‘Pokémon’ and UNIQLO UT’s Second Collection Channels the Original Game Boy Pixel Grid

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Summary

  • UNIQLO has announced the second wave of its Pokémon 30th anniversary UT collection, a men’s graphic tee lineup built around monochrome game dot pixel art renderings of Pokémon and protagonists from the original series
  • The four tees arrive in White, Gray, and Black, each constructed from 100% cotton and sized XS through 4XL, with extended sizes available exclusively online
  • The collection is scheduled for late July 2026 at UNIQLO stores nationwide in Japan and the UNIQLO online store; pricing has not been confirmed

UNIQLO’s UT line is releasing a second collection of Pokémon-themed clothing to celebrate the franchise’s 30th anniversary in 2026. While the first collection featured watercolor-style artwork, this new release uses classic, monochrome pixel art of Pokémon and their trainers for its men’s t-shirts. Four t-shirts in white, gray, and black will be available in Japan at UNIQLO stores and online in late July 2026.

The design choice behind this collection is noteworthy. The pixel art style directly evokes the limitations of the original Game Boy, where Pokémon and its characters were created using simple, monochrome pixels on a small screen. Choosing to recreate that look on t-shirts without adding color, updating the shapes, or making the images clearer is a deliberate artistic decision. UNIQLO’s men’s collection stays true to the original black-and-white style, faithfully reproducing the graphics instead of reimagining them.

This new collection differs from the first UNIQLO Pokémon collaboration. The initial release featured watercolor-style designs of the original characters, aiming for a gentle, widely appealing look based on official artwork. This time, the designs use a pixelated style that’s more detailed, reminiscent of older games, and requires the viewer to already be familiar with Pokémon to fully appreciate the graphics. This focused approach is fitting for the 30th anniversary, as it’s geared towards celebrating the franchise with long-time fans rather than introducing it to new ones.

All of our t-shirts are made from 100% cotton and can be machine washed. We offer a wide range of sizes, from XS to 4XL. You can find the extended sizes (XS, XXL, 3XL, and 4XL) only on our website. The shirts come in three classic colors – White, Gray, and Black – so the design really stands out. With our pixel designs, the shirt color becomes part of the artwork, and these neutral colors complement that perfectly.

The next collection of UNIQLO x Pokémon UT designs for Spring/Summer 2026 will be available in late July 2026 at all UNIQLO locations across Japan and on the UNIQLO Japan website.

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2026-05-11 16:56