The iconic Pokemon franchise is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, with a special animation revealing the return of the beloved fat Pikachu.
The anniversary animation was released ahead of the series’ upcoming 30th birthday on February 27th, marking three decades since the original Pokemon Red and Pokemon Green were launched for the Game Boy.
The animation showcases the evolution of Pikachu’s design over the years, starting with the classic chunky fat Pikachu from 30 years ago.
ポケモン30周年、はじまる！
『ポケットモンスター 赤・緑』の発売から30年。
2026年2月27日（金）にポケモンは30周年を迎えるよ。
今年は最高の1年になる予感！
お楽しみに！#ポケモン30周年 pic.twitter.com/iPXR83Ib66— ポケモン公式 (@Pokemon_cojp) December 31, 2025
After years, fans are delighted to see a glimpse of the original artist Ken Sugimori’s final version of Pikachu, alongside its various iterations over the years.
“Pokemon’s 30th Anniversary Begins! It’s been 30 years since the release of Pokemon Red and Green,” announced The Pokemon Company. “On Friday, February 27, 2026, Pokemon will celebrate its 30th anniversary. This year promises to be exceptional! Stay tuned!”
With the anticipation building for the Pokemon 30th anniversary and rumors of a potential tenth generation of Pokemon games, fans are eagerly awaiting new developments. While the teaser animation doesn’t reveal much, it’s likely that something exciting will be unveiled on Pokemon’s milestone birthday.
Despite three decades in the industry, Pokemon continues to thrive as one of the most profitable intellectual properties of all time, surpassing even Mickey Mouse. Nintendo consistently releases new games and content for the Pokemon franchise.
The upcoming Pokemon game, the crafting/building/farming spinoff Pokemon Pokopia, is scheduled for a worldwide release on March 5th for the Switch 2. The latest main entry, Pokemon Legends: Z-A, recently received its “Mega Dimensions” DLC. Additionally, the popular mobile version of Pokemon TCG regularly introduces new content packs.
We will keep you updated on any new announcements or reveals for Pokemon’s significant 30th birthday celebration – stay tuned.
