Trevor Noah leads Pokémon 30th anniversary Super Bowl ad alongside Lady Gaga and other stars

Trevor Noah stars in Pokémon’s 30th Super Bowl ad with Lady Gaga and other celebrities

Trevor Noah was the star of Pokémon’s 30th anniversary celebration during Sunday’s Super Bowl, headlining a playful, star-studded ad that brought the beloved franchise to life on the world’s biggest stage.

The commercial, titled What’s Your Favorite?, featured Noah alongside Lady Gaga, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Charles Leclerc, Young Miko, Jisoo, and soccer star Lamine Yamal. Each celebrity revealed their favorite Pokémon while interacting with animated versions of the creatures, blending nostalgia with humor and heartfelt moments.

Noah, paired with the goofy, yellow duck Psyduck, shared how Pokémon shaped his childhood in South Africa. “Every time I met a new Pokémon, it felt like I discovered a new part of myself,” he said. Reflecting on his neurodivergent upbringing and ADHD, Noah described Psyduck as the “classic unlikely hero,” a creature with both incredible powers and comical flaws, much like the underdog story he cherishes.

Lady Gaga joined the ad with the singing Pokémon Jigglypuff, performing a quirky duet that highlighted her Pokémon’s “12-octave vocal range” and playful personality. Ramakrishnan was paired with Luxray, Leclerc with Arcanine, Young Miko with Gengar, Jisoo with Eevee, and Yamal with the legendary Zygarde, each showcasing how these iconic characters reflected the stars’ personalities.

The ad was a blend of nostalgia, humor, and celebration, designed to reward longtime fans and introduce Pokémon to new audiences. Noah said being part of the campaign was a chance to revisit the joy and creativity Pokémon brought to his childhood, from the Game Boy games to the original trading cards.

As part of its 30th anniversary, Pokémon is also releasing the new life simulation game Pokopia on March 5 for Nintendo Switch 2.

Meanwhile, Tokyo has opened PokéPark Kanto, the franchise’s first-ever outdoor facility, creating a physical space for fans to engage with the Pokémon universe.

From Psyduck’s comical mishaps to Jigglypuff’s hypnotic song, the ad demonstrated how Pokémon continues to capture imagination across generations.

With Trevor Noah at the center, this Super Bowl spot was not just a commercial, it was a joyful reminder of the franchise’s enduring global impact.