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Pokemon Pokopia Wins GOTY at Japan Game Awards 2026

pokemon pokopia goty japan game awards 2026

The results of the Japan Game Awards for 2026 have been announced, with the Game of the Year at this award being Pokemon Pokopia. Other winners include Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road, Magical Girl Witch Trials, and Pragmata. [Thanks, Famitsu!]

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This year’s awards looked at games that were released in Japan from June 1, 2025 to May 31, 2026. Winners were picked by both a selection committee and public vote, and the winners are sorted into various categories. Here are all the winners for the Japan Game Awards 2026:

  • Award for Excellence:
    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
    Silent Hill f
  • Breakthrough Award:
    Pragmata
  • Game Designers Award:
    Word Game
  • Game of the Year:
    Pokemon Pokopia
  • Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry Award
    Pokemon
  • Movement Award:
    Meccha Chameleon
  • Special Award:
    The Super Mario Galaxy Movie

When accepting the Game of the Year award for Pokemon Pokopia, Shigeru Ohmori of Game Freak said that he was extremely happy to win the award this year, as 2026 is the commemorative 30th anniversary of the series. He states that everyone’s love for Pokemon is what allowed Pokemon Pokopia to win.

You can watch the archived stream of the award show on YouTube.

Stephanie Liu
About The Author
Stephanie is a senior writer who has been writing for games journalism and translating since 2020. After graduating with a BA in English and a Certificate in Creative Writing, she spent a few years teaching English and history before fulfilling her childhood dream of becoming a writer. In terms of games, she loves RPGs, action-adventure, and visual novels. Aside from writing for Siliconera and Crunchyroll, she translates light novels, manga, and video games.