If you still remember picking your first starter Pokémon or watching the thrilling animation in front of the TV at home, this collection is made for you. Pokémon and UNIQLO are marking a shared moment of nostalgia as the franchise will hold its 30th anniversary in 2026.
To celebrate the 30th anniversary, UNIQLO UT is unveiling a special T-shirt collection inspired by the original Pokémon video games, Pokémon Red & Green. The commemorative collection will drop in March 2026.
UNIQLO UT x Pokémon celebrates the game’s 30th anniversary
Rather than drawing from the anime or later digital visuals, the anniversary UT collection looks back to the game’s origins. The capsule collection pays homage to the early world of Pokémon as players first encountered it on the Game Boy. It was a time when imagination and hand-drawn illustrations defined the experience.
At the core of the collection is the original watercolour artworks by Ken Sugimori from Gen I. For those who don’t know, he’s the artist who shaped Pokémon’s early identity. Soft lines, muted colours, and hand-painted textures join together to give the capsule a glimpse of the old days.
The lineup features UT graphic T-shirts for both adults and children. Familiar faces appear throughout the range, including Pikachu, Charizard, Mewtwo, as well as the original starter Pokémon. Some designs subtly reference early game compositions, while others allow Sugimori’s illustrations to stand alone.
More than just a fashion release, the 30th anniversary drop speaks to the lasting emotional connection between players and the games that introduced them to Pokémon’s universe. For longtime fans, it’s a reminder of where the journey began.
The anniversary year will bring more collaborations beyond UNIQLO. LEGO announced that it would join the celebrations in 2026. Apart from that, PokéPark KANTO also plans to debut in early 2026. This immersive theme park will add novelty and fresh waves of joy to Pokémon’s 30th anniversary as well.
Are you ready to catch ’em all?
Hero and featured image credit: UNIQLO via official website
This story first appeared here.
Note : The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.