with anticipation about potential announcements. The year 2026 is already shaping up to be thrilling for the community, with Pokémon Lego sets hitting stores later this month and the life-sim Pokémon Pokopia launching in March. Other exciting news, such as a release date for Pokémon Champions, is likely on the way, and with such a significant milestone, fans can expect some special surprises.
The commercial marks the beginning of a yearlong “What’s Your Favorite?” campaign. After the delightful duet with Lady Gaga and Jigglypuff, the stars of the ad revealed their own favorite Pokémon, highlighting the diversity of choices within the franchise.
It’s often said that every Pokémon is someone’s favorite, and that’s the essence of this event. “It’s a question that sparks passionate discussion and reminds fans that no matter who they are, there is a Pokémon for them,” stated Kenji Okubo, president of The Pokémon Company International. He also mentioned that 2026 would be “a year packed full of fan-focused celebrations,” starting with a new Pokémon Go feature. As of February 8, Pokémon Go players can incorporate their favorite Pokémon into photos and share them online using the hashtag #Pokemon30.
Additionally, Day Out and Night Out events are in the pipeline, where Trainers can enjoy various fan-focused experiences that foster community engagement. Day Out events will cater to family-friendly activities, while Night Out events will be tailored for older fans. Details regarding the timing and locations of these events are yet to be announced.
Lady Gaga’s participation in this campaign raises questions about her potential involvement in a broader Pokémon promotion throughout the year. This wouldn’t be the first time the franchise has collaborated with a pop star; for its 25th anniversary, Katy Perry teamed up with the company to release a new single and music video featuring Pikachu, as part of the larger Pokémon 25: The Album project, which also included contributions from artists like Post Malone and Vince Staples. Whether or not we see more from Lady Gaga (and Jigglypuff) in the future, 2026 is gearing up to be an unforgettable year for Pokémon fans.
