Pikachu Parade Electrifies USJ's Summer Celebration

The Pokémon Company partnered with Universal Studios Japan to bring tourists all over the ultimate summer experience. Read on to learn more about how the event brings beloved Pokémon characters to life in a water-themed parade.

Pokémon NO LIMIT! Summer Splash Parade Hits USJUse ‘Water Gun’ in Real Life

The Pokémon Company and Universal Studios Japan are taking their successful partnership to a new level with the NO LIMIT! Summer Splash Parade. Building on the original NO LIMIT! Parade, this Summer introduces a refreshing water-focused theme that promises to soak up the summer fun.

The collaboration between the two entertainment giants began in 2021 with a commitment to develop a "creative alliance," through which they will "develop new interactive entertainment combining innovative technology and extraordinary creativity." The NO LIMIT! Parade was the first major result of this partnership, showcasing floats of many beloved Pokémon characters like Charizard and Pikachu around the park in a grand procession. This year, the parade is evolving into a fully immersive water experience.

According to The Pokémon Company in their website, they went to great lengths to "make the featured Pokémon as ‘true-to-life’ as possible," citing Gyarados' debut in USJ. To capture the Pokémon’s fierce nature, three performers synchronize their movements to give guests a performance that is akin to a dragon dance.

The parade guarantees that guests will get thoroughly soaked not only by Pokémon, but also beloved characters from Super Mario, Despicable Me, Sesame Street, Peanuts, and Sing.

Guests are not passive spectators waiting to get drenched, however; they’re engaged participants in the fun. If it’s an especially hot day, they can position themselves in the "360° Soak Zone", where they can douse and be doused by family, friends, and parade performers in a constant downpour. While personal water guns are prohibited, guests receive a complimentary Water Shooter upon entering the special zone.

Beyond the parade, guests can immerse themselves further in the world of Pokémon with exclusive merchandise and food offerings. One of the food in the menu is the "Gyarados Whirling Smoothie – Soda & Pineapple". These are served in cups "with the Park’s largest sleeve ever, emblazoned with a bold and powerful depiction of Gyarados."

Aside from this, the theme park also promises to serve food and drinks that are "ideal for the summer season."

The parade started on July 3 and will run until September 1. The 360° Soak Zone, however, will only be available until August 22. Regardless, whether it will be your first time visiting or not, The Pokémon Company assures guests that "every visit will be amazingly exciting, deeply moving, and always memorable."