Yokohama, Japan, Aug 13 (efe-epa).- The scenic bayside area of the Minato Mirai harbor district came alive Monday with thousands of swaying Eevees and Pikachus locking steps and having the time of their lives.
Cute screeches of “Pika-Pika” abounded as the most popular kids’ pocket monster from the eponymous Nintendo video game series, took over the streets of Minato Mirai to the delight of onlookers, according to an efe-epa photojournalist on the ground.
“There’s going to be another Pikachu Outbreak this year in the Yokohama Minato Mirai area! There are even rumors of a first-ever Eevee Outbreak!,” an official statement said.
“Have a blast with over 1,500 Pikachus!”, it added.
The city would be hosting for the fifth time in a row the “Pikachu Outbreak!”, an annual parade that this year is themed around “Science is Amazing.”
The events include the Pikachu and the Eevee – a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak’s Pokémon franchise – parades and Pokémon Synchronicity, a 30-minute show featuring a ship parade with a lot of Pikachu against a background of images floating on the sea, an official statement said.
Due to searing hot temperatures of around 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit) as Japan endures a heatwave, some of the day-time shows were canceled and the show organizers released an advisory advising spectators to guard against the heat by “bringing your own fans and towels and hydrating frequently when participating in the event.”
The event opened on Friday and was due to close on Aug. 16.