The Pokémon Almanac
Every day in Pokémon history
The franchise has a story for every date on the calendar. Travel to any day since February 27, 1996, see what shaped Pokémon, and revisit the biggest days of all.
Today, September 30, in Pokémon history
See the full day →- 2026 Masters EX Ghetsis & Chien-Pao debuted as a sync pair in Pokémon Masters EX.
- 2025 Masters EX Arezu & Lilligant debuted as a sync pair in Pokémon Masters EX.
- 2024 Masters EX Giacomo & Kingambit debuted as a sync pair in Pokémon Masters EX.
- 2021 Masters EX Misty & Vaporeon debuted as a sync pair in Pokémon Masters EX.
- 2020 Masters EX Volkner & Luxray debuted as a sync pair in Pokémon Masters EX.
- 2019 Masters EX Hilda & Emboar debuted as a sync pair in Pokémon Masters EX.
The biggest days in Pokémon history
38 landmark daysFrom the franchise's birth on February 27, 1996 to the global phenomenon of Pokémon GO, these are the dates that changed Pokémon. Tap any day to travel there.
★ Franchise defining February 27, 1996 Pokémon is born Pokémon Red and Green launched on Game Boy in Japan, beginning the entire franchise and giving Pikachu its debut. Games ★ Franchise defining July 6, 2016 Pokémon GO takes over the world Pokémon GO launched in the US, Australia, and New Zealand, igniting a global phenomenon that put Pokémon on every street. GO
Apr 1, 1997★ The anime begins The first Pokémon anime episode aired in Japan, launching one of the longest running animated series ever made. Screen Sep 28, 1998★ Pokémon conquers America Pokémon Red and Blue released in North America, the first Pokémon games outside Japan, kicking off worldwide Pokémania. Games Nov 21, 1999★ Gold and Silver raise the bar Pokémon Gold and Silver launched in Japan, adding 100 new Pokémon, day and night cycles, and breeding, the template for every sequel. Games Oct 20, 1996★ The Trading Card Game arrives The first Pokémon TCG expansion released in Japan, founding what would become the best selling trading card game in history. TCG Dec 16, 1997★ The seizure episode Dennō Senshi Porygon triggered seizures in hundreds of Japanese children, forcing the anime off air and reshaping broadcast safety standards worldwide. Screen Jul 18, 1998★ Pokémon hits the big screen Mewtwo Strikes Back, the first Pokémon movie, premiered in Japan and launched an annual film tradition. Screen Jan 9, 1999★ The TCG reaches the West Wizards of the Coast released the English Base Set in North America, sparking a collecting craze and schoolyard ban lists everywhere. TCG Nov 21, 2002★ Ruby and Sapphire reboot the series Generation III launched in Japan on Game Boy Advance, overhauling battles with Abilities, Natures, and double battles. Games Sep 28, 2006★ Diamond and Pearl go online Generation IV launched in Japan on the Nintendo DS, bringing the first true online trading and battling to the mainline series. Games Oct 12, 2013★ Pokémon goes 3D, and global the same day Pokémon X and Y brought the mainline series into full 3D and were the first Pokémon games released simultaneously worldwide. Games Nov 15, 2019★ Pokémon comes home to the TV Pokémon Sword and Shield launched worldwide as the first mainline games on a home console, the Nintendo Switch, and became a record breaking seller. Games Jan 28, 2022★ Legends: Arceus reinvents the formula Pokémon Legends: Arceus launched worldwide, breaking the 25 year mold with open area exploration and real time catching. Games Nov 18, 2022★ Scarlet and Violet go open world Generation IX launched worldwide as the first fully open world mainline Pokémon games, with three intertwining storylines. Games Apr 23, 1998 The Pokémon Company is founded Nintendo, Game Freak, and Creatures formed the joint venture that would steward the entire brand. Events Sep 8, 1998 The anime debuts in America The first English episode aired in US syndication, introducing Ash and Pikachu to Western audiences. Screen Sep 12, 1998 Pokémon Yellow stars Pikachu The anime inspired Yellow Version launched in Japan, making Pikachu the iconic face of the games. Games Nov 10, 1999 The First Movie reaches America Mewtwo Strikes Back opened in US theaters, topping the box office at the height of Western Pokémania. Screen Sep 18, 2010 Black and White wipe the slate Generation V launched in Japan with an all new regional dex, no older Pokémon until the postgame, the boldest reset in the series. Games Nov 18, 2016 Sun and Moon shake up tradition Generation VII launched, replacing Gyms with Island Trials and introducing regional variants such as Alolan forms. Games Nov 16, 2018 Let's Go bridges GO and the mainline Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu and Let's Go, Eevee launched as the first mainline Switch games, linking Pokémon GO style catching to the classic Kanto journey. Games May 10, 2019 Detective Pikachu hits Hollywood The first live action Pokémon film opened in US theaters, becoming the highest grossing video game movie at the time. Screen Oct 30, 2024 TCG Pocket reinvents card collecting Pokémon TCG Pocket launched worldwide on mobile, drawing tens of millions of players within weeks. TCG Nov 22, 1999 Pokémon on the cover of TIME TIME's Beware of the Pokémania issue made Pokémon the first single video game title on its cover. Events Aug 20, 2004 The first Pokémon World Championships The inaugural TCG Worlds in Orlando launched the official global competitive scene that endures today. Competitive Aug 14, 2009 Video games join the World Championships The first VGC competition at Worlds crowned the inaugural Video Game World Champion, birthing the modern VGC circuit. Competitive Feb 7, 2016 Pokémon's Super Bowl moment The 20th anniversary Train On ad aired during Super Bowl 50, a rare prime time spotlight for the brand. Events Feb 27, 2016 20th Anniversary, Pokémon Day goes global Pokémon's 20th anniversary re released the Gen I games on 3DS Virtual Console and cemented February 27 as worldwide Pokémon Day. Events Jul 22, 2017 The first Pokémon GO Fest Niantic's first GO Fest in Chicago launched the live event era of Pokémon GO. GO Feb 27, 2021 25th Anniversary, a quarter century of Pokémon Pokémon Day 2021 marked 25 years with a Pokémon Presents and the P25 music program, including a Post Malone virtual concert. Events Nov 11, 2022 Ash finally becomes World Champion After 25 years, Ash Ketchum won the Masters Eight Tournament to become World Champion, the payoff fans waited a generation for. Screen Mar 24, 2023 Ash Ketchum's final episode Ash and Pikachu's 25 year journey ended, closing the original anime era after more than a thousand episodes. Screen Feb 27, 2026 30th Anniversary, three decades of Pokémon Pokémon Day 2026 celebrated the franchise's 30th anniversary. Events Jul 22, 2016 Pokémon GO reaches Japan GO launched in its birthplace, Japan, where record crowds underscored the game's unprecedented reach. GO Jul 26, 2016 GO becomes the fastest game to 100 million dollars Pokémon GO grossed 100 million dollars in just 20 days, the fastest mobile game ever to that mark. GO Jan 20, 2018 The first GO Community Day Niantic's inaugural Community Day, featuring a surfing Pikachu, began the recurring monthly events that keep GO alive years on. GO Apr 14, 2023 A new anime era: Pokémon Horizons Pokémon Horizons: The Series premiered in Japan with new heroes Liko and Roy, the first series of the post Ash era. Screen