Tag Archives: Pokémon 30th Anniversary

News

Pokémon x Adidas 30th Anniversary Sneakers Drop Today

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Three decades of Pokémon. Fifteen pairs of kicks. The Pokémon x adidas Originals 30th Anniversary Collection has begun rolling out from September 1, 2026, with a wider drop through adidas.com and additional stockists following on September 16 and September 22. Whether you’re a sneakerhead, a Trainer, or both, this is one of the biggest fashion collabs of the year — and it’s available globally, including Singapore.

Pokémon x Adidas 30th Anniversary Collection full lineup
Image courtesy of adidas

The Full 15-Pair Pokémon x Adidas Lineup

The collection spans 15 silhouettes — a mix of classic adidas shells and newer performance-inspired models — each themed around a specific Pokémon. Every pair features character-specific colour schemes, co-branded tongue tags, Poké Ball lace accessories, and custom insoles that reference entire evolutionary lines.

Here’s a quick breakdown of what’s in the drop:

  • adidas Superstar — Pikachu (yellow, KI2857), Pikachu (white, KI2858), Charmander, Charmeleon
  • adidas Pro Model — Pikachu
  • adidas Superstar Vintage — Charizard
  • adidas Samba OG — Mewtwo
  • adidas Handball Spezial — Mewtwo
  • adidas ZX 8000 — Mewtwo
  • adidas F50 Tunit Mega — Rayquaza
  • adidas ZX 500 RS — Rayquaza
  • adidas Adistar Control 5 — Rayquaza, Gastly, Haunter
  • adidas Adistar XLG 2.0 — Gengar

Apparel and accessories drop alongside the footwear, in adult and youth sizing — meaning younger fans in Singapore can also get in on this.

Pikachu, Charmander, and the Kanto Superstar Family

Pokémon x Adidas Pro Model Pikachu KI2862
Image courtesy of adidas

Pikachu leads the charge — unsurprisingly — across three Superstar colourways and a Pro Model, each leaning into Pikachu’s yellow and brown palette with lightning bolt detailing and embroidered character accents. The shell-toe Superstar remains the most accessible entry point, priced from around USD$110 (approximately SGD$145).

The Kanto starter evolutionary line — Charmander, Charmeleon, and Charizard — gets its own Superstar trilogy. The Charizard Superstar Vintage is a standout: an orange reptile-skin texture across the upper, removable dragon-wing overlays at the eyelets, and a cream shell-toe, coming in at USD$180 (approximately SGD$240). It’s the most premium pair in the collection, and likely the fastest to sell out.

Pokémon x Adidas Superstar Vintage Charizard KI2861
Image courtesy of adidas

Mewtwo, Rayquaza, and the Rare-Type Picks

Pokémon x Adidas Samba OG Mewtwo KI8220
Image courtesy of adidas

Mewtwo gets three pairs — the Samba OG, Handball Spezial, and ZX 8000 — all working in the Psychic-type’s silver-purple palette. The Samba OG Mewtwo (KI8220) is the sleekest of the three, marrying the classic Samba silhouette with a minimal, data-chip-style graphic on the side panel. The ZX 8000 Mewtwo (KI5326) runs at USD$170 (~SGD$225) and adds an Orchard colourway that pops.

Rayquaza’s three-pair lineup — covering the F50 Tunit Mega, ZX 500 RS, and Adistar Control 5 — plays up the Sky High Pokémon’s green-and-black look. The F50 Tunit Mega (KI5325) is shaped like a performance running shoe but it’s purely for the streets; the serpentine green pattern wrapping the midsole is a genuinely bold design call.

Ghost-Type Gang: Gastly, Haunter, and Gengar on the Adistar

Pokémon x Adidas Adistar XLG 2.0 Gengar KJ5609
Image courtesy of adidas

The ghost-type trio of Gastly, Haunter, and Gengar appear across the Adistar range — Control 5 for the first two, XLG 2.0 for Gengar. The Gengar Adistar XLG 2.0 (KJ5609) is arguably the most creative design in the drop: raised moulded side panels form Gengar’s signature wide eyes, the purple upper fades into a grey shadow-like midsole, and the lace bag is shaped like Gengar’s wide grin. For Singapore ghost-type fans, this is the grail of the collection.

Where to Buy in Singapore and How Much to Pay

The first wave hits select adidas retailers from September 1. If you miss today’s launch, the broader drop opens through adidas.com and a wider set of stockists from September 16 and September 22 — so there are multiple windows to grab a pair.

Pricing in USD runs from USD$110 (~SGD$145) for the Superstar silhouettes up to USD$180 (~SGD$240) for the premium Charizard pair. Singapore fans will pay based on adidas’s local SGD pricing, which will be confirmed at checkout on adidas.com. Given how tight Pokémon collabs tend to move, setting up reminders for the September 22 adidas.com drop is a smart play for anyone who doesn’t want to pay resale.

The collection is also available in youth sizing, so parents can hunt matching sets — a very Singapore thing to do. For more Pokémon news and drops, check out our latest gaming news coverage.

News

Pokémon × Polaroid Cameras: Pre-Orders Open 25 August

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Pokémon turns 30 this year and The Pokémon Company is marking it with one of the franchise’s most unexpected team-ups to date: a nine-piece limited-edition collection with Polaroid that trades digital screens for instant film and analog charm. Pre-orders open on 25 August 2026 — here is everything Singapore fans need to know.

Three Pokémon-Themed Instant Cameras

Polaroid Go Gen 3 Pikachu Edition instant camera in yellow with Poke Ball shutter button
Image courtesy of Polaroid

Three cameras anchor the line-up, each designed around an iconic Pokémon identity. The Polaroid Go Gen 3 — Pikachu Edition (US$99.99) goes full yellow with a Poké Ball shutter button and a lanyard sculpted to look like Pikachu’s lightning-bolt tail. The Polaroid Go Gen 3 — Sylveon Edition (US$99.99) takes the fairy-type’s signature pink, white, and blue palette and wraps it around the compact Go body, with a multi-ribbon strap nodding to Sylveon’s feelers. The larger Polaroid Now Gen 3 — Pokémon Edition (US$139.99) goes broader with a Poké Ball design across the body: red, white, and black, with a shutter button shaped like the iconic sphere.

Polaroid Go Gen 3 Sylveon Edition in pink and white with fairy-type ribbon strap
Image courtesy of Polaroid

Film Packs and Accessories

Polaroid Now Gen 3 Pokemon Edition in red and white Poke Ball design
Image courtesy of Polaroid

Each camera pairs with matching film. The Polaroid i-Type Pokémon Edition film pack (US$22.99) features custom darkslides and photo borders with Snorlax, Gengar, Togepi, and Charmander artwork. The Go film double packs for Pikachu and Sylveon (US$24.99 each) carry character-matched designs. Three accessories round out the nine-piece collection: a camera case (US$24.99), photo album (US$24.99), and camera strap (US$14.99) — all carrying the collection’s visual language.

Polaroid x Pokemon accessories: camera case, photo album, and strap
Image courtesy of Polaroid

Pre-Orders, Release Dates, and Singapore Access

Pre-orders open 25 August 2026 on polaroid.com and at Pokémon Center in the US, UK, and Canada. The full collection goes live globally on 5 October 2026, with worldwide shipping beginning from late September.

Singapore fans can order directly from polaroid.com, which ships internationally — confirm shipping options at checkout. If you have a Japan proxy or forwarding service, Japanese retailers including Bic Camera, Yodobashi Camera, Loft, and Don Quijote will stock the range from 6 October, with Japanese pre-orders opening on 26 August at the Polaroid Japan official shop and major chains.

Prices listed are in USD; local import duties and shipping costs apply. Browse our latest Pokémon news for more franchise coverage.

Why This Collab Exists

The partnership is timed to Pokémon’s 30th anniversary — the franchise debuted in Japan in 1996 with Pocket Monsters Red and Green — and Polaroid is calling it its biggest brand collaboration yet. Mathieu Galante, Sr. Director of Licensing at The Pokémon Company International, said: “Pokémon has always been about discovery, connection, and exploration. Working with Polaroid feels like a natural extension of these values: encouraging fans to capture moments that matter most to them in their own way and turn their favourite memories into tangible keepsakes.”

Analogue photography and Pokémon make a surprisingly natural fit — both reward patience, both make you look at the world more carefully, and the physical print is its own kind of collectible. Nine pieces, three cameras, and a deadline of 25 August to lock in a pre-order.

Manga Anime

POKÉTOON PT22 Tonight: Whimsicott Causes Trouble, Mabosstiff Is Not Amused

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The POKÉTOON animated shorts keep rolling through Pokémon’s 30th anniversary, and tonight’s episode might be the series’ most entertaining pairing yet. 「いたずらエルフーンとさせるかマフィティフ」 — or in English, “Mischievous Whimsicott? Not on Mabosstiff’s Watch!” — is the twenty-second short in the series, premiering tonight at 21:00 SGT on the official Pokémon YouTube channel. Free to watch, no region lock, no subscription required.

POKÉTOON PT22 announcement image showing Whimsicott and Mabosstiff with the POKÉTOON logo
POKÉTOON PT22 — Image: The Pokémon Company / Nintendo

The Setup: Chaos Meets Its Match

If you know Whimsicott, you already understand the premise. The Cotton Puff Pokémon — Grass/Fairy type, introduced in Generation V — has a well-earned reputation for slipping through gaps undetected and leaving a trail of mischief in its wake. It floats, it pranks, and it generally gets away with it.

Mabosstiff is a different story entirely. The Mafia Dog Pokémon from Scarlet and Violet‘s Paldea region is a hulking Dark type with the kind of energy that does not tolerate nonsense. The episode title makes the dynamic crystal clear before a single frame plays: Whimsicott is going to try something, and Mabosstiff is going to shut it down.

Official artwork of Whimsicott, the Cotton Puff Pokémon
Whimsicott (#547) — © The Pokémon Company / Nintendo

What Is POKÉTOON?

POKÉTOON is a series of self-contained animated short films produced by The Pokémon Company as part of the franchise’s 30th anniversary campaign. Each episode spotlights a different Pokémon or pairing with no continuity between instalments — you can drop in at any episode and follow along immediately. The tone ranges from slapstick to gently heartwarming, and the shorts tend to clock in at under five minutes each.

The series has been running since early 2026, with episodes dropping on the official Pokémon YouTube channel on Tuesday evenings (JST). Last week’s PT21 — starring Wartortle — aired on 12 August. Tonight’s Whimsicott and Mabosstiff episode is next in line.

Official artwork of Mabosstiff, the Mafia Dog Pokémon
Mabosstiff (#943) — © The Pokémon Company / Nintendo

How to Watch from Singapore

PT22 goes live at 21:00 SGT tonight, 19 August (22:00 JST). Head to the official Pokémon YouTube channel — the short will appear there as it premieres. If you miss the live drop, it stays up on the channel indefinitely, so you can catch it any time after it posts. All previous POKÉTOON episodes from 2026 are also archived on the same channel if you want to binge the series.

Check our manga anime section for coverage of the next POKÉTOON short when it drops next Tuesday.

Game News

Rumour: Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald Are Coming to Switch This Autumn

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Hoenn fans, it may be time to warm up the Mach Bike. Reliable leaker Shpeshal Nick is claiming that Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald are headed to Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 this autumn — and there is enough circumstantial evidence sitting behind the rumour to make it worth paying close attention to.

What Shpeshal Nick Claims

Pokémon Ruby gameplay — trainer on bicycle with Latias in Hoenn
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

On 12 August, Nick posted on X that ports of Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald are currently planned for late September or October 2026. He did not specify whether the three games would arrive simultaneously or be staggered, and no pricing or eShop details were given. The Pokémon Company has not commented.

Nick’s track record gives the claim weight. He accurately leaked the Zelda-themed Nintendo Switch 2 console and the 40th Anniversary Pro Controller before either appeared officially — so while his word is not law, the history is hard to dismiss outright.

The Evidence Behind the Rumour

Rayquaza GBA battle sprite from Pokémon Emerald
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

Two pieces of supporting evidence make this rumour feel credible rather than speculative:

Dataminer discovery: Shortly after Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen launched on Switch on Pokémon Day (27 February 2026), dataminers found connectivity strings inside those ports explicitly referencing Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald. The same kind of inter-game linking existed in the original GBA releases, and the presence of that code in the Switch versions suggests Game Freak built in hooks for Hoenn games that were already in the pipeline.

Rayquaza marketing push: The Pokémon Company has been running a high-visibility Rayquaza campaign through mid-2026 — Mega Rayquaza anchored the Pokémon TCG Pocket Ruler of the Skies expansion (July 30) and the TCG Storm Emeralda set (with Mega Rayquaza ex). Rayquaza is the cover legendary of Pokémon Emerald. A coordinated card push without a game announcement would be unusual; a push that dovetails with an eShop port would be textbook Pokémon Company marketing.

The FireRed/LeafGreen Blueprint

Pokémon FireRed on Nintendo Switch — Wild Snorlax battle screenshot
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company / Nintendo

The Gen 3 ports would almost certainly follow the approach Nintendo used for FireRed and LeafGreen in February 2026: faithful recreations of the GBA originals, slightly upscaled for Switch resolution, with no remade visuals or added features beyond eShop convenience. FRLG cost US$19.99 each — equivalent to roughly S$26–27 at current eShop rates for Singapore. Expect similar pricing for Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald if they arrive.

What This Would Mean for Singapore Trainers

If the ports are real, Singapore players should expect:

  • Nintendo eShop download only — as with FRLG, no physical cartridge is likely
  • SGD pricing around S$26–30 per game based on the FRLG precedent
  • Nintendo Switch Online not required to play, though it may unlock connectivity features
  • Pokémon HOME compatibility likely to follow — the October HOME 4.1.0 update already confirmed expanded Gen 1 (FRLG) connectivity; Gen 3 linking would be a natural next step

One important caveat: these would almost certainly be digital-only Switch ports of the original GBA releases — not remakes. If you were hoping for Hoenn reimagined in the Legends style, this isn’t that. What you would get is the authentic 2003–2004 experience on a modern screen, which for many players is exactly what they want.

Neither Nintendo nor The Pokémon Company has confirmed anything. Treat this as a strong, evidence-backed rumour until an official announcement lands. We will update this post if that happens. Keep an eye on our news section for any Pokémon Presents developments.

Event

PokéXciting! Singapore: Jewel Parade, Blue Pikachu and the Full November Event Guide

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The Pokémon RUN 30 at The Kallang already has Singapore trainers excited, but the bigger picture is even wilder. On 7 and 8 November 2026, Singapore becomes the third stop on The Pokémon Company’s PokéXciting! Asia-Pacific tour — a citywide 30th anniversary celebration that fills Jewel Changi Airport’s Forest Valley with all 27 First Partner Pokémon, drops an exclusive blue Pikachu into Pokémon GO, and turns Changi Airport Terminal 3 into a stage-show venue for the weekend. And if you miss the two-day event itself, a Pokémon shopping campaign at Changi and Jewel runs all the way into February 2027.

What Is PokéXciting! — and Why Singapore Is Stop Three

PokéXciting! 30th anniversary official event art featuring Pikachu, Eevee, Charmander, Squirtle and more
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

PokéXciting! is The Pokémon Company’s flagship live-event tour to mark three decades of Pokémon. Five Asia-Pacific cities each host a two-day celebration — and each city gets its own exclusive Pikachu costume, inspired by that region. The full schedule:

  • Kuala Lumpur — 12–13 September 2026 (KLCC Park)
  • Taipei — 10–11 October 2026 (Xinyi District)
  • Singapore — 7–8 November 2026 (Changi Airport & Jewel)
  • Manila — 23–24 January 2027 (SM Mall of Asia surroundings)
  • Bangkok — 13–14 February 2027 (details TBA)

The Philippines and Taipei editions will have already wrapped by the time Singapore’s weekend arrives, so you’ll be able to see what worked, what sold out, and what hype to calibrate against — useful intel given that Manila’s RUN edition sold out before Singapore’s was announced.

At Jewel Changi: The First Partner Parade

The centrepiece of Singapore’s PokéXciting! is a Pokémon Parade at Jewel Changi Airport’s Forest Valley, featuring all 27 First Partner Pokémon across nine generations — every starter from Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle (Kanto) through to Sprigatito, Fuecoco and Quaxly (Paldea). Live events at Jewel also include Meet & Greet sessions with Pokémon characters, themed photo spots, and exclusive merchandise available only at the venue.

The Jewel component of PokéXciting! is free to attend, separate from the ticketed Pokémon RUN at The Kallang — so even if you’re not running, the Jewel experience is open to everyone.

At Changi Airport Terminal 3: Stage Shows

Changi Airport Terminal 3 hosts stage shows across both days of the event. Alongside the live performances, a Pokémon Experience Zone (part of the extended shopping campaign) features Nintendo Switch 2 gameplay demos and Pokémon Trading Card Game trial sessions — a low-barrier way to try the card game if you’ve been curious but never picked up a pack.

The Changi-Jewel Shopping Campaign (3 November 2026 – February 2027)

Singapore-exclusive Pokémon RUN 30 Pikachu plushie in blue Singapore t-shirt, shown from three angles
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

The campaign kicks off on 3 November — four days before the main PokéXciting! weekend — and runs until:

  • Jewel Changi Airport: through 31 January 2027
  • Changi Airport: through 28 February 2027

Shoppers with qualifying receipts from participating outlets at Changi and Jewel can purchase or redeem original Pokémon merchandise with designs exclusive to Singapore. Through the holiday season, Changi’s decorations will carry Pokémon 30th anniversary theming, transitioning from Christmas to Lunar New Year in early 2027. Jewel features a Trading Card Game Quiz Rally with enlarged card displays throughout the mall.

Pokémon GO: Singapore’s In-Game Event (7–8 November)

If you’re a Pokémon GO player, PokéXciting! Singapore runs a fully integrated in-game event alongside the real-world activities. Singapore’s exclusive encounter is the PokéXciting! Pikachu in a blue costume, inspired by Singapore’s local identity — different from every other city’s variant.

GO Stamp Rally: During the event weekend, designated PokéStops around Singapore become stamp locations. Collect five stamps to receive an encounter with the Singapore PokéXciting! Pikachu, which includes a Location Background unique to this event. The Rally remains active for one month after the event starts, so you have time beyond just the weekend — but you must be physically in Singapore to collect stamps.

Timed Research (free): Two complimentary research tasks are available, rewarding encounters with the PokéXciting! Pikachu, a Premium Battle Pass, and event-exclusive stickers.

Wild encounters: Over 24 species appear more frequently, including starter Pokémon wearing party hats. Lure Modules attract evolved forms (Gyarados, Tyranitar, Garchomp), while Incense draws starter Pokémon and specific Unown letters. Five GO Snapshot encounters are available daily, and hourly bonus Team GO Rocket balloons appear throughout the event.

Gigantamax Battles: Gigantamax Venusaur, Gigantamax Charizard, and Gigantamax Blastoise all appear in Raids — a clean sweep of the three Kanto starters in their biggest forms, fitting for a 30th anniversary celebration.

A separate Cross-Region GO Stamp Rally launches across all five cities from 12 September 2026, letting you collect stamps from any PokéXciting! city — so if you travel to KL or Taipei before November, your stamps carry over. Details are on the official Pokémon GO Stamp Rally page.

Manga Anime

POKÉTOON Returns Tonight — Wartortle Stars in New 30th Anniversary Short

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Two brand-new POKÉTOON shorts are arriving on the official Pokémon YouTube channel as part of the ongoing 30th Anniversary celebration — and the first one drops tonight at 9 pm SGT. If you have not yet discovered POKÉTOON, this is a great time to start.

POKÉTOON Wartortle, Mabosstiff and Whimsicott in the two new 30th Anniversary episodes
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

What Is POKÉTOON?

POKÉTOON is an anthology of short animated films produced by The Pokémon Company, each one putting a single Pokémon at the centre of a self-contained story. Episodes run anywhere from a few minutes to roughly fifteen minutes, and each one is drawn in a distinctive visual style — no two look quite the same. Past entries have starred Scraggy & Mimikyu, Gengar, Chansey, and more recently Gardevoir and Altaria. They debut on the official Japanese Pokémon YouTube channel and typically land on the Pokémon South Asia Official channel in English shortly after — so Singapore fans can catch them dubbed as well. It is one of the most charming corners of the Pokémon franchise, and completely free to watch.

Episode 1: Wartortle — Tonight at 9 pm SGT

Wartortle official art
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

The first of the two new episodes is titled Wartortle and the Continuation of Summer (Japanese: カメールと、夏のつづき). Fitting for mid-August, the story follows Wartortle through the waning days of summer — details beyond the title have been kept under wraps, which is part of the fun. It premieres as a YouTube Premiere on Wednesday, 12 August at 10 pm JST / 9 pm SGT / 1 pm UTC. Head to the official Pokémon Kids TV YouTube channel to watch live or catch up on demand.

This is part of a broader wave of anniversary content from The Pokémon Company: POKÉTOON was among several anime strands that have been revived and expanded throughout 2026 to mark the franchise’s 30-year milestone.

Episode 2: Whimsicott vs Mabosstiff — Next Wednesday

Whimsicott official art
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

The second episode, Will Mabosstiff Let the Prankster Whimsicott Off? (Japanese: いたずらエルフーンとさせるかマフィティフ), pairs the mischievous Fairy-type Whimsicott against the no-nonsense Dark-type Mabosstiff for what sounds like a comedic showdown. It premieres one week later on Wednesday, 19 August at 10 pm JST / 9 pm SGT.

Mabosstiff official art
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

Mabosstiff made its main series debut in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, where it was Arven’s beloved partner — so seeing it get its own POKÉTOON spotlight should resonate with anyone who played through that game’s story. Whimsicott, meanwhile, is a fan favourite for its impish personality, making the pairing feel tailor-made for comedy.

How to Watch from Singapore

Both episodes are free to watch on YouTube with no regional restrictions. The Japanese original airs on the Pokémon Kids TV channel; English dubbed versions typically follow on the Pokémon South Asia Official channel — the same channel that carried the Snorunt’s Summer Vacation short. Set a reminder for tonight if you want to catch the Wartortle premiere live.

News

Pokémon Visual Art Books: 1,500 Pages of 30 Years Coming 18 December

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The Pokémon Company and Overlap Inc. have confirmed three simultaneous hardcover art books landing 18 December 2026: the Pocket Monsters Visual Art Book 30th Anniversary Art Book of Pokémon Video Games developed by GAME FREAK. Three volumes, roughly 500 pages each, covering thirty years of mainline game artwork from Red / Green all the way to Pokémon LEGENDS Z-A. That is approximately 1,500 pages of official Pokémon art in a single release — and it includes material that has never been published before.

What’s Inside the Three Volumes

Each volume covers a distinct era of the mainline series:

  • Volume 1 — Red / Green through HeartGold / SoulSilver
  • Volume 2 — Black / White through Ultra Sun / Ultra Moon
  • Volume 3 — Let’s Go, Pikachu! / Let’s Go, Eevee! through Pokémon LEGENDS Z-A
Pokémon Visual Art Book volumes 1, 2 and 3
The three volumes of the Pokémon Visual Art Book 30th Anniversary series. Credit: The Pokémon Company / Overlap

The content goes well beyond a standard art collection. Alongside pixel art, 3DCG renders, promotional illustrations, and in-game setting artwork, each volume contains unreleased design documents from GAME FREAK’s archives — developmental material that has not appeared in any previous official publication. Each volume closes with a creator interview from inside GAME FREAK, making this as much a historical record of how the games were made as it is a gallery of the finished art.

Format: B5, full colour throughout. Supervised by Shusuke Motomiya of Overlap. Price: ¥5,500 per volume (tax included), sold individually — no bundle pricing is available. The announcement came from the official Overlap website and was simultaneously covered by 4Gamer, Dengeki Online, and Game Watch.

This Is Not the National Pokédex Book

If this sounds familiar, it is worth being precise: Overlap published a different Pokémon anniversary title earlier this month — the National Pokédex 1996–2026. That is a separate product. The visual art books announced today are a distinct set with a different scope, different content focus (game development artwork rather than Pokédex entries), and a December release date. Two big Pokémon books from Overlap this year, two different things.

Pokémon Visual Art Book 30th Anniversary announcement banner
Official announcement banner for the Pokémon Visual Art Book 30th Anniversary series. Credit: The Pokémon Company / Overlap

Singapore: Import Route Is the Play

No English-language edition has been announced, and the 18 December release is Japan-only. For Singapore fans, the most reliable options are the usual suspects: Kinokuniya Singapore’s special-order counter handles Japanese artbooks well, and staff can place orders for titles not stocked on the floor. Direct-ship alternatives include CDJapan, Yesasia, and Rakuten Books if you prefer managing it yourself.

At ¥5,500 per volume — roughly S$55–60 at current exchange — each book is priced in line with other premium Japanese artbooks. Factor in shipping and you’re looking at somewhere in the S$70–80 range per volume imported, or around S$220–240 for the full set. Kinokuniya’s pricing would likely be similar to slightly higher after their import margin, but without the shipping uncertainty.

Given the scale of the Pokémon 30th anniversary licensing push globally, an English-language edition or regional printing would not be surprising — but nothing has been announced. We’ll update this post if that changes.

Event

Pokémon RUN 30 Singapore: Everything You Need to Know

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A 4km Pokémon adventure run through a gym obstacle course, Pikachu meet-and-greets, a free festival zone open to the public, and a runner’s kit loaded with exclusive merch including a TCG 30th Celebration Booster Pack — Pokémon RUN 30 Singapore Edition is landing at Stadium Roar, The Kallang, on 7 and 8 November 2026, and registration is open right now.

What Is Pokémon RUN 30?

To mark the franchise’s 30th anniversary, The Pokémon Company is taking a themed interactive fun run across eight cities in Asia — Singapore, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Hong Kong — between October 2026 and January 2027. Every stop follows the same format: you step into the role of a Pokémon trainer, pick a starter type, and work your way through an interactive 4km course packed with franchise touchpoints. The Philippines edition has already sold out, so don’t assume Singapore will be different.

Participants crossing the start arch at a Pokémon RUN event
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

How the 4km Run Works

Before the race, each participant chooses a starter type — Grass, Fire, or Water — which determines the colour of their race bib and the lenticular card they receive. The route features a Pokémon Gym with obstacle challenges and Pokémon Center hydration stations along the way. Carry the Pokédex Run Search Sheet and collect stickers at each stop to earn Gym Badges and lenticular cards featuring the Kanto starters.

Race slots run from 7am to 11:30am on both days in staggered 30-minute intervals. Both days share the same format.

What’s in the Runner’s Kit

Pokémon RUN 30 Runner's Kit flat lay showing jersey, bag, bib, lenticular cards and Pikachu medal
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

Every registered runner receives an exclusive kit on race day:

  • Limited-edition Dry-Fit race jersey
  • Pokémon-themed drawstring bag
  • Type-themed race bib (Grass / Fire / Water)
  • Pokédex Run Search Sheet and Gym Badge lenticular cards featuring the Kanto starters
  • Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Booster Pack
  • Pikachu-design finisher medal
Pokémon RUN 30 promotional graphic: TCG 30th Celebration Booster Pack and special edition Pikachu plushie add-on
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

For S$22 more, add a special edition Pikachu shoulder plushie at checkout — limited to three per participant.

The Free Festival Zone — No Ticket Required

Families celebrating at the finish of a Pokémon RUN event
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

Non-runners are welcome too. The Pokémon Festival Zone is free and open to the public from 8am to 2pm on both days — no registration needed, just show up at The Kallang. What’s inside:

  • Pokémon Center pop-up store — exclusive merchandise on sale
  • Pokémon Time Tunnel — a walk-through celebrating 30 years of Pokémon across the main series games, TCG, and anime
  • Character photo spots and themed installations
  • Pikachu meet-and-greet parade
  • Nintendo Switch 2 game demo stations
  • Pokémon GO and Pokémon TCG activity zones

Families with younger fans can head straight to the Festival Zone for a full morning of Pokémon content without needing to register for the run.

Pokémon GO Bonuses on Event Day

Pokémon GO trainers get in-game perks while at The Kallang: doubled Incense duration, enhanced XP for PokéStop spins, reduced Egg hatching distances, and two free Timed Research tasks yielding Pokémon encounters — including Pikachu — plus Stardust and Poké Balls. Keep the app running as you explore the festival grounds.

Tickets and How to Register

Early bird slots (S$118) are sold out. Current pricing:

  • Normal Entry: S$138
  • Late Entry: S$158

Register at Race Roster. Choose your preferred day (7 or 8 November), your starter type, and whether to add the plushie. Given how quickly the Philippines edition filled up, waiting for a better price isn’t a great strategy.

Singapore sits mid-tour among the Asia-Pacific stops, followed by Malaysia (21–22 November), Indonesia (12–13 December), Thailand (9–10 January 2027), and Hong Kong (23–24 January 2027). For more events Singapore gamers and pop-culture fans won’t want to miss, check our events archive.

News, Shop and Merchandise

Pokémon’s 30-Year Pokédex Is Out Now in Japan — All 1,025 Species, One Book

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Thirty years, nine console generations, and 1,025 Pokémon later, publisher Overlap has done what fans dreamed about since the days of Red and Green: put every single species in one official book. The Pokémon Official National Pokédex 1996-2026 (ポケモン公式ぜんこく図鑑 1996-2026) went on sale in Japan on 7 August 2026, and if you collect anything Pokémon-related, this one belongs on the shelf.

Pokémon 30th Anniversary Special Movie — via Pokémon Asia ENG on YouTube

What the Pokémon National Pokédex 1996-2026 Contains

This is not a strategy guide. Supervised by The Pokémon Company and produced in cooperation with Game Freak, the 448-page full-colour B5 volume covers all 1,025 species with data current as of March 2026 — meaning it includes the Pokémon introduced in LEGENDS: Z-A. Each entry lists type, classification, height, weight, abilities, hidden abilities, and Pokédex descriptions drawn from the latest games. Every species name appears in both English and Japanese, which makes the book genuinely usable even if you don’t read Japanese.

Evolution chains flow naturally across each spread, and explanatory columns walk readers through mechanics that can trip up casual players — Mega Evolution, Dynamax, Terastallization, and Regional Forms all get their own breakdowns. Navigation is handled by a National Pokédex number index and a 50-syllable (gojuon) alphabetical index. Price: ¥2,750 (tax included). Publisher: Overlap Inc.. ISBN: 978-4-8240-1717-8.

Sample spread showing Pichu, Pikachu and Raichu evolution chain including Alolan Raichu and Mega forms from the Pokémon Official National Pokédex 1996-2026
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company / Overlap

Three 30th Anniversary Art Books Land in December

Alongside the Pokédex, Overlap has announced three companion art books, all due 18 December 2026 at ¥5,500 each. They split 30 years of franchise history into three eras:

  • Volume 1: Red/Green through HeartGold/SoulSilver (Generations I–IV)
  • Volume 2: Black/White through Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon (Generations V–VII)
  • Volume 3: Let’s Go through LEGENDS: Z-A Mega Dimension (Generation VIII onwards)

Combined, the three volumes total 1,500 pages of sprites, 3D models, illustrations, and promotional artwork spanning the full run of the franchise. No international release has been announced for any of the four books — so Japan is currently the only source.

Index grid pages showing hundreds of Pokémon thumbnails from No. 739 to No. 954 in the Pokémon Official National Pokédex 1996-2026
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company / Overlap

How Singapore Fans Can Get a Copy

The Pokémon Official National Pokédex is available now at Pokémon Center Online Japan and major Japanese booksellers. Amazon Japan ships internationally, and specialist import retailers stock it as well — factor in shipping when comparing prices, since the base ¥2,750 (roughly S$26–28 at current rates) goes up once postage is added. No Singapore retail or local distributor has been confirmed, so import is the route for now.

The good news for non-Japanese readers: with English species names throughout, the Pokédex is a practical reference rather than just a display piece, even if you skip the Japanese descriptions. If you’ve ever wanted a single book that answers “which generation introduced that Pokémon?” or “what’s the English name for that form?”, this is it.

Sample spread featuring Kyogre and Groudon including their Primal Reversion forms from the Pokémon Official National Pokédex 1996-2026
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company / Overlap

The December art books are available for pre-order through importers. With the Pokédex and all three art volumes together, Singapore collectors would have a complete visual archive of 30 years of Pokémon — the kind of set that does not come around twice. Keep an eye on our merchandise coverage for updates if an English edition or regional distributor is ever announced.