Pokémon Turns 30: Nostalgia Draws Thousands to Tsim Sha Tsui for Rare Mewtwo Hunt
HKFP · 1 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
On a scorching July weekend, thousands of Hongkongers descended upon Tsim Sha Tsui to hunt for Mewtwo, a legendary Pokémon, during a rare two-day event in the augmented reality mobile game Pokémon Go . The gathering marked a vibrant celebration of the franchise's 30th anniversary, drawing participants across generations and professions—including doctors, civil servants, social workers, and risk consultants . Among them was Cheng Yip-kai, known in-game as Yekai0904, who became the first Hongkonger to claim the Pokémon Go World Champion title in 2024 .
Key Points
- The limited-time Mewtwo encounter took place over two days in Tsim Sha Tsui's shopping district during a July weekend, drawing thousands of participants
- Former world champion Cheng Yip-kai (Yekai0904), an 18-year-old university student, was among attendees and became Hong Kong's first Pokémon Go World Champion in 2024
- Pokémon card collector Anthony Cheung noted that virtually everyone recognizes Pikachu—from 80-year-old grandmothers to children as young as three or four
- Logan Paul reportedly sold a rare Pikachu Illustrator card for US$16.5 million (HK$125 million) in February, while some cards bought for just HK$20.62 in 2018 now command HK$90,000
- The Pokémon franchise, launched in 1996, has expanded into animated series, films, video games, trading cards, and merchandise including plush toys and apparel
Why It Matters
The Pokémon phenomenon's lasting appeal demonstrates how a single intellectual property can achieve universal recognition spanning three decades and multiple generations . As rare trading cards become increasingly valuable collectibles—fetching millions at auction—Pokémon continues to generate significant cultural and economic impact worldwide .
The Pokémon phenomenon's lasting appeal demonstrates how a single intellectual property can achieve universal recognition spanning three decades and multiple generations . As rare trading cards become increasingly valuable collectibles—fetching millions at auction—Pokémon continues to generate significant cultural and economic impact worldwide .