The official Japanese Pokémon account is counting down with 30th anniversary images, and fans think it ends Nov. 30. The Pokémon Company hasn’t said what the mystery tease is for.
Something Pokémon-related may be on the way, but nobody knows what yet.
The official Japanese Pokémon account on X has been posting a mysterious countdown, ComicBook.com reported Monday, Nov. 2. Fans believe it could wrap up on Monday, Nov. 30.
The Pokémon Company hasn’t said what the countdown is for.
What is the Pokémon countdown?
A series of images on the @Pokemon_cojp account. Each one shows a Pokémon inside the franchise’s 30th anniversary logo, along with a number that keeps getting smaller, ComicBook.com reported.
The countdown started on Oct. 18 with Bulbasaur at 1,025. Later images showed Goodra at 843 and Teddiursa at 646 on Nov. 2.
Why does the Pokémon countdown start at 1,025?
That’s how many Pokémon are in the National Pokédex so far, with Pecharunt as No. 1,025. The Pokémon in the images don’t match their own Pokedex numbers, though. Bulbasaur, for example, is No. 1.
When does the Pokémon countdown end?
Fans think Nov. 30, based on how fast the numbers are dropping, according to ComicBook.com. The Pokémon Company hasn’t confirmed a date or time.
What could the Pokémon countdown be for?
No one knows, but fans have plenty of guesses. ComicBook.com listed a few:
New info on Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves, the upcoming Generation 10 games
Something for the Pokémon Trading Card Game
A new Pokémon movie or TV show
Nintendo Switch versions of Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire
A translated caption on the posts reads roughly as “continue with Pokémon,” which could hint at new Pokémon, but that’s a guess, ComicBook.com said.
What are Pokémon Winds and Waves?
The next main-series Pokémon games, which ComicBook.com described as the upcoming Generation 10 titles. They follow Generation 9, which started with Pokémon Scarlet and Violet on Nintendo Switch in 2022. A new trailer or release date would be a natural fit for a big countdown.
When does Pokémon usually make big announcements?
Usually around Pokémon Day on Feb. 27, the anniversary of the first Pokémon games in Japan in 1996. A countdown ending in November would be an unusual time for a major reveal.
Why is 2026 a big year for Pokémon?
It’s the franchise’s 30th anniversary. The Pokémon Company has been celebrating all year with special events, games and merchandise. This year’s re-releases of Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen also came to Nintendo Switch.
Is there a McDonald’s Pokémon Happy Meal in 2026?
Yes. McDonald’s next Pokémon Trading Card Game Happy Meal is set to start Tuesday, Nov. 10, in the U.S., with mini Happy Meal box toys and two cards in each meal, according to PokeBeach.
It’s the first time since 2018 that Happy Meals will include plastic Pokémon toys, the site reported.
Where can you see Pokémon in the U.S.?
At the movies, on TV and in stores across the country. The Pokémon Center online store carries anniversary merchandise, and Pokémon events pop up at malls and conventions throughout the year.
How can you follow the Pokémon countdown?
Watch the @Pokemon_cojp account on X for new images. The English-language @Pokémon account and the official Pokemon website are the best places to catch any announcement in the U.S.
What should fans expect next?
More countdown images. If fans are right, the mystery will be revealed by the end of November, just in time for the holidays.
Article compiled with the help of the Pirates & Princesses newsroom.
Pirates and Princesses is your destination for Disney news, theme park updates, and the pop culture you love. From Disney cruises and travel tips to Disney fashion, food, collectibles, and movie news, PNP covers it all. Visit us at piratesandprincesses.net for daily coverage. Follow PNP on Facebook and Instagram, and listen to the Pirates & Princesses podcast on Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
Hat Tips:
ComicBook.com, Logan Moore (Nov. 2, 2026), the countdown images, numbers, end-date estimate and fan theories, via Nintendo Everything
PokeBeach (Oct. 27, 2026), the McDonald’s Pokemon Happy Meal dates and toys
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