Fender Japan Launches Pokémon 30th Anniversary Guitars
Fender Japan unveiled a Red Stratocaster and Green Telecaster on October 30, 2026, to mark Pokémon’s 30th anniversary. Inspired by the franchise’s original games, both limited edition electric guitars pair pixel art styling with an onboard 8-bit effect that alters the guitar signal.
Pixel art and 8-bit audio
Artwork across the bodies draws from the early Pokémon games. Pokémon and character sprites appear alongside a Poké Ball and Game Boy Color, all visible beneath semi transparent pickguards. The pickguards shift between fluorescent colors depending on the viewing angle, while their pixelated edges continue the video game theme.
Poké Ball inlays run along both fretboards, though the two models use different woods. The Green Telecaster has a maple fingerboard, while the Red Stratocaster has a rosewood fingerboard. Both guitars retain traditional single coil pickup configurations.
The 8-bit effect is controlled through the push and pull volume knob. Pulling the knob adds the effect directly to the guitar signal, so it is built into each instrument rather than supplied as a separate unit. On the back, a Pocket Monsters 30th Anniversary neck plate carries a small Pikachu sprite.
Each guitar comes in a hard case and includes a Pokémon guitar pick set plus a certificate of authenticity. Availability is extremely limited, so Fender Japan is selling both models exclusively through a lottery rather than a standard retail release. Applications for the Red Stratocaster and Green Telecaster lottery are being accepted through Pokémon Center Online.
(Compiled)
