Adidas launches 12-pair Pokémon collection

Adidas has revealed a 12-pair Pokémon sneaker collection tied to the franchise’s 30th anniversary, according to coverage published on August 5 and Adidas media assets posted this week. Vice reported that the lineup had received its official reveal and said the range spans 12 pairs themed around Pokémon characters including Pikachu and Mewtwo. The Pokémon Company International said in February that 2026 would be a yearlong 30th-anniversary celebration for the brand. That broader campaign gives the Adidas release a formal anniversary context rather than a one-off collaboration. ### Which characters are in the Adidas lineup? Vice and other sneaker outlets said the collection reaches beyond the two best-known names in the initial reports. (vice.com) Published breakdowns listed Pikachu, Mewtwo, Charizard, Gengar and Rayquaza among the featured inspirations, with some reports also naming Charmander, Charmeleon, Gastly and Haunter. Sneaker News and Hypebeast described the project as a full footwear collection rather than a single hero shoe. (press.pokemon.com) Their reports said the designs are spread across multiple Adidas silhouettes, with some pairs using understated color references and others using more literal character details. ### Is this an official Adidas announcement or just retailer leakage? (vice.com) Adidas has posted official media imagery for “The adidas x Pokémon collection” on its newsroom site. That asset confirms the collaboration is being handled through Adidas’ own media channels, even though the clearest public-facing reporting on the full 12-pair reveal came first through outside outlets and sneaker media. (sneakernews.com) Gamereactor reported on August 5 that Adidas had unveiled the collaboration as part of Pokémon’s 30th-anniversary year. Vice published the same day that the “full” collection had now been officially revealed. ### How big is the drop compared with typical brand collaborations? The number that stands out is 12. Vice said the collection includes 12 pairs, while Hypebeast called it a 12-pair lineup and Gamereactor described it as a “massive” collection. (news.adidas.com) Sneaker outlets also framed the release as one of the larger Pokémon footwear capsules in recent memory. That characterization came from the breadth of characters and silhouettes listed in early coverage, not from Adidas giving sales targets or production numbers. (gamereactor.eu) ### Do we know when the shoes go on sale? Several sneaker publications said the collection is expected in September 2026, but Adidas’ public release-calendar page remains the most direct official place to monitor timing. (vice.com) Adidas says its release-dates page tracks upcoming launches, and the company also points users to its Confirmed app for limited releases and partnerships. Screen Rant, Sneaker News and Men’s Journal each reported a September 2026 launch window. (sneakernews.com) Those reports did not all cite the same exact day, and Adidas’ own release page does not, in the material reviewed, yet show a dated Pokémon entry. ### Where should fans look next? Adidas’ U.S. release-dates page says it is the company’s source for upcoming drops, and the page directs users to the Confirmed app for partnership releases. (adidas.com) Pokémon’s anniversary campaign is continuing across 2026, which means this sneaker release sits inside a broader stream of branded merchandise and events still rolling out. September 2026 is the clearest next milestone cited in current coverage. (screenrant.com) Until Adidas posts a product page or dated launch notice, the release-dates calendar, Confirmed app and Adidas newsroom are the most concrete places to watch. (adidas.com)