Pokémon GO is celebrating Pokémon Horizons: The Series with a tie-in event running Wednesday, September 16, 10:00 a.m. to Tuesday, September 22, 2026, 8:00 p.m. local time. It’s timed to Season 3 of the anime, Rising Hope, and centers on a costumed Charmander line rather than any Pokémon tied to the show’s human leads.
Event Dates and Times
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Event window | Wednesday, September 16, 10:00 a.m. – Tuesday, September 22, 2026, 8:00 p.m. local time |
| Anime tie-in | Pokémon Horizons: The Series, Season 3 — Rising Hope |
Featured Pokémon
The headline debut is Charmander wearing Friede’s Goggles, a costumed version that keeps its goggles through both evolutions into Charmeleon and Charizard (25 and then 100 Candy). It’s Shiny-eligible from the moment the event starts. Captain’s Cap Pikachu also returns, appearing in 1-star raids and as a wild encounter.
Niantic hasn’t featured any Pokémon tied to the show’s other human characters (Liko or Roy) in this event — the costumed Charmander line and Captain’s Cap Pikachu are the only anime-themed Pokémon confirmed.
Raids
| Tier | Bosses |
|---|---|
| 1-star | Captain’s Cap Pikachu |
| 3-star | Charizard (with Friede’s Goggles), Meowscarada, Skeledirge, Quaquaval |
Wild Spawns
Spawns shift depending on time of day during the event:
- 5:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. local time: Fidough, Wattrel, and a chance of Chansey
- 5:00 p.m. – 5:00 a.m. local time: Eevee, Hatenna, and a chance of Rockruff
Other Features
- Increased Kecleon encounter chance at PokéStops
- PokéStop Showcases with a daily rotating category
- A chance of surprise photobomb encounters with Pokémon Horizons characters and Pokémon when taking GO Snapshot photos
GO Pass: Collaboration Celebration
The event’s free GO Pass (“Collaboration Celebration Event”) is automatically granted at the start (September 16, 10:00 a.m.) and its rewards expire September 24 at 8:00 p.m. local time. A paid Deluxe upgrade is available for $4.99, or $6.99 with six extra Ranks.
Shiny Availability
Costumed Charmander is Shiny-eligible for the full event. None of the other featured raid bosses or wild spawns listed here have an increased Shiny rate specific to this event beyond their normal availability.
Event Tips
- If you want a Shiny costumed Charizard, catch and evolve early — the costume carries through both evolutions, so there’s no rush once you have a good IV Charmander banked.
- Check PokéStop Showcases daily, since the category rotates and different Pokémon may be worth submitting depending on the day.
- Keep GO Snapshot open near PokéStops or Gyms during the event if you want a shot at a Horizons character photobomb — it’s a novelty feature, not something to plan raids around.
Final Verdict
This is a lighter, novelty-driven event rather than a raid-heavy one — the real draw is the costumed Charmander line for anime fans and completionists, plus the return of Captain’s Cap Pikachu. Worth a look if you collect costumed Pokémon; skippable if you’re focused purely on raid or PvP value this week.
Source: Leek Duck.
