For the first time in Pokémon GO, you’ll be able to encounter Pikachu wearing a batik shirt with a Special Background.*

Trainers will have a chance to encounter Pikachu wearing a batik shirt with a Special Background through wild encounters, Timed Research, and surprise snapshot encounters!

*If you’re lucky, you may encounter a Shiny one!

The following Pokémon will appear more frequently in the wild. You’ll also have an increased chance of encountering a Shiny one!

Caterpie*
Pikachu wearing a batik shirt with chance of a Special Background*
Oddish*
Gloom*
Bellsprout*
Ledyba*
Ledian*
Hoppip*
Skiploom*
Sunkern*
Wurmple*

Complete Timed Research to encounter Pikachu wearing a batik shirt with a Special Background! The Timed Research will be available from Monday, September 28, at 6:00 a.m. to Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

Timed Research rewards include the following.

• Encounter with Pikachu wearing a batik shirt with a Special Background*
• Encounters with Oddish*, Ledyba*, and Hoppip*
• 1,000 XP
• 1,000 Stardust
• And more!

• Incense duration increased to 2 hours
• Higher chance to encounter Pikachu wearing a batik shirt and other event-themed Pokémon when Incense is activated

Complete the Collection Challenge by catching Patterns of the Wild–themed Pokémon to receive XP, Stardust, and stickers featuring Pikachu wearing a batik shirt.

Smile! During the event, you might have a surprise encounter with Pikachu wearing a batik shirt when you take a snapshot of one of your Pokémon! Surprise encounters will not occur when taking snapshots of wild Pokémon.