Ever since the launch of the first Pokemon game in 1996, the franchise has exploded in popularity worldwide that spawned numerous games, movies, TV shows, and merchandise. Last September, Pokemon’s home country of Japan started making manhole covers that are designed with the popular Gyarados and its shiny red counterpart, in hopes of using Pokemon to attract tourism in the country.
Reports reveal that the “Poke-Lid” mania is in full swing in more Japanese cities and towns. This time, it is the Ikaruga town located in the historical Nara prefecture that installed a new batch of Pokemon-themed manhole lids. Usually, cities would design manhole covers with the Pokemon that is associated with the area itself. However, Ikaruga brought the trend to a whole new level by using nine different Pokemon in their city. In a press release, it was revealed that tourists visiting Ikaruga would be able to spot manhole lids featuring Bronzong with Simisear, Growlithe with Bellsprout, Chimeco with Magby, Deerling with Flenchinder, and Entei.
Interestingly enough, each manhole cover sports a unique design that doesn’t appear anywhere else, which makes spotting one a truly memorable moment for Pokemon fans. Like the first wave of Pokemon-themed manhole lids, the purpose of this initiative is to attract local and foreign visitors to take collectible pictures to boost tourism and business in the area. Ever since the start of the initiative last year, there have been 148 unique Pokemon-designed manholes all over Japan, which shows the dedication of local communities to attract Pokemon fans.
Apart from the Poke-Lids that can now be found all over Japan, it is worth noting that this is not the first time the country used gaming to attract tourists. At the moment, Nintendo is in partnership with Universal Studios to create a special area in the theme park dedicated to Nintendo’s numerous video game franchise. Last December, Nintendo hosted a special Direct presentation featuring Shigeru Miyamoto, who gave fans a preview of the theme park.
Initially, Super Nintendo World was supposed to open in the Summer of 2020. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Universal Studios had to delay the opening to February 2021. Unfortunately, the park’s opening was hit with another hurdle after Nintendo announced several days ago that the February opening would be delayed to an unspecified date. The decision to postpone Super Nintendo World’s opening was made after Japan expanded its State of Emergency, which includes the Osaka Prefecture, where the theme park is located. At the moment, Nintendo reassured fans that it would announce the new opening date of Super Nintendo World after the state of emergency is lifted.
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