All Nippon Airways Launches Pikachu Jet Operation
Pokemon Co. CSR Project... Collaborated with T'way Last Year as Well
In Japan, the land of animation and games, a 'Pikachu airplane' themed around Pok?mon is set to take to the skies. The aim is to bring the joy of adventure to customers who have been unable to travel due to COVID-19.
On the 5th, All Nippon Airways (ANA) announced that it began operating the 'Pikachu Jet,' a plane specially designed with Pok?mon-themed exterior, starting from the previous day. The Pikachu Jet will be introduced on domestic and international routes including Haneda-Bangkok, which commenced on the 4th, as well as Southeast Asia, Sydney, and Vancouver.
The Pikachu Jet has attracted attention for faithfully embodying the Pok?mon concept on the airplane. The exterior features popular Pok?mon characters such as Pikachu along with legendary Pok?mon like Rayquaza, Charizard, and Emolga, depicted embarking on an adventure together with Pikachu.
The interior of the plane follows suit. Flight attendants wear aprons in two designs?blue and pink?both featuring Pikachu. Napkins, paper cups, and seat covers are also redesigned with Pok?mon motifs. Onboard, music that evokes the world of Pok?mon is played, and souvenirs such as Pok?mon stickers and boarding certificates are provided.
ANA 'Pikachu Jet' interior. The seat covers are also designed with Pikachu patterns. (Photo by ANA website)
The Pikachu Jet is part of a project promoted by The Pok?mon Company in Japan. As part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities, The Pok?mon Company is advancing the 'Sorato Bu Pikachu Project,' which means 'Flying Pikachu.' According to this project, The Pok?mon Company covers the cost of painting the aircraft and provides related licenses free of charge, allowing airlines to freely use the concept as they wish.
The project was launched in preparation for the reopening of air travel routes after the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. The project’s website states, “When everyone can move freely again after COVID-19 ends, we hope many people will enjoy air travel,” and adds, “We will make various efforts so that Pikachu can deliver wonderful memories.”
A Pok?mon representative also said, “The purpose is to revitalize the aviation and tourism industries, which have been hit hard by COVID-19,” and explained, “We connected the idea of being able to travel freely anywhere by plane with the Pok?mon world of going out and exploring the world.”
Last month, Narita International Airport conducted a seeing-off project in collaboration with Pok?mon. (Photo by Soratobu Pikachu Project website)
In line with the CSR nature of the project, it does not partner exclusively with any single company; any company wishing to collaborate can participate. Last month, Narita International Airport held events such as ‘Pok?mon Farewell’ and ‘Pok?mon Memory Photos,’ installing Pok?mon characters throughout the terminal to see off customers as part of the project. In December last year, South Korea’s T’way Air also collaborated with The Pok?mon Company to launch the country’s first Pikachu Jet.
Customer responses have been positive. Especially among adults who grew up watching Pok?mon, as well as children. When ANA announced the launch of the Pikachu Jet, social media users expressed feelings of returning to childhood and said they gained positive energy from flying on the plane during business trips.
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