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Pokémon 30th anniversary art book: three volumes on Dec. 18, 2026, in Japan, at 5,500 yen each
The Pokémon 30th anniversary art book comes out in Japan on Friday, Dec. 18, 2026, as three separate volumes released on the same day, according to The Pokémon Company and the publisher, Overlap. The Japanese title translates to Pokémon Visual Art Book, and the English subtitle on the covers reads 30th anniversary Art Book of Pokémon Video Games developed by GAME FREAK. The Pokémon Company and Game Freak supervised the books, which cover Game Freak's main Pokémon games from Red and Green in 1996 to Legends: Z-A and its Mega Dimension expansion in 2025. Each volume has about 500 pages, roughly 1,500 in all, with pixel art, 3D graphics, illustrations, promotional art and previously unreleased design materials, and each ends with a long interview with Game Freak creators. Every book costs 5,500 yen including Japanese tax, about $35 at the exchange rate on Oct. 18, and they aren't sold as a set. No English edition has been announced.
Pokémon turns 30 with a 1,500-page art book. Here’s when the three volumes come out, what they cost and which games each one covers.
When does the Pokémon 30th anniversary art book come out?
On Friday, Dec. 18, 2026, in Japan, according to The Pokémon Company and the publisher, Overlap. The Pokémon Company announced the books on Aug. 7, 2026, and Overlap revealed the three covers on Sept. 15. All three volumes, BOOK1, BOOK2 and BOOK3, are released on the same day, and preorders are open at bookstores in Japan.
The Japanese title translates to Pokémon Visual Art Book, and the covers add an English subtitle: 30th anniversary Art Book of Pokémon Video Games developed by GAME FREAK. The Pokémon Company and Game Freak supervised the books, and Shusuke Motomiya is the chief editor.
How much the Pokémon art book costs
Each volume costs 5,500 yen, including Japanese consumption tax, or 5,000 yen before tax. That’s about $35 per book and about $104 for all three at the exchange rate on Oct. 18, 2026, before shipping and any import fees. Overlap says the books aren’t sold as a set, so each one is bought separately.
There’s no English edition so far. The Pokémon Company and Overlap have only announced the Japanese release, and the text, including the interviews, is in Japanese. For importers, Overlap lists the ISBNs: 978-4-8240-1873-1 for BOOK1, 978-4-8240-1874-8 for BOOK2 and 978-4-8240-1875-5 for BOOK3.
What’s inside
The books collect artwork from the Pokémon games Game Freak made over 30 years: pixel art, 3D graphics, illustrations, promotional art and design materials, including materials that haven’t been shown before. Each game gets the same set of chapters, covering its packaging, title screens and opening demos, Pokémon, characters, fields, memorable scenes, promotional art and design documents.
Each volume runs about 500 pages, roughly 1,500 pages in all, in B5 format and full color. Every book ends with a long special interview with Game Freak creators. Overlap notes that page counts and specifications may change before release.
Which games each volume covers
BOOK1, with a red cover, covers the first four generations: Red and Green, Blue, Yellow, Gold and Silver, Crystal, Ruby and Sapphire, FireRed and LeafGreen, Emerald, Diamond and Pearl, Platinum and HeartGold and SoulSilver.
BOOK2, in green, covers Black and White, Black 2 and White 2, X and Y, Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, Sun and Moon and Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. BOOK3, in blue, covers the Switch era: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee!, Sword and Shield and its Expansion Pass, Legends: Arceus, Scarlet and Violet and The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero, Legends: Z-A and its Mega Dimension expansion, which our Pokémon Legends Z-A DLC page covers.
What else is coming for Pokémon
The art book is a print release, not a game. The 30th anniversary started on Feb. 27, 2026, Pokémon Day, when The Pokémon Company revealed the next main games, Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves, coming only to Switch 2 in 2027. Our Pokémon Winds and Waves release date page tracks them.
This page is updated as soon as The Pokémon Company or Overlap announces an English edition or changes the release details.
Official images
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FAQ
When does the Pokémon 30th anniversary art book come out?
On Friday, Dec. 18, 2026, in Japan. All three volumes, BOOK1, BOOK2 and BOOK3, are released on the same day, according to The Pokémon Company and the publisher, Overlap.
How much is the Pokémon 30th anniversary art book?
5,500 yen per volume, including Japanese consumption tax, or 5,000 yen before tax. That’s about $35 per book and about $104 for all three at the exchange rate on Oct. 18, 2026, before shipping. The books aren’t sold as a set.
Is the Pokémon 30th anniversary art book coming to the US?
Not officially yet. The Pokémon Company and Overlap have only announced the Japanese release, and there’s no word on an English translation.
Is the Pokémon art book in English?
The books are Japanese. The covers carry an English subtitle, 30th anniversary Art Book of Pokémon Video Games developed by GAME FREAK, but the text, including the creator interviews, is in Japanese.
What games are in the Pokémon 30th anniversary art book?
BOOK1 covers Red and Green through HeartGold and SoulSilver, BOOK2 covers Black and White through Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, and BOOK3 covers Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee! through Legends: Z-A and its Mega Dimension expansion.
How many pages is the Pokémon art book?
About 500 pages per volume, for roughly 1,500 pages across the three books, according to Overlap. The page counts are planned and may change.
What are the ISBNs of the Pokémon Visual Art Book?
BOOK1 is ISBN 978-4-8240-1873-1, BOOK2 is ISBN 978-4-8240-1874-8 and BOOK3 is ISBN 978-4-8240-1875-5, according to Overlap.
Is the Pokémon 30th anniversary art book a game?
No. It’s a set of three printed art books. The next new Pokémon games are Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves, coming to Switch 2 in 2027.
Pop quiz
1 questions from this story.
How many volumes does the Pokémon 30th anniversary art book have?
Overlap releases BOOK1, BOOK2 and BOOK3 on Dec. 18, 2026, at 5,500 yen each.
Your call
Would you import the Pokémon 30th anniversary art book?
