Shopping Guide
On July 22 in Hiroshima’s Mazda Stadium, a surprise event was held featuring a herd of Pikachus. The popular Pokémon characters were planning on secretly showing up in the middle of the game. The plan was to infiltrate the Hiroshima Toyo Carp vs Chunichi Dragons match, and after the bottom of the fifth inning join in with the spectators in the traditional Hiroshima Carp "CC Dance” to cheer on the team.
The Pikachus first visited on June 26 to celebrate the opening of the Pokémon Center Hiroshima store. Many fans at that game posted pictures of the Pikachus on Twitter and other social media sites.
The Pikachus had been looking forward to coming back to the stadium again, but this time a tragic incident occurred. The game’s starting pitcher was Kenta Maeda, a notorious ”ame otoko,” or "rain-bringing man.” Maeda’s reputation turned out to be true on this day, as the game was unfortunately cancelled due to poor weather. All the Pikachus that had prepared tirelessly to do Hiroshima’s famous "CC Dance” ended up just staring solemnly at the field, which looked as if a Pokémon had used Rain Dance on it.
Fans who arrived at the stadium only to be turned away consoled the sad Pikachus. Even though the game was cancelled, the sight of the bright yellow Pikachus walking around the stadium grounds was something the fans won’t soon forget.
Kenta Maeda gave a comment of regret to the Pikachu guests:
“I’m so sorry that I caused it to rain today (laughs). I was excited to see the horde of Pikachus join in the ‘CC Dance,’ so I was very disappointed. Since Pokémon Center Hiroshima opened, I feel like more people are going to the Sogo department store. Summer really is the season of Pokémon. I hope that the Pokémon film beats all the others at the box office this year! I’d still like to see you do the ‘CC Dance,’ so please come back to Hiroshima again soon!"
At this year’s Pokémon movie events, the theme has been “Intrusion.” At a voiceover event earlier this year, Shinichi Shinohara stole Tatsuya Fujiwara’s lines, and at another event to celebrate the completion of the film, Shinichi Shinohara again took vocalist Rei Yasuda’s part in a song. Furthermore, at a preview showing in Tokyo, Asami Konno jumped in and started dancing to Tomohisa Sako's performance of the Pokémon XY theme, "Getta Ban Ban."
This time, the Pikachus were sent to Hiroshima hoping to do a bit of intruding themselves. While their plan wasn’t successful, the films Pokémon the Movie: Hoopa and the Clash of Ages and Pikachu to Pokémon Ongakutai that have both just been released in theaters are sure to be a hit!
Pokémon The Movie: Hoopa and the Clash of Ages
Also showing: Pikachu to Pokémon Ongakutai
© Nintendo, Creatures Inc., GAME FREAK Inc., TV Tokyo Corporation, ShoPro, JR Kikaku
© Pokémon
© 2015 Pikachu Project
Source: animeanime
