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Pokémon Soda appears in Japan! But Pikachu isn’t the star?!?

Casey Baseel Jun 24, 2018
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The face of the franchise gets pushed aside by another beloved Pokémon and its eight evolutions.

In the past, we’ve discussed the question of which species of Pokémon would be the most appetizing to eat. Now, though, let’s turn our attention to the topic of Pokémon-based drinks.

Don’t worry, though, there are no Pocket Monsters on the ingredient list for Japanese beverage maker Ito En’s new Pokémon Soda. Instead, it’s the packaging that’s covered with frolicking favorites from the anime/video game franchise.

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＼ 7月2日（月）発売決定！🍹／

伊藤園さんから、イーブイたちがパッケージの「ポケモンソーダ」が登場します！この夏、みんなで飲みたイーブイっ！🏖 https://t.co/gHXYCRJcLw pic.twitter.com/tJpmso04gw

— 【公式】プロジェクトイーブイ（続） (@project_eevee) June 21, 2018

Nonetheless, you could argue that a different name would have been more appropriate. See, while there are hundreds of different types of Pokémon, Pokémon Soda is primarily about Eevee and its eight possible evolutions.

▼ Eevee takes a peek into Ito En’s employee fridge and is happy to see what’s inside.

会社の冷蔵庫で発見･･･👀!! 発売が待ち遠しイーブイ！🍹 pic.twitter.com/LeO4jZLmnP

— 【公式】プロジェクトイーブイ（続） (@project_eevee) June 21, 2018

Four different designs are available. First up is the original evolved Eevee trio of Vaporeon, Flareon, and Jolteon. Moon and Sun Shard-dependent Umbreon and Espeon also share a bottle.

The third label has Glaceon and Leafeon hanging out together, while the final design features Fairy-type Sylveon, the most girlishly cute evolution of the bunch, palling around with the original Eevee.

▼ Pikachu also has a on all the labels, because when was the last time anyone complained about Pikachu making an appearance?

This is actually Ito En’s second time to team up with the Pokémon franchise, following the PokéVege bottled vegetable juice that went on sale last year. Pokémon Soda, though, is likely to be a bigger hit with kids’ palates, with its sweeter mango flavor.

▼ Individual bottles of Ito En’s drinks are commonly available in vending machines and convenience stores, but if you’re a serious fan, special ordered 24-packs of Pokémon Soda will ship in a collector’s box.

Pokémon Soda goes on sale July 2, right about when the weather starts to really heat up in Japan. At this time of year, it’s more important than ever to stay hydrated, so it’s good to know Eevee is ready to help us beat the heat, as well as wash down any Pikachu burgers or Magikarp taiyaki sweets you eat this summer.

Images: Ito En

Follow Casey on Twitter, where as a proud resident of Yokohama he’s already looking forward to this year’s Pikachu Outbreak.