Can you believe it has really been a whole five years of Pokémon GO? To celebrate we have a special anniversary event we can’t wait to experience.
‘Trainers,
What an incredible five years they’ve been. Remember back in 2016 when Pokémon GO was just about exploring the world and catching Pokémon? While this is still the core of the game today, the world of Pokémon GO is now so much more than that! Here are some of our favorite features from each year.’
- 2016: Buddy Pokémon
- 2017: Raid Battles and AR+.
- 2018: Field Research and Special Research, Friends, Adventure Sync, and Trainer Battles.
- 2019: GO Snapshot, Team GO Rocket and Buddy Adventure.
- 2020: The GO Battle League, Today View, Remote Raids, Team GO Rocket balloons, the first-ever global Pokémon GO Fest experience, Mega Evolution, GO Beyond Level 40, Seasons, and more.
- 2021: Collection Challenges, Referrals, Together We Raid, real-time sky mechanic and expanded Pokédex classifications.
To commemorate Pokémon GO’s fifth anniversary, you’ll be able to participate in a celebration event featuring Flying Pikachu with a 5-shaped balloon, Darumaka, and more!
Date + Time
Tuesday, July 6, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. to Thursday, July 15, 2021, at 8:00 p.m. local time
Features
Darumaka and Flying Pikachu with a 5-shaped balloon will be appearing more frequently in the wild! If you’re lucky, you might encounter a Shiny Darumaka! Why Darumaka? Their Pokédex entry number is 555.
Shiny Darumaka
| Shiny Darumaka | Shiny Darmanitan |
 |
 |
Flying Pikachu
This year Flying Pikachu will only have 5 balloons, along with a number 5 balloon, compared to the previous 6 balloon form featured previously. As costume Pokémon go, they don’t get any cuter than this!
Infographic
One Star Raids
Darumaka, Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie, and Flying Pikachu with a 5-shaped balloon will be appearing in one-star raids.
Three Star Raid Bosses
Special Spawns
Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, Chikorita, Cyndaquil, Totodile, Treecko, Torchic, Mudkip, Turtwig, Chimchar, Piplup, Snivy, Tepig, Oshawott, Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie will be appearing around PokéStops with active Lure Modules and after you complete Field Research.
Wild Spawns
You can also encounter some of these first-partner Pokémon in the wild, including Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, Treecko, Torchic, Mudkip, Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott.
Bonus Field Research Tasks
You’ll receive daily bonus Field Research tasks that lead to encounters with Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, Chikorita, Cyndaquil, Totodile, Treecko, Torchic, Mudkip, Turtwig, Chimchar, Piplup, Snivy, Tepig, Oshawott, Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie.
Research Tasks
| Task | Reward |
|---|---|
| Catch 5 Pokémon |
Bulbasaur
Charmander
Squirtle
|
| Take 5 snapshots of wild Pokémon |
Treecko
Torchic
Mudkip
|
| Send 5 gifts to friends |
Snivy
Tepig
Oshawott
|
| Use 5 berries to help catch Pokémon |
Chikorita
Cyndaquil
Totodile
|
| Make 5 great throws |
Turtwig
Chimchar
Piplup
|
| Earn 2 candies walking with your buddy | 8x Poké Balls
4x Razz Berry 3x Pinap Berry |
| Spin 5 Pokéstops or Gyms |
Chespin
Fennekin
Froakie
|
Collection Challenge
Complete the Collection Challenge for this event for a reward encounter with Flying Pikachu with a 5-shaped balloon, as well as 3 Rare Candy and 80 Poké Balls!
You need to collect the following Pokémon for the Collection Challenge:
In-Game Animations
Remember the in-game fireworks from Pokémon GO Fest last year? They’re returning this year to the map in celebration of our five years! During the fifth-anniversary celebration, the new in-game sky mechanic will also be launching, along with the additional Pokédex classifications. These will be available to everyone in the coming days.
Shiny Meltan
If you’re lucky, you might encounter a Shiny Meltan when you activate the Mystery Box during the fifth-anniversary celebration!
Jump-Start Special Research
The Jump-Start Special Research will be available during this time for any Trainers who missed out on it during last year’s anniversary celebration, so be sure to open the app during this period to claim it. This Special Research is designed to help you catch up with other Trainers, with a ton of Stardust and XP rewards, as well as some exciting Pokémon encounters.
Stickers
You can get fifth-anniversary Gift stickers when you spin PokéStops and open Gifts. You can also buy them up in the shop.
Item Bag Expansion
You’ll be able to expand your Item Bag up to 3,500 from Monday, July 5, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. PDT (GMT −7)! If you need more space in your Item Bag, you can get Item Bag upgrades in the shop.
Special Event Boxes
The Special Box, Ultra Box, and Adventure Box will contain different items starting on Monday, July 5, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. PDT (GMT −7).
Bonuses
All Lure Modules will last one hour for the duration of the event, including Glacial, Magnetic, Mossy, and Rainy Lure Modules
#PokemonGO5YearAnniversary
As you think back on your favourite Pokémon GO memories from the past five years, Niantic want to see you share them on social media with the hashtag #PokemonGO5YearAnniversary! There’s much to look forward to for this fifth-anniversary celebration, as well as beyond for years to come. Let’s GO!
