The Pokemon 30th anniversary collection has launched at Target locations, and it seems fans are already having a very difficult time obtaining the new merchandise. Pokemon launched in 1996, when the original Red and Green games were released on Game Boy in Japan. While many were quick to dismiss the franchise as a fad, Pokemon has managed to stand the test of time, remaining incredibly popular after three decades.
The Pokemon Company is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the brand in a number of different ways throughout 2026. Pokemon anniversary events with live music have been announced, and lots of new merchandise is being released. There’s been an attempt to appeal to fans of all ages, from those who have been into the series from the early days, to those who discovered it more recently.
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Target’s Pokemon 30th Anniversary Collection
Target has a collection of Pokemon 30th anniversary merchandise, ranging from apparel to keyboards and water bottles. The merchandise was released in stores on May 2, and it seems demand far exceeded supply. Across social media, fans have been sharing horror stories about trying unsuccessfully to obtain the new products. One particular high-demand product seems to be the Kanto Region Starter Jacket; Reddit user DragoonGhost claims that their Target location only received five jackets, one for each size. Other posters seemed to corroborate that claim, and Target locations around the country appear to be sold out.
Who’s That Character?
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Easy (7.5s)Medium (5.0s)Hard (2.5s)Permadeath (2.5s)
Other Reddit users have struggled with getting the anniversary products, and it seems scalpers are part of the problem. That’s not surprising, as Pokemon cards have had huge scalper problems recently, and that’s starting to extend to other products. While these items just went on sale, many of them have already ended up on eBay. The Kanto Region Starter Jacket, in particular, is quickly commanding over $100 more than its $129.99 price. That’s bound to frustrate fans that really wanted that item, or any of the others that Target released.
When Target announced the Pokemon 30th anniversary products, the company noted that supplies would be limited, and that clearly was not an understatement. It does not seem that store restocks are currently planned, but the collection will be made available on Target’s website on May 3 at 9 a.m. ET. Fans that were unable to secure any products from physical store locations might have more luck that way, though it’s certainly not a guarantee.
New Questions Added!
GameRant Quiz
Easy (15s)Medium (10s)Hard (5s)Permadeath (5s)
If there’s one thing that should ease the pain of missing out on the Target collection, it’s the fact that there’s no shortage of Pokemon merchandise available at any given time. The Pokemon Center website is constantly getting updated with new apparel and products, and they tend to be a bit easier to secure. The Target collection also lacked Pokemon‘s many different 30th anniversary logos, which means most of the products weren’t much different from any other water bottle or shirt based on the brand. As the 30th anniversary celebration plays out throughout 2026, it’s also a safe bet that Pokemon fans will be treated to a lot more new merchandise. Hopefully, there will be many more opportunities for fans to showcase their passion for all things Pokemon.
