The Pokémon Company and Nintendo announced the arrival of "Pokémon Pokopia's" new Expansion Pass, which promises more content and experiences to gamers, and has teased the arrival of a new Mythical Pokémon.
This Mythical Pokémon will be the first one coming under the latest paid Expansion Pass, with more to expect in the future under this premium experience. However, it remains unconfirmed if it will be filled with Legendary or Mythical creatures.
'Pokémon Pokopia' Confirms Next Mythical Pokémon Drop
The June Nintendo Direct event confirmed the game's Expansion Pass and tucked into the reveal trailer was a teaser for a brand-new Mythical Pokémon coming to the life sim. The trailer revealed the Bubbly Basin, and it ended with a brief look at Manaphy, the Generation 4 Mythical Water-type that will apparently be featured in the new DLC.
Considering Manaphy is a Water-type and Bubbly Basin is an underwater town, it is easy to see why Manaphy was picked to be featured in the new "Pokémon Pokopia" DLC, as per GameRant.
The reveal sets a meaningful precedent for how future expansions in "Pokémon Pokopia" might be structured. Manaphy being added as part of the "Bubbly Basin" DLC may lead to future DLCs to also add new Legendaries and Mythicals to "Pokémon Pokopia."
The second "Pokémon Pokopia" DLC is scheduled to drop in late 2026, but it is not expected to add a new town, so the next time fans can expect a new Mythical or Legendary to be added is likely when the third part of the Expansion Pass releases in 2027.
Who is Manaphy in the 'Pokémon' Series?
Manaphy is a small, blue aquatic Pokémon first introduced in the fourth generation of the main series with "Pokémon Diamond" and "Pokémon Pearl" in 2006. It is classified as the Seafaring Pokémon.
It is also known primarily for its connection to the ocean and its rare Mythical status, meaning it cannot be obtained through standard gameplay and has historically required special events or distributions to acquire.
Manaphy is also notable for being one of the only Mythical Pokémon capable of breeding, though the offspring produced is not another Manaphy but rather Phione, a related Water-type Pokémon.
In "Pokémon Pokopia," the water-based theme of the "Bubbly Basin" DLC makes Manaphy a natural fit, and players will likely need to meet specific habitat or quest conditions to recruit it, consistent with how other Legendaries and Mythicals work in the game.
'Pokémon Pokopia's Paid Expansion Pass
"Pokémon Pokopia's" Expansion Pass costs $34.99 and includes three paid expansions. The first of these expansions will release in August in the form of a brand-new town called Bubbly Basin.
The "Bubbly Basin" expansion will also come paired with a free update adding Dive to Ditto's suite of abilities. Using Dive, "Pokémon Pokopia" players will be able to explore underwater and even build their own underwater structures if they so choose.
Certain Pokémon habitats are underwater as well, meaning players who do not purchase the Expansion Pass can still benefit from the free Dive ability update.
