The developer of Pokémon GO has announced a tie-in movie event that will introduce Zarude to the mobile game. The Pokémon franchise is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, with no shortage of Pokémon content for fans of the games, shows, and movies. Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle is the next big Pokémon release, and the movie will be recognized in Pokémon GO with Zarude, Special Research, and more.
Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle is the 23rd movie in the franchise, and will be making its way to Netflix with a global release on October 8. Secrets of the Jungle stars Ash Ketchum and Pikachu, along with new character Koko, who believes he is a Pokémon. The movie will focus on Mythical Pokémon, with a heavy focus on the Dark/Grass-type Mythical monkey Pokémon, Zarude. Zarude, who has an alternate form named Dada, is one of the newer pocket monsters in the series, having been introduced with Pokémon Sword and Shield's eighth Generation.
Announcing the news in a blog post, Pokémon GO developer Niantic has officially confirmed Zarude will be coming to the game for the first time in celebration of the new movie. Trainers will be able to encounter Zarude by completing limited-time Special Research from Friday, October 1, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. to Sunday, October 10, 2021, at 8:00 p.m. local time. The Secrets of the Jungle movie tie-in event will also welcome Team Rocket's Jessie and James back to Pokémon GO, along with Explorer Pikachu. Pokémon GO has released a trailer ahead of the big event, offering a glimpse of Zarude.
Watch the trailer on YouTube here.
The upcoming Pokémon GO event will give fans the chance to catch Explorer Pikachu if they missed the Pokémon's debut last December. Lucky trainers might be able to get their hands on a Shiny variant of the costumed Pokémon GO character, available throughout the entire event. Those who've missed Jessie and James will be glad to learn their escapades from 2020 will be continued again, with the iconic Meowth air balloon set to appear in-game until Friday, October 15, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. local time. As for the new Zarude-themed Special Research story, players will be helping Professor Willow learn more about the Mythical monkey, and once the Special Research has been obtained, it can be completed at any time.
Fans of the mobile game don't just have the Secrets of the Jungle event to look forward to, but also the upcoming Pokémon GO Duskull Community Day. Taking place on Saturday, October 9 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time, players can enjoy an increased spawn rate for the spooky Duskull, as well as higher chances of finding a Shiny Duskull. From new catches in the mobile game to a new Pokémon Netflix movie, Pokémon fans have a lot to look forward to this October.
Source: Pokémon GO Live