The Pokémon series has often flirted with the idea of returning to past regions, but almost exclusively in the form of remakes or compilations. That makes sense for the most part, as Pokémon is a series that is in constant need of evolution, one that thrives when new wonders are thrust into the hands of players rather than repeated familiar favorites. However, on occasion, it can be appealing for Pokémon to return to a location it’s already explored in great detail, especially if it’s seen from a whole new perspective.
This worked wonders, for example, with Pokémon Legends: Arceus, a game that completely reinterpreted the Sinnoh region from a historical point of view, offering fans a glimpse at what the past of the Pokémon world looked like in interactive form. It has also not worked particularly well, such as in the significantly less impressive Pokémon Legends: Z-A, which reimagined Lumiose City to poor effect. However, this impressive new 30th anniversary release aims to rectify the mistakes of Z-A by looking at Kanto through a whole new lens.
As part of the Pokémon 30th anniversary celebrations, we’ve seen older titles such as Pokémon Crystal and Emerald return in spectacular fashion, as well as upcoming Pokémon titles being given the spotlight through endless promotions. The sheer amount of merchandise released for this momentous occasion has been impressive, and chief among them is the brand-new edition of the iconic Pokémon Adventures: Red and Blue manga.
This new hardcover collection brings together the very first Pokémon manga series, the very same one that showcased Kanto in a completely different light. The 30th anniversary edition is a truly spectacular release, not least because it makes this amazing manga more accessible to newcomers, but also because it spotlights a wonderful story arc within the Pokémon canon. Red and Blue’s journey together is a delight to watch unfold, and the characterization given to Red’s team of Pokémon will make you fall in love with them all over again.
Featuring exceptional art from Mato that has gone on to define the series as a whole, Pokémon Adventures: Red and Blue Deluxe Edition by VIZ Media should absolutely be a 30th anniversary release on everyone’s radar. It is set to be released on October 27, 2026, with pre-orders open now across numerous digital storefronts. For those interested, the brand-new hardcover copy is available for $23.99, although the original paperback version can still be bought for around $8.99 for those who would rather spend a little less.
If you love Pokémon and have not yet gotten into the manga, this new release serves as an excellent place to start. The Pokémon Adventures series has always done a phenomenal job of retelling the events of the games in a more interesting way, often surpassing them in terms of narrative quality and characterization. Red and Blue is no exception to that rule and stands out as being a tremendous read, a legendary Pokémon adventure, and a phenomenal way to experience the region of Kanto.
- Video Game(s)
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Pokemon Red and Blue, Pokemon Yellow, Pokemon Gold and Silver, Pokémon Crystal, Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire, Pokemon Sapphire, Pokemon Diamond and Pearl, Pokemon Platinum, Pokemon Black and White, Pokemon Black and White 2, Pokemon X and Y, Pokemon Sun and Moon, Pokemon Sword and Shield, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, Pokemon Winds and Waves, Pokemon Legends Arceus, Pokemon Legends Z-A
- Created by
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Satoshi Taijiri, Ken Sugimori, Junichi Masuda
- TV Show(s)
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Pokémon
- First Film
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Pokemon: The First Movie
