Pokemonis gearing up for a mega rest of the year, and it all started this past weekend atSan Diego Comic-Con 2025. The upcoming October release ofPokemon Legends: Z-Awill bring trainers back to the Kalos region, where Mega Evolved Pokemon were first introduced inPokemon X & Ymore than 13 years ago. Meanwhile, the Pokemon TCG is ending itsScarlet & Violetseries and kicking off a brand new Mega Evolutions set this September.
To celebrate Pokemon’s annual SDCC fan activation, The Pokemon Company International went all in on Mega Evolutions this year. Booth attendees got to choose a partner Pokemon before walking through a series of short experiences to discover their Pokemon’s Mega Evolution, form a bond with them, and finally watch them Mega Evolve in an awesome augmented reality photo op. I don’t know if we can officially call this the Mega Evolution generation yet, but seeing TPCi go all out for Comic-Con certainly makes it seem like this is much more than a stopgap between Gen 9 and 10.
Learning The Mega Evolution Ropes
This year’s Comic-Con booth was located in the far corner of Hall A, snuggled in between the lavish Mecha Break play space and crowd of Labubu fans surrounding the 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-at-night theme, the booth captured both the glossy aesthetic of a Pokemon lab and the nighttime vibe of Lumiose City, the setting for Legends: Z-A. Displays of upcoming Mega Evolved Pokemon cards from September’s expansion, along with life-size statues of Mega Gallade and Mega Lucario, made this booth one of SDCC’s must-see attractions this year.
Unfortunately, Mega Dragonite was not an option.
The line for the booth persisted from open to close all weekend, but those with the patience to wait were treated to a unique trainer experience. Attendees started by creating a custom card with their chosen Pokemon (I chose Lucario, naturally), name, and unique QR code printed on it. This card was used to track your progress through each step, but it also serves as a cool keepsake.
After getting a card, the next stop was the observatory, where you would discover your Pokemon’s Mega Evolution. In the center of the booth sat a round table with a glowing ring representing each of the eight optional Pokemon. By placing your hand over the ring, the silhouette of your Pokemon would light up on the ceiling, revealing their Mega Evolved form.
As you completed each stage of the activity, you’d add a sticker to your trainer card. This was used for the photographer at the final station to verify you had completed each step on the process.
Next came the Collection, where plushies of all eight Pokemon sat on glowing displays. Pushing the button under each plushy would spit out a sticker representing the Mega Stone you need to evolve that Pokemon.
After that you head over to the sync station to test your bond with your Pokemon. After scanning your QR code on a tablet, you place your hand into the center of the screen while it analyzes the strength of your bond. It’s inevitably revealed that you have a strong bond with your Pokemon, which means you’ve earned the final sticker and it’s time to see your Pokemon Mega Evolve.
Mega Lucario, I Choose You!
Once you’ve completed each station, it’s time for the grand finale. An attendee checked my card to make sure it was complete, then presented a slap bracelet that looked just like a Mega Bracelet. They asked me permission to slap it on, and for the first time in nearly 30 years, I felt the familiar sting of a fresh slap bracelet wrapping around my wrist. I then stood in front of the camera, where I was instructed to make a gesture to cheer on my Pokemon as it attempted to Mega Evolve. I went with the standard fist bump, not realizing the video is almost ten seconds long and I would need to continue fist pumping, awkwardly, the entire time.
The video is charmingly awkward. Just as I’m about to give up, Lucario Mega Evolves, and you can see a moment of genuine relief; both at seeing my Pokemon evolve, and because I could stop first pumping. The video got emailed to me as a keepsake, and on the way out I also received a paper Pikachu hat, a poster, and some codes to unlock various currencies in a few Pokemon games.
Pokemon’s SDCC booths are always impressive, but this year’s stood out for offering a memorable narrative experience that serves as a great introduction to the concept of Mega Evolutions for younger fans. Walking away with both physical and digital souvenirs from a free Comic-Con activation is always appreciated too, especially for those who have waited in line for a long time to get in.
I love the Pokemon Play Lab’s learn-to-play experience that you’ll find at other conventions, but for the SDCC crowd, this is a great way for fans to tap into what’s new and exciting in the world of Pokemon.
