Pokémon Jet

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Two Pokémon Jets of All Nippon Airways, March 2006

Pokémon Jet (ポケモンジェット, Pokemon jetto) refers to a number of aircraft that were operated by Japanese airline All Nippon Airways in a promotional Pokémon livery. The exteriors of the aircraft were painted with pictures of various Pokémon and the interiors were decorated with a Pokémon theme. Though the use of these liveries by ANA ended in 2016, as of 2021, the scheme has been revived, this time with Solaseed Air, Air Do, and Skymark Airlines, in 2022, Scoot becomes the first non-Japanese airline to introduce a Pokémon Jet, followed by China Airlines later that year.

History

After the appearance of Pokémon in 1996, and the resultant Pokémon-related craze, All Nippon Airways unveiled the first Pokémon Jets on 1 July 1998, timed with the release of Pokémon: The First Movie.[1][2] The first two to be unveiled were a Boeing 747-400D (JA8965) and a Boeing 767-300 (JA8569), and each displayed a number of the then 151 Pokémon characters, including Pikachu. Due to the popularity of the aircraft, a second 767 was unveiled a matter of weeks later.[1] The three aircraft were introduced on numerous domestic flights in Japan.[3][4][5] A fourth aircraft, a Boeing 747-400, was painted in a Pokémon livery in February 1999, and was called the US version by the airline, as it was put into service on the airline's North American network. The aircraft was identical to the previous three aircraft, except the letters ANA were kept on the vertical stabiliser,[1] and operated its first flight to New York City's JFK International Airport on 24 February 1999.[6][7]

All Nippon Airways announced in March 1999 that a fifth aircraft would be painted in a Pokémon scheme, and a contest was held which saw children between the ages of six and twelve submitting entries. The announcement was timed to coincide with the release of Pokémon: The Movie 2000 in Japan in the summer of 1999. The winning design was rolled out at Osaka on 20 June 1999 on a Boeing 747-400D (JA8964), with the same design appearing shortly thereafter on two Boeing 767-300s (JA8288 and JA8357).[1]

In 2011, a Boeing 777-300 (JA754A) was painted in a Pokémon livery featuring characters from the Pokémon Black and White video games. All Nippon Airways had originally intended to allow children to vote on the livery design for this Pokémon Jet, but the voting event was cancelled as a result of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.[8] The aircraft has been dubbed the Peace Jet, as the selected livery design is intended to express the wish for a world filled with peace.[8] This Pokémon Jet was placed into service on the airline's domestic network on 18 July 2011, just two days after Victini and the Black Hero: Zekrom and Victini and the White Hero: Reshiram were released at movie theaters in Japan.

On 8 October 2013, JA8956 and JA8957 simultaneously retired as the part of the airline's plan to retire all Boeing 747s, leaving JA754A the only Pokémon Jet in service.

On 14 April 2016, the Pokémon theming of JA754A was removed and repainted into a standard ANA livery, leaving no Pokémon jets in operation.[9]

On 19 December 2020, Solaseed Air inaugurated a Boeing 737-800 (JA812X) with an Exeggutor livery,[10] making it the first Boeing plane to feature a single species of Pokémon, rather than an ensemble. Solaseed Air is headquartered at the Miyazaki Airport in the city of Miyazaki, Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan; which made Exeggutor its official "Support Pokémon" in October 2020.[11]

On 21 June 2021, Skymark Airlines inaugurated a Boeing 737-800 (JA73AB) with a Pikachu livery,[12] the livery called the “Flying Pikachu Project,” Skymark Airlines wants to use Pikachu to help promote tourism in the Okinawa Prefecture.[13] When passengers come aboard this aircraft, aside from having Pokémon-themed seats and cabin crew, they are greeted by the Pokémon Center theme from Pokémon Sword and Shield. On this aircraft, there are also Pokémon-themed cups (and amenities) and special limited edition KitKats as part of the in-flight refreshment service, and even the self check-in kiosks for the Pikachu route are decked out in Pikachu colours.[14] For a limited time, Japanese Pokémon Go players could find a special Pikachu wearing a Kariyushi shirt at airports on the route the aircraft serves.[15]

On 19 November 2021, Air Do inaugurated a Boeing 767-300 (JA607A) with a Vulpix livery,[16] the livery is called "Rokon Jet", the airline is currently using the special livery for 5 years and started services with the special livery in December 2021.[17] The special livery consists of both forms of Vulpix on both sides: on the port side is the Alolan Vulpix, while the starboard side features the Kantonian Vulpix.

On 30 May 2022, Skymark Airlines introduced a second Pokémon Jet (JA73NG) called "Pikachu Jet BC2", It will operate on routes between Okinawa, Naha, and Simojishima, and will stay in service with this special livery for five years.[18]

On 17 July 2022, Scoot introduced a Boeing 787-9 (9V-OJJ) painted in a Pokémon livery, becoming the first non-Japanese airline to introduce a Pokémon Jet. [19][20]

On 30 September 2022, China Airlines had introduced an Airbus A321neo (B-18101) painted a Pokémon livery called "Pikachu Jet CI", becoming the second non-Japanese airline to introduce a Pokémon Jet. It will operated flights to various Japanese cities from the country of Taiwan.[21]

Passenger experience and response

Passengers on the Pokémon Jets received a complete Pokémon experience. The aircraft and flight crews were decked out in Pokémon themes, including headrests, flight attendant uniforms, food containers, inflight entertainment, and souvenir bags.[22] All Nippon Airways reported that it experienced an increase in the number of passengers carried as a result of operating the Pokémon Jets.[23][24]

List of Pokémon Jets

Photo Airline Aircraft Registration Year
unveiled 		Year livery removed Year jet retired Port
from nose
to tail 		Starboard
from nose
to tail
JA8965 2 B747-481D ANA (Pocket Monsters) HND 13JAN99 (6559460693).jpg All Nippon Airways Boeing 747-400D JA8965 1998 2001 June 2013 Clefairy, Pikachu, Togepi, Mew, Mewtwo, Snorlax[25] Jigglypuff, Pikachu, Psyduck, Squirtle, Bulbasaur[25]
TOKYO HANEDA 12 MARCH 1999 ALL NIPPON BOEING 767 JA8569.jpg All Nippon Airways Boeing 767-300 JA8569 1998 2001 December 2018 Clefairy, Pikachu, Togepi, Mew, Mewtwo, Snorlax[25] Jigglypuff, Pikachu, Psyduck, Squirtle, Bulbasaur[25]
ANA B767-381 JA8578 Pokemon-Jet98.jpg All Nippon Airways Boeing 767-300 JA8578 1998 2001 August 2017 Clefairy, Pikachu, Togepi, Mew, Mewtwo, Snorlax[25] Jigglypuff, Pikachu, Psyduck, Squirtle, Bulbasaur[25]
ANA-Boeing 747 25645-979.jpg All Nippon Airways Boeing 747-400 JA8962 1999 2006 2010 Clefairy, Pikachu, Togepi, Mew, Mewtwo, Snorlax[25] Jigglypuff, Pikachu, Psyduck, Squirtle, Bulbasaur[25]
JA8964 B747-481D ANA All Nippon(Pokemon) HND 10JUL01 (7046345265).jpg All Nippon Airways Boeing 747-400D JA8964 1999 2006 2011 Pikachu, Marill, Dratini, Lapras, Slowpoke, Horsea[25] Togepi, Pikachu, Jigglypuff, Ledyba, Elekid, Meowth[25]
PokemonJA8288.JPG All Nippon Airways Boeing 767-300 JA8288 1999 2006 September 2014 Pikachu, Marill, Dratini, Lapras, Slowpoke, Horsea[25] Togepi, Pikachu, Jigglypuff, Ledyba, Elekid, Meowth[25]
ANA B767-300(JA8357) (4690418589).jpg

(Photo taken after livery removed)

All Nippon Airways Boeing 767-300 JA8357 1999 2006 February 2016 Pikachu, Marill, Dratini, Lapras, Slowpoke, Horsea[25] Togepi, Pikachu, Jigglypuff, Ledyba, Elekid, Meowth[25]
All Nippon Airways Boeing 747-400 yellow pokemon.jpg All Nippon Airways Boeing 747-400D JA8957 May 2004 October 2013 November 2013 Celebi, Plusle, Minun, Deoxys, Torchic, Munchlax, Jirachi, Latios, Latias, Pikachu Mew, Pichu brothers, Treecko, Mudkip, Meowth, Lugia, Entei, Pikachu
ANA B747-400D(JA8956) (4850619361).jpg All Nippon Airways Boeing 747-400D JA8956 November 2004 October 2013 November 2013 Pikachu, Pichu brothers, Mew, Wynaut, Azurill, Castform, Bellossom, Pikachu Pikachu, Minun, Plusle, Skiploom, Oddish, Igglybuff, Trapinch, Skiploom, Munchlax, Roselia, Pikachu
ANA Boeing 777-300 Breidenstein-1.jpg All Nippon Airways Boeing 777-300 JA754A 2011 May 2016 N/A Oshawott, Pikachu, Victini, Zekrom, Darumaka, Pansage, Scraggy, Pikachu Tepig, Pikachu, Snivy, Reshiram, Meowth, Axew, Munna, Pikachu
2021-02-22 Solaseed Air JA812X.jpg Solaseed Air Boeing 737-86N JA812X December 2020 N/A (expected Summer 2022) N/A Alolan-form Exeggutor Standard Exeggutor
Skymark Airlines B737-800 JA73AB.jpg Skymark Airlines Boeing 737-86N JA73AB June 2021 N/A N/A Pikachu Pikachu
20220331 rokon jet of AIRDO JA602A left side at Tokyo international airport.png Air Do Boeing 767-300 JA607A December 2021 N/A (expected Summer 2026) N/A Alolan-form Vulpix Standard Vulpix
Skymark Airlines Boeing 737-86N JA73NG May 2022 N/A (expected Summer 2027) N/A Sky Form Shaymin, Wailord, Pikachu, Magikarp Pikachu, Wailord, Sky Form Shaymin, Corsola
Scoot Boeing 787-9 9V-OJJ July 2022 N/A N/A Pichu, Pikachu, Sky Form Shaymin, Psyduck, Celebi, Lapras Pikachu, Celebi, Pichu, Psyduck, Meganium, Lapras
China Airlines Airbus A321neo B-18101 September 2022 N/A N/A Pikachu, Jigglypuff, Snorlax, Munna, Slowpoke, Swablu Pikachu, Togekiss, Snorlax, Teddiursa, Sky Form Shaymin

References

  1. ^ a b c d Spicer, Stuart (2001). Dream Schemes II. Zenith Imprint. p. 21. ISBN 0-7603-1196-X. Retrieved 2009-11-13.
  2. ^ "ANAポケモンジェット」が日本の空に就航！" (in Japanese). All Nippon Airways. 2 July 1998. Retrieved 2009-11-15.
  3. ^ "ANAポケモンジェット運航スケジュール6月" (in Japanese). All Nippon Airways. Retrieved 2009-11-15.
  4. ^ "ANAポケモンジェット運航スケジュール7月" (in Japanese). All Nippon Airways. Retrieved 2009-11-15.
  5. ^ "ANAポケモンジェット運航スケジュール8月" (in Japanese). All Nippon Airways. Retrieved 2009-11-15.
  6. ^ McDowell, Edwin (3 March 1999). "A rising number of airlines are making the case that a picture can be worth a thousand words". The New York Times. pp. C6. Retrieved 2009-11-15.
  7. ^ "Pokemon to visit US". M2 Presswire. 23 February 1999. Retrieved 2009-11-15.
  8. ^ a b "新ANAポケモンジェット2011「ピース★ジェット」就航！" (Press release) (in Japanese). All Nippon Airways. Retrieved 2011-07-20.
  9. ^ Ashcraft, Brian (1 May 2016). "This Could Be the Last Pokémon Jet". Kotaku.
  10. ^ "Pokemon Gets Its Own Jet Again in Japan, and It's Exeggutor's Turn to Shine". 20 December 2020.
  11. ^ "Miyazaki×Exeggutor・Alolan Exeggutor｜Pokémon Local Acts".
  12. ^ @SkymarkJ (21 June 2021). "☆ピカチュウジェット運航情報☆本日の初便(SKY519便)は事前の告知をせずサプライズで運航しました✈明日以降の運航情報は、スカイマークホームページでご確認ください🎈※当日の運航状況により使用機材やフライトスケジュールが変更と…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  13. ^ "Skymark Airlines Pikachu Jet Boeing 737 Enters Service". 21 June 2021.
  14. ^ "Pikachu learns how to fly as Japan's new Pokémon airliner takes fight". SoraNews24 -Japan News-. 2021-06-24. Retrieved 2022-01-19.
  15. ^ "Skymark Airlines Pikachu Jet Boeing 737 Enters Service". Simple Flying. 2021-06-21. Retrieved 2022-01-19.
  16. ^ "Pokemon Vulpix Airplane Will Fly in Hokkaido in December 2021". 8 November 2021.
  17. ^ "Vulpix, I Choose You: Japan's Latest Pokemon Jet is a Boeing 767". 9 November 2021.
  18. ^ "Skymark Airlines to launch second Pokémon-themed jet". 30 May 2022.
  19. ^ "Scoot Airline reveals Pokémon themed airplane". 17 July 2022.
  20. ^ "Singapore's Scoot Says "Pikachu! I Choose You!" With New 787 Livery". 30 August 2022.
  21. ^ "China Airlines Unveils Stunning Pikachu Airbus A321neo And First Routes". 30 September 2022.
  22. ^ Tobin, Joseph Jay (2004). "Cuteness as Japan's Millennial Product". Pikachu's global adventure: the rise and fall of Pokémon. Allison, Anne. Duke University Press. p. 47. ISBN 0-8223-3287-6. Retrieved 2009-11-15.
  23. ^ Avella, Natalie (2004). Graphic Japan: from woodblock and zen to manga and kawaii. Rotovision. pp. 206–207, 211. ISBN 2-88046-771-3. Retrieved 2009-11-15.
  24. ^ Helfland, Jessica; Maeda, John (2001). Screen: Essays on Graphic Design, New Media, and Visual Culture. Princeton Architectural Press. p. 63. ISBN 1-56898-320-4. Retrieved 2009-11-15.
  25. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Design". All Nippon Airways. Retrieved 2009-11-15.

External links

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