Pokémon + Starbucks takes us on an epic coffee adventure, and now we want to catch ’em all.
Starbucks Japan is famous for its exclusive limited-edition goods, and this claim to fame is now set to catapult even further, thanks to a massive new team-up with Pokémon. This new collaboration is one of the biggest we’ve ever seen, with 41 goods adorned in original artwork, and a special Pikachu Honey Cream Latte inviting customers to “Embark on a coffee adventure with Pokémon”.
There’s a lot to get through in this new adventure, so let’s start by taking a look at the star beverage, created from a winning recipe selected from a nationwide Starbucks barista competition that received more than 700 entries. The winning recipe was submitted by Junko Nitta of Starbucks Coffee Koriyama Asaka.
▼ Nitta’s win made her the champion of the Pokémon + Starbucks Barista Battle.
The Pikachu Honey Cream Latte combines espresso with caramel and honey, creating bright yellow hues to mimic Pikachu’s colouring, while the honey-flavoured whipped cream on top is scattered with heart-shaped pieces inspired by the character’s red cheeks. According to Starbucks, the coffee flavours have been gently reined in so the drink can even be enjoyed by people who don’t usually drink coffee.
The drink is available in a Tall size only, priced at 678 yen (US$4.29) to go or 690 yen for dine-in, and every customer who purchases it will receive an original collaboration sticker, while stocks last.
Moving on to the accompanying Pokémon + Starbucks goods, they’re all adorned in artwork unique to the collaboration, created by illustrator Hikaru Ichijo. By incorporating Ichijo’s signature style of not depicting faces, the artwork covers 12 scenes where Pokémon and baristas build connections through coffee, showing us how new encounters and communities are born when diverse personalities are accepted.
The artwork welcomes us into a whole world of new discoveries, through eight stories:
Story 1 – The Moment of Encounter: Our adventure begins with a cup of coffee.
Story 2 – Exploration and Bonds: Great nature nurtures our inspiration.
Story 3 – Challenge and Discovery: Passion’s flame awakens the bean.
Story 4 – The accumulation of daily life: Drop by drop, purity adds depth.
Story 5 – Endless Possibilities: Endless possibilities in every sip.
Story 6 – The bonds between each of us, creating together an unforgettable experience: Crafting wonders with you.
Story 7 – The Moment of Victory: One cup of coffee connects us all.
Story 8 – A New Journey: Our adventure continues beyond the cup.
Let’s take a look at how the story unfolds through this unique collection of goods, starting with the items that are available in-store from 30 September.
▼ Pokémon + Starbucks Reusable Cup Coffee Connection 473 millilitres (1,300 yen)
This reusable cup features original Pokémon + Starbucks collaboration artwork showing a barista, with Poké Ball in hand, surrounded by Pikachu, Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle and Eevee, all building connections around a cup of coffee.
▼ The green circle, which harks back to Starbucks’ mermaid logo, is said to “symbolise the moment of co-creation“.
▼ The back of the cup features a collaboration-themed customisation box…
▼…while the cup itself is easy to use and comes with a removable lid for cleaning.
There are three Starbucks Cards featuring original artwork created for the collaboration, all available with a minimum 2,000 yen deposit.
▼ Coffee Connection
▼ Pikachu
▼ Eevee
Now let’s take a look at the goods that are available at Starbucks Japan’s official online store, starting with the Pokémon + Starbucks Stainless Steel To Go Bottle 473 millilitres (6,600 yen) , which comes in six designs.
▼ Pikachu
▼ All these cup-shaped stainless steel bottles have lockable lids that can be opened by sliding the button and pressing it in.
▼ They’re also resistant to leaks and easy to clean.
▼ Bulbasaur
▼ Charmander
▼ Squirtle
▼ Eevee
▼ Coffee Connection
Next up, we have the Pokémon + Starbucks Stainless Steel Bottle (473 millilitres [6,600 yen]) , which comes in five laser-engraved character designs.
▼Pikachu
▼ Bulbasaur
▼ Charmander
▼ Squirtle
▼ Eevee
Now we have a couple of items that go by the name “Pokémon + Starbucks 2-Way SS Cup/Holder” (355 millilitres [4,000 yen]). As the name suggests, these products can be used in two ways, by either pouring a drink directly into it or popping a takeaway cup inside it to help retain the temperature.
▼ Coffee Connection
▼ Coffee Adventure
▼ Pokémon + Starbucks Cold Cup Tumbler (710 millilitres [4,000 yen])
Coffee Connection / Coffee Adventure
The cold cup tumbler comes in Coffee Connection and Coffee Adventure designs.
The Pokémon + Starbucks 2-Way Stacking Mug (355 millilitres [3,800 yen]) comes in two designs that can easily be stacked together for storage.
▼ Coffee Connection
▼ Coffee Adventure
Those who find the mug too large can opt for the smaller Pokémon + Starbucks 2 -Way Stacking Demi Mug (89 millilitres [2,200 yen]) , which comes in the same two designs, and is ideal for a shot of espresso.
▼ Coffee Connection
▼ Coffee Adventure
▼ Pokémon + Starbucks Straw Tumbler with Strap Coffee Adventure 458 millilitres (4,800 yen)
The straw tumbler features a lid design reminiscent of a Poké Ball. The drinking straw is made of silicone, and the shoulder strap is designed to detach when subjected to strong force.
▼ Pokémon + Starbucks Ceramic Canister Coffee Connection (3,800 yen)
The ceramic canister is large enough to hold about 100 grams of Starbucks coffee beans, depending on the type of beans. It can also be used to store small items.
▼ Pokémon + Starbucks Heatproof Glass Mug with SS Strainer Coffee Adventure (296 millilitres [4,400 yen])
The mug comes with a stainless steel strainer, eliminating the need for paper filters and allowing coffee to be brewed easily using the mug.
▼ The mug has a beautiful, rounded shape that makes it a pleasure to hold.
▼ Pokémon + Starbucks Glass Drip Coffee Maker Coffee Adventure (4,900 yen)
▼ During brewing, the lid can be used as a place to set the dripper.
▼ Pokémon + Starbucks SS Kettle Coffee Connection (550 millilitres [5,800 yen])
The stainless steel kettle is designed to help pour a consistent amount of water with ease and is also suitable for brewing coffee.
The adventure reaches a climax in what for us is the showstopper.
▼ Pokémon + Starbucks Milk Frother & Cup Coffee Adventure (4,400 yen)
The three-piece set includes a milk frother and heatproof glass mug for making lattes and cappuccinos at home, with a cap to prevent splashes.
▼ Pokémon + Starbucks Utility Apron Coffee Connection (4,800 yen)
The utility apron features Coffee Connection artwork on the left pocket and a collaboration logo and customisation box on the right.
▼ The rivets feature embossed Poké Ball motifs.
The apron comes in warm grey and can be used for all sorts of everyday activities, including DIY and kitchen work.
▼ Pokémon + Starbucks Kids Apron Pikachu (4,000 yen)
Recommended for heights of 100–120 centimetres (39.37 to 47.24 inches), the kids’ apron features artwork of a barista and Pikachu displaying the skills they have developed together.
▼ The hem features the collaboration logo and customisation box.
▼ The apron is a vivid yellow inspired by Pikachu, and the neck strap can be removed using a buckle on the side.
Moving out of the kitchen, we have a range of stickers, postcards and art posters that focus on the original collaboration art.
The Pokémon + Starbucks Art Sticker Set (1,800 yen) contains 13 stickers featuring all 12 original artworks, including three cup-inspired designs, which are all a good size for decorating small items and smartphones.
The Pokémon + Starbucks Art Postcard Set (2,000 yen) gives you 12 designs that can be used as postcards or displayed as miniature artworks.
There are also two Pokémon + Starbucks Art Posters (2,500 yen each) that blow the art up to 28 x 35 centimetre (11 x 14 inch) dimensions, giving you a unique way to display your love of coffee and Pokémon in your home.
▼ Coffee Connection
▼ Coffee Adventure
You don’t have to be at home to enjoy the new collection, with a range of tote bags and pouches that can be enjoyed during your daily adventures out in the wild.
▼ Pokémon + Starbucks Tote Bag Coffee Connection (5,000 yen)
▼ Pokémon + Starbucks Tote Bag Coffee Adventure (5,000 yen)
The Pokémon + Starbucks Cup-Shaped PVC Pouch (2,200 yen) comes in five character designs, with the front side depicting each Pokémon displaying the skills they’ve developed with their partner barista, while the rear features a collaboration ID box and logo.
▼ Pikachu
▼ The pouch is large enough to hold a smartphone or wallet and can be attached to a bag using the carabiner.
▼ Bulbasaur
▼ Charmander
▼ Squirtle
▼ Eevee
To help dress up the totes and pouches, there are two Pokémon + Starbucks Acrylic Charms (1,500 yen each) that can be easily attached to them.
▼ Coffee Connection
▼ Coffee Adventure
Rounding out the collection are six Pokémon + Starbucks Card Gifts (2,700 yen each), which come with a Starbucks Card pre-loaded with 2,000 yen. The set also includes a memo pad that can be folded into the shape of a paper cup, and a notes section for writing messages.
▼ Pikachu
▼ Charmander
▼ Squirtle
▼ Bulbasaur
▼ Eevee
▼ Coffee Connection
Finally, there’s a “Digital Gift Service”, where customers can purchase a Digital Starbucks Card Gift charged with their desired credit from between 1,000 – 30,000 yen.
▼ There are six designs to choose from, available through the official app and this site.
▼Other e-cards are available on the app and this site.
Those who receive a digital gift with the collaboration design will also receive a special collaboration ticket design, until 30 November 30, to present during payment.
Just looking at every single item in the collection has been an adventure of epic proportions, and now we’re left with the challenge of having to choose our favourites. All the online-exclusive goods above are set to become available at 6 a.m.on 30 September, with each item limited to one per transaction on the first day of sales. As for the in-store goods, they’ll also be limited to one per transaction during the first three days of release, from 30 September to 2 October, and the drink is only available for a very limited time, for 9 short days from 30 September – 8 October.
Source, images: Press release
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