Niantic has announced a new event to celebrate the release if Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle on December 14th.
The event was announced on the official blog for Pokémon GO and features the return of Jessie and James as potential enemies. The duo will appear in a special Meowth balloon similar to the anime and has a chance to replace typical Team Rocket GO encounters.
You can read the details of the event below.
Complete Special Research to encounter Shiny Celebi! Plus, Jessie and James return to Pokémon GO!
Date + Time
Starting Monday, December 14, 2020, at 8:00 a.m. local time
Features
- A limited-time Special Research story inspired by the movie will be available! Complete this research line to encounter Shiny Celebi. In an odd twist of events, Jessie and James will be guiding you through this Special Research story instead of Professor Willow! You’ll need to prepare for trouble for this one! Stay tuned for updates on when this Special Research will become unavailable.
- Jessie and James will be returning in their Meowth balloon for a limited time! It seems they’ve received different Shadow Pokémon from Team GO Rocket than the last time the pair appeared in the world of Pokémon GO. Stay tuned for updates on when Jessie and James will be leaving.
- Be sure to check out the avatar items inspired by Jessie’s and James’s outfits from Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle. These avatar items will be available for free in the Style Shop!
Explorer Pikachu makes its Pokémon GO debut!
Date + Time
From Monday, December 14, 2020, at 8:00 a.m. to Monday, December 21, 2020, at 10:00 p.m. local time
Features
- Explorer Pikachu will be appearing in the wild and in raids! If you’re lucky, you might encounter a Shiny Explorer Pikachu!
- If you take a snapshot during this time, you might see Jessie and James!
- During the Pokémon Spotlight Hour on Tuesday, December 15, 2020, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time, Explorer Pikachu will be appearing more frequently in the wild, and you’ll receive twice the Candy for catching Pokémon.
Meet Pokémon connected to Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle!
Date + Time
From Monday, December 14, 2020, at 8:00 a.m. to Thursday, December 17, 2020, at 10:00 p.m. local time
Features
- Hoothoot, Nuzleaf, Drilbur, Cottonee, Dwebble, and more will be appearing more frequently in the wild. If you’re lucky, you might encounter a Durant!
- Lickitung, Mawile, Flygon, Rufflet, and more will be appearing in Raid Battles.
- Igglybuff, Smoochum, Elekid, Magby, Bonsly, and Rufflet will be hatching from 5 km Eggs.
- If you’re lucky, you might even find a Shiny Rufflet!
Jessie and James’s Meowth balloon will be appearing more frequently on December 25!
Date + Time
Friday, December 25, 2020, from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. local time
Features
- Jessie and James’s Meowth balloon will be appearing more frequently! Be sure to use this opportunity to challenge the duo.
Special Pokémon will be more common during the event, and a special Pikachu wearing an explorer outfit will also appear during the event.
