July brings us a deluge of Pokemon merchandise from the Banpresto game center prize company!
Unlike June, the prizes for July are pretty typical, with only plush this time around.
With that said, there will be two plush backpacks (Mew and Pikachu) available exclusively through Namco game centers. While cute, keep in mind Namco claw settings are notoriously difficult, so that’s sort of “great” but maybe you might luck out and find a Namco with some very nice staff members.
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.
There will be 6 sets of plush in total coming out as part of the Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution series.
Pikachu and Mew backpacks are, as mentioned, exclusive to Namco game centers only. Mew will start appearing around July 12th (Friday) and Pikachu will start appearing around July 25th (Thursday).
Both backpacks measure about 30 cm from head to feet.
The extra large Mewtwo plush (measuring about 42 cm) will start appearing in game centers around Japan from July 11th (Thursday).
The set of smaller plush (each measuring about 12 cm) including Bulbasaur, Togepi, and Squirtle, will start appearing in game centers around Japan from July 11th (Thursday).
Large sized plush of Togepi, Mew (two versions), and Pikachu (measuring about 25 cm each) will start appearing in game centers around Japan from July 11th (Thursday).
July brings some new releases from both the Pikachu and Mimikyu Mania series.
From Pikachu Mania:
Two large Pikachu plush (each measuring about 24 cm) will start appearing in game centers around Japan from July 17th (Wednesday).
A large mascot Pikachu plush will also start appearing in game centers from July 23rd (Tuesday).
From Mimikyu Mania:
A matching Mimikyu large mascot plush will start appearing in game centers from July 23rd (Tuesday).
A set of four Mimikyu plush (each measuring about 13 cm) will start appearing in game centers from July 18th (Thursday).
From the Pokemon Tsuretette series, a set of two larger sized sitting plush of Bulbasaur and Charmander (each measuring about 23 cm) will start appearing in game centers from July 11th (Thursday).
From the general Pokemon Sun & Moon series, an extra large size plush of Chansey (measuring about 31 cm) will start appearing in game centers from July 25th (Thursday).
That wraps up the Banpresto releases planned for June!
Until next time~
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