BODY: Your childhood starter Pokémon are back — this time as a crunchy snack.
Oyatsu Company is marking the 30th anniversary of the original Pocket Monsters Red & Green Game Boy RPGs with a pair of limited-edition Baby Star Dodecai Ramen releases. The first flavor, Nori Shio (seaweed salt), hits shelves nationwide on April 20, followed by BBQ Sauce Steak flavor on May 18. Both are expected to retail for around ¥152 (roughly $1).
The packaging features original designs showcasing Grass-type and Fire-type partner Pokémon from across the franchise's three-decade history. That means fans can expect to see iconic starters like Bulbasaur, Chikorita, Treecko, and Sprigatito on one side, with Charmander, Cyndaquil, Torchic, and Fuecoco representing the Fire types on the other. It's a nostalgia trip that spans every generation from Kanto to Paldea.
Baby Star is one of Japan's most recognizable snack brands, known for its dried ramen noodle chips that have been a konbini and dagashiya staple since the 1950s. The "Dodecai" line offers a larger, thicker version of the classic snack — think of it as the evolved form. Pokémon collaborations with food brands are a proven formula in Japan, but Baby Star's retro appeal makes this pairing feel especially fitting for an anniversary that celebrates the franchise's roots.
The insider take
Walk into any convenience store in Japan right now and the Pokémon 30th branding is inescapable — from Lawson lottery campaigns to special vending machine drinks. But the Baby Star collab stands out because both brands share a similar DNA: they're comfort-level nostalgic for anyone who grew up in the '90s and 2000s. At ¥152 a bag, these are the kind of impulse buys that will fly off shelves in the first week, especially with collectors snapping up the packaging. If past Pokémon food collabs are any indication, don't sleep on these — they tend to vanish fast.
Originally reported by GAME Watch (Japanese).