The official Japanese Pokémon Anime PR X account posted a Pokémon Anime Costume Presentation on June 18th, 2026.

Pokémon Anime Costume Presentation:
In the Pokémon anime episode airing Friday June 19th, Liko and the others will give Unite Battles a try as the team "Rising Volt Tacklers"! As such, we present their matching Trainer Fashion! Will they be able to score goals and seize victory?

アニポケ コスチューム紹介
6/19(金)放送のアニポケではリコたちがチーム「ライジングボルテッカーズ」としてユナイトバトルに挑戦！
ということで、おそろいのトレーナーファッションをご紹介！
ゴールを決めて勝利を掴めるのでしょうか？

The official Japanese Pokémon Anime PR X account posted an episode preview on June 17th, 2026.

The Pokémon anime episode airing Friday June 19th, 2026 is... episode 141, "Ready Go! Unite Battle!!" Friede invites the Rising Volt Tacklers to participate in a Unite Battle. This is their first ever time experiencing a Unite Battle... and it's a really tough fight?!

アニポケ 6/19(金)放送
第141話「READY GO！ユナイトバトル！！」
フリードの誘いでライジングボルテッカーズがユナイトバトルに参戦
初めて経験するユナイトバトルで…大苦戦!?

The official Japanese Pokémon Anime PR X account posted a Next Episode Featured Points on June 17th, 2026.

Unite Battles are a type of competitive Pokémon battles that make use of Aeos Energy, a special kind of energy that only emerges on Aeos Island. The key to victory lies in the teams of 5 Trainer and Pokémon pairs' strategy as well as "Unite Moves", moves which can only be used in Unite Battles!

アニポケ 次回注目ポイント
ユナイトバトルとは、エオス島だけに沸き出す
特殊なエネルギー『エオスエナジー』を利用した
ポケモンバトル競技
5組のトレーナーとポケモンで構成されたチームでの戦略や
ユナイトバトルだけで繰り出せる『ユナイトわざ』も
勝負のカギを握ります！

The official Japanese Pokémon Anime PR X account posted on June 17th, 2026 tbat there would be a special Pokémon anime x Pokémon Unite event battle on Friday June 19th, 2026.

On Friday June 19th, 2026, we'll have a special Pokémon anime x Pokémon Unite event battle featuring the Shining Oceans VS the Rising Volt Tacklers at Remota Stadium, Aeos Island (with live commentary)

6月19日(金)はアニポケ×『ポケモンユナイト』
スペシャルイベントバトル 組み合わせエオス島　レモータスタジアム
シャイニングオーシャンズ vs ライジングボルテッカーズ（実況解説あり）

The official Japanese Pokémon Anime PR X account posted a picture on June 18th, 2026 of Captain Pikachu and CUTIE STREET from their CUTIE STREET Solo Concert 05 Street that took place on June 17th, 2026.

Captain Pikachu appeared at yesterday's Cutie Street Solo Concert 05 Street, performing the CuPika Dance during the Pokémon anime ending Cute na Cutai! Did the members of Cutie Street all dance along as well? Photo by Yuna Yoshimori.

昨日開催されたCUTIE STREET 単独LIVE -05 STREET-
キャプテンピカチュウ が登場
アニポケ エンディング「キュートなキューたい」で一緒にキューピカダンスを披露しました！
きゅーてすと の皆さんも一緒に踊ってくれましたか？
CUTIESTREET(@CUTIE_STREET_)
Photo by ヨシモリユウナ

The official Japanese Anime PR X account posted a Pokémon Anime Quiz on June 18th, 2026.

The "Pika tto Hikaru Pokémon Anime Quiz" presented by Pokédoko:
Here is this week's question. Check tomorrow's episode of the Pokémon anime for the answer, okay?

Q: What does Friede's slightly unusual strategy consist of?
A: Forbid Unite Moves
B: Fortify themselves with a meal to build up energy

ポケどこ で出題された
ピカっとひかる！アニポケクイズ
今回の問題はこちら！
正解は明日のアニポケをチェックしてね

The official Japanese Pokémon Anime PR X account posted a Pokémon Anime Spotlight on June 18th, 2026.

Pokémon Anime Spotlight:
We present Zoroark VS Captain Pikachu from episode 141! This is a fierce clash! Gather Aeos Energy and go for the goal!

アニポケ ピックアップ
第141話より#ゾロアークVSキャプテンピカチュウをお届け！
白熱のぶつかり合い
エオスエナジーを集めてゴールを目指す！

The official Japanese Pokémon PR X account posted an episode preview on June 18th, 2026.

Cap joins the fray! Tomorrow's episode of the Pokémon anime will be a collab episode with Pokémon Unite! The Rising Volt Tacklers give Unite Battles a try! How will the match go...?

キャップ参戦！
明日のアニポケは『ポケモンユナイト』とのコラボエピソード！
ライジングボルテッカーズがユナイトバトルに挑戦するよ！
果たして勝負の行方は……！

The official Japanese Pokémon Anime PR X account posted a Pokémon Anime Costume Presentation on June 18th, 2026.

Pokémon Anime Costume Presentation:
In the Pokémon anime episode airing Friday June 19th, the team "Rising Volt Tacklers" will give Unite Battles a try! Masquernya, Laudbon, Wanival, Yamirami and Captain Pikachu will all join in as well, dressed in Holowear!

アニポケ コスチューム紹介
6/19(金)放送のアニポケではチーム「ライジングボルテッカーズ」がユナイトバトルに挑戦！
マスカーニャ、ラウドボーン、ウェーニバル
ヤミラミ、キャプテンピカチュウもホロウェアで参戦
『ポケモンユナイト』
※一部地域では放送日時が異なります

The official Japanese Pokémon Anime PR X account posted an episode airing announcement on May 27th, 2026.

In the Pokémon anime episode airing Friday June 19th, 2026... Liko and the others will land on Aeos Island, a place you all know well from Pokémon Unite! There, Liko, Roy, Dot, Uruto and Friede will try their hands at a Unite Battle! The genius scientist Professor Rin will be making an appearance as well! Look forward to it! And check out this too:
https://pokemonunite.jp/ja/topics/news/20260527-1/ (News Article Link)

6月19日(金)放送のアニポケでは…
リコたちがポケモンユナイトでおなじみのエオス島に上陸
リコ、ロイ、ドット、ウルト、フリードがユナイトバトルに挑戦します！
天才科学者・リン博士も登場！
ぜひ、お楽しみに！
こちらもチェック
https://pokemonunite.jp/ja/topics/news/20260527-1/

The official Japanese Pokémon Anime PR X account announced on June 15th, 2026, that a gift code for 7-day Rental Licences and 7-day Rental Holowear for use in Pokémon UNITE, would be announced during this episode.

The next episode, airing Friday June 19th, 2026, will be a Pokémon anime x Pokémon Unite collab episode! During this episode, we'll reveal a gift code you can use to receive 7-day Rental Licences and 7-day Rental Holowear for Masquernya, Laudbon and Wanival! Don't miss out!

次回、6/19(金)はアニポケ×『ポケモンユナイト』コラボエピソードを放送
こちらの放送内でマスカーニャ、ラウドボーン、ウェーニバル
3匹のレンタルライセンス(7日間)とレンタルホロウェア(7日間)が受け取れる
ギフトコードを公開します！
お見逃しなく

The official Japanese Pokémon Anime PR X account announced a Pokémon Anime x Pokémon Unite Spot-Spot Quiz on June 15th, 2026. The official Pokémon UNITE Japanese X account also posted the announcement.

We're Holding a Pokémon Anime x Pokémon Unite Spot-Spot Quiz:
Spot the answers in the Pokémon anime episode airing Friday June 19th and get the 4 treasures! (airdate and airtime may vary depending on region) Check the official Pokémon Unite account for details:
https://www.pokemonunite.jp/ja/topics/news/20260615-1/

Pokémon Anime Collaboration: "Spot-Spot Quiz" Starts in 4 Days
Starting Friday, June 19th, 2026, the "Spot-Spot Quiz" begins, putting every Trainer’s "spotting skills" to the test...!
Watch the anime, find the answers, and get your rewards!
The collaboration episode airs on the TV Tokyo network on Friday, June 19th, 2026 at 6:55 PM!
(*Broadcast times may vary in some regions.)

アニポケ×『ポケモンユナイト』
「見っけ見っけクイズ！」開催
6月19日(金)よる6時55分から放送のアニポケに隠された「答え」を見つけて4つの「お宝」をゲット！
※一部地域では放送日時が異なります
詳細はポケモンユナイト公式(@poke_unite_jp)をチェックしてね

アニポケコラボ「見っけ見っけクイズ！」 開催まであと4日
6月19日（金）から、すべてのトレーナーの「見っけ力」が試される「見
っけ見っけクイズ！」が始まる…！
アニメを観て、答えを見つけて、報酬をゲット！
コラボ回はテレ東系にて6月19日（金）よる6時55分から放送！
（※一部地域では放送日時が異なります。）

Play the Spot-Spot Quiz on Friday, June 19! Gather around your screens!

To commemorate the collaboration episode between Pokémon UNITE and Pokémon Horizons, you’ll be able to play the Spot-Spot Quiz this Friday, June 19th, 2026!

On the day of the event, please keep an eye out for quiz posts on Pokémon’s official social media. Answers to the quiz will be hidden in the anime episode itself. Watch the anime and spot the answers! Here are the important details for trainers who don’t want to miss any information on the day of the event!

Campaign Period and Episode Details
Campaign Period: June 19 (Fri) – June 30 (Tue), 2026
Streaming date for the collaboration episode: June 19 (Fri) on the official Pokémon YouTube channel.
(*The streaming date/time may differ depending on your region. Stream contents are subject to change.)

How to Participate
Step 1: Check the quiz post on social media! Look out for quiz details on Pokémon’s official social media on the day of the event.
Step 2: Spot the answers in the anime! Watch the anime stream on YouTube and find the answers to the quiz.
Step 3: Get your in-game reward! The answers to the quiz will be a Gift Code you can use directly in Pokémon UNITE!

Where do you enter the answers you find?
Please refer to the following for how to redeem your Gift Code.
https://www.pokemonunite.jp/en/topics/notice/20260601-1/

A fourth reward? Solve the quiz to reveal the secret code!
Get the 3 quiz questions correct, and receive 3 rewards! What’s more, get all 3 questions correct and a fourth secret code will be revealed!

How to solve the secret code
• In the quiz image to be posted on the day of the event, there will be spaces to put your answers in, with some of the spaces marked with a ★.
• Fill in the spaces with the answers you spot, and take note of the letters and numbers in the spaces marked with a ★.
• Combine these letters/numbers to complete the fourth secret code.

Spot all of the answers and get all 4 rewards!

Only 4 days left until the Spot-Spot Quiz begins!
Make sure to update the Pokémon UNITE app to the latest version, and follow Pokémon’s official social media so that you don’t miss anything on the day of the event.

The official Japanese Anime PR X account posted a clip of the opening animation on June 13th, 2026.


The Wonder Voyage Pokémon anime episode airing Friday, June 19th, 2026 will be a collab with Pokémon Unite! (airdate and airtime may vary depending on region) The opening animation likewise shows Captain Pikachu confronting a Zoroark before scoring a goal! What's going to happen in the group's first ever Unite Battle?!

アニポケワンダーボヤージュ
6月19日(金)の放送は『ポケモンユナイト』とのコラボ！
※一部地域では放送日時が異なります
オープニング映像でも、ゾロアークと対峙して
ゴールを決めている キャプテンピカチュウ
初めてのユナイトバトルはどんな展開に!?

ORICON NEWS posted an interview with Toshiya Miyata on June 12th, 2026.

Toshiya Miyata from Kis-My-Ft2 will be appearing as a guest voice actor in the Pocket Monsters TV show (airs every Friday at 6:55pm, officially abbreviated "Anipoke") in episode 141, "Ready Go! Unite Battle!!" airing on the 19th! In his early childhood, Miyata was really into the Pocket Monsters video games and used to learn dialogue from the Pokémon anime by heart, and these days he's obsessed with Pokémon Unite as well. What is Pocket Monsters to him? We've just had a lengthy talk with him about everything from his memories of the experience that changed his life to how he prepared for the role he's going to play in the anime now.

Episode 141 is a Pokémon Unite collab episode, where Miyata will be playing the leader of the both popular and skilled idol team Shining Oceans.

Q: First off, how did you feel when you first learned you had been cast in this role?
Miyata: Yeah, it made me really happy. The Pokémon anime is the kind of show where you have to wait a week between each episode, you know, so I was the kind of kid that used to rewatch the same episode over and over, memorizing all the dialogue and then reciting the entire episode to myself under my breath on the way to school (laughs). Those old memories instantly came back to me the moment I received this news.
However, it's precisely because I love this show so much that I felt I had to blend properly into its setting. It just wouldn't be right if my happiness bled too heavily into the role; I was going to be "The leader of the Shining Oceans", not "Toshiya Miyata"... so I felt very nervous when I went to the dubbing session.

Q: Did you focus on anything specific when you played the leader of the Unite Battle idol team Shining Oceans?
Miyata: I was wondering what the other members of the team looked like, so I paused the video they gave me in order to check. I think there's all kinds of different types of leaders out there, but the fact that all these members with all these different personalities and individual desires chose to follow his lead made me realize he's a very reliable one. He looks very sharp and clean-cut, so I tried working out on my own whether he was supposed to be a passionate and enthusiastic guy or not.

The other day, when I met my master Daisuke Namikawa, the man who taught me voice acting, he told me he had heard I was going to have a role in the Pokémon anime, and went on to explain how this show has you be a Trainer who issues orders to Pokémon rather than fight yourself, and that the way you deliver your lines might change quite a bit if you keep a little focus on that.
During the actual dubbing session itself, there were several moments that were quite different from what I had prepared for in advance. The voice director also told me my delivery had to be calmer and more composed, which made me realize I shouldn't play the role as all THAT enthusiastic. There's always going to be some differences between how you imagine a character and what the actual creators had in mind, and I think I was able to play the character as a wonderful leader by understanding what they were going for and taking their direction into account.

Kis-My-Ft2 doesn't have a leader, so I don't really have a good grasp on what a "leader" is supposed to be like. However, actually watching real-life professional Pokémon Unite teams and seeing teenagers coordinate their teams as leaders really helped me understand what it feels like to have one.
When we battled together in Pokémon Unite, with me calling myself "Miyatti", the leader would really act like one, telling me things like "Miyatti, wait up" or "Miyatti, I can't see you". I think I might have been able to bring that intuition I especially gained from seeing these professional teams and their leaders in action into my acting.

Q: In this episode you have a Negigaknight as your Partner.
Miyata: Yeah, and Negigaknight looks cuter and cuter the more I look at it. I battle with Eifie a lot when I play Pokémon Unite myself, and when I got to be head cheerleader for the Pokémon Unite Asia Champions League 2026, I'd constantly talk about Eifie... so when I was told I was going to be a guest voice actor in the Pokémon anime, I was wondering if I'd have an Eifie as my partner. And then it turned out to be a Negigaknight of all things. Now I battle with Negigaknight all the time, and I've made it my partner.

Q: We actually asked the anime staff why they went with Negigaknight as your character's partner, and they explained that the Pokémon Unite team suggested it, telling them that this would be the best team composition for a veteran team battling the protagonists.
Miyata: That makes a lot of sense! The Negigaknight used by skilled opponents I've played against are really strong, to the point I have no idea how I'm supposed to defeat them. I thought Negigaknight was really difficult to use at first, but after actually trying it out in battle, I found it to be both complex and fun.

Q: You already mentioned how you used to memorize an entire Pokémon anime episode's worth of dialogue every week and then recite it to yourself on your way to school back when you were in elementary. Do you have any other Pokémon-related memories?
Miyata: I have lots. Pocket Monsters Red/Green were released in 1996, so they celebrate their 30th anniversary this year. I was in elementary that year, and played on a boys' soccer team. I wanted the game so badly I told my mother I wanted her to buy me Pokémon, and she told me that she'd buy it for me if I scored a goal in my next match. My position on the field was pretty far back, but during that match I suddenly whooshed forward, shouted for the ball, got it, and scored.
Since that meant my mother would buy me Pokémon, I just stood there zoning out to the point they told me I was getting substituted due to my lack of enthusiasm. But since staying on the bench meant I didn't have to run anymore, and I was getting Pokémon bought for me when I got home anyway, I was past the point of caring what anyone said (laughs).
And thus I started playing Pokémon, told my mother I was quitting soccer, and got completely obsessed with the game... And that's the story of how I first encountered the Pokémon franchise (laughs). Honestly though, even if I had kept playing soccer I really doubt I'd have been able to become a J League player, so I think I made the right decision when I chose Pokémon back then (laughs).

Q: If you hadn't made that decision, maybe we wouldn't even have had a "nowadays" to talk about.
Miyata: Indeed. I mean, there's maybe just one person at an entire school that will be able to become a J League player. I wasn't even one of the better players on my team, so in that context, getting exposed to Pokémon was a lot more significant for me. Whenever my parents would tell me to go to the park instead of just staying at home all the time, I'd put my Game Boy in my pocket, go to the park, play Pokémon there until it started getting dark, then put the Game Boy back in my pocket and go home... I feel like Pokémon was always there with me back in elementary after I made that incredible encounter.

Q: Do you have any memories from Pokémania that really stuck with you? "Pokémon Ieru Ka Na?" was a massive hit back then too, wasn't it?
Miyata: Yes, I used to sing that as well! I'm very much the type who succeeds through hard work rather than natural talent, and I thus put a lot of hard work into this anime role as well, but the Miyata family isn't actually known for being particularly good singers. I found the rhythm in the rap parts of the song really hard back then, so I practiced it over and over. I seriously wanted to be like Imakuni? at the time.
Even after I became a Johnny's Jr. I kept playing Pokémon all the time on the Odakyu Line while commuting to jobs and lessons. I got signed when I was in 6th grade, so that would've been in 2001. Pocket Monsters Gold/Silver had been released by then, and I was playing that on my Game Boy Color. A friend of mine had a level 100 Lugia, and it would hit me with Aeroblast and knock me out instantly. I didn’t stand a chance.
Due to my career I had a lot less time to play than my friends, which was really frustrating. It's pretty admirable that I didn't just up and quit because of that, though. I dropped being a soccer player, but not a Johnny's Jr. (laughs)
I've always liked the Pokémon from the Kanto region, and the peak of my youth was the 151 era of Pocket Monsters Red/Green. My absolute favorite Pokémon is still Mew to this day; It can learn so many moves and do anything it wants, and I really like the idea of it being powerful despite being cute. I also really enjoyed Pocket Monsters the Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back because I loved Mew and Mewtwo so much.

Q: You're apparently really obsessed with Pokémon Unite in your private life as well, aren't you?
Miyata: Yeah, I play the game while getting my makeup put on, and then I end up making these frustrated grunts when I lose, and the makeup artist tells me I should just quit playing if the game makes me so angry. "I want to quit too", I reply. "I'd quit if I could, but I'm too addicted. It's so fun!" (laughs)
And thus I constantly find myself wondering if I'm winning today and such as the makeup artist is carefully doing my makeup. I always feel a bit guilty about it, but I still continue playing. Pokémon Unite is just part of my life at this point, like brushing teeth.

Q: So what is Pocket Monsters to you?
Miyata: I'll... probably love it until I die. I think I'll love it forever.
The franchise is always doing all these new and cutting-edge things, so strangely enough it's kind of my rival in the entertainment field. We in Kis-My-Ft2 are always thinking about wanting to create new types of entertainment, while Pokémon is involved in so many types of entertainment already.
When I attended the Pokémon World Championships 2023 in Yokohama, it was all so massive, and it even had its own drone show. And now they've opened Poképark Kanto as well, expanding their range of entertainment even further. Then there's the Pokémon Centers, which feel super exciting even before you walk in through the door. My local Pokémon Center is the one in Shibuya Parco, and they have Mewtwo standing by the door, so I'm enjoying myself from the moment I walk in.
Pokémon excites you from the moment you arrive, and even on your journey there as well. It's showing us all how entertainment is done.

Q: Finally, do you have something you want to tell the viewers or any highlights of the episode you want to bring up?
Miyata: I think this turned out to be an anime episode that will make a lot more people want to play the Pokémon Unite game. Our objective is to give people that aren't familiar with the game a chance to see what it's all about, and to show them how fun it is. I really hope you'll give Pokémon Unite a bit of your attention. Also, I'm just a regular old Pokémon fan, and now I'm playing a part in the Pokémon anime! How about that? Make sure to watch!

宮田俊哉、セリフ丸暗記の少年がアニポケ声優に 人生変えた『ポケットモンスター』への30年間止まらぬ愛【インタビュー】

Kis-My-Ft2の宮田俊哉が、19日放送のテレビアニメ『ポケットモンスター』（公式略称：アニポケ　毎週金曜　後6：55）第141話「READY GO！ユナイトバトル！！」にゲスト声優として出演する。幼少期にはアニポケのセリフを丸暗記し、ゲーム『ポケットモンスター』に熱中してきた宮田。現在は『ポケモンユナイト』にもハマっているという宮田にとって、『ポケットモンスター』とは何なのか。人生を変えた原点の思い出から、今回の役作りまでたっぷり語ってもらった。

第141話は『ポケモンユナイト』とのコラボエピソード。宮田は人気と実力を兼ね備えたユナイトバトルのアイドルチーム「シャイニングオーシャンズ」のリーダーを演じる。

憧れのアニポケ出演　浪川大輔の助言を胸に挑んだリーダー役

まずはご出演が決まった際の感想を教えてください。
宮田：すごくうれしかったですね。アニポケって1話観たら次の放送は1週間後じゃないですか。だから何回も同じ回を観る子供だったんです。アニポケのセリフを全部覚えて、学校行くまでの間、ずっと1人で1話分ブツブツつぶやきながら学校行っていたりとかしていて（笑）。お話をいただいたときに、昔の記憶が一気によみがえりました。 好きだからこそ、ちゃんと世界観に溶け込むようにしないといけないなって。“宮田俊哉のうれしさ”が出すぎるのもやっぱり違う。今回僕は「シャイニングオーシャンズ」のリーダーで、宮田俊哉ではない…だから、アフレコにはすごくドキドキしながら行きました。

今回、ユナイトバトルのアイドルチーム「シャイニングオーシャンズ」のリーダーを演じるにあたって意識したことはありますか。
宮田：チームの他のメンバーの顔はどんな感じなんだろうと思って、いただいた映像を止めて見たりもしたんです。いろいろなリーダーのタイプがいると思うんですけど、いろんなメンバーがいるチームで、それぞれの思いがある中でついてきてくれるということは、彼はすごくしっかりしたリーダーなんだなと思いました。結構キリッとしているから、熱さのある人なのかなとか、自分の中で研究しましたね。

声のお芝居を教えてくださった浪川大輔師匠と先日お会いしたときに、「アニポケ出るんでしょ？」と声をかけていただきました。「アニポケでのお芝居は、自分が戦うんじゃなくてポケモンに指示を出すトレーナーにならないといけないから、そこをちょっと意識したらだいぶ芝居も変わるかも」と言ってくださいました。
実際のアフレコでは、事前に準備していったものと違った瞬間もありました。「もっと冷静に」というディレクションもあって、“そんなに熱血じゃなくていいんだ”みたいな。自分だけで考えたものと、制作の皆さんが思っているのではやっぱり違うこともあるから、“たしかにそうだな”と納得して、その場でディレクションに応えつつ、すてきなリーダーができたかなって思います。

うちのグループ（Kis-My-Ft2）、リーダーがいないので、“リーダー”というものがわからないんですよね。でも実際『ポケモンユナイト』のプロチームを見ていると、10代の子がリーダーとしてチームをまとめていたりして、“こういう空気感なのか”というのはすごく参考になりました。
『ポケモンユナイト』で一緒に戦ったときに、俺は“みやってぃ”って呼ばれているんですけど、「みやってぃ、ちょっと待ってください」とか、「みやってぃ見えてないです」とか声がけしてくれて、すごくリーダーっぽいんです。実際のプロチームや、そのリーダーを見てきたからこその感覚は、お芝居に反映できたのかな、なんて思いました。

今回はネギガナイトがパートナーです。
宮田：ネギガナイトって見れば見るほどかわいく見えてくるんです。
『ポケモンユナイト』ではエーフィでよくバトルをするんです。「ポケモンユナイトアジアチャンピオンズリーグ 2026」大会応援リーダーをやらせてもらっていたときには、エーフィの話ばっかりしていました。だからアニポケのゲスト声優のお話をいただいたときには“エーフィが相棒かな？”と思っていたんですが、まさかのネギガナイト。今はずっとネギガナイトでバトルをしていて、もう俺の相棒です。

ちなみに、ネギガナイトがパートナーに選ばれた理由をスタッフの方に伺うと、「『ポケモンユナイト』チームさんからおすすめしていただいたんです。ベテランの相手チームとしては、きっとこの構成が最強だろうと教えてもらって、ネギガナイトをリーダーのパートナーにしました」とのことでした。
宮田：わかります！相手チームのうまい人が使うネギガナイト強いんですよ！「どうやって倒せばいいんだよ！」みたいな。ネギガナイトは、最初は難しそうだなと思っていたんですけど、実際バトルをしてみるとめっちゃ奥深くて、楽しいですね。

◆「ポケモン買って！」から人生が変わった　『ポケットモンスター』とともに歩んだ30年
小学生の頃にアニポケのセリフを毎週1話分覚えて通学しながらつぶやいていたとお話されていましたが、ほかにポケモンの思い出はありますか？
宮田：いっぱいありますよ。1996年に『ポケットモンスター 赤・緑』が発売されて、今年で30周年。発売当時、俺は小学生で、少年サッカーを習っていたんです。『ポケットモンスター 赤・緑』が欲しすぎて、母親に「ポケモン買ってほしい」って言ったら、「じゃあ次の試合で1点入れたら買ってあげるよ」って言われて。結構後ろの方のポジションだったんですけど、試合でぶわって前に出ていって、「へーい！」って言ってボールもらって1点入れたんです。
それでもうポケモンは買ってもらえる。だからずっとボケ～と立っていたら、「お前やる気ないなら代われ」って言われて。ベンチにいればもう走らなくていいし、帰ったらポケモン買ってもらえるし、もう何言われても刺さらない（笑）。
そうしてポケモンを始めて、「お母さん、俺サッカーやめるわ」って言って、ポケモンに熱中して…それがポケモンとの出会い（笑）。でも俺がそのままサッカーをずっと続けていたとしても、Jリーガーになれるなんて思えないので、ポケモンを選択したあのときの俺、やっぱり正しかったなと思います（笑）。

それがなければ、もしかしたら“今”がないかもしれないですよね。
宮田：そうですよ。だってJリーガーになれる人なんて学校に1人いるかいないか。チームの中で上手い方でもなかったし、その中で、自分にとってはポケモンとの出会いの方が大きかった。この最高の出会いをしてから、親に「ずっと家にいないで、公園行ってきなさい」って言われても、ゲームボーイをポッケに入れて公園行ってポケモンやって、日が暮れそうになってゲームボーイをまたポッケに入れて家に帰って…。もう小学生の頃はずっとポケモンが一緒にいたって感じですね。

当時の『ポケットモンスター』ブームで印象的な思い出はありますか？「ポケモン言えるかな？」（1997年にリリースされたポケモン151匹を覚えるための楽曲）も流行りました。
宮田：僕も歌ってました！俺は結構“努力型”なので、この仕事のためにいろいろ努力したんですけど、もともとは宮田家ってそんなに歌がうまい一族じゃないんですよ。小学生の頃はやっぱりラップパートのリズムが難しくて練習しましたね。そのときはマジでイマクニ？になりたいって思っていました。
ジュニアになってからも仕事やレッスンに通いながら小田急線でずっとポケモンをやっていました。事務所に入ったのは小学校6年生のときだったので、2001年。『ポケットモンスター 金・銀』（1999年発売）が出た後で、ゲームボーイカラーでやってたなぁ。友達のレベル100のルギアが「エアロブラスト」で攻撃してきて、一瞬で負けてしまったんですよ。もう勝てない。

俺はジュニアをやっていたので、やっぱり他の友達よりやり込む時間が少なくて、めっちゃ悔しかったです。でもそのときに「じゃあ俺ジュニアやめるわ」ってならなかったのは偉いですよね。サッカーはやめるけどジュニアはやめなかった（笑）。
カントー地方のポケモンはずっと好きで、『ポケットモンスター 赤・緑』 の“151”と言われていた頃が一番青春。ミュウはいまだに一番好きなポケモンです。たくさんの技を覚えるし、なんでもできる。見た目はかわいいのにパワーがある感じがすごく好きで、映画『劇場版ポケットモンスター ミュウツーの逆襲』（1998年）も、やっぱりミュウとかミュウツーが大好きだったので楽しかったですね。

◆「多分俺、死ぬまで好き」　宮田俊哉にとって『ポケットモンスター』が特別な理由
プライベートでも『ポケモンユナイト』に熱中しているそうですね。
宮田：メイク中に『ポケモンユナイト』のゲームをやっているんですけど、負けると「アアッ」とか「んんっ」って悔しがるので、「そんなに怒るならやめればいいじゃん」って言われるんです。「俺だってやめたいよ！やめられるんだったらやめたい。でもさ、もうクセになっちゃってるんだよ！楽しいんだよ、これ！」って返すんです（笑）。 だから「今日勝ってるかな？」とか、メイクさんがすごく気を使いながらメイクしてくれていて、いつも“申し訳ないな”と思いながらも『ポケモンユナイト』やっています。『ポケモンユナイト』は生活の一部なんです。歯を磨くのと同じ。

では宮田さんにとって『ポケットモンスター』とはどんな存在ですか？
宮田：ポケモンとは…多分俺、死ぬまで好き。ずっと好きだと思う。
ポケモンって、常に新しいことや最先端のことをやっているから、変な話、俺にとっては“エンタメ”のライバルではあります。俺らもKis-My-Ft2で、いろいろなエンタメを生み出していきたいなと思う中で、ポケモンはさまざまなエンタメをやっています。
2023年に横浜で開催された『ポケモンワールドチャンピオンシップス2023』に行ったときには、規模も大きくてドローンショーもあった。ポケパーク カントーも開園したし、エンタメの幅がどんどん広がっていっていますよね。ポケモンセンターとかも、入る前から超ワクワクするんですよ。渋谷のPARCOが俺のホームポケセンなんだけど、入口にミュウツーがいて、入った瞬間からもう楽しい。
ポケモンは、入った瞬間とか、そこに向かう道中でもワクワクさせてくれる。「エンタメの先生」ですね。

今回の見どころとメッセージをお願いいたします。
宮田：『ポケモンユナイト』というゲームを、もっといろいろな人がやりたいなと思えるアニメ1話になっていると思います。知らなかった人も『ポケモンユナイト』に触れる機会として、その楽しさを伝えるのが僕らの役目。ぜひ『ポケモンユナイト』に注目してもらいたいですね。そして、ただのポケモン好きだった僕がアニポケに参加しているんだぞ！ぜひ見てください！

■テレビアニメ『ポケットモンスター』放送情報
テレ東系にて毎週金曜よる6時55分から放送中
※一部地域では放送日時が異なります。※放送内容は変更になる場合があります。

It has been announced that Toshiya Miyata-san from the 6-man group Kis-My-Ft2 will be appearing in the Pocket Monsters anime (airs every Friday at 6:55pm) as a guest voice actor during episode 141, "Ready Go! Unite Battle!!", airing June 19th! This episode will be a collab with Pokémon Unite, and Miyata-san will be playing the leader of the both popular and skilled Unite Battle idol team Shining Oceans.

In this episode, Liko and the other Rising Volt Tacklers will try playing a Unite Battle on Aeos Island, the setting of Pokémon Unite. The unique Unite Battles, which features both Unite Battle-exclusive special moves called Unite Moves as well as the appearances of Legendary Pokémon, prove to be quite the though fight for Liko and the others. The Shining Oceans' leader, played by Miyata, will be taking them on using a Negigaknight as his Partner.

Miyata will also be appearing on the TV Tokyo Network show Pokémon to Doko Iku?! (airs every Sunday at 7:30am) for 3 weeks in a row starting with the episode airing May 31st. The June 14th episode is scheduled to include a report from his dubbing session as well.

In addition, Pokémon Unite will be holding a collaboration event with the Pocket Monsters TV show starting June 4th. This event will feature a "Captain Style Pikachu" wearing Holowear inspired by Captain Pikachu from the TV show, as well as Liko and Roy-style Trainer Fashion. To commemorate this Pokémon anime collaboration, Laudbon and Wanival will also be added to the game throughout this period.

Solo Mode will also feature special stages where you can have Unite Battles against the 5-man Rising Volt Tacklers team; Liko & Masquernya, Roy & Laudbon, Dot & Wanival, Uruto & Yamirami and Friede & Pikachu. This June, Pokémon Unite will be fully focused on the Pokémon anime!

A comment from Toshiya Miyata, the voice of the Shining Oceans' leader: I've been watching the Pokémon anime since I was a kid, so I'm really happy to get the chance to be part of it. I believe I'm the best Pokémon Unite player in showbiz, so I was thinking about how this might be a role I'm actually qualified to play as I performed my lines with my heart filled with love for Pokémon!

Voice Actor Toshiya Miyata posted a comment on May 27th, 2026 on the official Anipoke PR X post about being a voice actor for the series.

I'm so thrilled!!
I gave it my all in the performance!!
Negigaknight!!!!

本当に嬉しくて！！
全力で演じさせて頂きました！！
ネギガナイトーーーーー！！！！

He later posted a picture of himself on May 27th, 2026, wearing a Captain Pikachu cap.

An overly excited Miyata-kun
浮かれ過ぎてる宮田くん

The official Japanese Pokémon Anime PR X account posted an episode airing announcement on May 27th, 2026 revealing that Toshiya Miyata would be voicing the leader of the Shining Oceans and they also posted the character model sheet.

The Pokémon anime episode airing Friday June 19th will be a collaboration with Pokémon Unite! We present the character model sheet for the leader of the Shining Oceans, who will be played by Toshiya Miyata-san. His Partner Pokémon is a Negigaknight. Look forward to seeing what kind of Unite Battle he will give us.

6月19日(金)放送のアニポケはポケモンユナイトとコラボ！
宮田俊哉 さんが演じる
「シャイニングオーシャンズ」のリーダーの設定資料を公開
パートナーポケモンはネギガナイトです！
どんなユナイトバトルを繰り広げるのか、お楽しみに

The official Japanese Pokémon Anime PR X account posted an episode airing announcement on May 27th, 2026 revealing that Toshiya Miyata would be voicing the leader of the Shining Oceans.

The Pokémon anime episode airing Friday June 19th, 2026 will be a collaboration with Pokémon Unite! Toshiya Miyata-san from Kis-My-Ft2 will be appearing in the episode as a guest voice actor, playing the leader of the both popular and skilled idol team Shining Oceans! Here is a comment from Miyata-san:

I've been watching the Pokémon anime since I was a kid, so I'm really happy to get the chance to be part of it. I believe I'm the best Pokémon Unite player in showbiz, so I was thinking about how this might be a role I'm actually qualified to play as I performed my lines with my heart filled with love for Pokémon!
-Toshiya Miyata

6月19日(金)放送のアニポケはポケモンユナイトとコラボ！
Kis-My-Ft2宮田俊哉(@t_miyata_kmf2)さんがゲスト声優として登場することが決定しました！
人気と実力を兼ね備えたアイドルチーム
「シャイニングオーシャンズ」のリーダーを演じます！
宮田さんのコメントはこちら

アニポケは子供のころから見てきたので、作品に関わることができて本当に嬉しいです。
芸能界で一番『ポケモンユナイト』が上手いと思うので、僕が適任なんじゃないかなと思いながら、
ポケモンへの愛をもって演じさせて頂きました！
宮田俊哉