To mark the 30th anniversary of Pokemon in 2026, UNIQLO's graphic T-shirt brand "UT" put out a special collection. The December 2025 announcement said late March; the date was later confirmed as Monday, March 23, 2026, across UNIQLO stores in Japan and online. Prices: ¥1,990 (roughly $13) for men's, ¥990 (roughly $6) for kids'.

The defining feature is the artwork: the original watercolour illustrations from the 1996 debut games, used as they were. No 3D renders, no anime styling, just Ken Sugimori's hand-painted originals with their soft colour. UNIQLO's own framing is that adults see the pictures they grew up with while children see faces they have never encountered in that form.

From the Starters to Pikachu: Ten Designs in All

The men's line runs to five designs, all unisex. These include a group design showcasing the beloved starter trio of Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle, a design featuring the fully evolved Charizard, the franchise mascot Pikachu, the sleeping giant Snorlax, and the popular Ghost/Poison-type Gengar.

The kids' collection also offers five unique designs, featuring Eevee along with its three original evolutions (Vaporeon, Jolteon, and Flareon), as well as a design combining the legendary Mewtwo with the mythical Mew. These designs are sure to delight young Pokemon fans.

Sizing runs XS to 4XL for men's and 100 to 160 for kids', though XS, XXL, 3XL and 4XL were online only.

Kicking Off Pokemon's 30th Anniversary Celebrations

Pokemon's 2026 opened with Pokemon Day on February 27, and the UNIQLO collection was among the first large collaborations out of the gate. A Pokemon x adidas Originals capsule and LEGO Pokemon sets have also been reported for the same year, making the sheer number of tie-ins the story of the anniversary.

Comedian Naomi Watanabe fronted the collection. UNIQLO ran an interview with her on its Today's Pick Up site from March 4, and she appeared for the first time in UT magazine Issue 13, distributed from March in UNIQLO stores in Japan and abroad.

This isn't UNIQLO's first collaboration with Pokemon. Previous releases have included collections themed around Pokemon Trading Card Game designs and customizable options through their "UTme!" service. What separates this one is the narrow focus on the first generation and the decision to leave the period watercolours unretouched.

Priced So a Parent and Child Can Wear the Same Print

¥1,990 for men's, ¥990 for kids'. Because the same prints exist in both lines, dressing a parent and child in matching shirts lands at a price people will actually pay, and UNIQLO said as much when presenting the collection.

The generation that grew up alongside the 1996 games are now the ones handing Pokemon to their own children. The choice of the watercolour art probably has something to do with that.

Update: A second wave went on sale July 24, 2026, this time using monochrome game sprites, the pixel art as it appeared on a Game Boy screen. The men's line keeps the monochrome, while the kids' line adds colour to the same sprites: four designs each, eight in all, at the same 1,990 and 990 yen. From the official watercolour illustrations to the dots people actually saw on screen, the second wave looks back at the first games from a different angle (as of September 2026).

The journey that started 30 years ago is still being played. How do you remember Pokemon in your country? What are your thoughts on the original Pokemon designs? We'd love to hear your Pokemon memories and perspectives!

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