'I need this': Fans react as Lego and Pokémon announce new partnership starting in 2026
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Lego planning on replacing oil in bricks
Lego announced that after testing more than 600 materials, the best way to green up their bricks is a more expensive approach.
Get ready to not only catch 'em all, but build 'em all next year.
Lego and Pokémon announced on Tuesday that they have entered a multi-year partnership to bring "Lego Pokémon" to life in 2026. The announcement doesn't share details about the partnership, whether folks can expect Pokémon building sets; a Lego Pokémon video game; or limited edition playing cards, but fans have already begun to speculate. Instead, a short teaser video featuring a Pikachu tail made of Lego bricks bounces across the screen.
"I need this, I need this," TikTok user Eric Bricks said in a video on Tuesday. "I can already see this theme selling like hot cakes. We know how crazy Pokémon fans are."
With the news hot off the presses, here's what we know so far about the Lego and Pokémon partnership.
What does the Lego Pokémon partnership include?
As of Tuesday, Lego and Pokémon's announcement remains quite vague for what their "multi-year partnership" includes. Fans are encouraged to check in on the Lego Pokémon website for updates at lego.com/en-us/themes/pokemon/about.
When will Lego Pokémon be released?
Lego Pokémon will be released in 2026, the companies shared.
Have Lego and Pokémon worked together before?
No, Lego has not made Pokémon building sets before.
Up until now, popular Pokémon buildable sets have almost exclusively been created and sold by Mattel under the company's Mega Bloks brand.
What are builders, trainers saying?
Lego and Pokémon fans alike have taken to social media to share their excitement for the collaboration.
"I have lost count of the amount of times people have asked me what my dream Lego theme would be and I always answer the same way: 'Pokémon. Give me Pokémon.' And it's finally happening," TikTok user Block Party UK said in a video sharing the news.
TikTok user cjBricklz, a Lego ambassador, said he hopes the brands release each of the first generation Pokémon (think Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle) as brick-build characters.
"I think those would be some amazing 18+ sets and I would spend hundreds on those," cjBricklz said in his video.
The Pokémon collaboration isn't the first time Lego has dipped its toes in the video game waters. Over the years, Lego has released Super Mario Bros., The Legend the Zelda, Minecraft and Animal Crossing sets.
Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretalcross. Story idea? Email her at gcross@usatoday.com.
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