Reviewing the NHK Symphony Orchestra’s Performance

Pokémon today released a video of the NHK Symphony Orchestra performing the Main Theme for the upcoming Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves main series game, the first release for Gen X. The games were first announced on 27 February 2026 during Pokémon’s 30th anniversary.

NHK Symphony Orchestra — Pokémon Winds & Waves Main Theme Recording

Performed by the NHK Symphony Orchestra, the music signals the beginning of a brand-new adventure.

The Pokémon Company
The NHK Symphony Orchestra performing the Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves main theme
The NHK Symphony Orchestra performing the Pokémon Winds & Waves main theme.

The piece starts off with a gentle dance featuring the string and flute sections. The video cuts to an ocean archipelago view, with an oboe artfully moving us forward towards the introduction of the island, with leaves fluttering in the wind.

A harpist of the NHK Symphony Orchestra during the gentle opening of the main theme
The gentle dance: strings, flute and harp open the piece.
The ocean archipelago of the Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves region as shown in the main theme video
The ocean archipelago view of the Gen X region.

The symphony begins a wonderful crescendo, with the trombones and trumpets heralding the introduction of the male and female protagonists. The momentum continues as we are presented with Pombon, Gecqua and Browt.

Pombon, Gecqua and Browt — the three new starter Pokémon of Generation X
Pombon, Gecqua and Browt — the new starters of Generation X.

The music slows, with a ritardando and pause before all three starters dance and play, with the whole orchestra singing.

At this point, the classic Pokémon hook, first introduced in Red and Blue, washes over, invoking immense nostalgia. For me, it brought back memories of the first ever anime episode “Pokémon, I Choose You!”, with Ash excitedly watching the TV in his room, debating between Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle.

Ash Ketchum from the first Pokémon anime episode, 'Pokémon, I Choose You!'
The classic Pokémon hook still conjures the first anime episode, “Pokémon, I Choose You!”.

I loved listening to the Cor Anglais as we glide through picturesque scenes from Gen X, including between Jellicent, past a majestic drifting Wailord, and past some dancing Krabby, soaring into the sky to wheel alongside a pair of Wingull.

The Cor Anglais of the NHK Symphony Orchestra during the seascape section of the Pokémon Winds and Waves main theme
The Cor Anglais carries the seascape montage.
A pair of Wingull soaring across the sky in the Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves main theme video
Soaring into the sky to wheel alongside a pair of Wingull.

The piano again builds, with the trumpets and then trombones giving us another rendition of the classic theme. The theme fades away, with each instrument being highlighted before cutting to a title card reminding us again, we must wait until 2027 to experience the music in-game!

B
Bill

Pokémon TCG collector and archivist. Covering set releases, card market analysis, video game news, and collector guides. Master-setted Stellar Crown — currently working through 151, Black & White, and Prismatic Evolutions. Favourite game: Pokémon Emerald.