by ZombieMiki | Apr 4, 2019 | Pokemon, Pokemon Merch News, UFO Catchers
After a couple months of low key Banpresto releases, April starts the summer surge with a bunch of different releases and a lot of new plush!
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.
Starting off with the generic Pokemon Sun & Moon line~
Plush Eevee tissue box cases (two versions: normal and smiling) will start appearing in game centers around Japan from April 4th (Thursday). Each plush measures about 27 cm from head to tail and has a strap so you can hang it if you want to keep tissues on a door, for example.
Large-size plush versions of Brionne and Nagisa (fancy Eevee currently starring in the most recent Pokemon Sun & Moon anime season) will start appearing in game centers around Japan from April 25th (Thursday). Each plush measures about 23 cm.
There will be two new XL size plush for April, both appearing in game centers around Japan from April 18th (Thursday).
Ditto measures about 40 cm and Snorlax measures about 36 cm.
From the adorable Mogu-Mogu (Snack) Time series comes two releases~
Large-size plush of Raichu and Pichu munching on berries will start appearing in game centers around Japan from April 11th (Thursday). Each plush measures about 23 cm.
Smaller plush versions of snacky Bulbasaur, Squirtle, and Charmander will start appearing in game centers around Japan from April 25th (Thursday). Each plush measures about 14 cm.
Last but not least! Three miscellaneous releases~
Kororin Friends returns with four new plush designed to fit in your hand! This release includes Pikachu, Lucario, Ampharos, and Psyduck, with each plush measuring about 9 cm. These buddies will start appearing in game centers from April 25th (Thursday).
The Korotto Manmaru Colors series continues with the color purple for April. This batch includes Espeon, Gengar, and Nidoran Male. Each plush measures about 22 cm and will start appearing in game centers around Japan from April 25th (Thursday).
Lastly, from the Hokkori Iyase (Warm & Healing) series, two new extra fuzzy plush! Psyduck and Slowpoke, both measuring about 27 cm, will start appearing in game centers around Japan from April 11th (Thursday).
That wraps up the Banpresto prize releases schedule for the month of April!
Until next time~
Adults Love Pokemon, Too
by ZombieMiki | Apr 4, 2019 | Pokemon, Pokemon Merch News, TCG, UFO Catchers
4.4
[Banpresto] Pokemon Sun & Moon – Plush Eevee Tissue Case (2 Designs)
[Bandai] G.E.M. EX Series – Eevee Friends figure pre-order starts
4.5
[TCG] “GG End” (sm10a) Booster Pack
[TCG] Pokemon Center Card Sleeves: Garchomp & Giratina Tag Team, Malamar, Mawile, Guzma
[TCG] Deck Case (Garchomp & Giratina Tag Team)
4.6
[Pokemon Center] Latios & Latias Journeys
4.11
[Banpresto] Mogu-Mogu Time – Large Plush (Raichu, Pichu)
[Banpresto] Hokkori Iyasare – Large Plush (Psyduck, Slowpoke)
4.12
[Pokemon Center Campaign] Buy 1 Mewtwo Strikes Back movie ticket and 1 Pokemon Center item to get a random movie postcard. 6 designs in total.
4.13
[Pokemon Center] Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution Promo
[Pokemon Center Campaign] Free stickers given away (1 per person) to anyone who visits a Pokemon Center in Japan – 7 stickers in total
4.15
[Re-Ment] Petite Fleur Vol. 2 (Pikachu & Pichu, Dragonair, Vulpix, Shaymin, Mew, Umbreon)
4.18
[Banpresto] Pokemon Sun & Moon – Extra Large Plush (Ditto)
[Banpresto] Pokemon Sun & Moon – Extra Large Plush (Snorlax)
4.20
[Pokemon Center] Goodnight Pikachu Night Parade Figure Collection
[Pokemon Center] Graniph x Pokemon Shirt Collaboration
[Pokemon Center] Pokemon Accessories Part 2
[Pokemon Center] *Hiroshima & On-line Exclusive* Hiroshima Carps x Magikarp Collaboration
[MonColle EX] Mewtwo
4.24
[Ichiban-Kuji] Detective Pikachu Body Care Kuji
4.25
[Banpresto] Kororin Friends – Palm Size Plush (Pikachu, Psyduck, Lucario, Ampharos)
[Banpresto] Korotto Manmaru Colorful Plush | Purple (Nidoran♂, Espeon, Gengar)
[Banpresto] Mogu-Mogu Time – Plush (Charmander, Bulbasaur, Squirtle)
[Banpresto] Pokemon Sun & Moon – Large Plush (Nagisa, Brionne)
4.26
[TCG] Old Art New Stuff – Card Sleeves / Deck Case / Rubber Play Mat
[TCG] Detective Pikachu – Movie Special Booster Pack
[TCG] Detective Pikachu – Special Jumbo Card Pack “Mewtwo GX Ver.”
[TCG] Detective Pikachu – Special Jumbo Card Pack “Charizard GX Ver.”
[TCG] Pokemon Card Game Sun & Moon – Special Pack (Detective Pikachu)
[Palnart] Pokemon Jewelry & Accessories
4.27
[Pokemon Center] Wobbuffet Party
[Takara Tomy] Detective Pikachu – Pikachu Plush (19 cm), 1:1 Pikachu Plush (40 cm), Mascot Pikachu Plush (13 cm)
[MonColle] Jigglypuff
[Pokemon Center Campaign] Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution shopper distribution starts
[Pokemon Center Cafe] Detective Pikachu limited edition food, drinks, coasters, and place-mat start
4.30
[Pokemon Kids] Pokemon Sun & Moon – New Discovery! Meltan Edition (Pikachu, Meltan, Rowlet, Litten, Popplio, Torracat, Brionne, Nagisa Eevee, Alolan Vulpix, Shaymin, Lunala, Solgaleo, Golisopod, Vikavolt, Secret)
[Nanoblock] Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres
[Takara Tomy A.R.T.S.] Pokemon Quest Pixel Box 2 (Pikachu, Eevee, Psyduck, Mew, Pokeball)
[Gray Parker Service] Pokemon Suya-Suya On The Cable Vol. 4 (Eevee, Espeon, Umbreon, Leafeon, Glaceon)
by ZombieMiki | Feb 1, 2019 | Pokemon, Pokemon Merch News
2.1
[Pokemon Center] Eevee Collection
[Pokemon Center] 1:1 Eevee Plush (Normal / Sitting)
[Pokemon Center On-Line] Q-Pot x Pokemon Collaboration Part 2 (Eeveelution Cupcake Bag Charms) – Pre-order start
[TCG] “Full Metal Wall” Booster Pack (SM9b)
[TCG] Meltan Card Sleeves
[TCG] Meltan Deck Case
2.7
[Banpresto] Kutsurogi Time – Large Plush (Pikachu / Squirtle)
2.14
[Banpresto] Pokemon Life With Eevee – Large Face Cushions (Smiling / Winking)
[Banpresto] Korotto Manmaru Colorful Series – Big Plush (Abra, Pichu, Jolteon)
[Banpresto] Pokemon Sun & Moon Extra Large Plush – Charmander (Smiling / Winking)
[Takara Tomy] Snorlax Mocchi-Mocchi Plush + Mascot Plush
2.16
[Pokemon Center] Adult & Kid Matching Apparel Promo
2.19
[Banpresto] Pokemon Sun & Moon Extra Large Plush – Ampharos
[Bandai] Pokemon Get Collection – Ultra Guardians (Snorlax, Pikachu, Lana’s Eevee, Stoutland, Shaymin, Lunala, Solgaleo, Metang, Charizard, Garchomp)
2.20
[Furuta] Pokemon Chocolate Eggs Sun & Moon Volume 2 (Togedemaru, Komala, Poipole, Eevee, Dusk Lycanroc, Pikachu, Dex Rotom, Dartrix, Torracat, Brionne, Alolan Vulpix, Alolan Marowak, Bewear, Charjabug, Jigglypuff, Snorlax, Psyduck, Pyukumuku, Secret)
2.22
[San-ei] All-Star Collection Plush (Sylveon, Umbreon, Espeon, Leafeon, Glaceon)
[San-ei] All-Star Collection Flat Pouch (Sylveon, Umbreon, Espeon, Leafeon, Glaceon)
2.23
[Pokemon Center] Ditto Transform! Volume 8 (Sylveon, Furret, Trubbish, Vanillite, Mareep)
[Pokemon Center] Ditto Transform! Gacha Set (Sylveon, Furret, Trubbish, Vanillite, Mareep)
[Pokemon Center] Ultra Beast Ultra Graphix Apparel
[Pokemon Center On-Line] Life-size Furret plush pre-orders start
[MonColle] Dragonite
2.26
[Banpresto] Pokemon Life With Eevee – Large Plush (Normal / Sitting)
2.28
[Bandai] Qoo-Nuts Pokemon Volume 2 (Pikachu, Eevee, Togepi, Psyduck, Clefairy, Torchic)
End of February
[Collaboration] Original Stitch x Pokemon : 151 Button-Up Custom Order Shirts
by ZombieMiki | Nov 1, 2018 | Pokemon, Pokemon Merch News, TCG, UFO Catchers
11.2
[TCG] High Spec “GX Ultra Shiny” Booster Pack (SM8b)
[TCG] “Battle Chatelaine” Pokemon Center original card sleeves
[Munch x Pokemon Exhibit] Distribution starts for Psyduck, Eevee, and Rowlet promo cards.
11.3
[Pokemon Center] 2018 Christmas Promotion
[Pokemon Center] Amigurumi Pikachu
[Banpresto] Girlish Pikachu – Large Face Cushions (2 Designs)
2nd Week of November
[Sega Prize] Pokemon Sun & Moon Premium Bowling Set
11.8
[Banpresto] Poke-Gyutto – Large Plush (Eevee, Psyduck)
[Banpresto] Poke-Dakko – Large Plush (Eevee, Psyduck)
[Banpresto] Pokemon Sun & Moon – Extra Large Plush (Larvitar)
11.9
[Pokemon Center] Yokohama Pokemon Center Renewal Promotion
11.10
[Pokemon Center] Pop & Colorful
[Pokemon Center] Pokemon Yurutto Figure Collection Volume 2 (Pikachu, Dedenne, Rowlet, Slowpoke, Croagunk, Pyukumuku)
[San-ei] All-Star Collection Volume 9 (Sandshrew, Magnemite, Chansey, Ditto, Vaporeon, Jolteon, Flareon, Corsola, Phantump, Mawile, Garchomp, Lilligant, Bulbasaur, Squirtle, Charmander)
[San-ei] Plush Pouch (Vaporeon, Jolteon, Flareon)
[San-ei] Squishy Cushions (Munna, Koffing)
3rd Week of November
[Candy] Get Figure Collection – MeleMele Island Adventure (Necrozma, Pikachu, Alolan Ninetails, Brionne, Eevee, Vikavolt, Stufful, Dartrix, Guzzlord, Tsareena)
[MegaHouse] Yura-Yura Pokemon Mansion (Pikachu, Eevee, Alolan Vulpix, Mimikyu, Rowlet, Popplio, Litten)
[Sega Prize] Pokemon Sun & Moon Premium Big Fluffy Blanket
[Sega Prize] Pokemon Sun & Moon Premium Boston Bag
11.15
[Banpresto] Pokemon Focus Legendary Pokemon – Large Plush (Celebi, Victini, Jirachi)
11.16
[Pokemon Game] Pokemon Let’s Go! Pikachu & Eevee
[Pokemon Game] Pokemon Let’s Go! exclusive Pikachu & Eevee Nintendo Switch Console
[Pokemon Center] Pokemon Fit Volume 2
[Pokemon Center] Pokemon Let’s Go! Pikachu & Eevee Merchandise
[Pokemon Center] Pikachu’s Closet – Girl & Boy Protagonist Pikachu Clothing Sets
[Pokemon Center Campaign] My 151 Campaign starts
[Pokemon Cafe] Pokemon Let’s Go! Pikachu & Eevee collaboration menu starts
11.17
[Takara Tomy] MonColle EX (Mega Blastoise, Mega Venusaur, Mega Charizard X, Mega Charizard Y)
[Banpresto] Pokemon Mascot ~ Pikachu Panya-San ~ *Blind* (Pikachu Toast, Eevee, Snorlax, Gengar, Slowpoke, Secret)
[Banpresto] Pokemon Mascot ~ Eevee Sabou ~ (Eevee, Pikachu, Snorlax, Gengar, Slowpoke, Ditto)
4th Week of November
[Sega Prize] Eeveelution Wallet (2 Designs)
[Sega Prize] Pokemon Sun & Moon Premium Wrist Watch (3 Designs)
11.22
[Banpresto] Mogu-Mogu Time – Large Plush (Snorlax, Slowpoke)
11.23
[TCG] Starter Set (Flareon GX, Vaporeon GX, Jolteon GX)
[TCG] Toys’r’Us Exclusive: Pokemon TCG Sun & Moon – Eevee GX Battle Triple Starter Set
[TCG] Pokemon TCG Sun & Moon Starter Set – Jolteon GX Deluxe Set
[TCG] Eeveelution Pile – Card Sleeves & Deck Case
[Pokemon Center] New Years 2019 Merchandise
[Pokemon Center] Pikachu & Eevee Pottery Ornaments
5th week of November
[Gacha] Cap Characters (Pikachu, Snorlax, Torchic, Mimikyu)
[Sega Prize] Pokemon Sun & Moon Premium LCD Memo Tablet
[Sega Prize] Pokemon Sun & Moon Premium Clean-Up Box (3 Designs)
11.27
[Banpresto] Pokemon Focus Legendary Pokemon – Extra Large Plush (Mew)
11.30
[Candy] Pokemon 3D Jelly Candy
by ZombieMiki | Mar 12, 2017 | Pokemon, Pokemon Center Report, TCG
This past Saturday was Metal Charm Lollapalooza at the Pokemon Center.
But before we dive into metal charms…
The very popular Lillie and Nebby card sleeves were re-released with a higher quality matte finish the first weekend of March. Unlike the original release, these sleeves did not sell out in milliseconds. The artwork is still adorable.
Metal charms!
The Pokedex metal charm release covered all Gen 7 Pokemon + mythical beasts and all Alolan Forms.
Pokemon were grouped together based on evolutions or formes, so depending on the Pokemon and the evolution chain, some were sold in singles, or doubles, or triples (or more!)
Here are three examples of a three part evolution set.
The Rockruff set included both Midday and Midnight forms.
Mimikyu was all by himself (but I promise he was surrounded by his friends!)
The Alolan Forms were not sold as a single (or double) set. All Alolan Form Pokemon were included in a set with their original forms. In this case, you can see both types of Vulpix and Ninetails here. For Pokemon who have three evolutions plus three Alolan evolutions, all of those Pokemon were included in one set for a total of six. Which is kind of annoying if you already had the previously released charms and only wanted the new ones, but such is life.
One thing of note: maybe it’s just my imagination but I feel like quality has gone down for the metal charms. Agree or disagree?
Moving on!
One of my favorite series, Pokemon With You, had a new release of merchandise on Saturday the 11th as well. Incidentally, the anniversary of the Tohoku Earthquake back in 2011. (For more information on the history of Pokemon With You, check out this past blog entry.)
The theme for this year’s Pokemon With You line-up was a flowering garden, with one of the items on sale being a seed set so you can grow your own flowers, and the main Pikachu being a topiary hedge…which is cute in real life but maybe didn’t translate so well into merchandise. Hashtag they tried.
Some of the items from the release included (the aforementioned) topiary Pikachu mascot plush
Cute stickers and postcards (note: I always recommend the stickers from the Pokemon With You series because they almost always if not always use non stock-art poses)
A handkerchief
And a memopad, including four different paper designs.
We also got some new Pokemon With You metal charms! The three Johto starters (Cyndaquil, Totodile, and Chikorita)
Alola Vulpix, Alola Raichu, Bewear
Snorlax, Lapras, and Dragonite!
And that concludes today’s Pokemon Center Adventures.
A special shout out to Jen from Japan Stuffs for being a hand model in the majority of these photos. So professional, she makes it look easy.
Until next time!
