Pokemon is ready for a mega for the rest of the year, and it all started last weekend at San Diego Comic-Con 2025. The coming October publishing of Pokemon Legends: ZA will bring coaches back to the Kalos region, where Mega developed Pokemon first introduced in Pokemon X & Y more than 13 years ago. At the same time, Pokemon TCG ends its Scarlet & Violet series and starts a brand new mega development set in September.
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To celebrate Pokemon's annual SDCC fan activation, Pokemon Company International went into Mega Evolution this year. The Booth participants had to choose a partner Pokemon before going through a series of short experiences to discover their Pokemon's mega development, form a band with them and finally see them mega develop in a fantastic Augmented reality photo. I don't know if we can officially call this Mega Evolution generation yet, but seeing TPCI going out for Comic-Con makes it seem like this is much more than a stop between 1 and 10.
Learn Mega Evolutionline
This year's Comic-Con stand was in the remote corner of Hall A, snuggled in between the lavish Mecha Break playroom and the audience of Labubu fans surrounding Pop Mart Booth. But while the Pokemon booth may have had a smaller footprint than its neighbors, it was easily the most eye-catching.
With a giant pokeball on top and a futuristic city-on-night theme, Booth captured both the glossy aesthetics of a Pokemon laboratory and night vibe in Lumiose City, the legend setting: ZA. Views of upcoming Mega developed Pokemon cards from September's expansion, together with lifelong statues of Mega Galled and Mega Lucario, made this booth one of SDCC's must attractions this year.
Unfortunately, Mega Dragonite was not an option.
The line for the booth continued from open to closing all weekend, but those with patience to wait were treated with a unique trainer experience. Participants started by creating a custom card with their chosen Pokémon (of course I chose Lucario), names and unique QR code printed on it. This card was used to track your progress through each step, but it also acts as a cool memory case.
After getting a card, the next stop was the observatory, where you would discover your Pokemon's mega development. In the middle of the booth sat a round table with a glowing ring representing each of the eight optional pokemon. By putting your hand over the ring, the silhouette would be lit on your Pokemon on the roof and reveal their mega -developed form.
When you completed each step in the activity, you would add a sticker to your coach card. This was used for the photographer at the final station to verify that you had completed each step on the process.
Then came the collection, where plushies of all eight Pokemon sat on glowing screens. Pressing the button under each plush would spit out a sticker that represents the mega you need to develop that pokemon.
After that, you go over to Sync Station to test your band with your Pokémon. When you scan your QR code on a tablet, place your hand in the middle of the screen while analyzing the strength of your bond. It is inevitably revealed that you have a strong bond with your Pokémon, which means you have earned the last sticker and it is time to see your Pokemon Mega develop.
Mega Lucario, I choose you!
When you have completed each station, it is time for the grand finale. One participant checked my card to make sure it was clear and then presented a cracker bracelet that looked like a mega bracelet. They asked me permission to slap it, and for the first time in almost 30 years I felt the familiar sting on a fresh cracker bracelet that wrapped around the wrist. I then stood in front of the camera, where I was commissioned to make a gesture to cheer on my Pokemon as it tried to Mega Evolve. I went with the usual fist bulber and did not realize that the video is almost ten seconds long and I would have to continue fist pumping, cumbersome, all the time.
The video is charmingly awkward. Just as I am giving up, Lucario develops mega, and you can see a moment of genuine relief; Both when I saw my pokemon develop, and because I could stop pumping first. The video was emailed to me as a memory thing, and on the way out I also got a paper pikachu hat, a poster and some codes to unlock different currencies in some Pokemon games.
Pokemon's SDCC booths are always impressive, but this year's stood to offer a memorable narrative experience that serves as a good introduction to the concept of mega development for younger fans. Going away with both physical and digital souvenirs from a free Comic-Con activation is always appreciated as well, especially for those who have been waiting for a long time to enter.
I love Pokemon Play Lab's learning-to play experience that you find at other conventions, but for the SDCC audience this is a good way for fans to use what is new and exciting in the Pokemon world.
