On May 5th, Children's Day in Japan, a special collaboration event between the TV anime Pokémon Horizons: The Series and professional baseball team Chunichi Dragons was held at Vantelin Dome Nagoya. Minori Suzuki, who voices the anime’s protagonist Liko, threw the ceremonial first pitch.

The event took place during the Chunichi Dragons vs. Yokohama DeNA BayStars game and transformed the stadium into a Pokémon-themed celebration. Visitors enjoyed an unforgettable day as they watched the game alongside iconic Pokémon.

Thousands of Children Transform into Rayquaza

At the stadium entrance, the first 10,000 children received kits to dress up as the black Rayquaza—a legendary Dragon-type Pokémon featured prominently in the anime—along with a special Captain Pikachu flyer and a Mega Voltage sticker. As a result, the venue was packed with young Rayquaza lookalikes before the game even began.

Minori Suzuki entered the field alongside Captain Pikachu and Pagogo (Liko’s Terapagos) as the anime’s opening theme "GET BACK" by Yuzu played throughout the stadium. She shared her excitement with the crowd:

“I’m nervous but thrilled to take on such a big role on this special day! I’ll do my best to get everyone hyped up!”

A delightful surprise came with her uniform number—0908—which fans quickly recognized as Meowscarada’s (Liko’s partner Pokémon) Pokédex number. This clever Easter egg drew knowing smiles and cheers from the audience.

On-Field Introductions and In-Game Pokémon Fun

Before the first pitch, Suzuki announced the Dragons' starting lineup, introducing players as they were sent onto the field by characters like Liko, Roy, and Ult, along with their Pokémon friends.

During the fifth inning break, the stadium’s energy spiked again as Captain Pikachu and Pagogo joined dancers on the field in the “Dance King” segment, lifting the spirits of children and adults alike.

Later in the game, Dragons catcher Takuya Kinoshita smashed a crucial home run. It was revealed that his favorite Pokémon is Dragonite.

“I like how strong it is—and that it can fly,” he shared, also mentioning that Pokémon is a family favorite at home.

Rayquaza Finale and Ground Walk Experience

Despite the Dragons falling short in a 2-1 defeat to the BayStars, fans enjoyed a special post-game “Ground Walk,” allowing them to step onto the field and high-five characters like Captain Pikachu.

The day concluded with a heartwarming scene as kids dressed as Rayquaza gathered around Captain Pikachu and other Pokémon characters for a commemorative photo—marking the grand finale of a magical day at Vantelin Dome.

Source : ORICON NEWS