A player known as Mr. Nomutora built a word processor inside Poko a Pokemon, using switches marked with the Pokemon Unown as alphabet keys. The device displays input text on a screen with a cursor, and includes Shift, newline, full character erase, and Caps Lock. It measures roughly 50 blocks tall, 100 wide, and 100 deep. In a video, it inputs the characters "Venom Drench."
Pal Group Holdings' lifestyle brand 3COINS will begin selling Pokemon merchandise on October 10. The 62 items mark the 30th anniversary of Pokemon Red and Green. Three design types cover kitchen goods, stationery, bags, and towels, including a bag printed with all 151 Pokemon from the original Game Boy games. Prices run from 330 yen for a stock bag set or memo to 1,650 yen for a bath towel. Sales run at 3COINS, 3COINS+plus, 3COINS OOOPS!, and 3COINS station stores nationwide, plus the PAL CLOSET online store. On the first day, entry to the Pokemon sales area will be restricted by advance lottery. Physical stores limit purchases to one item per product per color per transaction; PAL CLOSET allows up to three.
Trading Card Pro is accepting lottery applications for the Pokemon Card Game MEGA "30th CELEBRATION FUTURISTIC BOX," a 30th anniversary set listed at 27,500 yen. Applications close at 23:59 on October 4, 2026, with winners announced October 10. The set releases September 16 and is sold on Pokemon Center Online. Purchases are limited to one per person at list price plus shipping.
Torekapro's Card Lottery Compilation Toregeto tallied self-reported results from 1,293 people across two Pokemon Center Online lotteries for the "30th CELEBRATION" BOX. The verified-identity slot drew win rates of 60.6% and 81.4%; the unverified slot drew 23.9% and 25.5%, widening the gap from 2.5x to 3.2x. The third lottery round runs September 11 at 16:00 to September 16 at 16:59, with results on September 30.
Nintendo detailed the second part of the paid Expansion Pass DLC for Pokemon Pokopia during Wednesday's Nintendo Direct. Part 2 adds accessories including sunglasses, a Sylveon ribbon, and a bow tie, along with Doduo, Skitty, Braixen, and more Pokemon. It releases later this year. Part 1 added the underwater Bubbly Basin town on August 5, and part 3 adds another town in 2027.
Pokémon GO and Mitsui Shopping Park announced the Encounter Legendary Pokémon: Legend Research event in Tokyo's Nihonbashi and Yaesu districts, running September 9 to November 29. The event places 19 life-sized legendary Pokémon statues at Nihonbashi Mitsui Tower, COREDO Muromachi 1, 2, and 3, COREDO Muromachi Terrace, and Tokyo Midtown Yaesu, with over 100 Pokémon appearing in the game within the area. A puzzle-solving mystery challenge requires registration, a 3,300 yen kit, and a device with web access.
Google announced a limited edition Fitbit Air modeled after the Pokémon Sleep app. The band sells for 19,800 yen at the Google Store, launches September 15, and store reservations open August 28. The Sleepy Blue band carries a silk-print label of a sleeping Pikachu. Buyers receive a Pikachu incense item for use inside Pokémon Sleep. The device tracks heart rate, oxygen saturation, and sleep.
Pokemon announced a new Halloween-themed merchandise line, Pokemon Magic Hour Illusion!, on September 4, 2026. The goods go on sale September 12 at Pokemon Centers nationwide and two days earlier, September 10 at 10:00, on Pokemon Center Online. Prices start at 385 yen. The main art shows Pikachu and Alcremie at a candy party in a candy forest transformed by Zoroark's illusion. The lineup mixes kitchen and tableware for Halloween parties with apparel and accessories. A pumpkin-shaped mug and plate set features Pawmi, a spoon and fork set is designed with Sinistea and Polteageist, and a cake stand uses the main art. Plushies cover Pikachu (3,960 yen), Zoroark (5,500 yen), Pawmi (3,960 yen), and Polteageist in its phony form (3,520 yen). Apparel includes a collared corduroy blouse and a hooded reversible neck warmer, both with Zorua and Zoroark, plus piercings, earrings, and a Crobat ring. Sweets-themed items include gradient candy, silicone candy molds, and a pancake-style pouch with Alolan Raichu.
Spotify and Pokemon Sleep launched a global collaboration on September 4, 2026, adding the game's music to Spotify as part of the Pokemon 30th anniversary. The playlist centers on in-game tracks released since October 2024, including New Moon Day event BGM featuring Mew and Darkrai and an arrangement of "Mysterious Girl, Again (Labyrinth)" from the Latios and Latias film. Playing tracks shows Canvas loops of sleeping Pokemon. Outdoor ads run in New York and Shibuya from September 7, with a sticker giveaway at Pokemon Centers and a MIYASHITA PARK display.
Travel brand gowell released a Pokemon-designed line of travel goods on September 4, 2026. The collection includes a 3WAY neck pillow that transforms into a Monster Ball or Ditto, a Pikachu suitcase cover, a portable cushion featuring four Pokemon, and packable caps and sacoches. Items are available at gowell select, Pokemon Center, Don Quijote, and shops inside major domestic airports.
Viz Media will release a 16-disc limited edition Blu-ray collection of all 24 Pokémon movies on November 24, priced at US$399.99. The set includes a Pokéball-shaped container and a mini art booklet. Pre-orders are open in the United States, and Amazon lists the release with Japanese language.
The Pokémon Horizons anime and the Pokémon GO mobile game are collaborating on both a television episode and an in-game event. Episode 150, titled "Hirogaru Sekai, Kimi to GO!" (The Expanding World, With You and GO!), airs in Japan on September 18. The episode features Professor Willow from Pokémon GO, and Liko and her companions head out on fieldwork alongside him. As the investigation progresses, the episode reveals how Friede first met Charizard. PokéStops appear in the episode. A promotional video previewing the collaboration was released on September 2. The in-game event, named "Pokémon Horizons: The Series Celebration Event," runs worldwide from September 16 to 22. Charmander wearing Friede's goggles makes its Pokémon GO debut during the event, appearing in the wild, through Field Research, with regular Lure Modules, and through the event GO Pass. Players can evolve it into Charmeleon and then Charizard while keeping the goggles. Shiny versions and Special Backgrounds are available. Pikachu wearing Cap's hat returns as a wild encounter and in one-star raids. Three-star raids feature Charizard wearing Friede's goggles, Meowscarada, Skeledirge, and Quaquaval. The wild lineup varies by time of day. A promotional code announced during the September 18 broadcast guarantees an encounter with Charmander wearing Friede's goggles with a Special Background.
The Pokémon Company announced on August 18 a partnership with Polaroid for a line of Pokémon instant cameras marking the franchise's 30th anniversary. Three cameras are planned: the Polaroid Go Instant Camera Generation 3 in Pikachu and Sylveon Editions, plus a Poké Ball-colored Polaroid Now Instant Camera Generation 3 Pokémon Edition. Each camera ships with themed film, and Poké Ball-inspired accessories include a strap, camera carry case, and photo album.
Pokémon Sleep and the villa-sharing service NOT A HOTEL announced a collaboration on September 1, 2026 that turns the game's sleep premise into a physical stay. The campaign, called 'Stayable Poké Ball,' will place a Poké Ball-themed hotel named Poké Ball-Themed Hotel somewhere in Hokkaido. Only winners of a lottery campaign can book the stay; the hotel will not be open to the general public during the campaign period. Application methods and full details, including the interior, are scheduled for release on September 15, 2026. The announcement video shows a bed-equipped house shaped like a Poké Ball set in a forest, with a rear door and a large window. The collaboration is one of several 'Pokémon × sleep' initiatives unveiled at the Pokémon 30th anniversary sleep announcement event held in Tokyo the same day. Pokémon Sleep, released in July 2023 for iOS and Android, surpassed 30 million cumulative downloads worldwide as of April 26, 2026. NOT A HOTEL, founded in 2020, sells shared ownership of villas designed by architects and creators.
The Pokémon Company announced on August 31 a new anime film titled Pokémon: Wild Card, scheduled to open in 2027. The announcement came during the closing ceremony of the 2026 Pokémon World Championships in San Francisco. CloverWorks is handling animation production, with Katsuhiko Kitada directing. Akemi Hayashi is designing the characters, and Story Inc. is producing the film. The story follows a Pokémon Trading Card Game player and his partner Mimikyu, as the player strives to become a champion. The film is the 24th anime film in the franchise and the first since Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle, which opened in Japan in December 2020. The teaser trailer shows the protagonist wearing a yellow hoodie reminiscent of Mimikyu, with the Pokémon appearing alongside. The Pokémon Company describes the film as capturing the competitive spirit of Pokémon Trainers worldwide. The release is described as beginning in 2027, with no specific date or distribution details announced yet.
Japanese esports organization ZETA DIVISION won the Pokemon UNITE division at the Pokemon World Championships 2026, held August 28-30 in San Francisco, USA. The team defeated European representative KOMAI (KomaiEsports) 3-1 in the grand final, claiming the world title and a prize of about 16 million yen (100,000 dollars). The victory followed a runner-up finish at WCS2025, after which three of five players left the team due to health issues or retirement. The rebuilt roster, featuring holdovers Vitoppo and Rom plus new players Mizutama, Nomu, and ResTA, struggled to build synergy domestically and entered the world championship as Japan's fifth-place qualifier. In the group stage, ZETA DIVISION topped a difficult Group E that included Korean representatives T1 and 7VEN, winning 2-1 against T1 and 2-0 against 7VEN. In the knockout stage, they defeated domestic champion FENNEL 2-1, North American representative Evil Geniuses 2-1, and came from two games down to beat IGZIST 3-2 in the semifinals. Captain Vitoppo credited passion and mentality for the win.
During the Pokémon World Championships 2026 stream on August 31, it was announced that Mega Evolved Pokémon with the name Z will appear in Pokémon Champions. The official Pokémon Information Bureau X account revealed the abilities of Mega Absol Z, Mega Lucario Z, and Mega Garchomp Z, including a new ability introduced in this game.
Re-Ment will release the Pokemon Kaichu Collection on August 31. The line features six diorama figures of Pokemon housed in pocket watch-style cases: Celebi, Espeon, Milotic, Charcadet, Piplup, and Mimikyu. Each scene is detailed, such as Celebi dozing in a forest and Piplup gazing into the distance. The price is 1,595 yen (tax included).
Walt Disney Japan announced on August 28, 2026, that the new stop-motion anime series "Pokemon Tales: Sirfetch'd and Pichu's Adventure" will stream on Disney+ starting in 2027. The announcement was made at the Pokemon XP event held in San Francisco, which ran alongside the Pokemon World Championships 2026. The series is produced by Aardman, the UK studio known for "Wallace & Gromit" and "Shaun the Sheep." The collaboration between Pokemon and Aardman was first revealed in December 2024, with the title and protagonists announced during a Pokemon Presents stream in July 2025. The story is set in the Galar region from "Pokemon Sword and Shield," where Sirfetch'd and Pichu embark on an adventure to protect the Pokemon living there. Aardman describes the series as depicting the world from the Pokemon's perspective, incorporating the studio's characteristic character expression, comedy, and handmade charm. Disney+ also announced a global distribution agreement with The Pokemon Company International. New footage released alongside the announcement shows Sirfetch'd and Pichu arriving at a vast plain, with a sign reading "2027."
The Pokémon franchise has announced a stop-motion animated series produced by Aardman, the studio behind Wallace & Gromit and Shaun the Sheep. Titled Pokémon Tales: The Misadventures of Sirfetch'd and Pichu, the series will premiere in 2027, streaming on Disney+ and airing on Disney XD. The announcement came during the PokémonXP event on August 28, 2026, alongside a teaser trailer and a first visual. The story takes place in the Galar region from the Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield games, following Sirfetch'd and Pichu as they travel to help Pokémon in need. The series is told entirely from the Pokémon's perspective, with no human characters. Aardman's core creative team includes director Tom Parkinson, creative director Natalie McKay, and creative lead James Young. The series is part of a global distribution deal between Disney+ and The Pokémon Company International that also includes Pokémon the Series: The Beginning, the original Indigo League season, which began streaming on Disney+ on August 7 with the first 27 episodes.
Sensor Tower released market data for Pokemon GO as the game marked its 10th anniversary in July 2026. Cumulative global downloads exceeded 800 million from July 2016 to July 2026, with revenue over $9 billion. The U.S. ranks first in both downloads and revenue, while Japan ranks sixth in downloads but second in revenue. Japan's revenue per download is high, and the game leads location-based games in monthly active users worldwide and in Japan.
Crocs will release the "Crocs Pokemon 30th Anniversary Collection" starting August 28 at the official Crocs online store, Crocs direct stores nationwide, and select retailers. The first wave centers on the Monster Ball motif, including the Pokemon Monster Ball Classic Clog in adult (11,550 yen), kids (8,800 yen), and toddler (7,250 yen) sizes. The clog features red and white contrast on the upper, a black center line, enamel Jibbitz charms of Pikachu, Eevee, and Psyduck, and a Monster Ball-shaped rivet on the back strap. Two 5-piece Jibbitz charm sets, the Pokemon II 5 Pack and Pokemon III 5 Pack, each priced at 2,420 yen, feature Pokemon from various regions. A second wave introduces three clogs inspired by Pikachu (13,200 yen), Gengar (13,200 yen), and Jigglypuff (13,750 yen), each with three-dimensional face molds and themed soles. The Pikachu clog uses a vivid yellow with a lightning graphic, the Gengar clog a deep purple with mist-like sole graphics, and the Jigglypuff clog a pink base with a 41mm platform sole embossed with musical notes. The collection marks Pokemon's 30th anniversary and lets fans customize their footwear.
Google has announced a limited edition collaboration model of its Fitbit Air wearable, themed around the smartphone sleep app Pokemon Sleep. The Google Fitbit Air Limited Edition Pokemon Sleep will be released on September 15, with pre-orders opening August 28 at the Google Store and official online store in Japan. The price is 19,800 yen including tax. The device, which has no display and weighs 12 grams with the band, features a blue band named Sleepy Blue and a silk print label of a sleeping Pikachu on the strap. The hardware is essentially the same as the regular Fitbit Air, but the design is customized for the collaboration. The Fitbit Air records sleep data, including naps, and syncs with the Pokemon Sleep app. In the app, sleep activity leads to rewards, and Pokemon with traits similar to the user's sleep type gather. The Sleep Score from Google Health is used to calculate Drowsy Power, which increases the chance of encountering rare sleeping faces. The device also tracks heart rate, heart rate variability, respiratory rate, steps, distance, and calories. It has a battery life of up to 7 days, a full charge time of about 90 minutes, and is water-resistant to 50 meters.
James Turner, the UK-born designer known for creating Pokemon such as Vanilluxe, Golurk, Trevenant, and Pheromosa, announced on August 25 that he has joined The Pokemon Company International as creative director for Pokemon art and design. Turner began his career at Genius Sonority, where he worked on Pokemon Colosseum and Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness, and later joined Game Freak, becoming the first Westerner to design Pokemon starting with Pokemon Black and White. He also served as art director for Pokemon Sword and Shield. Turner left Game Freak in 2022 and founded his independent studio, All Possible Futures, which released the action game The Plucky Squire in 2024 with Devolver Digital. The game received a "Very Positive" rating on Steam based on 2,700 reviews. Despite leaving Game Freak, Turner continued working with the franchise on projects like the Pikachu ex SAR for the Pokemon Trading Card Game's "MEGA Dream ex," Pokemon pet goods, and stop-motion animation art. He now returns to the franchise in a full-time role, working alongside other former Game Freak staff at The Pokemon Company, including Junichi Masuda.
The Pokemon Card Game is marking its 30th anniversary with the "30th CELEBRATION" expansion pack, and multiple retailers are running lottery sales. Suruga-ya's online store is accepting applications from August 20 at 20:00 until September 6. Entrants must follow the official X account @surugaya_toreka and repost the target post, then enter their X account ID on the lottery page. Winners are announced September 7, with payment due September 7 to September 11. Amazon is also running a lottery via an invitation request system, where the purchase button becomes "Request Invitation." Amazon offers 1 BOX, which contains 20 packs of 6 cards each, at 7,216 yen. The set includes "Mew ex" and "Mewtwo ex" with the new "FUR" rarity, plus 30 shiny Pikachu cards by 30 different illustrators. Pokemon Center Online has added the "30th CELEBRATION FUTURISTIC BOX" to its additional lottery plans, alongside the previously listed "30th CELEBRATION" and the "Premium Deck Set Espeon & Umbreon." The FUTURISTIC BOX includes two Pikachu ex Premium Holo cards with the FUR rarity, a Pokemon Coin, deck shields, a flip deck case, and a rubber play mat.
T-SPARK has previewed TOYRISE items to be announced at Tokyo Toy Show 2026, held from August 27 to August 30 at Tokyo Big Sight. The previews cover four franchises: Mashin Hero Wataru, Mado King Granzort, Absolute无敌 Raijin-Oh, and Shinkansen Henkei Robo Shinkalion. A Shinkalion with design concept by Shoji Kawamori was teased via silhouette on August 25 and appears as a gray prototype at the show. The T-SPARK official X account revealed image visuals for all four lines on August 26, with Wataru and Granzort shown together at the T-SPARK booth. The event's business days, August 27 and 28, are for trade visitors only; the general public can attend on August 29 and 30 with advance tickets at 2,000 yen or same-day tickets at 2,200 yen. Dengeki Hobby Web's breaking reports from the Takara Tomy booth confirmed the Kawamori Shinkalion prototype, plus items from Raijin-Oh, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Wataru, and Granzort. Other Takara Tomy displays included a Captain Tsubasa: Tatakae Dream Team and ZOIDS collaboration, SYNEGENEX Evangelion Prime Unit-02, and Transformers-related items such as Adamas Machina Magna Regulus.
Dengeki Hobby Web's TOKYO Toy Show 2026 breaking reports covered a wide range of first-time displays and new items across multiple manufacturer booths. Studio Sota showed its official mascot character "Bani Pockle" collection figure (tentative) for the first time, alongside a miniature tooth model, "Ketsurikuko -Arachne- Rebirth," and more. Toho's Godzilla booth featured new items centered on 'Godzilla -0.0', including five new DESKTOP MONSTER series figures and SPLASH MONSTER items. MegaHouse displayed Godzilla Petit Rama DX and One Piece Petit Rama figures, plus "Tobimasu" from Dragon Ball and Jujutsu Kaisen. Hot Toys unveiled its original brand Lab C's new "UFO" and "Bubble B" items, along with a voice-functioning Stitch puppet. HAPPINET showed an RC Godzilla with moving parts and smoke-blowing gimmick, a JGSDF Type 10 tank, and "Gulliver Adventure." Kawada featured nanoblock sets for Pokemon, Moomin, Tamagotchi, and Evangelion. SOOTANG HOBBY displayed Wuthering Waves figures for Japan and keycaps with Sanrio and Harry Potter designs. Re-Ment showed miniature figures collaborating with Pokemon, Sanrio, Animal Crossing, and Kura Sushi.
Amazon is holding a lottery sale for the 'Pokemon Card Game' 30th anniversary product '30th CELEBRATION Premium Deck Set Espeon & Umbreon'. The sale uses an invitation request system, with the purchase button changed to 'Request Invitation'. The set includes one 'Espeon ex' deck and one 'Umbreon ex' deck, plus full illustration cards of both Pokémon. The Amazon price is 6,201 yen including tax.
REJECT announced a partnership with KyoPoke ch., a Pokemon-focused commentary trio of Bambi, Kuroko, and Iroha. The agreement covers co-hosted events, collaborative goods, and support for official tournament participation. The members are not becoming professional gamers. Commemorative apparel is on sale now.
Krispy Kreme announced a line of Pokémon-inspired doughnuts to celebrate the franchise's 30th anniversary. The collection includes six doughnuts based on Pikachu, Jigglypuff, Charmander, Bulbasaur, Squirtle, and the iconic Poké Ball. Each doughnut has a distinct flavor profile: Pikachu is lemon-filled with vanilla icing and yellow nonpareils, Jigglypuff features strawberry buttercream and cookie crumbles, Charmander is caramel-iced with chocolate toasted marshmallow filling, Bulbasaur is vanilla-iced with frosting leaves, Squirtle is cotton-candy-filled with white nonpareils, and the Poké Ball combines vanilla and chocolate icing with red sprinkles. The collection also includes five acrylic cups filled with 10 Original Glazed Gold Dots, featuring the same Pokémon characters. The doughnuts and cups went on sale at participating Krispy Kreme locations in the United States and Canada on August 18, and the Pokémon Specialty Collection is available until September 13. Customers can preorder items online, and retailers including Kroger, Publix, Stater Brothers, and Walmart will sell Speciality 6-Count sets containing one Pikachu, one Jigglypuff, one Charmander, one Poké Ball doughnut, and two Original Glazed.
Polaroid and Pokemon announced their first collaboration on August 19, a special design series commemorating Pokemon's 30th anniversary. The collection includes nine items, featuring three instant camera models inspired by Pikachu, Sylveon, and the Poké Ball, along with limited-edition film, camera straps, cases, and a photo album. The Pikachu and Sylveon cameras are based on the compact Polaroid Go Generation 3 and priced at 19,800 yen each, while the Poké Ball model uses the Polaroid Now Generation 3 and costs 27,800 yen. The film includes a Pikachu and Sylveon double pack at 4,480 yen for 16 sheets, and a Polaroid Color i-Type Film Pokemon Edition at 4,280 yen, which randomly includes 8 sheets from 18 Pokemon designs such as Charmander, Togepi, Jigglypuff, and Snorlax. Accessories include a Poké Ball-patterned strap, a round camera case, and a photo album, each priced between 2,280 and 4,680 yen. Pre-orders begin August 26 at noon on the Polaroid Japan official shop, BicCamera.com, and Yodobashi.com, with general release on October 6 at retailers including Amazon, Edion, and Don Quijote. Polaroid describes this as its largest-scale collaboration ever.
Sensor Tower data shows Japan generated about 50% of revenue for the mobile version of Pokémon Champions in its first month, making it the largest market. South Korea followed with 10% and Taiwan with 4%. Japan also led in downloads, tied with the US at 14% each, and held the top ranking for 26 days.
The Pokemon Company has revealed the Pikachu cards included in the Pokemon Card Game expansion pack 30th CELEBRATION, which commemorates the trading card game's 30th anniversary. The reveal includes two new Pikachu ex cards, each with illustrations themed around morning and night and different effects. Both cards also have SAR versions, and their artwork shows various Pokemon marching with Pikachu at the lead. The pack contains 30 holographic Pikachu cards drawn by 30 different illustrators for the anniversary, and 19 of those illustrations have been shown so far. Every pack will always contain one Pikachu card. The 30th CELEBRATION expansion pack is scheduled for release on September 16, 2026, priced at 360 yen including tax, with 6 holographic cards per pack. The pack also includes the new FUR rarity cards Mew ex and Mewtwo ex, according to a separate report on the Yamada Denki lottery sale.
RTA in Japan announced on August 15 that its offline speedrunning event, RTA in Japan Winter 2026, will run from December 25 to 31 at Bellesalle Iidabashi First in Tokyo's Bunkyo Ward. The event will be primarily offline with some online components. Game applications open August 22, with selected titles announced October 18.
Game Freak's official YouTube channel released the second part of a development story video for Poko A Pokemon on August 7. Concept and senior director Shigeru Ohmori discusses the game's world and special Pokemon, including an early prototype trailer that helped establish the visual direction.
Nintendo and The Pokémon Company announced that Pokémon Pokopia has sold over 5 million units worldwide in about four months. The cozy life simulation crafting game launched for Nintendo Switch 2 on March 5. Koei Tecmo developed the game. Part 1 of the Expansion Pass DLC added the underwater Bubbly Basin town on August 5.
The Pokemon official YouTube channel released the new POKETOON short Kameil to, Natsu no Tsuzuki on August 12. The story follows a boy named Rikuto who visits his grandmother on an island and meets a long-lived Kameil whose tail color differs and whose shell has moss. The animation was produced by Studio Colorido and Studio Churutto, with Seigo Yamashita directing.
Niantic and The Pokemon Company will run a 10th anniversary celebration in Pokemon GO from August 13 to September 6. A free Time Challenge will let players encounter a Mewtwo with Max IV and a Special Background. Catching it unlocks Mega Mewtwo Y's third stage, Mega Level.
Pokémon announced on August 12 that Pokémon Sleep will host an Anipoke Collab Week from August 17 at 4:00 to August 24 at 3:59 across all fields. The event adds Tinkatink, Tinkatuff, and Tinkaton, plus a captain-hat-wearing Pikachu (Captain). During the event, one Pokémon is guaranteed to enter a chance state during snack time.
The Pokémon Company announced on August 13 that the Pokémon Bank app for Nintendo 3DS will end service on February 26, 2027, at noon Japan time. The transfer function from Pokémon Bank to Pokémon HOME will also close at that time. Players who want to keep Pokémon stored in Pokémon Bank must move them to Pokémon HOME before the shutdown. After the service ends, Pokémon from generations 3 through 7, including titles like Pokémon Ruby/Sapphire and Pokémon Sun/Moon, will no longer be transferable to Pokémon HOME or Nintendo Switch games. The company also revealed that the Nintendo Switch versions of Pokémon FireRed Version and Pokémon LeafGreen Version will gain Pokémon HOME compatibility in October, allowing transfers from those games to the storage service, though Pokémon cannot be sent back. Players who complete the Pokédex in either game will receive the mythical Pokémon Celebi upon linking to Pokémon HOME. The paid Premium Plan will be updated to allow depositing up to 9,000 Pokémon, up from the previous cap of 6,000, with no change in subscription price. Pokémon Bank launched in Japan in December 2013 and in North America and Europe in February 2014.
The Pokemon Company announced on August 13 that the Nintendo Switch versions of Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen will begin linking with Pokemon HOME in October 2026. The connectivity will let players send Pokemon caught in the Game Boy Advance remakes to Pokemon HOME and then bring them into other Pokemon series titles. The company also confirmed that completing the in-game Pokedex for FireRed and LeafGreen within the smartphone version of Pokemon HOME will reward players with a Celebi whose original trainer name is Mitsurin. Celebi is a Mythical Pokemon that cannot be encountered through normal play in FireRed and LeafGreen. The announcement came with several restrictions. Pokemon sent from FireRed and LeafGreen to Pokemon HOME cannot be returned to the Switch versions. Pokemon caught in other software cannot be sent into FireRed and LeafGreen. Boxes containing Pokemon holding items, Pokemon that know Hidden Machines, or Eggs cannot be transferred. Special Pokemon that players can normally obtain only once per playthrough are limited to one transfer per save file. Pokemon obtained through unintended methods or illegal modifications, as well as Pokemon with other issues, cannot be sent to Pokemon HOME.
The Pokémon Company released a new POKÉTOON short titled "Kameil to Natsu no Tsuzuku" (Wartortle and the Ongoing Summer) on its official YouTube channel on August 12. Shingo Yamashita, known for his opening direction on JUJUTSU KAISEN Season 1 and Chainsaw Man Season 1, directed the short at Studio Chromato and Studio Colorido. The story follows a boy named Rikuto who visits his grandmother on an island at the end of summer and meets a Wartortle with a differently colored tail and a moss-covered shell. The Wartortle turns out to have been friends with Rikuto's father 30 years earlier. Aya Satsuki wrote the script, Riiki Miura designed the characters and served as chief animation director, and Kyosuke Kagawa composed the music. The cast includes Sayaka Senbongi as Rikuto, Kana Hanazawa as Wartortle, Tasuku Hatanaka as Gaku, Akiko Hiramatsu as Shuri, Natsumi Haruse as Leafeon, and Michiyo Murase as Bellsprout. Yamashita previously directed Pokémon: Twilight Wings in 2020 and the 2021 POKÉTOON episode "Yume no Tsubomi," both animated by Studio Colorido.
DeNA and The Pokemon Company announced that Seika and Gai from Pokemon Legends Z-A will join Pokemon Masters EX as new sync pairs starting August 14. Seika pairs with Mega Feraligatr, Gai with Mega Meganium. Yuria Eve voices Seika, Nobuhiko Okamoto voices Gai.
New York handbag brand VASIC is launching a Pokemon collection. The lineup includes Bond bags in Mini and Mini Mini sizes with Pikachu and Eevee designs, a Pochette Mini with embossed characters, a Multi Zip Case, Monster Ball charms, and a Pikachu face carabiner. Sales begin at Hankyu Umeda on August 5, 2026.
4Gamer's retrospective of its most popular articles from summer 2016 shows Pokemon GO dominating the season, Dead by Daylight's popularity igniting after its June release, and E3 2016 drawing major attention with announcements like Death Stranding. The piece also highlights an interview with FromSoftware's Hidetaka Miyazaki.
Re-ment changed the release date for the Pokemon Kaichu Collection, a set of six diorama figures in pocket watch-style cases. The new date is August 31. The lineup includes Celebi, Espeon, Milotic, Charcadet, Piplup, and Mimikyu, each in a distinctive scene. Each figure costs 1,595 yen including tax.
Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket will add the Ruler of the Sky expansion pack on July 30 at 10:00 AM. The pack is part of the Mega Rayquaza Soaring Through the Sky summer campaign and introduces cards including Mega Rayquaza ex, Mega Metagross ex, Mega Gallade ex, Swanna ex, and Trainer cards Skyla, Mitsuru, and Rainbow Cave.
Suntory Beverage & Food will release 'BOSS Rekisen no Bitou' on September 1, the second collaboration in the Pokemon 30th anniversary tie-up. The can features Venusaur, Charizard, and Blastoise, and the flavor is 'Full Power Blend Lv.100.' Five main BOSS products get renewed as 'Pokemon Illustrated Encyclopedia Cans' with first partner Pokemon from Kalos, Alola, Galar, and Paldea, plus Pikachu. A G-Jacket campaign offers embroidered jackets.
Pokemon Origins, the original anime based on Pokemon Red and Green, is now streaming on TVer. The broadcast from August 2 on BS12 TwellV is available to watch. The series follows Red's journey from receiving Charmander to battling rival Green and Team Rocket.
The Pokémon Company and musician YOSHIKI have announced donations for relief efforts following the July 28 Kumamoto earthquake. Pokémon donated 100 million yen, while YOSHIKI gave 10 million yen to the Japanese Red Cross Society. YOSHIKI also donated to European wildfire relief and shared a message of support.