After a couple months of low key Banpresto releases, April starts the summer surge with a bunch of different releases and a lot of new plush!
What is Banpresto?
Banpresto is a company that manufactures plush, figures, towels, glasses, and other items to be used as prizes for claw machines in game centers as well as kuji prizes. None of these items are designed to be sold directly through stores and cannot be found in Pokemon Centers. Note that the exception to this are Pokemon kujis, however even in this case, you have to win the prizes; you can’t buy the prize you want directly. Typically, you can find these prize items in game centers or sold second hand through auction sites, amazon, or other similar stores.
Most Pokemon releases from Banpresto drop on Tuesday or Thursday, with occasional releases on Friday. Ichiban Kuji generally goes on sale on Saturdays.
Some of the bigger name game centers in Japan include: Adores, Sega, Round 1, Namco, and Taito Station. Keep in mind, not all game center locations stock all prizes.
Starting off with the generic Pokemon Sun & Moon line~
Plush Eevee tissue box cases (two versions: normal and smiling) will start appearing in game centers around Japan from April 4th (Thursday). Each plush measures about 27 cm from head to tail and has a strap so you can hang it if you want to keep tissues on a door, for example.
Large-size plush versions of Brionne and Nagisa (fancy Eevee currently starring in the most recent Pokemon Sun & Moon anime season) will start appearing in game centers around Japan from April 25th (Thursday). Each plush measures about 23 cm.
There will be two new XL size plush for April, both appearing in game centers around Japan from April 18th (Thursday).
Ditto measures about 40 cm and Snorlax measures about 36 cm.
From the adorable Mogu-Mogu (Snack) Time series comes two releases~
Large-size plush of Raichu and Pichu munching on berries will start appearing in game centers around Japan from April 11th (Thursday). Each plush measures about 23 cm.
Smaller plush versions of snacky Bulbasaur, Squirtle, and Charmander will start appearing in game centers around Japan from April 25th (Thursday). Each plush measures about 14 cm.
Last but not least! Three miscellaneous releases~
Kororin Friends returns with four new plush designed to fit in your hand! This release includes Pikachu, Lucario, Ampharos, and Psyduck, with each plush measuring about 9 cm. These buddies will start appearing in game centers from April 25th (Thursday).
The Korotto Manmaru Colors series continues with the color purple for April. This batch includes Espeon, Gengar, and Nidoran Male. Each plush measures about 22 cm and will start appearing in game centers around Japan from April 25th (Thursday).
Lastly, from the Hokkori Iyase (Warm & Healing) series, two new extra fuzzy plush! Psyduck and Slowpoke, both measuring about 27 cm, will start appearing in game centers around Japan from April 11th (Thursday).
That wraps up the Banpresto prize releases schedule for the month of April!
Until next time~
