Pokémon 30th Anniversary Celebrations Begin with Fat Pikachu Reveal

The Pokémon franchise has officially launched its 30th anniversary celebrations, marking 30 years since the debut of Pokémon Red and Green on the Game Boy. The brand introduced a new anniversary logo featuring the mascot, highlighted by the classic 'Fat Pikachu' design rarely seen in modern media.

Official communications confirm that the anniversary falls on February 27, 2026, promising a year of festivities. Fans are looking toward this date for a major Pokémon Presents showcase, which is expected to reveal details about the 10th generation of games and the upcoming Pokémon Pokopia spin-off.

The Pokémon brand began its 30th anniversary festivities on January 1, 2026, in its home region of Japan. The celebration was heralded by the reveal of a special 30th Anniversary logo featuring the series mascot, introduced by none other than 'Fat Pikachu.' This plumper iteration of the character is the mascot's original design, though it is now rarely glimpsed in official Pokémon media.

The official announcement was made via a social media post, which included a short animation. The brand wrote, "Pokémon 30th Anniversary, Here We Go!" The post further detailed the timeline, stating, "30 years since the release of Pokémon Red and Green. On February 27, 2026 (Friday), Pokémon turns 30. We have a feeling this year is going to be the best one yet! Look forward to it!"

Expectations for the year's celebrations are sky high, fueled by the events of the previous year. This follows the so-called 'Teraleak' of Pokémon game development data that occurred in 2025, which spilled various details of the franchise's highly-anticipated 10th generation of games. Alongside a fresh roster of new creatures, fans expect these titles to feature new gameplay mechanics and procedurally-generated areas for the first time.

Additionally, 2026 will see the launch of a promising-looking Pokémon life simulation spin-off titled Pokémon Pokopia. This game is scheduled to arrive exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2 on March 5, 2026. Described as a blend of Pokémon characters with gameplay similar to Animal Crossing, the game seems likely to find success among fans of the series and the life simulation genre.

More details regarding the anniversary plans, the 10th generation titles, and Pokémon Pokopia are expected to arrive on the brand's big 30th anniversary date, which is now less than two months away on February 27, 2026. While not formally confirmed at this specific moment, this date has become the annual benchmark for fans to sit down and watch a new Pokémon Presents. This is the company's Nintendo Direct-style announcements showcase where major news is typically dropped.

The convergence of the anniversary, the expected game reveals, and the upcoming spin-off release suggests that February 27 will be a pivotal day for the franchise. With the release of Pokémon Pokopia following shortly after on March 5, the first quarter of 2026 is shaping up to be a busy period for Pokémon enthusiasts worldwide.