Japan recruited 1,000 REAL LIFE team rocket members to make this Pikachu (by the way the Pikachu is formed of real team rocket members wearing different color clothes) and built a Meowth Hot Air Balloon to sail in the 2017 Saga International Balloon Fiesta.
The Team Rocket members gathered in celebration of the 1,000th pokemon episode!
Original article if you want to read the whole thing but I gave most of it: https://grapee.jp/en/89919