On August 4, fans of anime, manga, and gaming will witness a special event as Pokémon teams up with Weekly Shonen Jump for the first time ever. This collaboration brings together two of Japan’s most iconic entertainment brands in a unique magazine issue that is expected to excite fans around the world.
Weekly Shonen Jump, Japan’s most popular manga magazine, is known for publishing hit series like One Piece, My Hero Academia, Jujutsu Kaisen, and Blue Box. Pokémon, on the other hand, remains one of the world’s most beloved franchises, spanning video games, anime, and trading cards. Although both are major parts of Japanese pop culture, they have never come together in a full collaboration, until now.
In this special double issue of Weekly Shonen Jump (Issue 36/37), every current manga artist featured in the magazine will draw their main characters alongside a Pokémon. These one-of-a-kind illustrations will be shown in a massive group image on the cover. Inside, readers will also find each individual artwork displayed in full color, making it a must-have for collectors.
Some examples of the collaborations already revealed include Eiichiro Oda drawing Luffy from One Piece alongside Pikachu, Kouji Miura pairing Chinatsu from Blue Box with Totodile, and Shuhei Miyazaki’s Me & Roboco teaming Roboco up with Mega Blaziken. These combinations blend the worlds of Pokémon and manga in fun and surprising ways, capturing the personalities of both the Pokémon and the manga characters.
Shonen Jump Magazine (Credits: Shueisha)
Pokémon and Shonen Jump Unite for First-Ever Collaboration Issue on August 4
This issue is part of Shonen Jump’s larger summer campaign, which will also include a follow-up release on August 18 (Issue 38). That next issue will come with limited-edition Pokémon-themed stickers based on the collaboration art. Fans who purchase both issues will have the chance to own a full collection of character and Pokémon pairings, along with exclusive collectibles and possibly even special giveaways.
The excitement surrounding the announcement has already spread quickly online. Fans are thrilled to see their favorite manga artists drawing Pokémon for the first time. Many have called it a dream crossover, something they never thought they would see. Social media is full of fans sharing the preview images and looking forward to collecting the issues.
This collaboration is not just about art. It represents a celebration of two powerful and long-lasting cultural forces. Shonen Jump has helped shape generations of manga readers since it began publication in the late 1960s. Pokémon has reached across media and generations since its debut in 1996. Putting them together gives fans something new while honoring the histories of both franchises.
The August 4 issue is expected to sell out quickly, especially with the special cover and collectible content inside. Readers in Japan will be able to buy it at bookstores, convenience stores, and online. While an English version has not been announced, international fans may still find ways to import it or see the art online once the issue is released.
Weekly Shonen Jump Artists Draw Pokémon for Special Crossover Magazine Release
What makes this event special is how it brings together artists and characters from across genres and styles. From battle manga like Jujutsu Kaisen to comedy like Me & Roboco and sports drama like Blue Box, every creator has brought their own vision to the collaboration. And with the Pokémon characters being so familiar and loved, the combinations feel both fresh and nostalgic.
This historic team-up between Pokémon and Shonen Jump is a celebration of creativity and fan culture. It’s a reminder that even after decades of success, these franchises continue to find new ways to surprise and delight their audiences. For fans of either or both, the August 4 issue will be a collectible worth cherishing.
Ash and Pikachu From Pokémon franchise (Credits: The Pokémon Company)
As the release date approaches, fans around the world are preparing to see their favorite characters in new ways. Whether you’ve followed Pokémon since the Game Boy days or have been reading Shonen Jump for years, this collaboration promises to be a joyful and memorable moment in anime and manga history.
You can check out manga from Shonen Jump here , and for the Pokémon games, go to Nintendo’s official site.
Fans of Digimon have something exciting to look forward to. A brand-new trailer for the upcoming game Digimon Story: Time Stranger has just been released, and it focuses entirely on the special moves of various Digimon. This trailer is the second major preview for the game, and it gives players a closer look at the battle system and the unique powers of several popular Digimon.
The new footage shows well-known Digimon like Angewomon, Lilithmon, and Raidramon using their signature attacks in bright, colorful animations. These special moves are fast, flashy, and full of energy, which gives a clear idea of how battles will feel in the final game. The moves are not just simple effects, each one feels designed to match the Digimon’s personality and power level.
This trailer is different from the first one, which focused more on the story of the game. This time, it’s all about action. Viewers get to see how attacks are performed, how they hit, and what kind of impact they’ll have in combat. For fans of turn-based RPGs, this is especially important, as it shows what to expect during long battles.
Digimon Franchise (Credits: Bandai Namco)
A Fresh Take on Classic Digimon Moves
One of the biggest highlights of this trailer is the improved visuals. Past Digimon games had exciting moves, but Time Stranger seems to take things to a new level. The animation is smoother, the camera angles are more dramatic, and the visual effects make every move look more intense. From wings of light to dark energy blasts, each move feels like it belongs in an anime episode.
Angewomon’s attack, for example, is shown with glowing light and sweeping energy. Lilithmon’s move brings a wave of dark magic. These aren’t just cosmetic upgrades, they make the game feel alive. Even veteran fans will feel excited to see how these classic Digimon have been updated.
According to the latest details, Digimon Story: Time Stranger will feature over 450 Digimon. That means players will have a wide range of partners to choose from, raise, and evolve. This also means many more special moves to discover.
The trailer doesn’t show all of them, of course, but it gives just enough to hint at the scale of the game. Fans have already spotted other Digimon in the background of certain scenes, sparking discussions and guesses about who else will appear. With such a large roster, players will have plenty of room to create their dream teams.
Digimon Story: Time Stranger is scheduled to release on October 3, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. In Japan, the game will release a day earlier on October 2. This is the first time a Digimon Story game will be available on Xbox consoles, and it’s also the first in the series to include an official English voice track. These changes are a big step forward for international fans, who often had to rely on subtitles or wait for unofficial translations.
This also means that the game will likely have a larger audience than ever before. With better hardware, higher-quality visuals, and full voice acting, Time Stranger seems ready to attract both longtime fans and newcomers.
Digimon Franchise (Credits: Bandai Namco)
Set in the Digital World: Iliad
The story of the game takes place in a new part of the Digital World called “Iliad.” This area is said to be filled with mystery, danger, and legendary Digimon. Players will explore different regions, meet new characters, and uncover a hidden plot involving a group of powerful Digimon known as the Olympos XII.
While the trailer doesn’t show much of the story, earlier previews revealed that the game will focus on a new cast of human characters who form bonds with their Digimon partners. These relationships will grow over time and affect how the story develops.
For many fans, Digimon battles are the best part of any game in the series. The excitement of training a Digimon, evolving it, and finally watching it use a powerful move is what makes the franchise so special. This new trailer understands that, and it delivers on the action.
Instead of focusing on flashy new features or long explanations, the trailer lets the Digimon speak for themselves, through their moves. It’s a reminder that while the story and characters are important, the heart of the game is still about battling, growing stronger, and working together with your Digimon partner.
Final Thoughts
Digimon Story: Time Stranger is shaping up to be one of the most exciting entries in the series. With a huge roster of Digimon, a brand-new world to explore, and polished battle animations, it looks like a game made with care and attention to what fans love most.
The new trailer showing off the special moves is more than just eye candy. It’s a promise that this game will deliver action, style, and a true Digimon experience. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the franchise or someone looking for a fun RPG to get into, this might be the game to watch when it launches this October.
You can get the game from Steam .
