Hello everyone!
Believe it or not, it’s almost the end of June, and that means it’s time to see what we have in store from Banpresto for July.
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. Not all game center locations stock all prizes. If you’re having trouble finding stock of the item you’re looking for, feel free to send me a message!
Movie merch from the up-coming “Everyone’s Story” (みんなの物語) continues into July, and as I predicted, July has all the Zeraora plushies.
A set of large plush (Eevee & Pikachu) will start appearing in game centers from July 5th (Thursday).
Both plush measure roughly 24 cm from head to butt.
A second set of large plush (Eevee & Zeraora) will start appearing in game centers from July 19th (Thursday).
Both plush measure roughly 23 cm from head to feet.
An extra large Lugia plush, measuring roughly 53 cm from one wing tip to the other, will start appearing in game centers from July 12th (Thursday).
A set of three smaller plush (Pikachu, Lugia, and Zeraora), each measuring roughly 15 cm, will start appearing in game centers from July 19th (Thursday).
The Pikachu Mania series returns with three different releases for July.
In collaboration with the Korotto Manmaru series, a set of 5 smaller Pikachu plush (each measuring roughly 12 cm) will start appearing in game centers from July 10th (Tuesday).
A large Pikachu plush, measuring roughly 24 cm from ears to butt, will start appearing in game centers from July 12th (Thursday).
Two larger Pikachu face cushions (each measuring roughly 35 cm) will start appearing in game centers from July 26th (Thursday).
Last but not least, the general Pokemon Sun & Moon series will have two releases for July.
Four extra large Pokeball plushies (each measuring roughly 33 cm) will start appearing in game centers from July 5th (Thursday).
In collaboration with the Kutsurogi Time series, an extra large Lapras plush (measuring roughly 35 cm up and down) will start appearing in game centers from July 26th (Thursday).
The annual summer Pokemon Ichiban Kuji will go on sale from July 7th (Saturday).
This kuji, called the 2018 Pokemon Collection ~ Pikachu & Eevee ~ unsurprisingly features a bunch of prizes with Eevee and the Eeveelutions, plus a few Pikachu items for those Pikachu lovers out there.
As usual, 1 ticket costs 620 yen (including tax).
Prize Overview
A Prize: Eevee plush
B Prize: Pikachu plush
C Prize: Eevee pancake cushion
D Prize: Dessert bowls (3 designs)
E Prize: Hand towel (4 designs)
F Prize: Collection plates (9 designs)
G Prize: Design charms *blind packaged* (5 designs)
Last One Prize: Eevee plush (sleeping version)
