What Happened to Pokémon 30th Anniversary?

The Pokémon franchise, which began with the release of 'Pocket Monsters Red' and 'Green' in Japan in February 1996, is commemorating its 30th anniversary throughout 2026 with a comprehensive global celebration spanning video games, the Trading Card Game (TCG), anime, and merchandise. The year kicked off with significant anticipation, building on a legacy that has seen over 1,000 Pokémon discovered across nine generations.

A major turning point for the anniversary year was the Pokémon Presents presentation on February 27, 2026, which is Pokémon Day. During this event, The Pokémon Company officially unveiled the highly anticipated Generation 10 mainline games, 'Pokémon Winds' and 'Pokémon Waves,' set to release in 2027 exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2. The presentation also confirmed the re-release of 'Pokémon FireRed Version' and 'Pokémon LeafGreen Version' for Switch platforms, allowing players to revisit the Kanto region. Other significant game announcements included 'Pokémon Champions,' a competitive esports title launching in April 2026, and 'Pokémon Pokopia,' a sandbox crafting game released in March 2026. Furthermore, 'Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness' was announced for the Nintendo Switch 2's GameCube Classics catalog.

The Pokémon Trading Card Game has been a central pillar of the 30th-anniversary celebrations. Throughout 2026, several new expansions have been released, including 'Ascended Heroes' (January 30), 'Perfect Order' (March 27), 'Chaos Rising' (May 22), and 'Pitch Black' (July 17). A standout release is the '30th Celebration' expansion, announced on June 1, 2026, and scheduled for a worldwide simultaneous launch on September 16, 2026. This marks the first time a TCG expansion will debut globally on the same day, featuring all-foil cards, new 'Futuristic Rare' and 'Pikachu Rare' rarities, and reprints of classic cards from the franchise's history.

Beyond games and cards, the anniversary has been celebrated through extensive merchandise and collaborations. The Pokémon Company launched a dedicated 'Pokémon Center 30th merchandise collection' in February 2026, featuring apparel, accessories, and home goods. Special collections like the 'Package Design Collection' in Japan offer retro-inspired items based on classic game box art. High-profile collaborations include a Pikachu-themed G-SHOCK watch, Uniqlo T-shirts, and a 'Pokémon Summer at McDonald's' event in Japan, which began in July 2026, offering exclusive McNugget boxes and sauces.

The anime front saw the continuation of 'Pokémon Horizons: The Series' with its third season, 'Rising Hope,' premiering on Netflix in January 2026, followed by the 'Wonder Voyage' arc in May. In a significant development, Disney reportedly regained broadcast rights to the Pokémon anime, with older 'Indigo League' episodes scheduled to air on Disney XD starting August 6, 2026. Global events, such as the Pokémon World Championships 2026 in San Francisco (August 28-30) and the North American debut of the 'Pokémon Fossil Museum' exhibition at Chicago's Field Museum (May 22, 2026 – April 11, 2027), further underscore the widespread celebration. As of July 15, 2026, the celebrations are ongoing, with new announcements like a Team Rocket-themed board game revealed on July 14, 2026, indicating continued momentum throughout the year.