What’s coming in December?
December brings three Japanese art books and a TCG Binder Collection. Compare their release dates, contents and regional availability before you order.
Pokémon Visual Art Book: 30th anniversary
OVERLAP schedules BOOK1, BOOK2 and BOOK3 for December 18, 2026. The Japanese books collect artwork from GAME FREAK’s Pokémon video games; each volume is sold separately for ¥5,500 including tax.
Pokémon TCG: 30th Celebration Binder Collection
This nine-pocket binder comes with five 30th Celebration booster packs and is scheduled for December 4, 2026 in the US. The collection follows earlier products in the 30th Celebration range. Check local retailers for pricing and availability in your region.
The art books launch in Japan on December 18; the TCG binder’s December 4 date is for the US. Availability elsewhere may differ. Pokémon Kids figures are also due in December, with exact release days still to be announced.
Which art book should you choose?
Choose the era you want to revisit. The three volumes divide the game artwork chronologically, from the original Game Boy releases through the Nintendo Switch era.
BOOK1
Red / Green through HeartGold / SoulSilver. The early games, including the Game Boy, Game Boy Advance and first Nintendo DS years.
ISBN 978-4-8240-1873-1
¥5,500 tax included
Find BOOK1 at Pokémon CenterSee every included game
- Red / Green
- Blue
- Yellow
- Gold / Silver
- Crystal
- Ruby / Sapphire
- FireRed / LeafGreen
- Emerald
- Diamond / Pearl
- Platinum
- HeartGold / SoulSilver
BOOK2
Black / White through Ultra Sun / Ultra Moon. The later Nintendo DS games and the Nintendo 3DS era.
ISBN 978-4-8240-1874-8
¥5,500 tax included
Find BOOK2 at Pokémon CenterSee every included game
- Black / White
- Black 2 / White 2
- X / Y
- Omega Ruby / Alpha Sapphire
- Sun / Moon
- Ultra Sun / Ultra Moon
BOOK3
Let’s Go, Pikachu! / Eevee! through Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Mega Dimension. The Nintendo Switch years.
ISBN 978-4-8240-1875-5
¥5,500 tax included
Find BOOK3 at Pokémon CenterSee every included game
- Let’s Go, Pikachu! / Let’s Go, Eevee!
- Sword / Shield
- Sword / Shield Expansion Pass
- Legends: Arceus
- Scarlet / Violet
- The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero
- Legends: Z-A
- Legends: Z-A – Mega Dimension
These are the publisher’s announced game and expansion titles. BOOK3 does not list Brilliant Diamond / Shining Pearl; choose by the titles above rather than assuming every Switch game is included.
What will you find inside?
Look for the title ポケットモンスター ビジュアルアートブック 30th anniversary Art Book of Pokémon Video Games developed by GAME FREAK. The collection follows the visual development of the video games, from pixel art to 3D artwork.
- Artwork from the games
- Browse packaging, title and opening screens, Pokémon and character art, environments, memorable scenes, promotional illustrations and design material.
- Behind the designs
- Previously unpublished design material is included, and every volume ends with a long-form interview with GAME FREAK creators.
- A substantial Japanese art collection
- OVERLAP plans roughly 500 full-colour B5 pages per book, about 1,500 across all three. These are planned lengths, not final page counts. Choose the volume containing the games you most want to explore.
- Publisher
- OVERLAP
- Release
- All three: 18 December 2026
- Format
- B5 · full colour · Japanese edition
- Planned length
- About 500 pages per volume
- Inside
- Pixel art, 3D art, illustrations and design material
- Additional features
- Previously unpublished material and creator interviews
Buying all three? Budget ¥16,500 for the books.
That is three times the ¥5,500 tax-inclusive list price. OVERLAP says the volumes are sold separately, so select each one you want. Delivery charges, import fees and currency conversion can change the amount you pay.
TCG binder and Pokémon Kids figures
For card collecting, choose the Binder Collection. For a small display figure, look at the Japanese Pokémon Kids releases. They are separate purchases from the art books.
Buying the 30th Celebration Binder Collection
The US product contains one themed nine-pocket binder and five 30th Celebration booster packs. Choose it if you want card storage as well as packs. Start at Pokémon Center or a local Pokémon TCG retailer, search for the full product name, and check the current price and availability before ordering.
The US Pokémon product page gives December 4, 2026; the UK page lists September 2026. Check the official page for your buying region rather than treating either date as a worldwide release.
Check the UK product dateIf Pokémon Center puts you in its virtual queue, keep that window open and avoid refreshing. Pokémon Center has not announced whether or when 30th Celebration products will be restocked.
Pokémon Center’s 30th Celebration shopping FAQ
Two Japanese figure releases to distinguish
Both are listed for December 2026 at ¥275 including Japanese tax per retail pack. Exact days are still unannounced, and shop arrival dates can vary.
Pokémon Kids: Pokémon 30th Anniversary Edition
ポケモンキッズ ポケモン30周年記念編
A revival inspired by the 1996 figures, packaging and cards. Each pack contains one painted soft-vinyl figure, one card and soda-flavoured gum. The range has 11 figure designs and 24 cards; one pack does not contain the complete range.
Pokémon Kids 30th Anniversary Special vol.4
ポケモンキッズ 30周年スペシャルvol.4編
The ‘Pikachu’s Battle’ range includes Pikachu attack poses and Galar and Paldea starter Pokémon. The lineup has 12 regular designs plus one special design. The product lists a painted soft-vinyl figure and soda-flavoured gum.
Bandai lists these for Japanese mass-market candy aisles and similar shops, for ages three and up. Check the Japanese product name so you order the range you want.
Art book preorder and delivery
Use the ISBNs above to match each volume before ordering. A listing for BOOK1 does not include BOOK2 or BOOK3.
When will your art book ship?
Pokémon Center Online Japan gives the following dispatch estimates for the three volumes. All times below are Japan Standard Time (JST, UTC+9); dispatch is different from delivery.
| Payment | Order window | Expected dispatch |
|---|---|---|
| Credit card | October 8 to December 14, 2026 at 14:59 | By December 17, 2026 |
| Credit card | December 14 at 16:00 to December 17, 2026 at 16:59 | Mid- to late December 2026 |
| Convenience-store payment | October 8 to December 10, 2026 at 16:59 | By December 17, 2026 |
- Quantity and delivery
- The Japanese shop limits each person to one copy of each volume. Delivery is free within Japan, and the three books can be ordered together; they cannot share a cart with other products.
- Payment and checkout times
- From December 10 at 18:00 JST, only credit cards are accepted. Ordering pauses on December 10 from 17:00 to 18:00 and December 14 from 15:00 to 16:00. Seven-Eleven payment and cash on delivery are not accepted.
- Arrival date
- You cannot choose a delivery date or time slot, and books will not arrive before release. An estimate of dispatch by December 17 does not guarantee delivery on December 18.
Ordering from outside Japan
Ask your bookseller when it expects to ship your copy, as overseas delivery may follow the Japanese release. The books are Japanese editions. OVERLAP and Pokémon Center Online Japan have not announced an English-language edition.
The preorder cutoff above applies to BOOK1 at Pokémon Center Online Japan. Check BOOK2 and BOOK3 for their own order conditions. Pokémon Center Online: BOOK1
The dates to keep
Pokémon’s anniversary falls in February. December’s book and merchandise launches are later releases within the anniversary year.
Pokémon turns 30
The Japanese anniversary site dates the original Red and Green releases to February 27, 1996.
Official announcementArt books officially announced
Pokémon Japan announces the three-volume project and its planned December 18 release.
Official announcementTCG Binder Collection
The date listed by the official US Pokémon TCG product showcase.
Official announcementBOOK1, BOOK2 and BOOK3
All three art books are scheduled to release together in Japan.
Official announcementPokémon Kids anniversary figures
Bandai lists two Japanese candy-toy releases for December: ポケモンキッズ ポケモン30周年記念編 and 30周年スペシャル vol.4. Each has a ¥275 tax-inclusive list price; exact days are not listed.
Official announcement · Bandai: Special vol.4
Before you order
What is the Pokémon 30th anniversary December release?
The 30th Celebration TCG Binder Collection is scheduled for December 4, 2026 in the US, followed by three Japanese Pokémon Visual Art Books on December 18. Bandai’s anniversary Pokémon Kids figures are also due in December, with exact release days still to be announced.
Do all three art books release on the same day?
Yes. OVERLAP schedules BOOK1, BOOK2 and BOOK3 for Friday, December 18, 2026 in Japan. They are separate products.
How much do the Pokémon anniversary art books cost?
Each volume has a Japanese list price of ¥5,500 including tax. Buying all three at that price costs ¥16,500 before any additional delivery, import or conversion charges.
Is there an English edition of the art books?
The books are Japanese editions. OVERLAP and Pokémon Center Online Japan have not announced an English-language edition. Confirm the language before ordering from an overseas retailer.
Is December 4 the first release of the 30th Celebration expansion?
No. December 4 is the Binder Collection product date in the official US showcase. Other products in the same range have earlier release dates.
Is the December 18 product a new Pokémon game?
The December 18 release consists of three individually sold printed art books featuring artwork from Pokémon games developed by GAME FREAK. No new game is included.
Can Pokémon Center Online Japan ship the books overseas?
Pokémon Center Online Japan delivers only to addresses in Japan. If you live elsewhere, check availability and delivery terms with a bookseller or import service that serves your location.
Are the books limited editions?
OVERLAP and Pokémon Japan have not announced a numbered or limited print run. The books have a preorder window, but have not been confirmed as limited editions.
When does the art book preorder close?
The BOOK1 Pokémon Center Online listing gives December 17, 2026 at 16:59 Japan Standard Time as its reservation cutoff. Check the live listing for availability and each volume’s conditions.
Why do I see a different Binder Collection release date?
Pokémon’s US product page lists December 4, 2026, while the UK page lists September 2026. Use the date and availability for your buying region. These regional listings do not by themselves establish a worldwide delay.
Go straight to the source
Release and product details checked on October 19, 2026. Use the publisher or shop for the latest availability and order terms.