In 1996, Game Freak changed the world of gaming forever with the release of Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue — two humble Game Boy titles that sparked the birth of what is now the most successful multimedia franchise of all time. For its 30th Anniversary, the Pokémon franchise is releasing a new book series that explores its artistic evolution over the course of all nine generations to date.
Pokémon recently unveiled the official cover designs for the 30th Anniversary Art Book of Pokémon Video Games Developed by Game Freak. Published by Overlap Co. Ltd, this three-volume retrospective allows Pokémon fans to explore how the series gradually transitioned from the original 8-bit pixelized style to the 3DCG presentation of modern titles like Pokémon Scarlet & Violet and Pokémon Legends Z/A. All three volume covers can be viewed below.
Volume 1 in the series spotlights Pokémon‘s original Game Boy line, including Pokémon Red & Blue, Pokémon Yellow, Pokémon Gold & Silver, Pokémon Crystal and more. Starting with Generation V, Volume 2 explores the Nintendo DS era, which boasted titles such as Pokémon Black & White, Pokémon X & Y, Pokémon Sun & Moon and Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire.
Meanwhile, Volume 3 is dedicated exclusively to Pokémon’s 3DCG lineup, which includes Pokémon Legends: Arceus, Pokémon Let’s Go!: Pikachu and Eevee, Pokémon Sword & Shield, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet and more.
According to the official description on Overlap’s website, each volume compiles “illustrations, promotional art…and unpublished setting materials,” giving Pokémon fans the chance to experience designs and concepts that have never before seen the light of day. Notably, the collection is edited by Shunsuke Motomiiya, who has authored and co-authored official guidebooks for several installments of the mainline Pokémon game series.
With each volume totaling roughly 500 pages, Pokémon’s 30th Anniversary Art Book clocks in at a whopping 1,500 pages in total. In addition to hundreds of stunning full-color illustrations, the series also boasts a lengthy three-part interview with a prominent “creator from Game Freak Inc.” As one of only a handful of Pokémonvisual guides with comprehensive coverage of Generations 1-9, this art book constitutes one of Pokémon‘s lengthiest and most ambitious literary releases to date.
Pokémon Wind & Waves — the two gaming titles set to kick off Pokémon‘s 10th generation — are scheduled for worldwide release sometime in 2027. In the meantime, The Pokémon Company is committed to helping fans bide their time while also preparing for their next big journey.
Last month, Pokémon updated its long-running Pokédex series with a brand-new volume containing entries on all 1,025 species. Officially titled Pokémon — Official National Pokédex (1996-2026), this book was likewise released as a celebratory initiative for the franchise’s 30th anniversary.
Pokémon’s 30th Anniversary Art Book of Pokémon Video Games Developed By Game Freak: Volumes 1-3 will be released simultaneously in Japan on Friday, Dec. 18, 2026 (JST). As of Sept. 16, 2026, each installment is being sold individually for approximately 5,500 yen (~US$35.46). As of writing, The Pokémon Company has not announced any information related to a potential international release.
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Pokémon GO, Pokemon X and Y, Pokémon Legends: Arceus, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Pokémon Sword and Shield, Pokémon Diamond & Pearl, Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, Pokemon Red and Blue, Detective Pikachu, Detective Pikachu Returns, Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee!, Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu!
- First Film
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Pokemon: The First Movie
- First TV Show
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Pokémon
- Created by
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Satoshi Tajiri
- Latest Film
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Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle
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