Hello everyone!
Announcement
I will be back in Tokyo a little under a week from this posting (November 28th) and will be re-opening my pick-up service for game center prizes as well as for the Pokemon Center and other pick-ups by request. Please see this nifty page for a full list of items and prices. If there’s anything you want, please get in touch with me (via my website | via Twitter).
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. Note that not all game center locations stock all prizes.
The Pokemon Focus series continues into December with more Legendaries.
Three large plush (Mew, Shaymin, and Manaphy), each measuring about 26 cm, will start appearing in game centers from December 18th (Tuesday).
Korotto Manmaru returns in December with the beginning of their “Colorful” series.
Three large plush (Leafeon, Tyranitar, and Chikorita), each measuring about 24 cm, will start appearing in game centers from December 6th (Thursday).
The Pokemon Tsuretette series will also make a return in December!
Two large plush (Gengar and Ditto), each measuring about 30 cm, will start appearing in game centers from December 11th (Tuesday).
Three smaller sized plush (Clefairy, Snorlax, and Eevee), each measuring about 14 cm, will start appearing in game centers from December 13th (Thursday).
December also brings us a brand new Banpresto series: Hokkori Iyase (Warm & Soothing)
Two super soft and fuzzy bags (Pikachu and Rowlet), each measuring about 31 cm, will start appearing in game centers from December 20th (Thursday).
Two large plush (Pikachu and Mareep), each measuring about 27 cm, will start appearing in game centers from December 27th (Thursday).
Finally, Banpresto is also releasing three extra large plush from the general Pokemon Sun & Moon series.
Extra Large Eevee, measuring about 33 cm, will start appearing in game centers from December 6th (Thursday).
Extra Large Bulbasaur (smiling and winking versions), each measuring about 33 cm, will start appearing in game centers from December 30th (Sunday).
And that’s all the prizes from Banpresto for December!
Until next month~
