Pokémon, the global phenomenon that has captivated generations, is celebrating a landmark this year—its 30th anniversary. And what better way to mark the occasion than with a star-studded Super Bowl commercial that brought together celebrities, animated Pokémon, and a wave of nostalgia for fans old and new? On February 8, 2026, during the third quarter of Super Bowl LX, Pokémon aired its much-anticipated ad, “What’s Your Favorite?”, kicking off a year-long celebration that promises to be nothing short of epic.
The commercial was a who’s who of pop culture, with personalities from music, sports, and entertainment revealing their favorite Pokémon. According to Variety, the lineup included comedian Trevor Noah, pop superstar Lady Gaga, Formula One driver Charles Leclerc, Puerto Rican rapper Young Miko, K-pop sensation Jisoo, Canadian actress Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, and rising soccer star Lamine Yamal. Each celebrity appeared alongside an animated version of their chosen Pokémon, sharing what makes their pick so special.
The ad begins with Trevor Noah strolling down a sunlit boardwalk, pondering aloud, “What’s my favorite?” It’s a question that resonates with anyone who has ever tried to choose a favorite from the hundreds of quirky, colorful creatures that make up the Pokémon universe. The scene quickly shifts to Maitreyi Ramakrishnan in a makeup chair, describing her favorite “jet-black” Pokémon, while Charles Leclerc enthuses about his “extremely fast” pick. Young Miko calls her favorite “limitless,” and Jisoo can’t help but gush about her Pokémon’s cuteness.
But it’s Lady Gaga who steals the show in a recording studio, revealing that her favorite Pokémon “has a 12-octave vocal range” and “always finds a way to make it funny.” The camera pans to reveal Jigglypuff—the iconic, pink, singing Pokémon—perched on the couch. In a delightful twist, Gaga and Jigglypuff join forces for a duet, belting out the unforgettable self-named song that, in the Pokémon anime, famously puts listeners to sleep. The moment is both hilarious and heartwarming, a nod to the playful spirit that has defined Pokémon for three decades.
Each celebrity’s Pokémon partner is thoughtfully chosen. Trevor Noah is paired with Psyduck, the perpetually confused yellow duck known for its psychic powers and chronic headaches. As Noah explains to Variety, “Every single time you met a new Pokémon, it felt like you met a new part of yourself.” For him, Psyduck represents the unlikely hero—a character whose struggles and quirks mirror his own experiences growing up neurodivergent. “The reason I choose Psyduck is because I grew up as a neurodivergent kid, still figuring out what ADHD does in your brain. When I watched Psyduck in the TV show, it’s this little weirdo in a weird world. Psyduck can’t handle its brain. It’s trying to figure out how things work. It’s the most powerful, then the least powerful. It can literally freeze the whole world, levitate everything and throw it away, but then sometimes it can’t even walk out of a Poké Ball in the right direction. It was the classic tale of the unlikely hero, the hero that we hope we all have inside us. We don’t expect it, and then against all odds you figure everything out, and you come out on top.”
Meanwhile, Ramakrishnan’s pick, Luxray, is an electric lion who, she says, “likes to sleep. Just like me.” Jisoo goes for Eevee, beloved for its ability to evolve into multiple forms, while Young Miko favors the mischievous ghost Pokémon Gengar, saying, “he’s mischievous but that’s sort of his love language.” Lamine Yamal, the Spanish soccer prodigy, is paired with the formidable legendary Pokémon Zygarde, and Leclerc reveals his partner to be the speedy and powerful fire-type Arcanine.
The commercial wasn’t the only surprise Pokémon had in store. According to The Pokémon Company International president Kenji Okubo, the Super Bowl ad was just the beginning of a year-long celebration. “As we look to the next 30 years and beyond, we invite Trainers to join in celebrating this landmark milestone, starting with Super Bowl LX, where they’ll see themselves and their fandom reflected in unexpected ways,” Okubo said in a statement, as reported by Variety.
Fans can expect a slew of commemorative merchandise, with 30th anniversary-branded items now available at Pokémon Center, the franchise’s online retail store. The excitement doesn’t stop there—February 27, 2026, marks Pokémon Day, when commemorative trading cards will be released, and the first-ever LEGO Pokémon sets are set to debut later in the year. These releases promise to delight collectors and newcomers alike, offering fresh ways to engage with the world of Pokémon.
Perhaps the most anticipated part of the anniversary is the launch of a brand-new video game, “Pokopia,” a life simulation title set to hit shelves on March 5, 2026, for the Nintendo Switch 2. The game promises to let players immerse themselves in a vibrant Pokémon world, building communities and forging friendships with their favorite creatures. For many, it’s a chance to relive the thrill of discovery that defined their childhoods—or to experience it for the first time.
In Tokyo, celebrations took a physical form with the opening of PokéPark Kanto, the first-ever Pokémon outdoor facility. Debuting in February 2026, PokéPark Kanto offers fans a real-world space to explore, play, and connect with others who share their passion for the franchise. It’s a fitting tribute to a brand that has always been about bringing people together, whether through trading cards on a schoolyard or battling monsters in a virtual world.
This isn’t the first time Pokémon has made a splash at the Super Bowl. The franchise previously ran an ad during the big game in 2016 to mark its 20th anniversary, but this year’s campaign feels even more ambitious, reflecting Pokémon’s enduring popularity and its ability to reinvent itself for each new generation. As Okubo noted, the 30th anniversary is as much about looking forward as it is about celebrating the past.
For Trevor Noah and countless others, Pokémon is more than just a game or a TV show—it’s a cultural touchstone that shaped their childhoods and continues to inspire them today. “This is one of those moments where you get to reward your childhood self,” Noah told Variety about his participation in the Super Bowl ad. His memories of trading cards in South Africa and playing the original “Red,” “Blue,” and “Yellow” Game Boy games are echoed by fans around the world, each with their own story of how Pokémon touched their lives.
As Pokémon enters its fourth decade, the franchise shows no signs of slowing down. With new games, toys, events, and experiences on the horizon, it’s clear that the spirit of adventure and discovery that defined its early days is alive and well. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or a newcomer just discovering the magic, there’s never been a better time to ask yourself: what’s your favorite?