Hello everyone!
It’s the end of October and that means… my birthday is tomorrow (October 30th!)
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Announcement
I will be back in Tokyo near the end of November and will be re-opening my pick-up service for game center prizes, including Banpresto, as well as for the Pokemon Center and other pick-ups by request. I should be able to get most if not all of the prizes listed in this update, as I don’t see any of them selling out quickly. I will be putting up pages with items and prices, but if there is already items you know you want, feel free to 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. 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!
The Pokemon Focus series continues into October, as promised, with the start of the “Legendaries” sub-series.
Extra large size Mew (about 40 cm) will start appearing in game centers around Japan from November 27th (Tuesday).
Larger plush versions of Victini, Jirachi, and Celebi (about 30 cm each) will start appearing in game centers around Japan from November 15th (Thursday).
Two mini releases from the general Pokemon Sun & Moon line, called Poke-Gyutto (Poke-Squeeze) and Poke-Dakko (Poke-Carry Me), will start appearing in game centers from November 8th (Thursday).
Both sets of plush include Eevee and Psyduck, with each plush measuring about 24 cm.
From the Girlish Pikachu series, two larger sized Pikachu face cushions (each about 35 cm) will start appearing in game centers from November 3rd (Saturday).
From the general Pokemon Sun & Moon series, an extra large sized Larvitar plush (about 35 cm) will start appearing in game centers from November 8th (Thursday).
From the Mogu-Mogu Time (Snack Time) series, large plush versions of Snorlax and Slowpoke (about 27 cm each) will start appearing in game centers from November 22nd (Thursday).
That wraps up next month’s Bapresto overview!
Until next time~
