As a series, Pokémon has shown time and time again that they're willing to return to Kanto at any time. In 2026, one of the biggest releases for Pokémon was the porting of FireRed and LeafGreen, amid other Kanto celebrations for the series' 30th anniversary. Pikachu is undoubtedly going to show up as often as possible as the core mascot, but other first-generation Pokémon are making appearances on a constant basis.
It also helps that the first generation of games remains the highest-selling overall, outperforming the competition by roughly five million units. Right below it are Sword and Shield, followed by Scarlet and Violet, highlighting the power of newer generations of fans and the strong install base of the Nintendo Switch.
Of course, we're set for another return to Kanto this year. On X, the next official 2026 Pokémon release has been revealed, and it's great news for Kanto fans.
As leaked by @got.cooped on Instagram, it looks like the next LEGO set for Pokémon is going to be "Charizard vs. Jolteon." Designed for ages 8+ (so it's not an 18+ collector set), the 751-piece set is part of the "Smart Play" line and features a combat between Charizard and Jolteon. Beyond the bricks, you're also getting a smart charger, smart tags, and smart bricks, which help simulate a battle between the two memorable Pokémon.
Fans are already concerned with the pricing given the inclusion of smart bricks, which is a polarizing element among collectors. As many have pointed out, this is one of multiple Charizard sets, when there's 1024 other Pokémon to potentially focus on.
Many of these LEGO sets so far seem to be favoring the first three generations, as a Hoenn set was recently leaked. It's a smart move to go chronologically and shift to later generations as time goes on. The Pokémon Company is known for its long-term strategy, so I can see them going through every game eventually.
In 2026, a good 30 years after the debut of Pokémon, fans are still returning to Kanto on their own. The first set of games is a very strong debut that sets the tone for the rest of the series, and for many, the timing of playing the first generation while watching the TV show is a potent nostalgic mix.
As Pokémon continues to grow and enters the 10th generation, a lot of Kanto's roots are sure to show up. Pikachu is already front and center in the game (perhaps more so than ever before outside of Pokémon Let's Go Pikachu), so it's already off to a strong start.
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