It has been 30 years since the red and green edition of Pokémon was released in Japan. The franchise is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year and wants to make it a big event. Fans are particularly interested in a special version of the yellow mascot.
What kind of celebration will take place? In 2026, the Pokémon universe will celebrate its round anniversary. For the 30th anniversary, there will be an event on February 27, 2026, where presumably new games, DLCs, and other announcements will be presented in a video.
A new main game could also be among these announcements. Previous leaks have shown the 10th generation for the first time. The new games are said to be called Pokémon Wind & Wave. Players will be taken to the jungle in this game. They are expected to be released in 2026.
Definitely not a leak is Pokopia: According to official sources, it is set to be released on March 5, 2026. The game has gained a bad reputation primarily because it will be released on a so-called Game Key Card.
In line with this, the Pokémon team released a new trailer showing Pikachu in various designs. A particularly older version of the monster stands out.
Fans want Chonker Pikachu back
Which Pokémon excites the fans? Under the tweet on X, many fans express their excitement, especially for the slightly chubbier Pikachu. In one of the early designs, Pikachu didn’t have a neck but rather a continuous round body.
This round design can be found, among other places, on the game packaging of the yellow Pokémon edition. Over time, Pikachu has lost weight, as evidenced by its slender legs and the presence of a neck.
A user even mentions that they saw the original design of the Chonky Pikachu in London at an exhibition. The design was created by graphic designer Atsuko Nishida.
In the comments, many wish for the classic design of Pikachu to make a return. They are excited to see the yellow pocket monster in its beloved form in the trailer.
The chubby Pikachu is depicted on one of the rarest cards of the Pokémon trading card game. A well-known YouTuber spent over 4.4 million euros to secure the coveted card. Shortly after, he sold it again: Controversial YouTuber pays over 4.4 million euros for a Pokémon card, wears it as a necklace, wants to resell it
