Everywhere you go in Japan, you’ll will see anime or video game collabs with a variety of stores and events. One of the biggest series we often see is Pokémon. What started as an ambitious monster training game in 1996 is now a worldwide sensation! You can’t tell me that you don’t know what a Pikachu is at the very least!
As a big Pokémon Fan myself, I would like to share my Top 10 Pokémon Collaborations I’ve seen in Japan!
I will be making a personal ranking of several of these collabs from Good to Best (numbered 10 to 1). I’ll be looking at the impact of the collaboration, the types of merch that came with them, and how many times they released the collab as the basis for this ranking.
Without further ado, Let’s Catch ‘em All!
10. Uniqlo
Starting off with a classic. Uniqlo and Pokémon have had several collabs for both kid and adult wear. It’s a little disappointing that the most recent ones often feature similar Pokémon and don’t show much variety in art style or illustration.
Another thing – we’d love to see these great designs in more sizes, not just for kids!
My favourite of these many collabs would certainly have to be the Uniqlo x Pokémon x James Jarvis Psyduck sweatshirt! How can you NOT love this face???
See more information on Uniqlo’s collaborations here:
→ https://www.uniqlo.com/jp/ja/news/topics/2025072401/
9. WPC Umbrella
WPC Umbrella does many collabs with various series and artists. Of course, Pokémon is no exception! Umbrellas for rain, sun, and even other gear to protect yourself and your things from the elements!
Some WPC items can be purchased through Pokémon Center, but you can definitely find them on WPC’s official site, too!
Rainy days just feel a bit better when you have this adorable gear to use during otherwise gloomy weather. Even this waterproof rain tote bag is compact and perfect for sudden wet surprises!
If you are worried about the size, WPC has many foldable, compact umbrella options which make shipping these items easier and more affordable!
Check out the types of available umbrellas:
→ https://www.wpc-store.com/c/collaboration/collabo-pokemon?srsltid=AfmBOoqTGLMWuAlBYlzt41kcf_XFElXe1WT9Jnp-nVSEOqCsYmGydje3
8. Mister Donut
Pokémon and Mister Donut have a yearly collaboration with special menu items as well as adorable merch! The blanket that came with their latest collab is perfect for keeping you warm at the office when that A/C is turned up too high.
Mister Donut also revealed a long-time mystery of a certain Pokémon… What does Diglet look like underneath??
See the list of collaboration items on Mister Donut’s site
→ https://www.misterdonut.jp/m_menu/goods
7. Pokémon x Kogei
A grand collab between 20 artists—from well-known craftsmen to aspiring creators—and Pokémon, featuring unique pieces blending traditional crafts with the world of Pokémon. Several museums across Japan (and one in Los Angeles) have displayed these strange creations, giving a new style to classic designs.
Of course, you can bring some of the art home in the form of stickers, miniatures, as well as the official catalog!
I absolutely love Kasumi Ueha’s Shaymin handcrafted figure! She’s just so…adorable.
Check Kogei’s official shop for more details:
→ https://kogei.Pokemon.co.jp/
6. Komeda Coffee
Komeda Coffee is an iconic café chain in Japan known for their uniquely shaped cups! Of course, they do sell merchandise of these cups and glasses, but what if they were Pokémon-coded?
These collaboration items sold instantly on Pokémon Center. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to purchase the cute mugs either… But they’ve done re-releases of these exclusive items, so if you missed the first (and second) time, don’t give up!
Not only was this merch featured, but exclusive menus and small bonus keychains and coasters came with each order. This collaboration will hopefully make its return again!
Check Komeda Coffee’s website for more info:
→ https://www.komeda.co.jp/Pokemon2025
5. World Expo
No, there is no Pikachu wearing a MyakuMyaku outfit. (Thank goodness!) If you walk around the World Expo site, you will come across various photo-spots featuring classic favourites like Pikachu, Eevee, and the Kanto Starters!
Not only can you find these photo booths in the World Expo, but each serves as its own Pokémon Stop where you can capture special Pokémon inside the Pokémon GO game! Each stop will give you a special stamp and in-game rewards! No line-ups here!! A perfect little collab that’ll help make your adventures in Osaka’s Expo an exciting one!
See the World Expo site for more info on this event:
→ https://www.expo2025.or.jp/en/news/news-20250213-04
4. Shonen Jump
This collab has also returned a few times throughout Shonen Jump’s run. It was most recently featured on issues 36/37 and 38, featuring Mega Pokémon as a tie-in with the upcoming Pokémon AZ game!
Pokémon drawn by Jump’s many manga artists with each of their main characters was certainly not on this year’s bingo card. I cannot stop looking at how cute Oda Eichiro’s Pikachu looks!! (Still can’t decide where to put this sticker… TT)
Check out Jump’s official Twitter (X) Post
→ https://x.com/jump_henshubu/status/1949488699814879580
3. Pokémon Fossil Museum
This exhibit will actually be coming to the United States in 2026, specifically at the Chicago Field Museum. The exhibit compares Pokémon (mostly fossil versions) with their real-world counterparts. You will also find non-fossil Pokémon featured here like Yanmega and Mamoswine.
I always wondered what Bastidon was exactly based on…I guess a Triceratops was the closest thing. My favourite fossil Pokémon is Archeops—even if its ability makes it a difficult guy to use in-game!
Don’t worry if you cannot go to the museum itself! You can virtually visit the place through the link below.
→ https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=P9WCbyCBGBM
Bandai Spirits also recently announced that they will be releasing a plastic model of Aerodactyl and Tyrantrum, featuring both their bone structure and standard models!!
Preorders for Aerodactyl have already begun! Get yours through DEJAPAN’s Request Form!
→ https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B0FNQMVD5P/?tag=famitsucom-article-36706-22
2. Honda Koraidon Project and Toyota Miraidon Project
This isn’t an Itasha (anime-skinned car) from these big Japanese automobile companies. The Pokémon Scarlet and Violet games each feature legendary Pokémon that players are able to utilize as vehicles while traversing the huge open world environment.
Honda and Toyota were tasked with recreating Koraidon and Miraidon as functioning motorcycles! Although some time has already passed since the initial announcement, finally both Koraidon and Miraidon’s completed vehicles have been unveiled!!
This was a project no one knew they needed. Oh, to be a kid who sees the Pokémon they traveled across Paldea with—come to life!
More Info on Honda Koraidon:
→ https://global.honda/jp/motorcycle/brand/koraidon/
→ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryoEWpD9NMg
More info on Toyota Miraidon:
→ https://corporate.Pokémon.co.jp/en/topics/detail/117.html
→ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImLaGqj_w9E
Honorable Mentions
Pure Gumi
Mix-chu Fruit flavour! Packaging and shapes that resemble the adorable Pikachu and other Pokémon, too! This collab comes back every year, and it’s one I look forward to for sure! So sad I missed the year Sprigatitto was also featured. TT
Baskin Robin 31
A summer special featuring new flavours, bonus merch, and more each year. This year featured Pikachu’s tropical ice cream, as well as a Soda Float featuring Pokémon AZ’s starters, Chikorita, Totodile, and Tepig!
Universal Studio Japan
What started as a small halloween event became a Universal Studio Japan classic! DJ Pikachu, DJ Gengar, and all the ghostly Pokémon are so adorable!! Keep an eye out for the new merch coming out this Halloween season.
1. Hatsune Miku Project VOLTAGE
This collaboration between Pokémon, illustrators, and songwriters is HUGE. When Hatsune Miku fans say she can be anything, they mean it! Spectacular designs of Miku inspired by all 18 Pokémon types alongside a variety of featured Pokémon. These designs also brought forth many beautiful art illustrations which showcased other VOCALOIDS as well.
And what is a Hatsune Miku collab without original music? Many popular VOCALOID artists have been commissioned to create music videos with Pokémon as the theme.
I may have a bias for DECO*27 after getting into Milgram Project – but, dang, their Volt Tackle song was sooo catchy.
As for my favourite Miku design, my number 1 is definitely the Ground Type Miku! Flygon is such a great pick, and we love a girl in crocs!! I certainly became a bigger fan of kannnu [https://x.com/sirakannnu] after this (and finding out the amazing characters she has also designed for Pokémon).
The official Twitter account for this project seems to be teasing even more content in the future… And just as I was finishing up this blog post, the BIG news dropped!! There’s gonna be a live concert in Tokyo, with exclusive Pokémon Center merch and additional songs by more artists! It’s a good time to be a Pokémon fan and a VOCALOID fan!
Keep up with updates from this ongoing collaboration project here:
→ https://x.com/PokeMikuVOLTAGE
Conclusion
This was my, Niko’s, personal top 10 picks for Pokémon Collabs. Honestly, there are many, many more series and stores the Pokémon franchise has made special merch for, so it was difficult to choose only 10. TT
What collaboration were you most excited about? Which one do you have merch from? We’d love to hear back from you!
Feel free to submit an order for any of the products featured here (or anything else) via our Request Form. And if you have any questions or feedback, go ahead and contact us at contact@dejapan.com! We’d love to hear from you!
