Pokémon GO players have another special event to look forward to in July. To celebrate Professor Willow’s birthday, the game is introducing a brand-new costumed Pikachu that will only be available for a limited time.
The one-day Willow’s Birthday Research event takes place on July 21, giving Trainers a chance to collect an exclusive version of Pikachu while completing themed research tasks and taking part in special in-game activities.
A New Costumed Pikachu Makes Its Debut
The highlight of the event is Professor Willow’s Assistant Pikachu, an all-new costume variant making its Pokémon GO debut.
Players can encounter the special Pikachu through multiple activities during the event, including:
- Free Timed Research
- Event-themed Field Research
- Raids
- GO Snapshot surprises
Lucky Trainers may even find a Shiny version, while some encounters can feature a Team Leader-themed Special Background, making this one of the more collectible Pikachu variants released so far.
Free Timed Research Rewards
As with many limited-time celebrations, Niantic is offering free Timed Research for everyone.
Completing the research rewards players with:
- Encounters with Professor Willow’s Assistant Pikachu
- 1 Lucky Egg
- 1 Star Piece
- Additional event rewards
Players should remember that the Timed Research expires after the event period, meaning all tasks and rewards must be claimed before the deadline.
Field Research Offers Even More Rewards
Special Field Research tasks will also be available throughout the day.
These tasks can reward players with:
- PokéCoins
- Lucky Eggs
- Additional Pikachu encounters
- Other useful in-game items
This provides multiple opportunities to hunt for a high-IV or Shiny version of the new costume Pokémon.
A Great Event for Collectors
Costumed Pikachu have become some of the most sought-after collectibles in Pokémon GO, especially those released for only a single day. Because Professor Willow’s Assistant Pikachu is tied directly to this celebration, there’s no guarantee it will return in future events.
Whether you’re a collector, shiny hunter, or simply enjoy limited-time Pokémon, this event offers another reason to jump back into Pokémon GO before the summer schedule continues with even more seasonal content.
For more Pokémon GO news, event guides, and gaming updates, keep an eye on GamingHQ.
