Pokemon has changed quite a bit over the last 30 years, and a new release coming in December 2026 will celebrate its highs and its lows. From the original Game Boy Pokemon games to modern Nintendo Switch releases, Game Freak has introduced hundreds of Pokemon, countless characters, and several regions that have become fan favorites. However, there’s also plenty that players haven’t seen, particularly when it comes to how these games were originally designed.
The 30th anniversary has already been a busy year for Pokemon, with FireRed and LeafGreen returning, special events across Pokemon GO and Scarlet and Violet, and several other releases. There’s also plenty of interest in what’s coming next, particularly Pokemon Winds and Waves, which fans are hoping gets its own special reveal on November 30. There’s also a lot up in the air, like supposed Pokemon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald Switch ports, but one thing is locked in for December 18.
New Pokemon 30th Anniversary Art Books Drop December 18
The Pokemon Company and Game Freak are releasing three massive Pokemon art books on December 18, covering all nine generations of the franchise. Published through Overlap, the books contain approximately 500 pages each, bringing the complete collection to more than 1,500 pages. Each volume costs 5,500 yen, or roughly $35 USD, putting the entire collection at approximately $105 before shipping and import fees. The books explore nearly 30 years of development, from Pokemon Red and Green in 1996 through Pokemon Legends: Z-A and its Mega Dimension DLC.
There’s quite a bit included in these Pokemon books beyond artwork from the finished games. Each volume features development materials, previously unpublished concept art, character illustrations, and 3D assets that offer a look at how the games came together. There are also exclusive Game Freak interviews, providing more insight into the creative process behind different generations.
New Questions Added!
GameRant Quiz
The Pokemon art books are divided into three volumes based on release periods, with the first covering the Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, and early Nintendo DS games. The second focuses on the later DS and Nintendo 3DS generations, while the final volume covers the Nintendo Switch era.
Pokemon 30th Anniversary Art Books Vol. 1-3
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Volume 1 (1996–2009)
- Pokemon Red and Green
- Pokemon Red and Blue
- Pokemon Yellow
- Pokemon Gold and Silver
- Pokemon Crystal
- Pokemon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald
- Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen
- Pokemon Diamond and Pearl
- Pokemon Platinum
- Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver
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Volume 2 (2010–2017)
- Pokemon Black and White
- Pokemon Black 2 and White 2
- Pokemon X and Y
- Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
- Pokemon Sun and Moon
- Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon
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Volume 3 (2018–2025)
- Pokemon Let’s Go Pikachu! and Let’s Go Eevee!
- Pokemon Sword and Shield
- Pokemon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass
- Pokemon Legends: Arceus
- Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
- Pokemon Scarlet and Violet: The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero
- Pokemon Legends: Z-A
- Pokemon Legends: Z-A Mega Dimension
Unfortunately, there’s one catch with the December 18 Pokemon release: the books are currently exclusive to Japan. International fans may still be able to purchase them through third-party importers, although shipping costs could make the collection considerably more expensive (especially when buying all three volumes). There’s also no confirmed English release. Still, the books arrive at an interesting time for the franchise, with its 30th anniversary wrapping up and Gen 10 games Pokemon Winds and Waves on the horizon. For players who have followed Pokemon since the Game Boy days, seeing how the creatures, characters, and regions developed over three decades is a pretty interesting way to revisit the series.
