{
  "id": 8802140,
  "title": "In Pictures: 30 years on, Pokémon fever brings Hong Kong hobbyists and world champs together",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/in-pictures-30-years-on-pokemon-fever-brings-hong-kong-hobbyists-and-8802140",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-20T23:50:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hong Kong Free Press",
    "slug": "hong-kong-free-press-hongkongfp",
    "url": "https://hongkongfp.com/2026/09/21/in-pictures-30-years-on-pokemon-fever-brings-hong-kong-hobbyists-and-world-champs-together/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On a sweltering July weekend, Hong Kong’s Tsim Sha Tsui shopping district buzzed with the excitement of thousands flocking to hunt down a rare Pokémon known as Mewtwo. This legendary creature, first introduced in the Japanese video game and animation series in 1996, was only visible through the screens of smartphones as part of the augmented reality mobile game Pokémon Go. The event, which took place from July 11-12, 2026, drew attendees from all walks of life, including a doctor, civil servant, social worker, risk consultant, and former world champion Cheng Yip-kai, also known as Yekai0904 in the game.\n\nThe beloved franchise, which has spanned animated series, films, trading cards, and merchandise, has maintained its popularity over thirty years. Pokémon GO player Cheng Yip-kai, an 18-year-old university student, made history by becoming the first Hongkonger to win the title in 2024. The classic Pokémon trio of Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle appeared on mobile screens alongside Mewtwo during the event.\n\nPokémon’s enduring appeal is evident in the fact that an 80-year-old grandmother and a child of three or four would both recognize Pikachu. Card collector Anthony Cheung remarked on the franchise's universal recognition, noting that certain intellectual properties fail to achieve such widespread familiarity. The demand for Pokémon merchandise, particularly rare trading cards in pristine condition, has led to astronomical price increases in recent years.",
  "summary": "Words by Hans Tse On a scorching July weekend, thousands of people gathered in Hong Kong’s Tsim Sha Tsui shopping district to search for a rare Pokémon that could only be seen through the screen of a smartphone. This was Mewtwo, a legendary Pokémon in the beloved Japanese video game and animation series that was […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "RTHK English",
        "title": "Hong Kong bids farewell to Tung Chee-hwa",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/hong-kong-bids-farewell-to-tung-chee-hwa",
        "published": "2026-09-20T03:37:40.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Hong Kong Free Press",
        "title": "In Pictures: Hong Kong pays final respects to former city leader Tung Chee-hwa",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/in-pictures-hong-kong-pays-final-respects-to-former-city-leader-tung",
        "published": "2026-09-20T07:56:32.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Time Out Hong Kong",
        "title": "The Disgusting Food Museum comes to Hong Kong with over 80 gross foods from all over the world",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/the-disgusting-food-museum-comes-to-hong-kong-with-over-80-gross",
        "published": "2026-09-21T09:23:15.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}