The Pokémon franchise, a global phenomenon since its inception in 1996, continues to captivate fans with its ever-evolving universe of games, anime, trading cards, and more.
The Pokémon Presents showcase, held on July 22, 2025, at 6:00 a.m. PDT, marked another milestone for the franchise, delivering 24 minutes of exciting updates—the fourth-longest presentation in its history.
Hosted by The Pokémon Company on their official YouTube channel, this event offered a comprehensive look at upcoming releases and events across the Pokémon ecosystem, with a particular focus on Pokémon Legends: Z-A, alongside updates for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket, Pokémon GO, and other titles.
This article explores the key announcements, their significance, and the broader context of the Pokémon franchise’s enduring appeal.
A Brief History of Pokémon Presents
Pokémon Presents, the successor to the Pokémon Direct format introduced in 2013, has become the primary platform for The Pokémon Company to share major updates.
Unlike the broader Nintendo Direct, Pokémon Presents focuses exclusively on the franchise, covering mainline games, spin-offs, mobile apps, and other media.
The July 2025 showcase, announced months in advance, built anticipation among fans, especially after a teaser hinting at Pokémon Black and White remakes with the phrase “the room is completely black and white.”
While expectations for a Generation 10 reveal were tempered, the 24-minute runtime promised substantial content, and it delivered with a mix of new trailers, event details, and surprises.
Pokémon Legends: Z-A Takes Center Stage
The highlight of the July 2025 Pokémon Presents was a new trailer for Pokémon Legends: Z-A, set to release in October 2025. This upcoming title, set in the Kalos region’s Lumiose City, builds on the open-world experimentation of Pokémon Legends: Arceus.
The trailer showcased a reimagined Lumiose City, blending futuristic urban aesthetics with historical elements, reflecting the game’s focus on the past and present of the Kalos region. Fans got a glimpse of new gameplay mechanics, including an evolved catching system and dynamic battles that integrate seamlessly with exploration.
The trailer also teased the return of Mega Evolution, a fan-favorite mechanic introduced in Pokémon X and Y, sparking excitement for potential new Mega forms.
Pokémon Legends: Z-A promises to deepen the lore of the Kalos region, with hints of a narrative centered around the mythical Pokémon Zygarde and its connection to the region’s history.
The game’s art style, inspired by the vibrant visuals of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, emphasizes detailed environments and expressive Pokémon designs. While no specific release date beyond October was confirmed, the trailer’s polish suggests the game is on track, addressing concerns about development delays that have plagued past Pokémon titles.
Updates for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet
The Pokémon Presents also provided updates for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, which continue to receive support through in-game events and downloadable content (DLC). A new series of Tera Raid Battles was announced, featuring powerful Pokémon like Meowscarada, Skeledirge, and Quaquaval.
These battles, running through August 2025, offer players a chance to catch these Paldean starters with unique Tera Types, alongside increased Shiny Pokémon encounter rates during mass outbreak events featuring red-, green-, and blue-colored Pokémon.
A Mystery Gift password, revealed during the presentation, unlocks a special Rotom Phone case, adding a cosmetic reward for attentive viewers.
These events reflect The Pokémon Company’s strategy to keep Scarlet and Violet relevant nearly three years after their 2022 release.
The games have faced criticism for performance issues, but recent updates, including Switch 2 optimization with 60fps gameplay in areas like the “notorious frame drop lake,” have improved the experience. Fans hope these technical improvements carry over to Pokémon Legends: Z-A.
Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket and Mobile Titles
The Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket, a digital version of the iconic card game, received significant attention with the announcement of the Triumphant Light booster pack, set to launch on February 28, 2025.
This pack includes high-rarity cards, appealing to collectors and competitive players alike. The presentation also highlighted ongoing events in mobile titles like Pokémon GO, Pokémon Masters EX, Pokémon UNITE, Pokémon Sleep, and Pokémon Café ReMix.
Notably, Pokémon GO will host the GO Tour: Unova – Global event starting March 1, 2025, featuring Black Kyurem, White Kyurem, Victini, and Shiny Meloetta, with a new promo code offering a choice of select Pokémon encounters.
Pokémon UNITE introduced new characters—Suicune, Alolan Raichu, and Alcremie—alongside a limited-time First to 500 battle mode in the Remoat Stadium.
Pokémon Sleep teased an event pitting Cresselia against Darkrai, while Pokémon Café ReMix added Paldean Pokémon like Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly to its roster. These updates demonstrate The Pokémon Company’s commitment to diversifying its mobile offerings, catering to casual and dedicated players alike.
The Pokémon Franchise’s Enduring Appeal
The July 2025 Pokémon Presents underscores why the franchise remains a cultural juggernaut nearly 30 years after its debut.
Conceived by Satoshi Tajiri in 1989, Pokémon was inspired by his childhood love of insect collecting, evolving into a universe with 1,025 unique species as of the Mochi Mayhem epilogue for Scarlet and Violet.
The franchise’s ability to span video games, anime, trading cards, and merchandise ensures it appeals to a broad audience, from young fans collecting Pikachu plushies to adults engaging with complex battle mechanics like Individual Values (IVs) and Effort Values (EVs).
The Pokémon Company’s global approach, seen in simultaneous worldwide releases since Pokémon X and Y in 2013, has broadened its reach.
The anime, distributed by 4Kids and Lacey Entertainment in the late 1990s, overcame initial skepticism to become a global hit, while the trading card game continues to thrive with new expansions and digital adaptations.
The franchise’s adaptability—evident in spin-offs like Pokémon Snap and Pokémon Quest—ensures it evolves with technological and cultural trends.
Looking Ahead
While the July 2025 Pokémon Presents didn’t confirm Pokémon Black and White remakes, the “black and white” teaser fueled speculation that such an announcement could come later in 2025.
The focus on Pokémon Legends: Z-A and ongoing support for existing titles suggests The Pokémon Company is balancing innovation with fan service.
As the franchise approaches its 30th anniversary in 2026, its ability to blend nostalgia with fresh experiences will keep trainers worldwide eager to “catch ’em all.”