Chonky Pikachu returns to kick off Pokémon’s 30th anniversary celebrations
The Pokémon Company has officially announced the commencement of the 30th-anniversary celebrations for the Pokémon franchise.
This milestone event commemorates three decades since the release of the original Pocket Monsters Red and Green versions in Japan.
The series, which began as a pair of Game Boy role-playing games in 1996, has evolved into the highest-grossing media franchise in the world.
To kick off the festivities, the official channels released a short teaser video showcasing a commemorative logo designed around the iconic Poké Ball.
The video serves as a nostalgic trip through history, featuring various graphical iterations of Pikachu from across the generations, including the affectionately nicknamed “Chonky Pikachu”.
Fans can see the evolution of the mascot, transitioning from the original pixel art sprites to the modern 3D models used in current titles.
Accompanying the video was a message teasing that “this year will be the best year yet,” urging fans to look forward to upcoming reveals.
This major milestone contributes to a massive wave of nostalgia sweeping the Japanese pop culture industry in early 2026.
Just recently, Atlus launched a teaser site for the Persona series’ 30th anniversary, featuring a new visual by Shigenori Soejima.
With Persona confirmed to have a Persona 4 remake in production and Pokémon entering its 30th year, RPG fans have a historic year ahead.
Similarly, the anime world is celebrating the 30th anniversary of Mobile Suit Gundam Wing with TWO-MIX set to release two new remastered albums featuring their iconic music from the series.
The Pokémon franchise has already started 2026 strong with other cross-media initiatives.
The “Pokémon feat. Hatsune Miku VOLTAGE Live!” concert series is set to take place in March, featuring an extensive range of merchandise including penlights and happi coats.
These events showcase the franchise’s ability to stay relevant by collaborating with other cultural icons like the Virtual Singer Hatsune Miku.
However, the core focus for longtime fans remains the video games and what the 30th anniversary will bring to the main series.
Traditionally, The Pokémon Company hosts a “Pokémon Presents” digital broadcast on February 27, known globally as “Pokémon Day,” to announce new titles.
Expectations are currently at an all-time high for this year’s broadcast to reveal the next generation of games or potential remakes of classic titles.
The official 30th anniversary date is set for Friday, February 27, 2026.
This post may contain affiliate links, and Essential Japan may earn a commission if you purchase through them.
