by ZombieMiki | Feb 5, 2020 | Pokemon, Pokemon Merch News, TCG, UFO Catchers
2.1
[Pokemon Center] Earl Grey Cookies
2.5
[Banpresto] Pokemon Large Face Cushion (Scorbunny, Grookey, Sobble)
2.6
[Banpresto] Gura-Burarin Plush (Charmander, Machop, Ditto, Teddiursa)
2.7
[Pokemon TCG] Booster Pack “V Max Rising”
[Pokemon TCG] Pokemon Center Card Sleeves (Cinderace + Rillaboom + Inteleon / Gigantamax Snorlax / Gigantamax Lapras)
[Pokemon TCG] Deck Case (Gigantamax Snorlax / Gigantamax Lapras)
2.8
[Pokemon Center] Shibuya Center exclusive skateboard decks
[Pokemon Center] Nonbiri Life
2.13
[Banpresto] Mogu-Mogu Time – Large Plush (Charizard, Dragonite)
[Banpresto] Mogu-Mogu Time – Extra Large Plush (Squirtle)
2.15
[Pokemon Center] Pokemon Center Exclusive Plush (Alcremie, Duraludon, Yamper)
2.18
[Banpresto] Korotto Manmaru – Large Plush (Clefairy, Togepi, Munchlax)
2.20
[Banpresto] Hope-Pita Plush (Pikachu, Psyduck, Munchlax, Espurr)
[Banpresto] Korotto Manmaru – Extra Large Plush (Mew)
2.22
[Pokemon Center] Mocchiri-Manmaru Collection
2.25
[Ensky] Pokemon Paper Theater Cube (Pikachu, Eevee, Snorlax)
2.26
[Banpresto] Hokkori Iyasare – Large Plush (Pichu, Luvdisc)
2.28
[San-ei] Big More Plush (Tyranitar)
[Maruyoshi] Pokemon Plush Face Pouch (Pikachu, Eevee, Squirtle, Charmander, Bulbasaur, Mew)
by ZombieMiki | Oct 2, 2019 | Pokemon, Pokemon Merch News, UFO Catchers
It’s October!!
… And we have no Halloween merchandise this month, although there is one Christmas plush set. Not sure why Banpresto dropped the ball but that’s how it goes, I guess.
Maybe the other plush scheduled for release will make up for it!
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 (raffle) prizes. None of these items are designed to be sold directly through stores and cannot be found in Pokemon Centers with the exception being Pokemon kujis which can be found through Pokemon Centers as well as convenience stores and book stores. Prize items are found primarily in game centers or sold second hand through auction sites, amazon, or other similar resell outlets.
Most Pokemon releases from Banpresto drop on Tuesday or Thursday. Ichiban Kuji generally goes on sale on Saturdays.
Some of the bigger and popular game centers in Japan include: Adores, Sega, Round 1, Namco, and Taito Station. Not all game center locations stock all prizes.
Have a specific question about Japanese game centers? Drop me a note!

Type Focus returns with two Legendary Pokemon themed releases, both of which will start appearing in game centers around Japan October 10th (Thursday).
One set includes 27 cm plush versions of Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres.
The other set includes 32 cm plush versions of Latios and Latias.

A new series, called “Hope-Pita” or “Cheek Squish” will have two sets of plush designed to be paired together with their cheeks squished together in a cute hug pose.
Both sets of plush will start appearing in game centers around Japan October 17th (Thursday).
A set of smaller plush, each measuring about 12 cm, will include Pichu, Teddiursa, Plusle, and Minun.
A larger set of plush, each measuring about 24 cm, will include Pikachu and Raichu.

October sees the release of three different series featuring sleepy themed plush, so I guess October is sleepy month for Banpresto. (To be fair, every month is sleepy month for Miki, so I can’t really complain)
From the Kutsurogi Time series comes an extra large Ditto plush measuring about 40 cm. This plush will start appearing in game centers around Japan from October 22nd (Tuesday).
From the Fuwa-Muni (Sleep Talk) series comes two larger sized plush face cushions of Snorlax and Slowpoke, each measuring about 39 cm. These cushions will also start appearing in game centers around Japan from October 22nd (Tuesday).
From the Korotto Manmaru series comes three large plush, each measuring about 26 cm. Slowpoke, Snorlax, and Seel will start appearing in game centers around Japan from October 24th (Thursday).

Finally, from the general Pocket Monster series comes two releases.
An extra large Dedenne plush, measuring about 30 cm, will start appearing in game centers around Japan October 10th (Thursday).
A set of two larger sized Christmas themed Christmas plush, each measuring about 24 cm, will start appearing in game centers around Japan October 24th (Thursday).
That wraps up the releases planned for October from Banpresto!
Will November bring more Sleepy plush, Christmas themed plush, or a mix of both? Stay tuned to find out!
Adults love Pokemon, too
See a plush you like and need help getting it shipped from Japan to you? I offer a pick-up service! Please get in touch~
Connect & Support
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by ZombieMiki | Sep 1, 2019 | Pokemon, Pokemon Merch News, TCG, UFO Catchers
9.6
[TCG] “Alter Genesis” Booster Pack
[TCG] Alter Genesis Pokemon Center exclusive box set
[TCG] Pokemon Center Card Sleeves: Arceus + Dialga + Palkia, Oricorio, Damage Count 10, Damage Count 50, Damage Count 100, Damage Count Party, Kanto 151
[TCG] Deck Case (Arceus + Dialga + Palkia)
[TCG] Rubber Play Mat (Arceus + Dialga + Palkia
9.7
[Pokemon Center] Halloween Festival
[Pokemon Center Campaign] 1 of 2 Halloween Lucario mini art boards distributed for every 4,000 yen spent at Pokemon Centers and Stores (link)
[Pokemon Center Cafe] Halloween menu items start
9.10
[Banpresto] I Love Gengar – Extra Large Cushion Plush
9.12
[Banpresto] Pokemon Focus “Legendary Pokemon” – Extra Large Lugia Plush
[Banpresto] Pokemon Sun & Moon – Halloween Plush (Pikachu Witch, Pikachu Pumpkin, Raichu Witch, Pichu Witch)
[Banpresto] Gura-burarin Plush (Pikachu, Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle)
[Banpresto] Korotto Manmaru Colorful Series – Large Plush (Eevee, Cubone, Hitmonlee)
9.14
[Pokemon Center] Pokemon Center Plush (Scorbunny, Grookey, Sobble)
[Pokemon Center] Berry Forest Ghost Castle
9.16
[Re-Ment] Atsumete Kasanete Pokemon Forest Volume 3 (Pikachu & Mimikyu, Murkrow, Ditto & Cubone, Pumpkaboo & Litwick, Shuppet & Piplup, Mew)
9.19
[Banpresto] Mogu Mogu Time – Extra Large Slowpoke Plush
[Banpresto] Poke Dakko – Large Plush (Vulpix, Piplup)
[Banpresto] Poke Gyutto – Large Plush (Vulpix, Piplup)
9.20
[Pokemon Center] Osaka DX Opening Promo
[Osaka DX Center] Grand opening exclusive merchandise
[Pokemon Center Cafe] New cafe plush (Pikachu, Squirtle, Meowth) and clearfiles
[Pokemon Center Cafe] Meowth Chirashi dish starts exclusively at the Osaka DX Cafe
9.24
[Re-Ment] Cord Keeper Volume 3 (Pikachu, Metapod, Alolan Vulpix, Bewear, Charmander, Swablu, Dedenne, Lotad)
9.26
[Banpresto] Mogu Mogu Time – Plush (Raichu, Meowth, Gengar, Ditto)
[Banpresto] Pokemon Sun & Moon – Mini Plush Pouch (Pikachu x 3, Pokeball)
9.27
[San-ei] Big-More Charizard large plush
9.30
[Nanoblock] Mega Charizard X, Mega Charizard Y
by ZombieMiki | Jul 31, 2019 | Pokemon, Pokemon Merch News, UFO Catchers
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!)
Connect & Support
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Ko-fi | TeePublic | Patreon
by ZombieMiki | Jul 31, 2019 | Pokemon, Pokemon Merch News, TCG, UFO Catchers
8.2
[TCG] “Dream League” Booster Pack
[TCG] Card Sleeves – Lillie Flute, N
[TCG] Collection File – Old Book Design
[Pokemon Center] Pokemon Trainers
[Pokemon Center On-Line] 1:1 Mareep Plush pre-orders start
8.3
[Takara Tomy] Nee, Uchi Pika (Talky Pikachu Figure)
8.6
[Event] Pikachu Outbreak event starts in Yokohama
[Event] Pop-up Cafe & Drink Stand starts in Yokohama
8.8
[Banpresto] Pokemon Sun & Moon – Soft Figures (Bulbasaur, Squirtle, Charmander, Pikachu, Eevee)
[Banpresto] Mogu-Mogu Time – Extra Large Plush (Pichu)
[Banpresto] Pokemon Sun & Moon – Squeezy Pokeballs (Pokeball, Great Ball, Ultra Ball, Masterball)
8.9
[Banpresto] Pikachu Mania – Plush (Pikachu x 4 designs)
[Banpresto] Pikachu & Mimikyu Mania – Face Cushions (Pikachu, Mimikyu)
8.10
[Pokemon Center] Spooky Gengar
[Pokemon Center Cafe] New menu items: Snorlax Naptime Lunch Plate / Pokeball Dessert Bowl
8.17
[Pokemon Center] Anna Sui Collaboration
8.20
[Banpresto] Pokemon Sun & Moon – Extra Large Plush (Witch Hat Pikachu)
8.22
[Banpresto] I Love Gengar – Large Plush (Happy, Sleeping)
[Banpresto] Korotto Manmaru Colorful Series – Black – Large Plush (Umbreon, Starly, Banette)
[Banpresto] Tsuretette – Large Plush (Squirtle, Snorlax)
[Banpresto] Tsuretette – Plush (Jigglypuff, Psyduck, Growlithe, Togepi)
8.23
[Pokemon BigMore] Lapras Plush
8.24
[Pokemon Center] Pokemon Researcher
8.31
[Pokemon Center] Pokemon Trainers (iPhone Cases + Plush)
[Pokemon Center On-Line] Kotobukiya Elesa figure pre-order starts
[Eskei] Pokemon Shiny Jewel Rubber Mascot (Pikachu, Eevee, Piplup, Flaaffy, Plusle & Minun, Espurr, Whimsicott)
[Eskei] Pikachu & Sweets Charm Collection (Ice Cream, Donuts, Chocolate, Macarons, Pudding, Lollipop, Cupcake)
by ZombieMiki | May 30, 2019 | Pokemon, Pokemon Merch News, UFO Catchers
6.6
[Banpresto] Hokkori Iyase – Large Snorlax Face Cushion (2 Designs)
6.8
[Pokemon Center] Pokemon Fit Gold & Silver Release
[Pokemon Center Cafe] Pokemon Gold & Silver seasonal menu starts
[Pokemon Center Campaign] Sticker distribution starts for generation 2 Pokemon
[Pokemon Center Campaign] Distribution starts for generation 2 limited shopper bags
[Pokemon Center On-Line Campaign] My 251 Box distribution starts – 20 designs in total
6.13
[Banpresto] Pokemon Focus – Stone Evolution Pokemon Large Plush (Eevee, Jolteon)
[Banpresto] Korotto Manmaru Colorful – Large Plush (Luvdisc, Sylveon, Slowpoke)
[Banpresto] Pokemon Sun & Moon – Extra Large Plush (Pokeball, Great Ball, Ultra Ball, Master Ball)
6.15
[Pokemon Center] Japanese Style Collection
6.18
[Banpresto] Pokemon Focus – Stone Evolution Pokemon Large Plush (Eevee, Flareon)
6.20
[Banpresto] Mimikyu Mania! Extra Large Plush
[Banpresto] Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution – Plush (Pikachu, Mew, Mewtwo)
[Banpresto] Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution – Large Plush (Pikachu, Dragonite)
6.22
[Pokemon Center] Neon Color
6.25
[Banpresto] Kororin Friends – Palm Plush (Raichu, Slowpoke, Cubone, Dragonite)
6.26
[Banpresto] Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution – Extra Large Mew Plush
[Banpresto] Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution – Bath Towels (Mewtwo, Mew & Mewtwo, Pikachu)
6.27
[Takara Tomy] Chokkori-San Plush (Alola Vulpix, Lillie, Mew, Mewtwo, Litten, Popplio, Rowlet)
[Takara Tomy] Sleepy Plush (Charmander, Squirtle, Bulbasaur, Mew)
6.29
[Pokemon Center] Pokemon World Market
[Pokemon Center] Eeveelution Plush Pass Cases (Eevee, Flareon, Vaporeon, Jolteon, Umbreon, Espeon, Leafeon, Glaceon, Sylveon)
[Pokemon Center] Ditto Transform Linking Keychain Charms (Lapras, Magikarp, Omanyte, Furret, Alolan Vulpix, Dragonite, Mareep, Electrode, Magnemite, Whimsicott, Gloom, Shaymin, Litwick, Sableye, Misdreavus, Leafeon, Glaceon, Sylveon)
[Takara Tomy] Fuzzy Plush (Charmander, Squirtle, Bulbasaur, Mew)
[Takara Tomy] 1:1 Size Fuzzy Mew Plush
6.30
[Nanoblock] Litten, Rowlet, Popplio, Bewear, Mimikyu