Pokemon Pokopia Wins Game of the Year at Japan Game Awards 2026

The results of the Japan Game Awards 2026 have been announced, with Pokemon Pokopia capturing the event's top honor. The ceremony took place ahead of the Tokyo Game Show, recognizing titles that shipped in Japan between June 1, 2025, and May 31, 2026. Winners were selected through a combination of public voting and a selection committee.

Pokemon Pokopia earned the prestigious Grand Award, also referred to as Game of the Year. Accepting the award, Shigeru Ohmori of Game Freak expressed extreme happiness for the win during the commemorative 30th anniversary year of the series. Ohmori credited the victory to the widespread love and support from fans of the franchise.

Nintendo had a strong showing overall at the 2026 ceremony, picking up multiple trophies across various categories. Among the honors, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie received the Special Award. Additional titles recognized with the Award for Excellence included Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Digimon Story: Time Stranger, Donkey Kong Bananza, Ghost of Yotei, Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road, Kirby Air Riders, Magical Girl Witch Trials, Paranormasight: The Mermaid’s Curse, Pokemon Pokopia, Pragmata, Resident Evil Requiem, and Silent Hill f.

Other category winners announced during the event included the Breakthrough Award for Pragmata, the Game Designers Award for Word Game, the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award for Pokemon, and the Movement Award for Meccha Chameleon. Fans can view the archived stream of the complete award ceremony on YouTube.