September 20th (Friday) marks the grand opening of the Osaka DX Pokemon Center on the 9th floor of the Dai Maru department store in Shinsaibashi Osaka.
To celebrate, the Osaka and Osaka DX stores will be selling an exclusive line of Pikachu merchandise in collaboration with the famous Billiken statue, affectionately referred to as “Billiken Pikachu”.
What is Billiken?
The Billiken Doll is similar appearance to a troll or kewpie doll and was created by Florence Pretz, an American art teacher and illustrator, in Kansas City, Missouri. Buying a doll is said to give the purchaser good luck, but receiving a doll as a gift brings even better luck. Although not as popular or well known in the United States anymore, one statue became a fixture in Osaka and is synonymous with the city along with other things like a popular comedian style and the Glico “Running Man”. Touching the soles of the statue’s feet is said to bring luck to the person who touches them.
Billiken Pikachu
The Osaka Billiken statue made a trip to Shibuya in 2005 to help promote traditional Osaka culture, and in return, Shibuya sent a replica of the famous Hachiko dog statue to Osaka.
Along with plush, towels, and phone cases, there will also be a 24 karat gold Billiken Pikachu statue available for special order exclusively through the Osaka DX store. Manufactured by Ginza Tanaka, the figure comes with a special display case. This statue will surely bring good luck and fortune to anyone who owns one!
A special collaboration between a famous pineapple candy company based in Osaka and the Pokemon Center will be available for purchase at all Pokemon Centers & Stores around Japan.
Name: Billiken Pikachu
Where: Osaka DX / Osaka Pokemon Center
Date: September 20th (Friday)
Items & Prices
[All Pokemon Centers]
Pokemon Pineapple Candy – 248 yen
[Osaka DX]
K24 Billiken Pikachu Statue – 432,000 yen
※ This is a special order item
[Osaka DX / Osaka Pokemon Center]
Billiken Pikachu Plush – 2,160 yen
Billiken Pikachu Mascot Plush – 1,512 yen
TCG Deck Case – 2,160 yen
TCG Card Sleeve – 777 yen
Flip Phone Case – 3,240 yen
iPhone Soft Shell Case (6, 6s, 7, 8) – 2,030 yen
Magic Ink Set – 2,160 yen
Set of 3 Hand Towels w/ Box – 3,564 yen
