October Banpresto Pokemon Prize Overview

It’s October!!

… And we have no Halloween merchandise this month, although there is one Christmas plush set. Not sure why Banpresto dropped the ball but that’s how it goes, I guess.

Maybe the other plush scheduled for release will make up for it!

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 (raffle) prizes. None of these items are designed to be sold directly through stores and cannot be found in Pokemon Centers with the exception being Pokemon kujis which can be found through Pokemon Centers as well as convenience stores and book stores. Prize items are found primarily in game centers or sold second hand through auction sites, amazon, or other similar resell outlets.

Most Pokemon releases from Banpresto drop on Tuesday or Thursday. Ichiban Kuji generally goes on sale on Saturdays.

Some of the bigger and popular game centers in Japan include: Adores, Sega, Round 1, Namco, and Taito Station. Not all game center locations stock all prizes.

Have a specific question about Japanese game centers? Drop me a note!


Banpresto Pokemon Type Focus Legendary

Type Focus returns with two Legendary Pokemon themed releases, both of which will start appearing in game centers around Japan October 10th (Thursday).

One set includes 27 cm plush versions of Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres.

The other set includes 32 cm plush versions of Latios and Latias.

Banpresto Pokemon HopePita

A new series, called “Hope-Pita” or “Cheek Squish” will have two sets of plush designed to be paired together with their cheeks squished together in a cute hug pose.

Both sets of plush will start appearing in game centers around Japan October 17th (Thursday).

A set of smaller plush, each measuring about 12 cm, will include Pichu, Teddiursa, Plusle, and Minun.

A larger set of plush, each measuring about 24 cm, will include Pikachu and Raichu.

Banpresto Sleepy Time Pokemon

October sees the release of three different series featuring sleepy themed plush, so I guess October is sleepy month for Banpresto. (To be fair, every month is sleepy month for Miki, so I can’t really complain)

From the Kutsurogi Time series comes an extra large Ditto plush measuring about 40 cm. This plush will start appearing in game centers around Japan from October 22nd (Tuesday).

From the Fuwa-Muni (Sleep Talk) series comes two larger sized plush face cushions of Snorlax and Slowpoke, each measuring about 39 cm. These cushions will also start appearing in game centers around Japan from October 22nd (Tuesday).

From the Korotto Manmaru series comes three large plush, each measuring about 26 cm. Slowpoke, Snorlax, and Seel will start appearing in game centers around Japan from October 24th (Thursday).

Banpresto Pokemon Sun Moon

Finally, from the general Pocket Monster series comes two releases.

An extra large Dedenne plush, measuring about 30 cm, will start appearing in game centers around Japan October 10th (Thursday).

A set of two larger sized Christmas themed Christmas plush, each measuring about 24 cm, will start appearing in game centers around Japan October 24th (Thursday).

That wraps up the releases planned for October from Banpresto!

Will November bring more Sleepy plush, Christmas themed plush, or a mix of both? Stay tuned to find out!

Adults love Pokemon, too


See a plush you like and need help getting it shipped from Japan to you? I offer a pick-up service! Please get in touch~


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October Merchandise Releases

10.4

[TCG] “Tag Team GX Tag Team All-Stars” Booster Pack
[TCG] Pokemon Card Game Black/White X/Y “Extra Regulation Box Set”
[TCG] Card Sleeve Designs [Island Deities, Fairy Picnic, Eevee Dash!, Mega Rayquaza, Dark Illusionist]
[TCG] Deck Case [Eevee Dash!, Dark Illusionist]
[TCG] Rubber Play Mat [Eevee Dash!]

10.5

[Pokemon Center] 24 Jikan Pokemon Chu

10.8

[Re-Ment] Pokemon Stairs Part 2 (Pikachu, Charmander, Wooper/Ditto, Larvitar, Rockruff, Umbreon)

10.10

[Banpresto] Extra Large Dedenne Plush
[Banpresto] Pokemon Focus – Legendary Pokemon Large Plush (Latios, Latias)
[Banpresto] Pokemon Focus – Legendary Pokemon Plush (Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres)

10.12

[Pokemon Center] Pokemon Rock Festival
[Pokemon Center] Ditto Transform! Volume 9 (Muk, Exeggutor, Mew, Wobbuffet, Mimikyu)

10.17

[Banpresto] Large Cuddling Plush (Pikachu, Raichu)
[Banpresto] Cuddling Plush (Pichu, Teddiursa, Plusle, Minun)

10.22

[Re-Ment] Pokemon Terrarium Collection Part 7 (Pikachu & Growlithe, Farfetch’d, Gardevoir, Raikou, Cleffa & Phanpy, Mewtwo)
[Banpresto] Kutsurogi Time – Extra Large Ditto Plush
[Banpresto] Large Face Cushions (Slowpoke, Snorlax)

10.24

[Banpresto] Pokemon – Large Christmas Stocking Pikachu Plush (2 Designs)
[Banpresto] Korotto Manmaru – Large Sleeping Plush (Slowpoke, Seel, Snorlax)

10.25

[San-ei] Big More Gengar Plush

10.26

[Pokemon Center] All Glowed Up / Late Bloomer

10.30

[Important] Miki’s Birthday!
[Pokemon] Detective Pikachu Blu-Ray Release
[Pokemon] Detective Pikachu Wrinkled Plush

[Pokemon Center Report] Anna Sui

When I originally glanced through the announcement for this collaboration between Pokemon and Anna Sui, I thought the items were pretty standard Anna Sui-esque and seemed alright.

Then I did a double take over the prices.

My personal opinion: I don’t think any of the items are nice enough to warrant the price tag. The design is so-so and is the same on every single item (a pet peeve of mine) and it’s just the Anna Sui rose with a fairly default art style Pikachu. But if you are a die-hard Anna Sui fan and you want to show off that you have brand plus Pikachu, then I guess you will like these items!

Anna Sui

The line-up was fairly small and included things like hand towels, pouches, a notebook, bags, and jewelry (not pictured here).

Anna Sui 2

The deco tape set with matching box was pretty cute and decently priced!

That wraps up this week’s Pokemon Center Report.

Until next time~


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September Merchandise Releases

9.6

[TCG] “Alter Genesis” Booster Pack
[TCG] Alter Genesis Pokemon Center exclusive box set
[TCG] Pokemon Center Card Sleeves: Arceus + Dialga + Palkia, Oricorio, Damage Count 10, Damage Count 50, Damage Count 100, Damage Count Party, Kanto 151
[TCG] Deck Case (Arceus + Dialga + Palkia)
[TCG] Rubber Play Mat (Arceus + Dialga + Palkia

9.7

[Pokemon Center] Halloween Festival
[Pokemon Center Campaign] 1 of 2 Halloween Lucario mini art boards distributed for every 4,000 yen spent at Pokemon Centers and Stores (link)
[Pokemon Center Cafe] Halloween menu items start

9.10

[Banpresto] I Love Gengar – Extra Large Cushion Plush

9.12

[Banpresto] Pokemon Focus “Legendary Pokemon” – Extra Large Lugia Plush
[Banpresto] Pokemon Sun & Moon – Halloween Plush (Pikachu Witch, Pikachu Pumpkin, Raichu Witch, Pichu Witch)
[Banpresto] Gura-burarin Plush (Pikachu, Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle)
[Banpresto] Korotto Manmaru Colorful Series – Large Plush (Eevee, Cubone, Hitmonlee)

9.14

[Pokemon Center] Pokemon Center Plush (Scorbunny, Grookey, Sobble)
[Pokemon Center] Berry Forest Ghost Castle

9.16

[Re-Ment] Atsumete Kasanete Pokemon Forest Volume 3 (Pikachu & Mimikyu, Murkrow, Ditto & Cubone, Pumpkaboo & Litwick, Shuppet & Piplup, Mew)

9.19

[Banpresto] Mogu Mogu Time – Extra Large Slowpoke Plush
[Banpresto] Poke Dakko – Large Plush (Vulpix, Piplup)
[Banpresto] Poke Gyutto – Large Plush (Vulpix, Piplup)

9.20

[Pokemon Center] Osaka DX Opening Promo
[Osaka DX Center] Grand opening exclusive merchandise
[Pokemon Center Cafe] New cafe plush (Pikachu, Squirtle, Meowth) and clearfiles
[Pokemon Center Cafe] Meowth Chirashi dish starts exclusively at the Osaka DX Cafe

9.24

[Re-Ment] Cord Keeper Volume 3 (Pikachu, Metapod, Alolan Vulpix, Bewear, Charmander, Swablu, Dedenne, Lotad)

9.26

[Banpresto] Mogu Mogu Time – Plush (Raichu, Meowth, Gengar, Ditto)
[Banpresto] Pokemon Sun & Moon – Mini Plush Pouch (Pikachu x 3, Pokeball)

9.27

[San-ei] Big-More Charizard large plush

9.30

[Nanoblock] Mega Charizard X, Mega Charizard Y

Osaka DX Grand Opening

Pokemon Center Osaka DX Opening

A small promo will go on sale at all Pokemon Centers & Stores around Japan September 20th (Friday) celebrating the grand opening of the Osaka DX Pokemon Center and Cafe in Shinsaibashi, Osaka.

Osaka DX Opening

Of note are the two Pikachus dressed in blue suits. They are representative of a traditional Japanese stand-up comedy style, Manzai, which is associated with Osaka and the Kansai region.

A Manzai skit involves two performers – a straight man and a funny man, who trade jokes usually around misunderstandings, double-talk, puns, or verbal gags.

Name: Osaka DX Grand Opening
Where: All Pokemon Centers & Stores in Japan
Date: September 20th (Friday)

Pokemon Center News

Items & Prices

A4 3 Pocket Clearfile – 388 yen
Hand Towel – 540 yen
Dice Bag – 648 yen
TCG Card Sleeves – 777 yen
PET Stickers – 540 yen
Washi Tape – 648 yen
Acrylic Charm Collection – 540 yen each
※ 10 designs total
Eco Tote-Bag – 1,296
Pocket Croquis Sketchbook – 432 yen
2Way Tote-Bag – 3,240 yen
Pouch – 1,296 yen
Pikachu Pin Set – 1,360 yen
Logo Pin – 680 yen


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