This year, the Pokémon franchise celebrated its 30th anniversary. As part of the year-long festivities, the Pokémon Company has lined up a special new release for long-time fans. In this latest release, the Pokémon franchise returns to the place where it all started: the Kanto region.
The Kanto region was the very first area of the Pokémon games, the anime, and all the related media. The area was based directly on the real-world region in Japan of the same name. This first setting gave rise to many of the series’ staples, including iconic Pokémon like the first starters—Charmander, Bulbasaur, and Squirtle—and, of course, the beloved series mascot, Pikachu.
Travel back to the Kanto region with Pikachu and his friends thanks to a new release from VIZ Media and Simon & Schuster. The two have just announced a collaboration with the Pokémon Company that brings the first “Pokémon Adventures” manga into print as a deluxe hardcover compilation volume.
The first Pokémon Adventures manga, written by Hidenori Kusaka and illustrated by Mato, started publishing in 1997. The new release takes fans on a nostalgic trip back to the manga’s beginnings, with Pokémon Adventures: Red and Blue. The hardcover book is priced at $29.99 and is available for pre-order now through the Simon & Schuster website and several convenient platforms. The volume is slated for release on October 27, 2026.
The Pokémon Adventures manga is loosely based on the games. It follows protagonist Red and his Pikachu on his journey through the Kanto region as he grows as a trainer and learns the ins and outs of the Pokémon world. Red faces off against gym leaders and many other formidable opponents, including his rival and Professor Oak’s grandson, Blue.
The Red and Blue collection covers the story from the beginning of Red’s journey as an amateur all the way through to emerging victorious as the Pokémon League Champion.
Pokémon has come a long way from its origins, traveling to many unique locations and even journeying through time and space. Earlier this year, the Pokémon Company officially announced Pokémon Winds & Waves, the tenth generation of Pokémon games. The world of Pokémon has grown exponentially from the original 151, with a current roster of over 1,025 unique Pokédex entries.
But the Pokémon Company and Nintendo haven’t forgotten their origins. As part of the 30th anniversary celebration, the company re-released the Pokémon FireRed & LeafGreen.
As the Pokémon franchise continues to grow and expand, it’s nice to see the giant’s more humble beginnings. The modern games have huge, world-spanning plots and lore—which is definitely exciting. But there’s something refreshing about a good old adventure, like the kind you’ll find in Pokémon Adventures: Red and Blue.
- Created by
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Satoshi Taijiri, Ken Sugimori, Junichi Masuda
- First Film
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Pokemon: The First Movie
- Latest Film
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Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle
- First TV Show
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Pokémon
- First Episode Air Date
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April 1, 1997
- Current Series
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Pokémon
