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Last Wednesday, the Japan Sumo Association announced it has signed a sponsorship deal with The Pokémon Company in order to promote the traditional sport for the younger generation. Not only will Pokémon appear at the Wanpaku Sumo National Tournament, Japan’s largest sumo tournament for elementary school-aged children, the popular video game brand has also produced over 200 kenshō banners—colorful banners which are paraded around the ring before the match starts to represent the prize money.
Pokémon series mascot Pikachu appeared at the Wanpaku boy’s tournament on Sunday, while the sumo-inspired fighting Pokémon Makuhita will appear at the girl’s tournament on November 14. This will be part of the “My First Pokémon Project,” which aims to support children’s education and development.
Meanwhile, kenshō banners featuring Pokémon package art throughout the series’ history will be unveiled on the final day of the November Grand Sumo Tournament on November 28. Next year, a broad array of Pokémon kensho banners will appear on each consecutive day of the January Grand Sumo Tournament, starting from January 9.
A referee outfit and keshō-mawashi (ceremonial loincloth worn by upper-ranked players when they make an entrance) with a Pokémon motif are also scheduled to make their appearance at the January tournament.
Source: Press Release via Kotaku, Nintendo Life
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