Japan’s newest mecca for real-world Pokémon Trainers gives the Pokédex a jaw-dropping UI overhaul.
So here’s a question: What storytelling genre does Pokémon fall into? You could call it a fantasy series, since the environments Ash and his pals wander through is filled with “monsters” (of the “pocket” variety), many of whom possess clearly magical powers. But on the other hand, there’s definitely a science-fiction element to Pokémon world too, what with cool gadgets like the Pokédex, a database which gives Pokémon Trainers important information on the various catchable species.
Of course, it’s now been 20-plus years since the start of the franchise, and so the Pokédex, like any piece of tech, could stand to have its user interface spruced up a bit. That’s just what we see in this video which shows an awesome, seemingly holographic Pokédex that real-life Pokémon fans in Tokyo can use right now!
こんなふうにポケモンが調べられる! pic.twitter.com/xTAzSUskMM
— Masa Kawashima (@mask303) March 14, 2018
As shown in the video, the touch-controlled Pokédex starts by asking the user to select a Pocket Monster type, such as electric, fire, or fairy. Once that choice is made, the display spits back all of the Pokémon for that classification, with individual species shown on hexagonal icons arranged in a cylinder array that the user can rotate by swiping.
Tapping on one of the icons then brings up detailed data for that species, including its size and battle parameters such as elemental weaknesses.
However, there’s a bit of an optical illusion going on here. While it looks like the icons are floating in air, they’re actually not holographic projections, but instead being displayed on a giant touch screen wall. The screen’s reflective surface makes them appear like holograms, though, and the AR motif seems even more fitting since the man using the high-tech Pokédex is Masa Kawashima, Asia Pacific Director for Pokémon GO developer Niantic.
So where can you try this for yourself? At the brand-new Pokémon Center megastore in Tokyo’s Nihonbashi neighborhood, which is located in the same building as the world’s first permanent Pokémon Cafe…which reminds us, we’ve got dinner reservations, so we’ll be back with a full report on the anime eatery soon!
Source: Twitter/@mask303 via Hachima Kiko
Follow Casey on Twitter, where he’s having trouble deciding what to order for dinner at the Pokemon Cafe.

You can now turn your smartphone into a Pokémon Pokédex thanks to Bandai【Photos】
Tokyo just got a brand-new Pokémon megastore, and here’s a massive look at its exclusive items
As Pokémon GO takes over your smartphone, why not give it an awesome Pokédex-style case? 【Video】
Pokémon fan 3-D prints a life-size Charmander, takes it camping【Photos, video】
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
We ate sushi made from Japan’s most expensive tuna ever【Taste test】
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
This quiet forest cafe in Japan lets you read all day in the house of a famous author
Majority of Japanese mayors say foreign residents are essential but most see good and bad effects
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Kyoto to introduce “empty home tax” for vacation houses and unused homes
Tokyo’s Ueno Station has an unmanned noodle restaurant on its platform, and its no-joke good
Japanese cake becomes a hit with foreign tourists, but is it worth the hype?
McDo…raemon! McDonald’s Japan offering Doraemon Shake and pie for festival season
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Hayao Miyazaki says Happy New Year to Studio Ghibli fans with new art for Year of the Horse
Cup Noodle tries an authentic Jiro-style ramen, but something’s not quite right
Top Japanese cosplayer Enako returns to Comiket after 6 years, creates mayhem with admirers
The best Starbucks Japan Frappuccinos we want to drink again in 2026
We revisited Sweets Paradise after a decade to see if Japan’s dessert buffet still delivers
That time Seiji called JASRAC to ask why he didn’t get paid royalties for his song being on TV
Pizza Hut Japan’s hot lucky bags are perfect for a New Year’s pizza party
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Giant life-size Alolan Exeggutor Pokémon appears at Pokémon World Championships in Japan【Photos】
Pokémon manhole covers finally come to Tokyo with awesome Gen-1 designs【Photos】
The world’s first Pokémon GO specialty store just opened in Tokyo!【Photos】
Over 80 new Pocket Monsters being added to Pokémon GO this week【Video】
Detective Pikachu debuts in Pokémon GO in event saluting franchise’s first live-action film
Fan makes awesome, interactive Pokémon GO Halloween costume that lets you capture Pikachu【Vid】
Pokémon come to real-life Johto region with new Pokémon manhole covers for Nara【Pics】
Wait, Tokyo’s Haneda Airport is home to over three dozen different Pokémon GO species?!?
Here’s how the awesome new Pokémon GO mobile game will look on your smartphone
Pokémon Sleep gameplay finally revealed in video, pre-registration opens【Video】
A visit to Tokyo’s Pokémon Shirts store, and what all 150 original species patterns look like
We preview Japan’s first-ever Nintendo Tokyo, Capcom Store and Shibuya Pokémon Centre megastore
New Pokémon Center megastore set to open at Tokyo Skytree this summer!
Pokémon Center megastores across Japan shutting down indefinitely because of coronavirus
Leave a Reply