Pokemon is in a period of broad merchandising and game expansion, with a December re-release of the 30th anniversary Ichiban Kuji lottery, a new adult-oriented bag collaboration with VASIC, and the first paid DLC for Poko a Pokemon arriving August 5.
Pokemon's 30th anniversary continues to drive product releases. Bandai will re-release two volumes of the Ichiban Kuji Pokemon 30th ANNIVERSARY lottery in December, following the original May and July runs that sold through due to popularity. Vol.1 starts December 14 and vol.2 on December 25, each draw priced at 750 yen, with large Pikachu plush toys as the Last One Prize in each volume.
The brand is also pushing into adult-oriented merchandise. VASIC, a New York handbag brand, launched its first Pokemon collection with pop-ups in Osaka and Tokyo, featuring Pikachu and Eevee designs on bags and accessories priced from 6,600 to 55,000 yen. A separate line of cosplay-themed T-shirts, with oversized face prints and tails, goes on sale July 18 at Pokemon Center stores.
In games, Poko a Pokemon received its first paid DLC, Bubbly Seabed Town, on August 5, alongside a free update that adds underwater exploration. The DLC is part of an Expansion Pass priced at 4,400 yen, with a second part scheduled for winter 2026. Meanwhile, Pokemon GO's season 'A New Step' began June 2 with a new GO Pass reward track. A griefing exploit in Poko a Pokemon, where island owners can be banned for content built by others, has drawn no official response from The Pokemon Company.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Bandai will re-release two volumes of the Ichiban Kuji Pokemon 30th ANNIVERSARY lottery in December. Vol.1 is scheduled for sequential release starting December 14, and vol.2 on December 25, each priced at 750 yen per draw. The re-release follows the original launch of vol.1 in May and vol.2 in July, which the company decided to bring back due to popularity. Each volume commemorates the 30th anniversary of Pokemon and features a lineup centered on the first three Pokemon of each region. Vol.1 includes goods such as Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle, plus a large-sized Pikachu plush toy as the Last One Prize, approximately 50cm tall in its male form. Vol.2 offers a similar structure with a Pikachu female form plush toy as its Last One Prize. Product pages have opened ahead of the sale. The announcement came via the official Ichiban Kuji social media account on August 5, 2026, with a notice that the re-release was decided because of the line's popularity.
Studio Mayflower released the turn-based player-versus-player game 'Monster Battles' on the Roblox platform on Wednesday, August 5. The game is free to play with optional in-game purchases. Players raise and organize unique monsters, then battle other players in turn-based combat that emphasizes reading the opponent's actions and combining each monster's abilities. The goal was to create a title that is simple enough for beginners but deep enough for core gamers to enjoy over a long period. Animation director Tetsuo Yajima, who directed the TV anime 'Pokemon XY' and the films 'Pokemon the Movie: Everyone's Story' and 'Pokemon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle,' participated in character design. In a statement, Yajima said he joined the project because he felt Studio Mayflower CEO Taisei Tachino shared his philosophy that creating something that contributes to children's happiness is what makes anime what it is. He described Roblox as a playground for children around the world and said he looks forward to seeing the characters leap beyond the platform. Studio Mayflower, which previously worked on the Roblox horror game 'The Inn' with 'Chainsaw Man' director Ryu Nakayama, aims to develop 'Monster Battles' into a global IP, considering future video adaptations and merchandising.
VASIC, the New York-based handbag brand, has announced a collaboration collection with Pokemon, bringing Pikachu, Eevee, and other creatures to adult-oriented bags and accessories. The collection launches with a pop-up store at Hankyu Umeda Main Store in Osaka on August 5, followed by a pop-up at Isetan Shinjuku Store in Tokyo on August 12. Sales begin at VASIC stores and its online store on August 19, with additional pop-ups scheduled at JR Nagoya Takashimaya, GINZA SIX, and Kyoto Takashimaya. The lineup includes the Bond Mini and Bond Mini Mini bags in the brand's signature Bond series, featuring Pikachu and Eevee designs in colors like Pikachu Black, Eevee Taupe, and Pikachu Face. Also available are the Pochette Mini, a small bag with Pikachu, Eevee, Ditto, and Snorlax motifs, and the Multi Zip Case, a card case wallet with three compartments. Key charms and a Pikachu face-shaped carabiner round out the collection. Prices range from 6,600 yen for the carabiner to 55,000 yen for the Bond Mini, all tax included.
The Pokemon Company announced on July 29 that the first paid DLC for the Nintendo Switch 2 game Poko a Pokemon, titled Bubbly Seabed Town, will launch on August 5. The same day brings a free update, Ver. 2.0.0, for all players. The update adds the move Dive, taught by Manaphy, which lets players explore underwater and access new areas. In the DLC, players respond to requests from sea-dwelling Pokemon like Popplio and develop the underwater town. New mechanics include cultivating Watermelon, using Pokemon with Soaking abilities such as Mudkip to produce air bubbles, and building with Block Floats. Pokemon like Corphish can build underwater, while Chinchou generates electricity for machinery. New items include the Bubble Machine and the Sharpedo Submarine, which creates secret base rooms. Players can also obtain the Starmie Doll to visit Yume Island, previously inaccessible. The DLC is part of the Poko a Pokemon Expansion Pass, priced at 4,400 yen, which went on sale June 10. The second DLC part, scheduled for winter 2026, adds Pokemon Accessories but no new town.
Dengeki Hobby Web published the Amazon.co.jp Toys New Arrivals Ranking for July 14, 2026. Toy Story 5 merchandise takes the top spot, with Tamagotchi Paradise White Glacier and Orange Tropics at second and third. Other entries include Pokémon, Hot Wheels, and Magic: The Gathering items.
Pokemon will release a line of cosplay-themed T-shirts called "Pokemon Close-Up T-shirts" on July 18. The shirts feature large prints of Pokemon faces and appliqued tails, with designs including Pikachu, Ditto, Slowpoke, Mimikyu, and Piplup. Prices start at 2,750 yen. They will be sold at Pokemon Center stores and online from July 16.
A griefing exploit in the Nintendo Switch 2 game Poko a Pokemon allows malicious players to build obscene content on a public Cloud Island, then report it, causing the island owner to be banned instead of the griefer. The Pokémon Company has not issued an official statement. Users are advised to set passwords or restrict access to prevent abuse.
Niantic and The Pokemon Company will launch the new Pokemon GO season 'A New Step' on June 2 at 10:00 JST. The season introduces a limited-time progress track called GO Pass, with a free and paid Deluxe tier. New Dynamax Pokemon including Electabuzz, Magikarp, and Feebas will appear in Max Battles. The GO Battle League returns with themed cups, and Field Research Breakthroughs offer encounters with Dragonite, Deino, Honedge, Jangmo-o, Indeedee, and Crabrawler.
Heritage Auctions will hold The Art of Anime, Vol. VIII from May 15 to 17, featuring over 1,200 lots of production cels, drawings, and materials from series including Dragon Ball, Pokémon, Sailor Moon, Cowboy Bebop, and films like Akira, My Neighbor Totoro, and Kiki's Delivery Service. The auction highlights Dragon Ball's 40th anniversary with more than 125 dedicated lots.