The Pokémon Company held a press conference in Kuala Lumpur, announcing a series of first-ever events coming to Malaysia and the wider Asia region as part of the franchise’s 30th anniversary celebrations. Representatives from Niantic, Nintendo, and KLCC Holdings (KLCCH) were also present at the event, which included a live Pikachu dance show and previews of upcoming activities.

The centerpiece of the announcements is PokéXciting!, a large-scale party-style celebration being held across five Asian cities: Kuala Lumpur, Taipei, Singapore, Manila, and Bangkok. The tour marks 30 years since Pokémon Red and Pokémon Green launched on the Game Boy in Japan back in 1996. Kuala Lumpur is the first city on the tour, with the event set to take place on September 12 and 13 at KLCC Park. Admission is free and open to everyone.

The KL edition will feature the first-ever Pokémon drone show in Malaysia, lighting up the night sky with 3D animations of beloved Pokémon. There will also be live stage performances and a special appearance by PokéXciting! Pikachu, a unique Pikachu character created for the tour that wears a different costume in each city. For Kuala Lumpur, PokéXciting! Pikachu will appear in turquoise. A special PokéXciting! event in Pokémon GO will also run alongside the real-world celebration, where the character will appear in the game.

The second major announcement is Pokémon RUN 30: Malaysia Edition, scheduled for November 21 and 22. Pokémon RUN is a themed fun run experience that originally launched as Pokémon RUN Carnival 2015 in Taiwan. The Malaysia edition is one of nine Pokémon RUN 30 events being held across Asia. Participants start by choosing a partner Pokémon and then make their way through a course with themed challenges inspired by the games, including Gym Battles, wild Pokémon encounters, a Pokédex Search Sheet, and chances to evolve their chosen partner. Those who register will receive a Runner’s Kit that includes a T-shirt sponsored by UNIQLO, along with other items.

Even those not joining the run can attend the Festival Zone for free. It will include a walk-through exhibit called the “Time Tunnel” that looks back at Pokémon’s history over the past 30 years, plus experience zones showcasing the franchise’s latest content. Special Pokémon merchandise will also be available for purchase at a pop-up store within the Festival Zone. Full details on the venue and timing for Pokémon RUN 30 will be shared at a later date.

For fans in Malaysia, this is shaping up to be the biggest Pokémon year the country has seen, with two major events, exclusive merchandise, and a free outdoor celebration all on the calendar before the year is out.