The Power of Choice: What Pokémon Taught Naomi Watanabe
May 15, 2026
UT
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Watercolour style artwork of the original first partner trio from Pokémon Red and Pokémon Green: Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle.
As Pokémon continue their adventure and level up, their abilities increase, their appearance changes, and they achieve "Evolution." From the Fire-type Charmander to Charmeleon, which breathes scorching flames, and finally to Charizard, which gains the power of flight with its wings.
My Lucky Break: Discovering Pokémon 30 Years Ago
Q: What was your first encounter with Pokémon?
When I was in 3rd or 4th grade, everyone in my class was obsessed with the newly released Game Boy games Pokémon Red and Pokémon Green. It was so popular that stores everywhere were sold out. I finally managed to get Pokémon Green. I picked Charmander as my first partner because I fell in love with how cute it looked. Back then, I cared more about cuteness than strength, so my team was totally unbalanced, and I could never get past Lavender Town. Even now as an adult, I still play the original Pokémon Green on my Nintendo 2DS (Clear Yellow), but unlike back then, I make more strategic choices about my team. Pikachu always travels with me because it complements Charmander so well. After all these years as a Trainer, I've learned a thing or two. There's just one problem, to get Gengar, you need to trade with a friend, but hardly anyone still plays Pokémon on 2DS! I even posted on social media looking for someone, but I still haven't found anyone to trade with.
Q: When do you play Pokémon these days?
Pokémon is perfect for clearing my head between work. When the ideas aren't flowing, I just play Pokémon and reset. Levelling up my team helps me sort through my thoughts, and that's when good ideas pop up. Pokémon battles activate a different part of my brain than work does, so that's probably where the new ideas come from. I'm not exaggerating when I say Pokémon is behind my comedy. The game fuels my creativity.
Q: How has your playing style changed since becoming an adult?
I grind levels right before tough enemies appear. After years of playing, I know exactly when they're coming. The key is to heal up after major battles rather than pushing ahead with low HP. As a kid, I just wanted to rush forward, but taking my time is more of an adult approach. Another benefit of being grown up? I own two of everything, the original Game Boy and Pokémon Red and Pokémon Green—one set kept sealed in the box for display, one for actually playing. My room is filled with Pokémon products, but my prized possession is a '99 Pikachu backpack that a collector gave me. It's my treasure. I couldn't afford much as a child, so now I'm enjoying the freedom to collect what I love.
Q: What makes Pokémon so special?
The originality is unbeatable. Starting with 151 Pokémon in Pokémon Red and Pokémon Green, there are now over 1,000, but each one has a distinct personality. That's why it captivates kids and adults alike, not just those of us who grew up with it, but kids today are just as hooked. People on my team in their 20s will ask me, "Did you play the new Pokémon on Nintendo Switch 2?" The fact that I can connect with any generation through Pokémon is amazing. Though honestly, I haven't gotten a Switch 2 yet, I need to catch up!
I feel incredibly lucky to have discovered Pokémon 30 years ago. I'm sure many adults feel the same way, which is why this UT collection with its original video game art in both kids' and adult sizes is perfect. I can style the white tee with a trendy white skirt, or match Charizard's flames with a red skirt. There are so many ways to style it. And that "Pokémon" logo is great! When I wear Pokémon tees in New York, people actually talk to me about it. Every time I experience Pokémon's global popularity like that, I feel oddly proud.
The 1996 games Pokémon Red and Pokémon Green begins your adventure when Professor Oak entrusts you with a partner Pokémon. This design features watercolor-style artwork of the three first partners: Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle.
"Fun" Is Always My Reason for Choosing
Q: What made you decide to become a comedian?
I've always been drawn to making people laugh, it's what I love most. But I kept my feet on the ground about it. Actually, becoming a comedian felt like something other people did. That changed in 8th grade. Somehow my homeroom teacher heard rumours about my impersonation, which I only did for friends. At the end of class one day, he announced, "We have 10 minutes left, so Naomi will do impressions for us." It was sudden, and I was going through adolescence. As I hesitated, Suguru, this bad boy, said "This is lame" and started to leave the classroom. So, I went for it, gave it everything I had. Suguru chuckled. The moment I saw that, I decided I'd become a comedian.
Q: Why did you decide to take on America?
In 5th grade, I wrote in my “Future Dreams” assignment to Join Yoshimoto, one of Japan's largest entertainment companies / Be on a comedy show / Then, after while, go to America.." The celebrity I wanted to meet was Tamori. I had this vague longing for America back then, but I didn't really think about it again until I decided to study abroad, and that was mainly to create 100 original episode stories I could use on Japanese TV. Around that time, social media was blowing up globally and I started getting offers from overseas. But I was so busy with Japanese work that I had no time off, so I kept turning them down. Eventually, I thought maybe this was worth pursuing. That's when I moved my base to the United States and decided to really go for it.
Q: You're planning a Tokyo Dome show and a North America tour in 2026. Why did you decide to do this?
This marks 20 years in my comedy career, and I'll be the first solo comedian to hold a show at a venue as massive as the Tokyo Dome. Just seeing it through to the end with full responsibility—that will be an invaluable experience, and that's what made me decide to do it. Once we settled on doing a big show in Tokyo in February, we figured why not do something in America too. So, I'm touring 18 cities across the U.S. and Canada from April to June. I'm grateful that I can still take on new challenges like this at age of 38. What gets me excited is knowing these challenges will open doors to new ones. Since the first half of this year is packed with the Dome show and the tour, I'm pouring all my energy into that, then enjoying a proper summer vacation afterward.
Q: What motivates you when making important choices?
"Fun"—that's what it comes down to. When I get a new offer, I ask myself if it excites me. But I don't just trust my gut. I give myself five seconds to weigh the pros and cons. If there's risk but I can see a way through it, I trust my instincts and go for it. It's like Pokémon, nothing in life is "no risk," right? But if I can minimise the risk, I'll try it. Balance is key. If my work gets too lopsided and starts disrupting my relationships, I prioritise getting things back in balance. To live a full life, you need both positive and negative emotions in balance. But when I start tilting negative, I play Pokémon or pick up some merch to reset! And as I get older, recovery takes longer, so I've learned not to push too hard—rely on your people instead. The importance of working together as a team is something I learned from Pokémon.
Q: What's been the most worthwhile choice in your life?
Clearly communicate what you want. I've always been the type to say what's on my mind since I was little, so even in my twenties when I was still a rookie, if I'd been working nonstop, I'd say "I need time off." Back then, taking time off was seen as "bad." It was an era where comedians were only considered valuable if they were on stage or on TV. In that atmosphere, here I was as a young performer saying, "I need a break," and I'd get scolded by my managers. But in the end, I got my time off anyway (laughs). Since then, the times have really shifted, and speaking up about what you want is becoming normal. If you sacrifice yourself and push too hard instead of communicating with others and expressing what you need, nothing will change. Whether at work or in daily life, I think putting things into words and sharing them helps both sides understand each other better, creates better collaboration, and brings you closer to a life you're satisfied with.
Naomi Watanabe's Pokémon Strategy
"Then and now, I start with my beloved Charmander. As a kid, I'd prioritise cute characters like Jigglypuff, which made my team super unbalanced, but now I swap Pokémon based on opponents. Charmeleon (evolved from Charmander) and Pikachu, who complement each other, are always together. Add Gengar, Starmie, Dugtrio, and eventually Mewtwo, and you've got the ultimate team. I like to grind levels and face battles properly, so I'm training my versatile Pikachu. The real challenge is those rivals who target your vulnerabilities. They appear out of nowhere, so I play with my heart pounding!"
Strategy: Charmeleon and Pikachu, who complement each other's abilities, are absolute musts. I shifted from prioritising cuteness to building a team that can fight effectively against any opponent. Since Squirtle or Wartortle often hit my weaknesses, I counter with Pikachu or Jolteon.
Core principle: Steadily level up before battles!
Party: Charmeleon, Pikachu, Gengar, Starmie, Dugtrio, and Mewtwo (encountered late game)
MVP: The versatile Pikachu! I'm training it like crazy to become my strongest Pokémon. Starmie's Bubble Beam is a reliable attack, too.
Naomi Watanabe
Comedian. Born in Taiwan in 1987, raised in Ibaraki. Moved to Tokyo in 2006 to pursue comedy, debuted in 2007 with her Beyoncé impression. Works across variety shows, radio, stage, commercials, YouTube, film, TV dramas, and fashion modelling. Started living between Tokyo and New York in 2019, then relocated her base to the United States in 2021. Performed talk shows in 7 U.S. cities in 2023, an all-English standup show in NYC in 2024, and her first solo sketch comedy show in Japan in 13 years in 2025. In 2026, she's doing a solo show at Tokyo Dome and touring 18 cities across the U.S. and Canada with FROM TOKYO.
©2026 Pokémon. ©1995-2026 Nintendo/Creatures Inc./GAME FREAK inc.
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