In celebration of Pokemon‘s 30th anniversary, Target has revealed a brand-new line of clothing and products that will be sold in stores and online. The franchise made its debut in Japan in 1996, and it was brought to North America two years later. Over the last three decades, Pokemon has continued to appeal to new audiences, thanks to a steady stream of video games, merchandise, cards, and more.
The Pokemon Company’s plans for the rest of 2026 are starting to come into focus. Recently, Pokemon Day Out and Night Out events were announced, offering alternate experiences for both older fans and younger ones. The Night Out events will focus on EDM performances by Marshmello and Alison Wonderland, with special Pokemon-inspired visuals that line up with the music. Meanwhile, the Day Out events will be more family-friendly affairs, though details have been limited.
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Target’s Pokemon Celebration Begins on May 2
Starting in May, Pokemon fans will be able to find a new collection of 30th anniversary products at Target locations and online. The products will include new clothing, as well as a number of other options. Pokemon keyboards, water bottles, headphones, hair clips, and tote bags are just a few of the products that will be offered. Since this is the anniversary of Pokemon Red and Green, the majority of the products seem to focus on the original 151 Pokemon. The retailer is already cautioning that supplies of some products might be limited.
Based on what’s been shown on Target’s website, the 30th anniversary collection seems to be a mixed bag. There are some unique product choices, including individual kick balls with different Poke Ball designs. Fans can even find Trapper Keeper branded binders with favorites like Mewtwo, Arcanine, and Gengar. The Kanto Region Starter jacket also feels like an appropriate ’90s throwback, for those willing to spend the $129.99 that it will cost. Unfortunately, none of the products seem to use any of the special Pokemon 30th anniversary logos, which seems like a missed opportunity. The products will be available in stores on May 2, and they’ll be offered online May 3 at 9 a.m. ET.
Pokemon‘s 30th anniversary has already seen a significant amount of software released on Nintendo platforms. Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen were released on Nintendo Switch in February, kicking things off for players. Shortly after, Pokemon Pokopia launched as a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive. The game was followed by Pokemon Champions, which was released in April on Switch, and will arrive on iOS and Android devices later this year. Pokemon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald are also rumored for Nintendo Switch, but nothing has been confirmed at this time.
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For Pokemon fans, there are no shortage of ways to celebrate the franchise’s milestone anniversary this year. Between video games, merchandise, and in-person events, The Pokemon Company seems to be going all out to appeal to every possible fan. Some of the products announced so far are definitely better than others, but that should help fans rein in their spending. A fragrance mist inspired by Charmander might have some novelty, but it can be easily skipped by those on a budget.
