The anticipation in the Pokémon community is peaking as the Pokémon Company prepares for its next Pokémon Presents livestream on August 8. This event marks the first Pokémon Presents – known to some as Pokémon Direct following Nintendo’s terminology – in quite some time.
The broadcast did more than merely pique the interest of the fans. An intriguing teaser has set off speculation among fans. In this unusual preview, the “M” in the “Pokémon” logo glitches, briefly duplicating and turning purple. Theories abound regarding what this unusual visual cue could mean, with some fans pointing towards Mewtwo, particularly considering that August 8 is also celebrated as International Cat Day.
In addition to the excitement surrounding the mysterious glitch, fans are eagerly waiting for updates on several upcoming releases. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, the latest mainline games for the Nintendo Switch, have expansions in the pipeline that were announced earlier this year. The Teal Mask and The Indigo Disk promise to bring a breath of fresh air to the gameplay, introducing five new Pokémon and leading players through new quests and narratives.
8月8日（火）22時から「Pokémon Presents」が配信決定！
公式YouTubeチャンネルで約35分の放送予定だよ。
ぜひチェックしてね！#ポケモンプレゼンツ #pokemonpresents pic.twitter.com/1qXurU9pvm— ポケモン公式 (@Pokemon_cojp) August 4, 2023
The Teal Mask, the first part of the two-part expansion, is expected to release this fall, whisking players away on an out-of-town school trip to unravel the mysteries behind Kitakami’s local folklore. The Indigo Disk, the second part, scheduled for this winter, puts players in the shoes of an exchange student exploring the enigmatic Blueberry Academy. Both parts will enrich the game with older Pokémon such as Milotic, Ninetales, Shiftry, Metagross, Seel, and Alcremie – species not found in the original Paldea region.
Those who pre-order the expansion will receive a new uniform set that will differ depending on the base game they have. Furthermore, an early purchase bonus offers a Hisuian Zoroark to players who buy the expansion before October 31 – a Pokémon that isn’t typically found in the Paldea region.
Aside from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet’s expansions, Pokémon fans are also looking forward to the updates on Detective Pikachu Returns. This sequel to the 2016’s Detective Pikachu for Nintendo 3DS is set to launch in October on the Nintendo Switch, and it’s highly likely that news regarding the game will emerge during the presentation.
Simultaneously, eyes are set on updates for other media, such as Netflix’s stop-motion anime series, Pokémon Concierge. This exciting new take on the franchise is set to premiere later this year and could potentially grace the event with fresh details. Not to mention the possibility of a new trailer for Pokémon Ultimate Journeys, the final arc for Ash Ketchum, which is set to air on September 8.
Despite the teaser’s enigmatic nature and the uncertainty surrounding the event’s specifics, it’s clear that fans have plenty to look forward to. Whether you’re a veteran Trainer or a newcomer to the franchise, mark your calendars for 6 a.m. PDT/9 a.m EDT on August 8, and tune in via the Pokémon YouTube channel to catch all the exciting updates. The world of Pokémon is about to get a whole lot bigger.
Speaking of Nintendo and Pokémon, the next Nintendo console is just right around the corner. We might get hints of the next mainline Pokémon game at the event, which may be simultaneously released on the Nintendo Switch and its successor, next year.
