Professor Willow’s Assistant Pikachu will make its debut in Pokémon GO during Professor Willow’s birthday event. The event is scheduled for Tuesday, July 21, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. local time.
You can celebrate Professor Willow’s birthday in Pokémon GO by completing Special Research to encounter Professor Willow’s assistant Pikachu, earn PokéCoins, and other rewards.
Who is Professor Willow?
Professor Willow is the leading Pokémon Professor in Pokémon GO, guiding players from the very moment they start their journey. Specializing in Pokémon habitats, distribution, and ecology, he is responsible for synthesizing the Candy you use to power up and evolve your Pokémon.
Interestingly, official Pokémon lore has revealed several fun facts about the Professor over the years:
- The Birthday Boy: His birthday is officially celebrated on July 21, making this event a true in-game birthday bash.
- An Elite Mentor: Before branching out on his own research, Professor Willow actually studied under the famous Professor Oak from the Kanto region.
- The Team Leaders: He acts as a direct mentor to the three Team Leaders, Blanche (Mystic), Spark (Instinct), and Candela (Valor), often calling on them to assist with major crises, like Team GO Rocket invasions.
Assistant Pikachu Debut
Costumed assistant Pikachu will appear in Field Research, Timed Research, snapshot surprises, and raids to celebrate Professor Willow’s birthday. If you are lucky, you might encounter a Shiny one or one with a team leader–specific Special Background.
READ ALSO: Pikachu Celebration
Timed Research
There will be a free Timed Research opportunity with rewards that include the following.
- Encounters with Professor Willow’s assistant Pikachu
- 1 Lucky Egg
- 1 Star Piece
More rewards will be available. More details about this soon.
The tasks associated with this Timed Research must be completed, and their rewards must be claimed before Monday, July 27, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. local time.
Field Research
Field Research will be available to complete. These Field Research tasks will reward things such as PokéCoins, Lucky Eggs, additional encounters with Professor Willow’s assistant Pikachu, and more!
More details about the specific tasks and rewards will be made available soon.
Raids and Wild Encounters
During the event hours, Assistant Pikachu won’t just be limited to research tasks. It will also be available in raids.
One-Star Raids
Assistant Pikachu will be appearing as a One-Star Raid boss throughout the day. These raids are incredibly easy to solo, making them a perfect target for Trainers looking to burn through their daily Raid Passes in search of a high-IV or Shiny variant.
Wild Spawns & Photobombs
While the costumed Pikachu is primarily tied to research and raids, keep a close eye on your nearby radar. Rumor has it that certain celebratory Pokémon associated with Professor Willow’s historical research, such as Kanto starters, might see a slight bump in activity, alongside guaranteed photobombs when taking snapshots of your buddy.
Tips to Maximize the Event
The main birthday event only runs for a single day, so you’ll want to optimize your playtime to guarantee an encounter with a Shiny or a Special Background Pikachu.
- Clear Your Field Research Slots: Clear out old tasks before 10:00 a.m. local time so you can spin PokéStops and stock up immediately on event-exclusive tasks.
- Stack Your Research Rewards: Wait to activate your Lucky Egg and Star Piece until right before you claim the Timed Research rewards to maximize your resource gains.
- Don’t forget Snapshots: Take snapshots of your buddy Pokémon during the event hours for surprise photobomb encounters with Assistant Pikachu.
