On October 1st, 2021, the official Japanese anime Twitter account posted that for the first time in about 9 years, the popular character Shirona would be appearing in the Pocket Monsters TV anime series and they posted a comment from Tomo Sakurai, who voices Shirona!

Satoshi is participating in the Pokémon World Championships with the aim of battling the strongest champion Dande, and Go is participating in a trial mission to become an official member of Project Mew. In "The Py That Became A Star", scheduled to air on Friday, October 8th, 2021, the two will be confronted by Shirona, the champion of the Sinnoh region and an archaeologist!

When Satoshi and Go learn that the sky in the Jouto region suddenly turned pitch black and morning stopped coming, they head there to research the matter! During their research, they're told that it seems night has permanently fallen ever since a girl named Kirara that they encountered in a park met with a mysterious Pokémon...?! Satoshi and Go work on unraveling the mystery alongside the Sinnoh region's Pokémon League Champion Shirona, whom they ran into by chance at the historical remnant museum they went to for research!

Comments from Tomo Sakurai, who plays Shirona:
It seems it's been about 9 years since Shirona appeared in the TV anime "Pocket Monsters", and I never thought I'd get to appear in it again, but I was so happy that I shouted "Yay!" I'm sure Shirona was happy to see Satoshi and Pikachu again, and I felt the same way, so I was able to express my honest emotions in the reunion scene.

When you think of Shirona, you think of Gablias, don't you?! Shirona is the champion of the Sinnoh Region and one of the Masters Eight in the Pokémon World Championships, and I'm sure she'll eventually battle with Satoshi... I think this episode showed us once again the strength of Shirona and her partner Gablias, so I hope that all the fans who have been supporting the "Pocket Monsters" TV anime, as well as those who love Shirona, will look forward to the episode.

On October 8th, 2021, the official Japanese Twitter account reminded people that this episode was available to watch on the official Japanese YouTube channel. The video was region locked to Japan only. It was available from October 8th, 2021 until 7:25 pm on Friday, October 22nd, 2021. This episode was specifically labeled as a limited time broadcast (期間限定配信).

Pocket Monsters Anime Episode 83 'The Py That Became A Star'
What did you think!?
The mysterious Unknown makes an appearance!
You can also see Shirona and Gablias in action!
Anipoke Episode 83 will be available until 10/22 (Fri.) AM!
Please check it out!

アニメ「ポケットモンスター」第83話「お星さまになったピィ」
いかがでしたか⁉
謎多きアンノーン が登場!
シロナと #ガブリアス の活躍も見られます
アニポケ 第83話は10/22(金)AMまで公開!
ぜひご覧ください

The official Japanese Anime PR Twitter account posted a comic on October 17th, 2021 by #もじゃクッキー @mojacookie.

It's getting deep into autumn.
Speaking of autumn...
For Satoshi, autumn is for sports.
For Gou, autumn is for reading.
For Koharu, autumn is for art
For the Pokémon, autumn is for their appetite
…it seems like
What kind of autumn do you want to enjoy⁉

秋が深まってきましたね
秋といえば…
サトシはスポーツの秋、
ゴウは読書の秋、
コハルは芸術の秋、
ポケモンたちは食欲の秋
…みたいです
みなさんは何の秋を満喫したいですか⁉

It's autumn (秋だな~~~)

The official Japanese anime Twitter account retweeted a spoon.2Di post promoting the October 29th, 2021 issue of spoon.2Di #79.

A look back at episode 83 of the TV anime Pocket Monsters, which depicts the reunion with Shirona, the Pokémon League champion of the Sinnoh region, and it delivers highlights for the rival battle between Satoshi and Saito in the Pokémon World Championships!

TVアニメ「ポケットモンスター」は、シンオウ地方・ポケモンリーグチャンピオンのシロナとの再会が描かれた第83話を中心に振り返りつつ、『ポケモンワールドチャンピオンシップス』でのサトシVSサイトウのライバル決戦に向けて、見どころをお届けします

On May 26th, 2022, Corina Boettger Tweeted that she was voicing the character Tiara.

I am able to announce that you can hear me in #pokemonjourneys on @netflix as the character Tiara & a #pokemon Swirlix! I cried when I booked this role as it has been my dream to just be a part of this show since I was a kid watching it! Thank you @Lisalisejam & @Pokemon

The English-based dubs removed the Japanese text which said: Johto Region (ジョウト地方).

The official Japanese Anime PR Twitter account posted a behind-the-scenes look at the making of this Anipoke episode with a production artwork piece on October 7th, 2021. The picture featured Shirona reuniting with Pikachu.

Satoshi and Shirona reunite in the Johto region.
Pikachu looks happy too!

ジョウト地方で再会したサトシとシロナ
ピカチュウも嬉しそう

Kirara's wish, written by the Unown.

NIGHT

The English-based dubs removed the To Be Continued text from the Japanese original.