Eevees appears en masse at the annual Pikachu Outbreak in Yokohama to grab their share of the Pokémon spotlight.
Since 2014, packs of Pikachus have been appearing each summer in the Minato Mirai district of the city of Yokohama, about 20 minutes south of Tokyo. But the 2018 Pikachu Outbreak, going on right now, is a two-species affair, as this year’s iteration also celebrates beloved Pocket Monster Eevee.
Event staff are handing out Eevee-shaped visors and fans, and inside the Mark Is shopping center is a Christmas-tree like display of Eevee and her many different evolution forms.
But the real treat for Eevee fans is happening in Shinko Chu Hiroba, a park that sits right between the World Porters and Aka Renga entertainment centers. While it’s a pleasant enough green space under ordinary circumstances, during the Pikachu Outbreak the park is serving as the site of the world’s first Eevee show, plus meet-and-greet sessions where you can shake hands with or hug the adorable creatures!
While the Eevees roam free during the meet-and-greets, for the show a section of the park is cordoned off. Taking a seat on the grass, the crowd waited with bated breath until two staff members (who have possibly the best jobs in Japan) emerged from behind a small partition…
…followed by a pack of Eevees!
As more and more Eevees poured onto the field, the crowd was, understandably, too excited to count them all. The staff saved us the trouble, informing us that 20 Eevees were on hand to frolic for our amusement and bask in the cheers and squeals of “Kawaii!” from the audience.
At first, the Eevees simply ran around in circles, and really, they could have done that all day without anyone getting tired of watching them. Before long, though, they began lining up to dance, following the precedent set by the music-themed Pikachu Outbreak of 2015.
A highlight was when they formed an outward-facing circle and began dancing to Korobeiniki (also known as “Tetris music A-Type”) as the rhythm got progressively faster.
Eventually, though, the staff informed us that is was time for the Eevees to head back home for their afternoon snacks, so once again they lined up, then bowed in turn to fans in each direction to say thank-you for coming.
Then they took one final farewell lap around the performance area…
…and it was time to say good-bye.
As sad as we were to see them go, we were left with feelings as warm and fuzzy as Eevee’s fluffy coat, which lasted for the rest of the day.
The 2018 Pikachu Outbreak continues until August 16. However, due to the extreme heat that Japan has been experiencing this year, as well as periodic thunderstorms, there isn’t a set time for the Eevee show/meet-and-greet. On the day we took these photos, the meet-and-greet took place around 3 p.m., and the show at roughly 4:30., but the best thing to do is to ask the event staff (who are always in the park, as well as outside the ticket gates of Minato Mirai Station on the Minato Mirai subway line) “What time can we see Eevee?” which in Japanese is “Iibui ha nanji ni aeumasu ka?”/イーブイは何時に会えますか？ In order to check the day’s schedule (which itself may be tentative).
Oh, and if you’re wondering if there are any Pikachus at this year’s Pikachu Outbreak, rest assured that there are, and we’ll be back with photographic evidence soon.
Related: Pikachu Outbreak 2018 official website
Photos ©SoraNews24
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