On Wednesday, October 16th. 2025, The Pokémon Company announced the launch of two new skins for the popular AR game Pokémon Go! These skins, based on the popular character Pikachu from the franchise, portray the Pokémon in indian ethnic wear – a pink saree for the female version, and a blue kurta with a white nehru jacket for the male version.
At the launch event of “Pokémon Festivities” we had a chance to interact with Yuki Kawamura, the Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships and Special Projects for Niantic, Inc, Japan. In addition to his role at Niantic, Mr Kawamura is also affiliated with Akatsuki Inc and SuperGaming, both companies making inroads in the Indian gaming scene.
Digit: So there’s currently 864 Pokémon in the game and a thousand potential Pokémon in the world transplanted as of now. And the number keeps rising every year. So why was Pikachu picked for these new Festive skins?
Yuki: Because everyone loves Pikachu, and it’s the most well-known Pokémon.
Digit: Pokémon Go has a huge fan base in India, So is there any chance of a desi region being introduced in the game?
Yuki: Well, we are exploring multiple options. Hopefully, we can allow something fun like that.
Digit: Any future plans for you in terms of localization of the Pokémon franchise in India?
Yuki: So I can only talk about Pokémon Go. We are discussing and exploring so many opportunities because we are seeing this growth in this market. But, there’s not much I can disclose as of today. We launched Pokémon in Hindi – the localised version launched last year. And since then, the market is picking up. So it’s good.
Digit: There’s been no Pokémon Go links with other games; like Let’s go Pikachu! and Let’s Go Eevee! Does Pokémon Go have any other future plans to do the same kind of thing again?
Yuki: Yeah, so we are continuing to work with our Pokémon team to, for instance, linking Pokémon Go with your Pokémon Home. So yeah, we are happy to collaborate and interact, more often.
Digit: Okay, so just digressing a little from Pokémon Go, Niantic, so far has had Ingress, Pokémon Go, Wizards Unite. So what’s next on the agenda?
Yuki: So definitely, we are and also we are investing a lot in these, on the “Niantic maps” we call it. And we are discussing internally, about the new game pipelines.
Also Read: Defense Derby Review: No horsin’ around
Digit: Niantic maps? Could you elaborate?
Yuki: So our goal is to make this world into a complete 3D map. So that’s what we call “Niantic maps.” [Digit: 3D as in True AR? Wearables?] Yes.
Digit: So you, personally, have been in the gaming industry for a better chunk of a decade now; and a bunch of this time was in companies that have a foothold in the Indian market, like Akatsuki, Super Gaming and now Niantic. Taking that into account, what is your take on the Indian gaming industry today? And what interesting things do you foresee in the near future?
Yuki: So I think in the Indian market, the gaming industry, is such an exciting market. To enter at this point, we are seeing so much growth in user numbers across all the games, and monetisation itself is picking up and as you know, as everybody knows, It’s a huge market. [Digit: Especially in the mobile gaming market?] Yes, and now everyone has those devices, with affordable Jio plans. So, I think everyone’s excited about India. So we’ll see how this market grows.
Digit: What is your own prediction? How do you think the Indian market will grow in the next few years?
Yuki: So the next few years, I would say, it will initially grow, including, as you mentioned, the recent launches like The Indus by Super Gaming. We are seeing so many Indian developers and Indian publishers evolving in this market. [Digit: That’s true, like, Krafton’s been very active lately.] Exactly. so I’m super optimistic about this market, yeah.
Digit: Are you a Pokémon Go player?
Yuki: Yes.
Digit: What’s your favourite Pokémon?
Yuki: So my favourite Pokémon is Pikachu. An interesting thing is that my birthday is February 27th. And Pokémon’s birthday is also February 27th! [laughs]
Digit: What are your top five Hundos?
Yuki: [thinks] I… don’t quite remember. I don’t have many hundos [laughs]. I wish I had more hundos or shindos, but [shakes head] No luck, no luck.
Pokémon Go is hosting their “Festival of Lights celebrations”, comprising a special event in Bengaluru on November 3, 2024, at Phoenix Marketcity, where Pikachu will appear in a saree, alongside surprises and giveaways for Trainers.
A sweepstake on Instagram will also offer two lucky winners from India a chance to attend the Pokémon GO City Safari in São Paulo.
