Straw Hat Pikachu Returns
On July 15, 2019, the Japanese Pokemon GO Twitter account announced the return of Straw Hat Pikachu as a part of a celebration of the anime series One Piece.
Several PokeStops will also be set up around Kumamoto Prefecture, tied to statues of One Piece characters. The picture discs of these PokeStops will feature art from One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda.
漫画家・尾田栄一郎氏が協力している熊本県の復興を『Pokémon GO』が応援！
— Pokémon GO Japan (@PokemonGOAppJP) July 16, 2019
熊本県に設置される「麦わらの一味」像がポケストップになります。これを記念し、全世界で「赤いリボンの麦わら帽子をかぶったピカチュウ」と、着せ替えアイテムが登場します。https://t.co/EPt3KaxFTX#ポケモンGO pic.twitter.com/35Jn3fnwSm
Starting July 22, and until July 29, Straw Hat Pikachu will be available and a special straw hat avatar item will also debut in the shop.
July 22nd is a special day for One Piece; the series turns 22 years old on that date this year. Pokemon GO also celebrates it's 3rd anniversary for Japan on that day.
The Pokemon GO event is aimed at helping bring tourism to Kumamoto Prefecture, which saw a devastating earquake in 2016. It is the home prefecture of Eiichiro Oda, who has helped revitalize the area with generous donations.
