ANA's 'Pikachu Jet' 787 departing Manila, 2023.

The image documents an All Nippon Airways Boeing 787-9, registration JA894A, operating as flight NH870 from Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) to Tokyo Haneda (HND) on July 7, 2023. The aircraft is one of ANA's well-known "Pikachu Jet" liveries, a decades-long promotional partnership between ANA and The Pokémon Company that has produced multiple special-scheme aircraft since 1998. These liveries wrap the fuselage in Pikachu and other Pokémon character artwork and have become one of the most recognizable branding exercises in commercial aviation, frequently photographed by enthusiasts and covered by aviation media whenever a new variant enters service or an existing one is repainted or retired.

For working pilots, particularly those flying widebody international routes, special livery aircraft like this one carry practical considerations beyond marketing novelty. Painted schemes with heavy vinyl or paint coverage can add measurable weight and, in some cases, minor aerodynamic drag, which airlines factor into performance planning and fuel calculations. Ground crews and dispatchers also need to track which tail numbers carry special markings for maintenance, paint inspection cycles, and route assignment purposes, since these aircraft are often deliberately rotated onto high-visibility international sectors such as Manila-Haneda to maximize brand exposure to passengers and airport observers in multiple countries. The 787-9's presence on this route also underscores how Japanese carriers have used the type's range and efficiency to serve Southeast Asian markets with premium long-haul equipment rather than reserving widebodies solely for transpacific or European service.

Beyond the individual aircraft, this photo reflects a broader trend in commercial aviation where livery and branding have become strategic tools for carrier identity, customer engagement, and social media visibility. Airlines from ANA to Southwest, Alaska, and others have invested in special schemes tied to entertainment franchises, national heritage, or corporate milestones, recognizing that such aircraft generate organic publicity through platforms like Reddit's aviation communities, where this image originated. For flight crews, these aircraft are operationally identical to standard-liveried counterparts, but they often draw extra attention from ramp personnel, gate agents, and passengers, and airlines sometimes issue specific handling notes to ensure the artwork is protected during boarding, catering, and ground service operations. The continued popularity of ANA's Pikachu Jets, now spanning multiple aircraft types and over 25 years, illustrates how a well-executed livery program can become a durable brand asset that reinforces public affection for a carrier while requiring minimal operational compromise from flight and ground crews.