Los Angeles, Feb 9 (.) This year marks the 30th anniversary of ‘Pokémon’, and the franchise kicked off the milestone with a star-studded Super Bowl commercial titled “What’s Your Favorite?”
According to Variety, the ad features Trevor Noah, Lady Gaga, and other celebrities sharing their favorite Pokémon alongside animated versions of the creatures.
Noah opens the commercial walking down a sunny boardwalk, asking, “What’s my favorite?” He is soon joined by actor Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, who sits in a makeup chair describing her “jet-black” favorite Pokémon. Formula One driver Charles Leclerc chooses an “extremely fast” Pokémon, rapper Young Miko opts for a “limitless” one, and Blackpink member Jisoo says hers is “so cute.”
In a recording studio, Lady Gaga reveals her Pokémon “has a 12-octave vocal range” and “always finds a way to make it funny.” The camera pans to Jigglypuff, sitting on a couch, as Gaga and the singing Pokémon perform a duet of its iconic self-titled song from the anime.
The celebrities are then paired with their Pokémon partners. Noah’s companion is the yellow, goofy Psyduck, who he describes as reflecting a part of himself. Ramakrishnan is paired with Luxray, a large electric lion who naps on her desk.
Jisoo’s Eevee charms her with its ability to evolve into multiple forms, while Young Miko’s favorite, the mischievous Gengar, embodies a playful “love language.” Spanish soccer star Lamine Yamal is paired with the legendary Zygarde, and Leclerc’s partner is the fast, fiery Arcanine.
Speaking to Variety, Noah said, “This is one of those moments where you get to reward your childhood self. ‘Pokémon’ has been part of my life since the age of 9 or 10… it really blew up in my life with the Game Boy.” He shared that Psyduck, Misty’s water-type Pokémon in the anime, became his favorite for its combination of immense power and comical ineptitude. Noah explained, “I feel like ‘Pokémon’ is a perfect allegory for society… Psyduck can’t handle its brain. It’s trying to figure out how things work. It was the classic tale of the unlikely hero… against all odds you figure everything out, and you come out on top.”
The 30th-anniversary celebrations also include the upcoming video game ‘Pokopia’, a life simulation experience releasing March 5 for Nintendo Switch 2, and the launch of Japan’s first ‘Pokémon’ outdoor facility, PokéPark Kanto, in Tokyo.
. MI ARN