1996 – 2026
Pokémon 30th Anniversary
Three decades, nine generations, 1,025 Pokémon. Everything the #Pokemon30 year has confirmed so far, plus the timeline that got us here.
- Years since launch
- 30Years since launch
- Generations
- 9Generations
- Pokémon in the National Dex
- 1,025Pokémon in the National Dex
- Red & Green, Japan
- Feb 27, 1996Red & Green, Japan
What the 30th Anniversary Actually Covers
Pokémon's anniversary is counted from February 27, 1996, when Pocket Monsters Red and Green launched on the Game Boy in Japan. That makes February 27, 2026 the 30-year mark, and The Pokémon Company has framed 2026 as a yearlong celebration rather than a single date.
The campaign runs under the #Pokemon30 banner. It opened with a Super Bowl LX commercial, continued through Pokémon Day 2026, and now carries a steady stream of Trading Card Game products, merchandise, and event announcements. This hub keeps the confirmed beats separate from the speculation.
The #Pokemon30 Campaign, Beat by Beat
Each entry links to our full breakdown, sourced from official announcements and reputable reporting.
#Pokemon30 teaser sets the celebration in motion
A short clip confirms a yearlong 30th anniversary campaign, with the full commercial airing during Super Bowl LX on February 8, 2026.
Read the breakdown"What's Your Favorite?" launches 30.pokemon.com
The game-day ad points Trainers to an official anniversary hub built around a single question, with shareable Pokémon GO snapshots tagged #Pokemon30.
Read the breakdownPokémon Day 2026 teases a worldwide card celebration
A Pokémon Presents teaser points to 30th anniversary Trading Card Game products launching near-simultaneously worldwide, with Mew and Mewtwo front and centre.
Read the breakdownStarter art collections walk back through the regions
The 30th anniversary starter art series keeps expanding, pairing reprinted artwork with new collections built around every regional starter line.
Read the breakdownThe 30th Celebration product lineup takes shape
Coin sets, Charizard and Pikachu figure collections, and the 30th Celebration expansion fill out the anniversary release calendar across regions.
Read the breakdown
Thirty Years, Nine Generations
Every mainline generation since 1996, with the region it introduced and the slice of the National Pokédex it added. Open any era to browse its full roster.
1996
Generation 1
Kanto
- Debut games
- Pokémon Red & Green
- Pokédex
- #0001–0151 · 151 Pokémon
151 Pokémon, one Game Boy link cable, and the trading loop that defined everything after it.
Browse Generation 11999
Generation 2
Johto
- Debut games
- Pokémon Gold & Silver
- Pokédex
- #0152–0251 · 100 Pokémon
Added held items, breeding, shiny Pokémon, and a day-night clock that made Johto feel lived in.
Browse Generation 22002
Generation 3
Hoenn
- Debut games
- Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire
- Pokédex
- #0252–0386 · 135 Pokémon
Abilities, natures, and double battles arrived, turning team building into a real strategy layer.
Browse Generation 32006
Generation 4
Sinnoh
- Debut games
- Pokémon Diamond & Pearl
- Pokédex
- #0387–0493 · 107 Pokémon
The physical-special split rewrote competitive play, and Sinnoh brought online battling to the series.
Browse Generation 42010
Generation 5
Unova
- Debut games
- Pokémon Black & White
- Pokédex
- #0494–0649 · 156 Pokémon
A full 156-species regional dex with no returning Pokémon before the credits — the boldest reset yet.
Browse Generation 52013
Generation 6
Kalos
- Debut games
- Pokémon X & Y
- Pokédex
- #0650–0721 · 72 Pokémon
The series went 3D, added the Fairy type, and introduced Mega Evolution in Kalos.
Browse Generation 62016
Generation 7
Alola
- Debut games
- Pokémon Sun & Moon
- Pokédex
- #0722–0809 · 88 Pokémon
Alola dropped Gyms for island trials and gave familiar Pokémon regional forms.
Browse Generation 72019
Generation 8
Galar
- Debut games
- Pokémon Sword & Shield
- Pokédex
- #0810–0905 · 96 Pokémon
The first mainline console generation, with the open Wild Area and Dynamax raids.
Browse Generation 82022
Generation 9
Paldea
- Debut games
- Pokémon Scarlet & Violet
- Pokédex
- #0906–1025 · 120 Pokémon
An open-world Paldea with three storylines you can tackle in any order, plus Terastallization.
Browse Generation 9
30th Celebration: The Card Game Anniversary
The Pokémon Trading Card Game launched in October 1996, so its own 30-year mark lands inside the same celebration window. Here is every 30th anniversary card product we have covered.
Pokémon China 30th Celebration Coin Set Release Guide
Pokémon China's 68 CNY 30th Celebration Coin Set launches September 16 with three booster packs, two random Pikachu coins, and matching accessories.
Pokémon China 30th Charizard Figure Collection
Pokémon China's CNY 780 Charizard Figure Collection launches September 16, 2026 with a sculpted figure, jumbo classic card, and 15 foil booster packs.
Pokémon China 30th Pikachu Figure Collection
Pokémon China's 13-design 30th Pikachu Figure Collection launches September 16 for CNY 88 with a matching foil card and one booster pack.
Day and Night Pikachu ex Lead a 30th Celebration Parade
Two kantaro-illustrated Pikachu ex cards bring daytime friends and a fireworks-lit night to Pokémon TCG: 30th Celebration on September 16, 2026.
Pokémon China 30th Starter Illustration Cards Vol.3
Pokémon China's 30th Starter Illustration Cards Vol.3 arrives August 7 for CNY 39, with nine randomized Hoenn, Kalos, and Paldea cards.
Pokémon China 30th Starter Illustration Cards Vol.2 Launch
Pokémon China launches 30th Starter Illustration Cards Vol.2 on June 19, 2026 at CNY 39, featuring Johto, Unova, and Galar first partners in 9 randomized art cards.
Pokémon TCG 30th Anniversary: Worldwide Simultaneous Release
A new Pokémon Day 2026 teaser points to special Pokémon TCG 30th anniversary products launching worldwide at the same time later this year. Full clues inside.
Pokémon China 30th Starter Illustration Cards Vol.1 Launch
Pokémon China launches 30th Starter Illustration Cards Vol.1 on March 20, 2026. See the price, exact pack contents, and collector value before you pre-order.
Latest #Pokemon30 Coverage
Pokémon Center Unveils Red & Blue Game Boy Music Jukebox
Pokémon Center reveals a retro Game Boy Jukebox with 45 swappable cartridges inspired by Pokémon Red and Blue, plus an Opening Scenes line for Pokémon Day 2026.
Pokémon #Pokemon30 'What's Your Favorite?' Ad Explained
The #Pokemon30 ad points fans to 30.pokemon.com for shareable Pokémon GO snapshots and anniversary updates. See every feature and how to join the celebration.
Pokémon #Pokemon30 Super Bowl LX Teaser: Full Breakdown
Pokémon's #Pokemon30 Super Bowl LX teaser confirms a yearlong anniversary campaign launching February 8, 2026. See every clue and what it signals for fans.
Explore Three Decades of Pokémon
The anniversary is a good excuse to go back through the whole roster.
30th Anniversary FAQ
When is Pokémon's 30th anniversary?
February 27, 2026. Pocket Monsters Red and Green launched in Japan on February 27, 1996, so that date marks 30 years. The Pokémon Company has described the celebration as a yearlong campaign rather than a single-day event.
What is #Pokemon30?
#Pokemon30 is the official hashtag for the 30th anniversary campaign. It launched with a Super Bowl LX commercial on February 8, 2026 and is anchored by 30.pokemon.com, which invites Trainers to share their favourite Pokémon as a snapshot created in Pokémon GO.
Is there a 30th anniversary Pokémon TCG set?
Yes. A 30th Celebration line was teased during Pokémon Presents on Pokémon Day 2026 and is being positioned for a near-simultaneous worldwide release, with some regional exceptions. Announced products so far include the 30th Celebration expansion, commemorative coin sets, and Charizard and Pikachu figure collections.
How many Pokémon are there after 30 years?
1,025 species across nine mainline generations, from Bulbasaur (#0001) in 1996 to the Paldea additions that close out Generation 9. Regional forms, Mega Evolutions, and other alternate forms are counted separately from that National Pokédex total.
How can I take part in the anniversary?
Open Pokémon GO, use the "What's Your Favorite?" tab to pick from more than 1,000 Pokémon, customise your snapshot, and share it with #Pokemon30. The official hub at 30.pokemon.com collects the campaign's other activations as they go live.
Keep Up With the Anniversary Year
New #Pokemon30 products, events, and reveals are still landing. Our news desk tracks each one with sources attached.
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