Comic-Con International to play host to panel on the past and future of the Pokémon anime, plus other Pokémon-related panels and activities

A press release from The Pokémon Company International earlier today has announced a collection of Pokémon panels and activities that will be taking place at the upcoming Comic-Con International 2023, which is being held later this month from July 20th-23rd. These include a panel on the past and future of the Pokémon franchise, as well as a variety of attractions on the show floor from various manufacturers of licensed Pokémon merchandise.

The Pokémon anime panel, entitled Pokémon: Bringing Iconic Animation to Global Audiences, will be taking a special behind-the-scenes look at the evolution of the Pokémon anime from its beginnings in Japan to being one of the world's most popular animated series. Featuring Taito Okiura (TPCi vice president of marketing and business development), Andy Gose (TPCi senior director of media production), and Hilary Thomas (TPCi senior producer, and voice actor for Anabel and Marian), and moderated by Meghan Camarena (a.k.a. Strawburry17), this panel will discuss how the series is crafted for a global audience, as well as providing fans a sneak peak at the English dub of the final episodes that conclude Ash and Pikachu's journey. The panel will also share new behind-the-scenes information regarding Pokémon Horizons: The Series, which is currently airing in Japan and will soon release to audiences worldwide.

The panel is being held on July 20th from 11:45am to 12:45pm (PDT) in Room 6BCF of the San Diego Convention Center. While the room a listed capacity of 2,160 people, it's quite likely this will be a very popular panel, so fans may wish to queue up early if they want to secure a seat.

“This is an incredibly exciting time for the Pokémon brand and animated series as we celebrate Ash Ketchum’s legacy while gearing up for new adventures with Liko and Roy in Pokémon Horizons: The Series. Comic-Con International is the premier pop culture event and the perfect place to celebrate these icons who have made an indelible mark on popular culture. As we embark on this new chapter, we invite attendees to join us as we share never-before-seen insights into how we localize the beloved animated series so that Trainers around the world can enjoy their favorite stories and characters.”

On top of this anime panel, Jazwares, the master toy licensing partner for the Pokémon franchise, will be holding their own Jazwares Spotlight panel to highlight their upcoming product lines, including a selection of new Pokémon collectables. The exact time and location of this panel has not yet been released, but are expected to be published on the official Comic-Con schedule in the coming days.

In addition to these panels, fans will also be able to find a variety of activities and displays connected to the Pokémon franchise on the show floor, at the booths for various Pokémon licensing partners. Comic-Con International exclusive Pokémon merchandise will be available from both Jazwares (booth #3513) and Mattel (booth #3209), while Insight Editions (booth #2129) will be distributing recipe cards from the upcoming Pokémon Baking Book. All of these exclusive items will only be available while supplies last, so fans will need to get in quick if they want to ensure they're able to pick them up. Bandai Namco meanwhile will be featuring Pokémon products from Kawada and Bandai Spirits at their booths #301 and #3329 respectively.