Ethan Crossfield 
The Pokemon Company and Adidas have unveiled their largest anniversary collaboration yet, bringing a broad range of character-themed footwear and apparel to the franchise's 30th anniversary celebration. The collection is now available, with shoes inspired by Pikachu, Mewtwo, Rayquaza, the Charmander evolution line, and the original Ghost-type trio.
What happened
Most of the Pokemon x Adidas 30th Anniversary shoes launched on September 22. The release spans several familiar Adidas silhouettes, including the Superstar, Pro Model, Handball Spezial, Samba, ZX8000, ZX500, F50 Tunit, adiStar Control, adiStar XLG 2.0, and adiStar Control 5. The lineup is accompanied by Pokemon-themed 8-Ball leather jackets, extending the collaboration beyond footwear.
Pikachu's designs use face badges, plush suede, tongue details shaped like ears, and elements inspired by Pokeballs. Mewtwo's shoes lean into purple accents and character-specific detailing. Rayquaza's selection uses green, red, and yellow coloring, along with scaly textures and shimmering finishes. The Charizard Superstar stands out with removable wing attachments, while the Gengar adiStar XLG 2.0 is built around the Ghost-type Pokemon's recognizable face.
The source describes the collection as featuring 14 individual shoes, although its detailed model list names more individual releases across the featured characters. Prices vary by model, with several adult shoes listed at $110 and others reaching $180.
Why it matters
Pokemon and Adidas have collaborated before, but earlier launches generally focused on fewer characters and silhouettes. This anniversary release is a much broader presentation of the partnership, using footwear and fashion to represent the franchise's reach outside games, trading cards, and traditional merchandise.
The character selection is also deliberate. Pikachu remains Pokemon's most recognizable mascot, while Mewtwo, Rayquaza, Charizard, and Gengar have maintained strong fan followings across multiple generations. Including the full Charmander evolution line and the original Ghost-type trio gives the collection more range than a release centered only on Pikachu.
That wider approach fits the anniversary's larger purpose: revisiting the history and enduring popularity of Pokemon. The celebration is scheduled to continue throughout 2026, with new franchise artbooks expected in December 2026 among the other planned highlights.
What to watch next
Fans should first check the exact model and character before buying, since the collection uses different Adidas silhouettes and prices. Availability may also differ between adult and kids' releases, particularly within Mewtwo's Samba selection. Collectors interested in apparel should look beyond the shoes, as the Pokemon-themed 8-Ball leather jackets are part of the same anniversary push.
The larger question is whether future 30th anniversary products will continue this emphasis on recognizable characters across lifestyle categories. The Adidas partnership shows how the milestone can reach audiences who may not be following a new game announcement, while the upcoming artbooks point toward a continued focus on Pokemon's history and visual identity.
Key details for fans
- The Pokemon x Adidas 30th Anniversary collection is now available.
- Most of the listed footwear released on September 22.
- Featured characters include Pikachu, Mewtwo, Rayquaza, the Charmander line, and Gastly, Haunter, and Gengar.
- Adult shoe prices in the source range from $110 to $180.
- The anniversary celebration continues through 2026, including new artbooks planned for December.
Expert View
The strongest part of this release is its scale. Rather than treating Pokemon's anniversary as a single mascot-driven drop, Adidas is using multiple characters, silhouettes, and apparel pieces to show how wide the franchise's appeal has become. It is a meaningful expansion of an established partnership and gives longtime fans more specific designs to collect than earlier collaborations typically offered.
