Pokémon turns 30: The big anniversary year begins

To mark the 30th anniversary of Pokémon, 2026 will be a year of major collaborations. With an extensive adidas collection, new tonies audio figures, a McDonald's TCG Happy Meal promotion and a completely new Lego Pokémon theme world, the brand is returning to the worlds of toys, fashion and collectibles. Pokémon is now more present than ever – spanning generations, nostalgic and clearly focused on the future.

To mark the 30th anniversary of the Pokémon franchise, adidas Originals and The Pokémon Company are once again joining forces to launch an extensive collaboration. The new collection, which is set to be released in the second half of 2026, includes trainers, clothing and accessories for adults and children.

The focus is on classic adidas silhouettes such as the Samba, Superstar, Adistar XLG 2.0 and ZX8000, including the leaked ‘Mewtwo’ ZX8000, which is entirely in shades of purple and directly references the look of the legendary Pokémon with striking eye overlays, Mewtwo logos and Poké Ball dubraes. Additional sneakers featuring Pikachu, Charmander, Raichu and Charmeleon motifs are also in the works, including two pairs of Superstars for both evolutionary stages.

While adidas has not yet officially commented on the collection, several reliable sources point to a release in late summer or autumn 2026, accompanied by special packaging and possible in-store events.

pics by @zx__sneakers__berlin

The collaboration between LEGO and Pokémon has been officially confirmed – and 2026 is set to be a big year for fans of both brands. According to recent reports, LEGO is planning an extensive Pokémon-themed world, which is to be released in several waves.

The launch is scheduled for the end of February 2026 with an initial wave aimed primarily at adult collectors. The focus is on a large Kanto starter set featuring Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle. The release is currently expected on 27 or 28 February 2026. With around 6,800 pieces and a rumoured price of around €650, the set would clearly be in the premium segment. The launch will be complemented by additional display sets, including Pikachu with Poké Ball and Eevee.

A second wave of classic playsets is set to follow in summer 2026. Scenes such as Charmander versus Geodude and Marowak versus Gengar are mentioned, among others.

An official LEGO catalogue confirms the series launch for spring 2026. Whether minifigures are planned or only buildable Pokémon will be released remains to be seen – but one thing is certain: Pokémon will play a central role in the LEGO portfolio in 2026.

tonies and The Pokémon Company International are launching a groundbreaking collaboration that will bring Pokémon to the Toniebox for the first time. The first four exclusive Pokémon Tonies will be released in summer 2026: Pikachu and the starter Pokémon Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle. The figures contain stories developed especially for the Toniebox, which are told in a so-called ‘audio-first’ or immersive audio format and do not require any screens.

The content is being created in collaboration with Pikachu Press, the official publishing imprint of The Pokémon Company International. The aim is to re-experience the Pokémon world – through sound, imagination and storytelling rather than text or images. Details on the exact implementation of the immersive format and the scope of possible playful elements are still open. However, a special bundle has been announced for the launch.

On the occasion of Pokémon's 30th anniversary, there are many indications of a renewed collaboration with McDonald's. According to several reports, a new Pokémon TCG Happy Meal promotion is set to launch in early 2026, likely between February and March. The timing has been deliberately chosen to coincide with Pokémon Day on 27 February 2026, which commemorates the original release of Pokémon Red and Green.

The promotion is set to launch in the US first, with other countries likely to follow at a later date. Booster packs containing four cards each are expected, usually including one holographic card and several reprints. Nothing has been officially confirmed yet, but collectors are already speculating about a possible exclusive Pikachu promo card after a similar card recently caused a huge hype in Japan.

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Pokémon series, UNIQLO is launching a special UT collection that celebrates the franchise's beginnings. Unlike previous collaborations, this new capsule collection is all about nostalgia: instead of modern designs or anime stills, it features original watercolour illustrations from the Game Boy era, including classic depictions of Mewtwo, Charizard, Bulbasaur, Squirtle, Gengar and Pikachu. The motifs are based on the iconic artwork by Ken Sugimori, which was first released in Japan in 1996 with the games ‘Pokémon Red and Green’.

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