It might be closing in on the end of summer and beginning of fall but the releases from Banpresto are not slowing down for the month of August.
The surprise non-plush releases for August are smaller plastic figures. Otherwise, everything else is pretty standard for Banpresto and Pokemon with new stuff coming from Pokemon Tsuretette, Korotto Manmaru, Pikachu & Mimikyu Mania, the general Pokemon Sun & Moon series, and more from I Love Gengar (or as they write it in Japanese, I Love Gangar)
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.
Pikachu and Mimikyu Mania prizes continue into August. Both releases come out August 9th (Friday), which is about halfway through the Pikachu Outbreak event held annually in Yokohama. Win a cute plush and bring it with you to watch the Pikachu parades!
The two face cushions (Pikachu and Mimikyu) measure about 33 cm across.
The four smaller Pikachu plush measure about 12 cm high.
The Pokemon Tsuretette (Pokemon Pal) series continues into August with two releases.
Larger sized plush of Squirtle and Snorlax (each measuring about 26 cm) will start appearing in game centers around Japan from August 22nd (Thursday).
Smaller sized plush of Jigglypuff, Psyduck, Growlithe, and Togepi (each measuring about 14 cm) will also start appearing in game centers around Japan from August 22nd (Thursday).
From the I Love Gengar (Gangar) series comes two larger sized Gengar plush (each measuring about 20 cm – he is a chunky boi) which will start appearing in game centers around Japan from August 22nd (Thursday).
Continuing the Colorful mini series from Korotto Manmaru, black themed larger plush (Umbreon, Starly, and Banette – each measuring about 23 cm) will start appearing in game centers around Japan from August 22nd (Thursday).
The two XL size plush coming out for August are Witch Hat Pikachu (getting ready for Halloween early) and Pichu from the Mogu-Mogu Time (Snack Time) series.
Pichu (measuring about 30 cm) will start appearing in game centers around Japan from August 8th (Thursday).
Pikachu (measuring about 31 cm) will start appearing in game centers around Japan from August 20th (Tuesday).
Last but not least – from the general Pokemon Sun & Moon Banpresto series:
A collection of smaller sized plastic figures of Squirtle, Bulbasaur, Charmander, Pikachu, and Eevee (each measuring about 4 cm), will start appearing in game centers around Japan from August 8th (Thursday).
Squishy Pokeballs, each measuring about 9 cm, will also start appearing in game centers around Japan from August 8th (Thursday).
That wraps up all the Banpresto releases for the month of August.
We should start seeing more Halloween themed stuff in September, so get hyped (if you’re into Halloween!)
