Birthday
- This article is about the concept of a birthday. For the music video on Netflix, see Pokémon: Happy Birthday to You!.
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The birthday (Japanese: 誕生日 birthday) of the player can be used to trigger certain in-game events. Birthdays are also prevalent in other Pokémon media and are of great importance to people.
In the core series games
Beginning with the original Nintendo DS's birthday function, the vast majority of core series Pokémon games have had something inclusive for just this function. The most well-known of these integrations is the appearance of diamond dust in Snowpoint City on Junichi Masuda's birthday (January 12).
Generations I and III
The journals found in the Pokémon Mansion on Cinnabar Island reveal that Mewtwo was born on February 6.
Generation IV
The description of Gracidea states that it is sometimes given out in bouquets for birthdays.
Generation IV was the first generation to celebrate the players birthday. The reason for that is most likely that prior to the DS, the consoles weren't able to track dates.
In Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum:
- After entering the Hall of Fame, Lucas/Dawn in Sandgem Town will ask the player if it is their birthday.
- Diamond dust appears in Snowpoint City on January 12, Junichi Masuda's birthday.
In My Pokémon Ranch:
- Hayley's birthday is November 18.
- In the Platinum-compatible version, a new toy was added for when it is the player's birthday, the Birthday Cake. When activated, confetti falls from the sky around it.
- In the Platinum-compatible version, Miis will have party hats on their back rather than the usual rancher hat during their birthday.
Despite also being DS titles, Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver do not acknowledge the player's birthday.
Generation V
In Pokémon Black and White and Black 2 and White 2:
- The owner of the Pokémon Musical Theater will give the player the Prop Toy Cake if it has not already been received.
- The nurse in the Pokémon Center will ask the player if it is their birthday every time she is spoken to.
- The mist on Route 14 and Route 15 will clear.
- In Icirrus City, Aha, Wye, and Ditoh will give a special quiz.
- From December 1, 2010 until the closure of the Global Link service on February 24, 2020, Japanese players could obtain Togekiss on the day registered as their birthday on the Pokémon Daisuki Club.
- From September 1, 2011 until the closure of the Global Link service, international players could obtain Togekiss on the day registered as their birthday on their Pokémon Trainer Club account.
Generation VI
In both Pokémon X and Y and Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire:
- Upon entering a Pokémon Center for the first time on a birthday, the lights are dimmed, a party popper goes off and confetti falls from the ceiling.
- In all Pokémon Centers, a birthday cake will be shown on the screen above the counter and a special version of the Pokémon Center theme will play. Every time a player goes to heal Pokémon, the nurse again wishes the player a happy birthday and states that she hopes the player will continue visiting for many years to come. In the Japanese versions of the games, the music is a version of the traditional Happy Birthday to You song.
- Other players will see a birthday cake marker beside the player's icon in the PSS. After tapping the player's icon, they may give birthday wishes by pressing a button on the touch screen that replaces the "Nice!" button with a "Congrats!" message. A Medal can be awarded for being wished a happy birthday on the PSS.
- Visitors to the player's Pokémon-Amie space will leave up to three Supreme Wish Poké Puffs.
In Pokémon X and Y only:
- Diamond dust falls on the area near the entrance of Frost Cavern.
- The Poké Radar will have a 4% chance to play the alternate music that boosts the shiny patch rate to 1/100 after an encounter, increased from the usual 2% chance.
If a player has their birthday set to February 29 and the current year is not a leap year, the Pokémon Center lady will wish the player a happy birthday on February 28 while acknowledging that it's a day early.[1]
Generation VII
In Pokémon Sun and Moon, Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon:
- Upon entering a Pokémon Center for the first time on a birthday, the lights are dimmed, a party popper goes off and Pikachu and flower-shaped confetti falls from the ceiling.
- In all Pokémon Centers, a birthday cake will be shown on the screen above the counter and a special version of the Pokémon Center theme plays. Every time the player talks to the Pokémon Center nurse, she wishes the player a happy birthday.
- Diamond dust falls on the outside and summit of Mount Lanakila.
As Switch profiles do not have birthdays associated with them, there is no acknowledgement of birthdays in Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, nor any associated in-game effects.
Generation VIII
In Pokémon Sword and Shield and Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, due to Nintendo Switch profiles' lack of a birthday setting, the player must speak to the lady outside the Wedgehurst Pokémon Center or the lady outside the GWS building in Jubilife City to set their birthday. There is no NPC or menu to enter a birthday in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, nor any associated in-game effects.
In Sword and Shield:
- Upon entering a Pokémon Center for the first time on a birthday, the lights are dimmed, a party popper goes off and Pikachu and assorted confetti falls from the ceiling.
- In all Pokémon Centers, a birthday cake will be shown on the screen above the counter and the tutorial music will play from the start of the game. Every time the player talks to the Pokémon Center nurse, she wishes the player a happy birthday.
- After cooking curry, the Trainer's portion will be served with a birthday candle in it.
In Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl:
- After entering the Hall of Fame, Lucas/Dawn in Sandgem Town will ask the player if it is their birthday.
Generation IX
In all Generation IX titles due to Nintendo Switch profiles' lack of a birthday setting, the player must speak to the nurse in any Pokémon Center to set their birthday.
In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet:
- Upon entering a Pokémon Center for the first time on a birthday, the lights are dimmed, a party popper goes off and Pikachu and assorted confetti falls from the ceiling.
- In all Pokémon Centers, a birthday cake will be shown on the screen above the counter, along with a scrolling background that shows several balloons, Drifloon, Greavard, and all three forms of Tatsugiri. Every time the player talks to the Pokémon Center nurse, she wishes the player a happy birthday.
- Wild Pokémon generated on the date registered as the player's birthday have a chance to have the Destiny Mark.
- There are some notable exceptions (see this list for excluded types of encounters and other details).
If a player has their birthday set to February 29, these effects are given out on February 28 instead in non-leap years.[2]
- Upon entering a Pokémon Center for the first time on their birthday, generic confetti and streamers will shoot from the lower corners of the screen, and the nurse wishes the player a happy birthday. Uniquely to this game, if the player's language is set to English, the nurse's greeting includes the French text "Joyeux anniversaire!" Other languages simply give their own language's version of the greeting.
- The Mega Dimension DLC has a side mission, "A Mimikyu for My Cutie", in which Vinnie asks the player to find a Mimikyu for him so he can give it to his daughter as a birthday present.
Events
In an event ongoing since Generation IV, players who visit a Pokémon Center store in Japan with an eligible Pokémon game can download a gift Pokémon on or near their birthday. Since Generation V, there is a special Birthday Ribbon which is exclusively for Pokémon received as birthday presents from Pokémon Center stores. Since Generation VI, they all know the event-exclusive move Celebrate, which congratulates the player when used in battle.
| Pokémon | Start date | End date | Gen | |
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Birthday Charmander | July 20, 2007 | July 19, 2008 | IV |
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Birthday Charmander | July 20, 2008 | July 19, 2009 | IV |
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Birthday Pikachu | December 26, 2008 | December 25, 2009 | IV |
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Birthday Charmander | July 20, 2009 | July 19, 2010 | IV |
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Birthday Chimchar | September 12, 2009 | September 11, 2010 | IV |
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Birthday Pikachu | December 26, 2009 | November 3, 2010 | IV |
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Birthday Charmander | July 20, 2010 | November 3, 2010 | IV |
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Birthday Chimchar | September 12, 2010 | November 3, 2010 | IV |
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Birthday Audino | November 4, 2010 | November 3, 2011 | V |
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Birthday Togekiss | December 1, 2010 | ??? | V |
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Birthday Togekiss | August 25, 2011 | September 30, 2011 | V |
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Birthday Togekiss | September 1, 2011 | August ??, 2012 | V |
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Birthday Audino | November 4, 2011* December 4, 2011* |
November 3, 2012 | V |
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Birthday Audino | November 4, 2012 | October 11, 2013 | V |
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Birthday Pikachu | October 12, 2013 | December 31, 2016 | VI |
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Birthday Eevee | October 12, 2013 | December 31, 2016 | VI |
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Birthday Vaporeon | October 12, 2013 | December 31, 2016 | VI |
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Birthday Jolteon | October 12, 2013 | December 31, 2016 | VI |
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Birthday Flareon | October 12, 2013 | December 31, 2016 | VI |
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Birthday Espeon | October 12, 2013 | December 31, 2016 | VI |
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Birthday Umbreon | October 12, 2013 | December 31, 2016 | VI |
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Birthday Leafeon | October 12, 2013 | December 31, 2016 | VI |
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Birthday Glaceon | October 12, 2013 | December 31, 2016 | VI |
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Birthday Sylveon | October 12, 2013 | December 31, 2016 | VI |
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Birthday Pikachu | November 18, 2016 | November 15, 2018 | VII |
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Birthday Eevee | November 18, 2016 | November 15, 2018 | VII |
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Birthday Comfey | November 18, 2016 | November 15, 2018 | VII |
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Birthday Chansey | November 16, 2018 | November 14, 2019* | VII |
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ポケセン Birthday Pikachu | November 15, 2019 | October 31, 2020* | VIII |
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ポケセン Birthday Eevee | November 15, 2019 | October 31, 2020* | VIII |
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PCSG Birthday Pikachu | March 7, 2020 | November 5, 2020* | VIII |
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PCSG Birthday Eevee | March 7, 2020 | November 5, 2020* | VIII |
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ポケセン Birthday Milcery | November 1, 2020 | October 31, 2021* | VIII |
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PCSG Birthday Milcery | November 6, 2020 | October 31, 2021* | VIII |
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Birthday Happiny (SwSh) | November 1, 2021 | October 31, 2022* | VIII |
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Birthday Happiny (BDSP) | November 19, 2021 | October 31, 2022* | VIII |
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Birthday Happiny (LA) | January 28, 2022 | October 31, 2022* | VIII |
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Birthday Flabébé | November 1, 2022 | October 31, 2023* | IX |
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Birthday Pawmi | November 1, 2023 | October 31, 2024* | IX |
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Birthday Charcadet | November 1, 2023 | October 31, 2024* | IX |
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Birthday Tandemaus | November 1, 2024 | October 31, 2025* | IX |
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Birthday Fidough | November 1, 2025 | October 31, 2026* | IX |
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Birthday Audino | November 1, 2025 | October 31, 2026* | IX |
In the spin-off games
Pokémon Project Studio
In the Pokémon Project Studio computer design programs, there are various images and templates for birthday cards and invitations.
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia
In Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia:
- It is revealed over the course of the game that on Blake Hall's sixteenth birthday he drove his father, Brighton Hall, from Altru.
- The Go-Rock Quads rehearse on the grandstand at Altru Park for a performance to celebrate the opening of Altru Tower on Altru's Birthday.
- After the ending, Melody asks the player to bring her musical Pokémon to help her perform a song to her brother Isaac for his birthday.
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky
In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky:
- One of the personality questions that can be presented at the beginning of the game asks, The people at the next table are singing for someone's birthday. What do you do?
Pokémon Friends
In Pokémon Friends:
- The player receives bonus yarn immediately after logging in on their birthday.
- Celebratory flags are hung from the ceiling of the main room.
- When the player puts a stamp on the calendar after untangling yarn for the first time on their birthday, they use a special Birthday Pikachu stamp that is not available on any other day.
In animation
Pokémon the Series
On a youth's tenth birthday or at any point after, they can register for a Pokédex and pick up a first partner Pokémon from the regional Pokémon Professor or the local Pokémon Center free of charge.
In the dub, Jessie's Arbok was revealed to be a birthday gift in Island of the Giant Pokémon. In the Japanese version, it was a chūgen gift.
The Japanese ending theme for Mewtwo Strikes Back, Together With the Wind, makes a reference to birthday candles.
Brock tells Max in Having a Wailord of a Time that he received his Onix as a gift for his tenth birthday, from his father Flint.
In the dub of Where No Togepi Has Gone Before!, James reveals he received a rocket for his tenth birthday.
During the boss fantasy in An Elite Coverup!, Meowth says that they would steal Magby to light the boss's birthday candles, among other things.
In the Pikachu short PK20, Bellossom's birthday present is missing, and Pikachu and Piplup help Smoochum and the Spiky-eared Pichu find it. They are racing against Meowth and Wobbuffet, who try to find it first.
Layla mentions in Giratina and the Sky Warrior that her great-grandmother recently celebrated her hundredth birthday.
The plot of Celebi and Joy!! revolves around the birthday of both a Nurse Joy and the opening of a Pokémon Center. The plots for both Hi Ho Silver... Away! and Rough, Tough Jigglypuff also revolve around the birthday of one of the characters of the day.
In A Festival Trade! A Festival Farewell?, Jessie mentions that Pumpkaboo was the only one who remembered her birthday.
In the manga
Pokémon Adventures
In the Pokémon Adventures manga, Norman moved his son Ruby over to Hoenn on his birthday to allow him to take part in Pokémon Contests. Along with this gift, Norman also presented him with a pair of Running Shoes and a Pokéblock Case. This is also the first day of Ruby and Sapphire's 80-day challenge which is to last through to Sapphire's birthday, both birthdays are celebrated in The Final Battle VIII.
Hugh gives a Purrloin to his sister for her birthday.
The main characters all have their birthdays revealed throughout the series in their biographies.
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Magical Pokémon Journey
In Even an Arbok Falls in Love!, Arbok and his friends build a statue of Wigglytuff and cover it in roses for her birthday. During the third bonus chapter, just before Almond's birthday party, Hazel and Almond have a fight, and the Pokémon have to get them back together.
The main characters birthdays are revealed throughout the series in their biographies.
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How I Became a Pokémon Card
In Akari and Pikachu's Birthday, Akari received a Pikachu for his birthday from his mother. Deciding it wasn't cool enough, he stormed out of his house and into a forest where he stumbled across a herd of Ariados. They were consequently defeated by Pikachu who had followed him inside. Impressed, Akari decided Pikachu was cool after all.
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Ginji's Rescue Team
In the first chapter Ginji is transported to the Pokémon world when he falls asleep while searching for his birthday presents.
W Mission Story: Pokémon Ranger - the Comic
The main characters of this manga had their birthdays listed in their profile.
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Pokémon Ranger: The Comic – Shadows of Almia
The main characters of this manga had their birthdays listed in their profile.
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Pokémon Newspaper Strip
In the Strip 52, Gary mentions that his grandfather Professor Oak gave him a Charizard for his birthday.
In the novels
Pocket Monsters: The Animation
In Pocket Monsters: The Animation, Pokémon Trainers obtain their first Pokémon in April of the year following their 10th birthday.
This may be a reference to Pokémon the Series. The first episode was released on April 1st, 1997 in Japan, featuring Ash beginning his journey on his 10th birthday. This may suggest that Ash's birthday would also be on April 1.
Pokémon Tales
In Diglett's Birthday Party, Nidorina, Clefable, Growlithe, and Snorlax, visit Diglett's dark underground home and attend Diglett's birthday party with its family. Diglett's friends give it a toy airplane as a birthday gift.
In the board games
Pokémon Master Trainer
In the manual of the 2005 game Pokémon Master Trainer, it is suggested that the player whose birthday is closest goes first.
In the TCG
Three cards exist, two of them jumbo sized, called _____'s Pikachu, first released in 1999 in Japan. The nature of their attacks are mostly related to birthdays, and they can deal more damage if it is the user's birthday. Due to this, they are commonly referred to as "Birthday Pikachu" cards. These cards are not tournament legal, likely due to the fact a player can claim any given day is their birthday.
| Related cards Cards listed with a blue background are only legal to use in the current Expanded format. Cards listed with a green background are legal to use in both the current Standard and Expanded formats. | |||||||
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| Card | Type | English Expansion |
Rarity | # | Japanese Expansion |
Rarity | # |
| _____'s Pikachu | 
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Wizards Black Star Promos | 24 | Unnumbered Promotional cards | |||
| _____'s Pikachu |
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Unnumbered Promotional cards | |||||
| _____'s Pikachu |
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Unnumbered Promotional cards | |||||
In other media
In the Pokémon Learning League, one of the Science lessons deals with heredity, in the presentation, May and Max are heading home, where Norman is setting up a surprise birthday party for his wife Caroline.
The Nintendo DS on the player's birthday will have a different start up chime, instead of a piano with an echo effect it is a glockenspiel with an echo effect.
During the Pokémon Live! stage show, a large part of the plot revolves around Ash missing Misty's birthday.
The Pokémon Project Studio Red and Blue lets people create Pokémon themed mini-projects, such as calendars and cards, one of the templates for a project is called Birthday Kits and has templates for birthday invitations.
Bakery Crafts released a set of birthday rings to be placed on the top of cakes as decorations, and given to guests to take home.
In other languages
| Language | Title | |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese | Cantonese | 生日 Sāangyaht |
| Mandarin | 生日 Shēngrì | |
| French | Anniversaire | |
| German | Geburtstag | |
| Italian | Compleanno | |
| Korean | 생일 Saeng-il | |
| Spanish | Cumpleaños | |
| Vietnamese | Ngày sinh Sinh nhật | |
References
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This game mechanic article is part of Project Games, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon games. |
