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Japan Anime News Edit by Taimu Tsuji

Why Did Pokémon Celebrate Shohei Ohtani’s Championship?

Dodgers Claim the World Series Title with Ohtani Leading the Way

On October 31 (JST), the Los Angeles Dodgers secured the World Series title, defeating the Yankees 7-6 in Game 5 on enemy turf. In an unusual move, the official Pokémon Japan account on X (formerly Twitter) celebrated Shohei Ohtani’s long-awaited championship by posting an image of Garchomp along with the word “Champion!”—a clear nod to the fan-favorite “Garchomp Ohtani” meme.


Shohei Ohtani and Garchomp, the powerhouse Pokémon from Pokémon series.

Shohei Ohtani and Garchomp, the powerhouse Pokémon from Pokémon series.


The Origins of “Garchomp Ohtani”

The playful “Garchomp Ohtani” nickname emerged during the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC) when fans noticed striking similarities between Ohtani and the Pokémon Garchomp. According to Ohtani’s profile on the Samurai Japan website, he stands at 193 cm and weighs 95 kg—perfectly matching the height and weight listed for Garchomp in the Pokémon database. This amusing detail quickly became a talking point among fans.


The Hokkaido Connection Deepens the Parallel

The connection between Ohtani and Garchomp goes beyond just physical stats. Garchomp made its debut in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl (2006), set in the Sinnoh region, which is modeled after Hokkaido, Japan. Interestingly, Ohtani began his professional baseball career with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, further solidifying the link between the two. Fans responded with enthusiasm on social media, sharing comments like, “Ohtani has the exact same height and weight as Garchomp—it’s like he’s a real-life Pokémon!” and “He’s the Garchomp of baseball—unstoppable!”


Garchomp’s Reputation as a Powerhouse Pokémon

Garchomp holds a prominent position in the Pokémon world as the ace partner of Champion Cynthia from the Sinnoh region. Both the games and anime emphasize Garchomp’s strength, as seen when the Pokémon takes on Ash’s team in the anime’s World Championships semifinals. This fierce reputation only strengthened the comparison to Ohtani, who, much like Garchomp, dominates his field.


Pokémon Japan’s “Champion” Post and Fan Reactions

In the wake of the Dodgers’ victory, Pokémon Japan posted “Champion!” with an image of Garchomp—a subtle but clear tribute to Ohtani’s success. Fans were quick to respond, saying, “They posted Garchomp just for Ohtani, didn’t they?” and “The official Garchomp Ohtani connection is real!” This acknowledgment from Pokémon Japan brought a fun, fan-inspired touch to Ohtani’s championship celebration, blending the worlds of sports and Pokémon for an unforgettable moment.



Source : ORICON NEWS

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