In a feat that solidifies their status as one of K-pop’s most dominant global forces, Stray Kids have officially concluded their largest and most ambitious world tour to date, titled ‘Stray Kids World Tour “dominATE”’.
Spanning nearly a full year and a distance equivalent to circling the Earth seven times, the tour not only marked a milestone in the group’s career but also set new records across continents—proving their reach, impact, and power in the global music scene.
From Seoul to Rome: A Journey Around the World
Stray Kids launched the ‘dominATE’ tour on August 2024 at Seoul’s KSPO DOME, and the journey came to a historic conclusion nearly one year later, on July 30, 2025, in Rome, Italy.
Over the course of 340 days, the group performed 54 shows across 34 cities and five continents, covering Asia, Oceania, Latin America, North America, and Europe.
With a total travel distance of around 285,000 kilometers, equivalent to traveling around the globe seven times, the group’s schedule was grueling but rewarding.
Stray Kids (Credit: YouTube)
Each stop along the way reflected Stray Kids’ relentless pursuit of global domination—a theme mirrored in the tour’s title, a combination of their mini-album ‘ATE’ and the word “dominate.”
Growth Reflected in Venues and Firsts
Of the 34 stops on the tour, an impressive 31 cities were first-time concert locations for the group, and 27 of the venues were stadiums, showcasing their enormous growth since their previous tour.
By comparison, their 2023 ‘MANIAC’ tour included only one stadium show—in Los Angeles’ BMO Stadium.
This massive leap in venue scale within just two years speaks volumes about the exponential growth of their global fanbase and influence.
During the ‘dominATE’ tour, Stray Kids became the first K-pop group to perform at multiple iconic stadiums across several regions.
In São Paulo, Brazil, they performed at Estádio do Morumbi, making history as the first K-pop act to take the stage there.
In North America, they broke new ground by performing at six stadiums that had never before hosted a K-pop concert.
Among the standout performances was their double-header at Arlington’s Globe Life Field, where they became the first act to hold back-to-back concerts.
They also earned the title of first performers at Toronto’s Rogers Centre since its reopening in June, further cementing their North American legacy.
Dominating Europe Like Never Before
Europe saw an equally powerful wave of milestones. Stray Kids became the first K-pop act to enter five major European stadiums:
- Johan Cruyff Arena (Amsterdam)
- Deutsche Bank Park (Frankfurt)
- Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (London)
- Civitas Metropolitano (Madrid)
- Stadio Olimpico (Rome)
Their performances in Amsterdam, Frankfurt, and Madrid weren’t just national firsts—they became the largest solo concerts ever held by an Asian artist in the Netherlands, Germany, and Spain, respectively. This is not only a monumental achievement for Stray Kids, but also a landmark moment for the globalization of K-pop.
The Stade de France: A Moment to Remember
Perhaps the most symbolic stop was their July 26–27 show at Stade de France in Paris, which boasts an 80,000-seat capacity.
The group delivered their largest solo concert to date, a staggering twentyfold increase from their debut French venue just a few years prior.
The emotional connection and electric energy of the performance will no doubt go down as one of the defining moments of their tour.
Rome Grand Finale: A Legendary Closing Act
Stray Kids will officially close the tour on July 30 at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico, marking yet another first for K-pop in the historic venue.
This closing performance not only concludes a marathon of shows and travel but also serves as a symbolic finish line for a group that continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible for Korean artists on a global scale.
From Rookie Group to Global Headliners
Since their debut under JYP Entertainment, Stray Kids have evolved into a powerhouse act. Their rapid rise is backed by tangible metrics: six consecutive No.1 albums on the Billboard 200, a string of American music awards, and multiple headlining slots at global music festivals.
‘dominATE’ isn’t just a clever wordplay—it reflects their actual hold over both Eastern and Western markets.
With the conclusion of the ‘dominATE’ tour, fans and industry insiders alike are now turning their eyes to what’s next.
Will there be a follow-up album to capitalize on this global momentum? Will the group return to the studio or take a well-earned rest?
While their next steps remain unconfirmed, what’s certain is that Stray Kids are no longer just K-pop idols—they are global icons, and the world is now firmly within their reach.
On August 4, fans of anime, manga, and gaming will witness a special event as Pokémon teams up with Weekly Shonen Jump for the first time ever. This collaboration brings together two of Japan’s most iconic entertainment brands in a unique magazine issue that is expected to excite fans around the world.
Weekly Shonen Jump, Japan’s most popular manga magazine, is known for publishing hit series like One Piece, My Hero Academia, Jujutsu Kaisen, and Blue Box. Pokémon, on the other hand, remains one of the world’s most beloved franchises, spanning video games, anime, and trading cards. Although both are major parts of Japanese pop culture, they have never come together in a full collaboration, until now.
In this special double issue of Weekly Shonen Jump (Issue 36/37), every current manga artist featured in the magazine will draw their main characters alongside a Pokémon. These one-of-a-kind illustrations will be shown in a massive group image on the cover. Inside, readers will also find each individual artwork displayed in full color, making it a must-have for collectors.
Some examples of the collaborations already revealed include Eiichiro Oda drawing Luffy from One Piece alongside Pikachu, Kouji Miura pairing Chinatsu from Blue Box with Totodile, and Shuhei Miyazaki’s Me & Roboco teaming Roboco up with Mega Blaziken. These combinations blend the worlds of Pokémon and manga in fun and surprising ways, capturing the personalities of both the Pokémon and the manga characters.
Shonen Jump Magazine (Credits: Shueisha)
Pokémon and Shonen Jump Unite for First-Ever Collaboration Issue on August 4
This issue is part of Shonen Jump’s larger summer campaign, which will also include a follow-up release on August 18 (Issue 38). That next issue will come with limited-edition Pokémon-themed stickers based on the collaboration art. Fans who purchase both issues will have the chance to own a full collection of character and Pokémon pairings, along with exclusive collectibles and possibly even special giveaways.
The excitement surrounding the announcement has already spread quickly online. Fans are thrilled to see their favorite manga artists drawing Pokémon for the first time. Many have called it a dream crossover, something they never thought they would see. Social media is full of fans sharing the preview images and looking forward to collecting the issues.
This collaboration is not just about art. It represents a celebration of two powerful and long-lasting cultural forces. Shonen Jump has helped shape generations of manga readers since it began publication in the late 1960s. Pokémon has reached across media and generations since its debut in 1996. Putting them together gives fans something new while honoring the histories of both franchises.
The August 4 issue is expected to sell out quickly, especially with the special cover and collectible content inside. Readers in Japan will be able to buy it at bookstores, convenience stores, and online. While an English version has not been announced, international fans may still find ways to import it or see the art online once the issue is released.
Weekly Shonen Jump Artists Draw Pokémon for Special Crossover Magazine Release
What makes this event special is how it brings together artists and characters from across genres and styles. From battle manga like Jujutsu Kaisen to comedy like Me & Roboco and sports drama like Blue Box, every creator has brought their own vision to the collaboration. And with the Pokémon characters being so familiar and loved, the combinations feel both fresh and nostalgic.
This historic team-up between Pokémon and Shonen Jump is a celebration of creativity and fan culture. It’s a reminder that even after decades of success, these franchises continue to find new ways to surprise and delight their audiences. For fans of either or both, the August 4 issue will be a collectible worth cherishing.
Ash and Pikachu From Pokémon franchise (Credits: The Pokémon Company)
As the release date approaches, fans around the world are preparing to see their favorite characters in new ways. Whether you’ve followed Pokémon since the Game Boy days or have been reading Shonen Jump for years, this collaboration promises to be a joyful and memorable moment in anime and manga history.
You can check out manga from Shonen Jump here , and for the Pokémon games, go to Nintendo’s official site.
