BODY: Summer in Japan means one thing for ice cream fans: the return of Pokémon to Baskin-Robbins. B-R Thirty-One Ice Cream announced today (July 27, 2026) that its "31 Poke Summer! Campaign" (31ポケ夏！キャンペーン) will run nationwide from August 1 through August 31.
Headlining the lineup is a brand-new flavor, "Pikachu's Volt Tackle ~Pine Squash~." The name riffs on Pikachu's signature Electric-type move, Volt Tackle, while the "Pine Squash" base delivers a tangy, tropical pineapple-soda profile tuned for the peak of Japan's brutal summer heat.
The collaboration continues a now-annual tradition. Baskin-Robbins — known simply as "31" (sātī-wan) here — has partnered with The Pokémon Company for several consecutive summers, rolling out limited-edition flavors, themed sundaes, and collectible packaging that reliably send families lining up at storefronts. Past campaigns have leaned on Poké Ball-styled scoops and character-shaped desserts, and this year's push arrives with the same seasonal fanfare.
While full details on premium menu items, novelty cups, and any bundled goods will follow closer to launch, the month-long window and the August 1 kickoff position the campaign squarely for summer-vacation traffic, when schools are out and demand for a cold treat peaks.
The insider take
In Japan, Baskin-Robbins isn't just an ice cream chain — it's "31," a cultural shorthand as recognizable as the Pokémon brand it's partnering with. These summer tie-ups are less about the ice cream and more about ritual: parents who grew up with Pikachu now bring their own kids for the same seasonal scoop. The "Volt Tackle ~Pine Squash~" naming is textbook Japanese marketing, welding a beloved franchise's in-game vocabulary to a flavor concept so that even the menu board doubles as fan service. Expect the themed cups to move fast — resale and social-media buzz around these limited runs are half the appeal.
Originally reported by 4Gamer.net − 最新記事 (Japanese).