Trainers,

We’re excited to announce that the latest Pokémon film, Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle, is coming soon! In celebration of the upcoming release, beginning on Monday, December 14, 2020, Jessie and James will be returning to Pokémon GO, and you’ll be able to encounter Shiny Celebi by completing limited-time Special Research! You can also look forward to lots of other in-game content inspired by the movie!

Complete Special Research to encounter Shiny Celebi! Plus, Jessie and James return to Pokémon GO!

Date + Time

Starting Monday, December 14, 2020, at 8:00 a.m. local time

Features

• A limited-time Special Research story inspired by the movie will be available! Complete this research line to encounter Shiny Celebi. In an odd twist of events, Jessie and James will be guiding you through this Special Research story instead of Professor Willow! You’ll need to prepare for trouble for this one! Stay tuned for updates on when this Special Research will become unavailable.
• Jessie and James will be returning in their Meowth balloon for a limited time! It seems they’ve received different Shadow Pokémon from Team GO Rocket than the last time the pair appeared in the world of Pokémon GO. Stay tuned for updates on when Jessie and James will be leaving.
• Be sure to check out the avatar items inspired by Jessie’s and James’s outfits from Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle. These avatar items will be available for free in the Style Shop!

Explorer Pikachu makes its Pokémon GO debut!

Date + Time

From Monday, December 14, 2020, at 8:00 a.m. to Monday, December 21, 2020, at 10:00 p.m. local time

Features

• Explorer Pikachu will be appearing in the wild and in raids! If you’re lucky, you might encounter a Shiny Explorer Pikachu!
• If you take a snapshot during this time, you might see Jessie and James!
• During the Pokémon Spotlight Hour on Tuesday, December 15, 2020, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time, Explorer Pikachu will be appearing more frequently in the wild, and you’ll receive twice the Candy for catching Pokémon.

Meet Pokémon connected to Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle!

Date + Time

From Monday, December 14, 2020, at 8:00 a.m. to Thursday, December 17, 2020, at 10:00 p.m. local time

Features

• Hoothoot, Nuzleaf, Drilbur, Cottonee, Dwebble, and more will be appearing more frequently in the wild. If you’re lucky, you might encounter a Durant!
• Lickitung, Mawile, Flygon, Rufflet, and more will be appearing in Raid Battles.
• Igglybuff, Smoochum, Elekid, Magby, Bonsly, and Rufflet will be hatching from 5 km Eggs.
  *If you’re lucky, you might even find a Shiny Rufflet!

Jessie and James’s Meowth balloon will be appearing more frequently on December 25!

Date + Time

Friday, December 25, 2020, from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. local time

Features

• Jessie and James’s Meowth balloon will be appearing more frequently! Be sure to use this opportunity to challenge the duo.

Stay tuned for more details on Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle, Trainers!

Please be aware of your surroundings and follow guidelines from local health authorities when playing Pokémon GO. Upcoming events are subject to change. Be sure to follow us on social media, opt in to receiving push notifications, and subscribe to our emails to stay updated. For the latest on in-game events and feature updates, be sure to check this help center article.

—The Pokémon GO team