Pokemon Hypes Up 30th Anniversary Plans for 2026

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A recent social media post reveals that Pokémon has exciting plans for 2026. The franchise will be celebrating its 30th anniversary that year, marking three decades since it first launched in Japan in 1996. What started as a video game has grown into a huge media empire, now including anime, books, trading cards, and toys.

The original Pocket Monsters Red and Green games came out in Japan in February 1996, and were later released as Pokemon Red and Blue in North America two years later. This means the Pokemon franchise will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2026. While Pokemon Legends: Z-A was the major release in 2025, The Pokemon Company is expected to announce big plans for 2026, potentially including details about the highly anticipated 10th generation of Pokemon video games.

2026 Is Going To Be a Big One For Pokemon

The official Pokémon account in Japan recently shared exciting news about 2026, hinting at big plans to celebrate the franchise’s 30th anniversary. The anniversary will be marked by recognizing the launch of the original Pokémon Red and Green games. The account promised fans that 2026 will be the “best one yet” and encouraged them to stay tuned for more. The announcement ended with a short animation featuring the classic Pikachu design and sounds transforming into a new logo that will likely be used throughout the anniversary year.

Details are scarce beyond that, so fans are eagerly guessing what’s next for the Pokémon franchise, including its games and other products. While Pokémon Legends: Z-A might get additional downloadable content alongside the Mega Dimension, most attention is now on the next main series game, Generation 10, which has been the subject of many online leaks and rumors. Plus, LEGO and Pokémon are preparing significant new sets, and there’s talk of a massive 30th Anniversary collection coming for the Pokémon Trading Card Game.

Image via The Pokemon Company

Fans are currently calling the next generation of Pokémon games (Pokémon Wind and Wave), though this isn’t official yet. Recent online leaks have revealed details about the new title, including a large city and a possible new way to get around using Rotom. While the leaked information seems to be from an early version of the game, the city appears to blend modern architecture with traditional designs, like pagodas. A blurry image of the Gen 10 Professor has also appeared, suggesting an older man with a bushy beard and eyebrows. Many fans are hoping for an announcement in February 2026, possibly during a Pokémon Presents event coinciding with the franchise’s anniversary, but nothing is confirmed at this time.

Image via The Pokemon Company

Although Pokémon’s plans for its 30th anniversary in 2026 are still largely under wraps, fans have a couple of things to anticipate. Pokémon Champions seems to be a return to the trainer battles seen in games like Stadium, and will likely be the central place for all official VGC (Video Game Championships) activities. Meanwhile, Pokopia is a more relaxed, creative game where players can design and build their own personal space and invite Pokémon to visit. Both games are scheduled to release in 2026, and it’s very likely a new main Pokémon game will also be announced soon.

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2026-01-01 19:35