Japan is well known for its elaborate painting of anime characters onto their mass transit vehicles like their planes and trains scattered across the country. In an effort to promote intercity tourism, the Hokkaido Prefecture has entered a partnership with a local airline to adorn one of its planes inPokemonas part of a special route that will begin soon.
AirDo is a small, regional airliner based in Sappion, Hokkaido, Japan that runs a fleet of Boeing 737s and 767s and flies to 10 cities throughout the country. AirDo’s plane liveries are usually centered around sunshine yellow and sky blue that stand out on the otherwise white plane. Within that color scheme, the airline has had a variety of designs on its planes over the years. The airliner, in conjunction with the local government and The Pokemon Company, will start “Lokon Jet Hokkaido,” which addedPokemonthat match its parent colorsto promote a local government initiative.
RELATED:Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl May Be Missing Battle Frontier
AirDo has adorned one of the Boeing 767s in its fleet with Vulpix. One side has the original fire-type Vulpix and the other has the Ice-Type Alolan Vulpix. The Fire-Type Vulpix “Lopon” paint scheme is dotted with summertime themes of sunflowers andthe base level Pokeball.The Ice-Type Alolan Vulpix “Arora” livery features wintery themes of snowflakes, Hokkaido flowers, and a Great Ball to match. The plane flight attendants and amenities like headrests, cups, etc will also follow the dual Vulpix pattern. According to the reveal video, thesePokemonplanes will go into service on December 1st, 2021.
The company’s site explains that the paint scheme is part of a larger promotion for the “Hokkaido Daisuki Discovery Team” to garner attention and traffic to Japan’s northernmost island. Another Japanese airline used a similar tactic ofrepainting one of its aircraft with Pokemonto promote internal tourism last year. This has become a focus of the smaller Japanese airlines as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to stifle international travel. The city seems to favor Vulpix as its mascot as it has used the FoxPokemonin a different city promotion in 2018.
The Pokemon Company often allows artwork of its characters onto mass transit vehicles over the years.Pokemonhas been on trains, planes, and buses all across Japan over the years. Since thePokemonseries intrinsically promotes travel, taking part in several regions over its 25-year run, it’s an ideal medium to support travel.
MORE:Pokemon Brillant Diamond and Shining Pearl: Which Starter Makes the Game Easier?
