Pokémon Planes Of Air Nippon Airlines adds Pikachu safety videos

Pokémon is a worldwide phenomenon, especially in Japan. ANA Airlines, which already operates two Pokémon-themed planes, now offers its passengers Pokémon-themed safety and deplaning videos.

Millennials and Gen Z are the biggest Pokémon fans. And these younger generations will become the largest group of airlines worldwide. By 2025, just four months from now, Statista predicts that 51.5% of global airline spending will be spent by millennials, those born between 1981 and 1996. Another 11.5% of airline spending will be spent by Gen Z, young people born between 1997 and 2012.

Unfortunately, flying isn't that much fun these days. Air Nippon Airways (ANA) is trying to change that in a fun way that's aimed directly at those millions of young people. Yes, it's time to get ready for takeoff and disembarkation with Pikachu and friends! While watching the safety video, Pokémon fans can count and name the characters as they appear.

ANA currently operates two aircraft featuring the cute “pocket monsters”, also known as Pokémon. One of the aircraft is a 246-seat Boeing 787-9, known as the Pikachu Jet NH. The other is a 212-seat Boeing 777-300ER, known as the Eevee Jet NH. Both are mainly used on routes throughout Asia.

ANA even has an entire website dedicated to the “Pikachujets.” Silly – or good business?

As a Pokémon parent, I can attest to the continued popularity of the kawaii creatures, even though they're soon turning 30 years old.^th Birthday.

Pokémon, for those unfamiliar with the phenomenon, began as role-playing games developed by Game Freak. A Game Boy game released on February 27, 1996, skyrocketed the popularity of Pikachu and friends among children. Pokémon has been adapted into a series of manga comics, a highly popular trading card game, anime television series and movies, plush toys, and more, such as ANA's airline livery. According to an ANA spokesperson, the relationship with the Pokémon Company is part of a licensing agreement.

The new Pokémon flight safety video was unveiled at an ANA event at Haneda Airport in Tokyo on August 15, 2024, featuring custom characters, Pokémon World Championship players, and ANA Executive Vice President Motoaki Ueno and The Pokémon Company Chief Operating Officer Taketo Utsunomiya. Following the event, the new safety video was shown aboard Pikachu Jet NH, flying from Japan to Honolulu, HI, for the 2024 Pokémon World Championships.

The videos are in Japanese and English and feature popular Pokémon characters giving viewers important safety instructions in a fun and easy-to-understand way. These include how to fasten your seatbelt, how to use your oxygen mask, how to prepare for an accident, and more, all demonstrated by humans and Pokémon characters.

Why did ANA decide to make these light-hearted flight safety and disembarkation videos with the Pokémon characters?

“ANA's collaboration with The Pokémon Company for Pokémon Air Adventures is about reigniting the joy of travel and connecting people with each other and communities,” a spokesperson said. “After the challenges the aviation industry faced during the pandemic, we saw an opportunity to reignite excitement and create an unforgettable experience. The use of Pokémon characters in the safety and disembarkation videos is not only entertaining, but also a strategic attempt to make safety briefings more engaging and impactful, ultimately improving safety on board.”

The videos are also available on ANA's official YouTube channel, ANA Global Channel. ANA has previously had a Boeing 747 painted with Pokémon. The company also operates three current Airbus A380 models from Japan to Daniel Inouye Airport in Hawaii, all painted as fanciful versions of Hawaiian sea turtles, such as the “Flying Honu.”

“We believe that conveying a sense of joy can significantly enhance passengers' overall experience and is in line with the ANA Group's vision of 'uniting the world in wonder' through the joy of travel,” the spokesperson added.

Several enthusiastic flyers recently flew on the Pokémon planes and raved about the experience and the souvenirs. Whether watching the videos online or on board, the experience will undoubtedly leave Pokémon fans wanting more.

“Pokémon holds a special place in Japanese culture, and its appeal resonates with fans around the world, across cultures and age groups,” notes an ANA spokesperson. “These educational videos are designed to captivate travelers from all over the world and make every flight a magical journey.”