by ZombieMiki | Nov 21, 2018 | Pokemon, UFO Catchers
Hello everyone!
Announcement
I will be back in Tokyo a little under a week from this posting (November 28th) and will be re-opening my pick-up service for game center prizes as well as for the Pokemon Center and other pick-ups by request. Please see this nifty page for a full list of items and prices. If there’s anything you want, please 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. Note that not all game center locations stock all prizes.
The Pokemon Focus series continues into December with more Legendaries.
Three large plush (Mew, Shaymin, and Manaphy), each measuring about 26 cm, will start appearing in game centers from December 18th (Tuesday).
Korotto Manmaru returns in December with the beginning of their “Colorful” series.
Three large plush (Leafeon, Tyranitar, and Chikorita), each measuring about 24 cm, will start appearing in game centers from December 6th (Thursday).
The Pokemon Tsuretette series will also make a return in December!
Two large plush (Gengar and Ditto), each measuring about 30 cm, will start appearing in game centers from December 11th (Tuesday).
Three smaller sized plush (Clefairy, Snorlax, and Eevee), each measuring about 14 cm, will start appearing in game centers from December 13th (Thursday).
December also brings us a brand new Banpresto series: Hokkori Iyase (Warm & Soothing)
Two super soft and fuzzy bags (Pikachu and Rowlet), each measuring about 31 cm, will start appearing in game centers from December 20th (Thursday).
Two large plush (Pikachu and Mareep), each measuring about 27 cm, will start appearing in game centers from December 27th (Thursday).
Finally, Banpresto is also releasing three extra large plush from the general Pokemon Sun & Moon series.
Extra Large Eevee, measuring about 33 cm, will start appearing in game centers from December 6th (Thursday).
Extra Large Bulbasaur (smiling and winking versions), each measuring about 33 cm, will start appearing in game centers from December 30th (Sunday).
And that’s all the prizes from Banpresto for December!
Until next month~
Adults Love Pokemon, Too
by ZombieMiki | Nov 2, 2018 | Pokemon, Pokemon Merch News, UFO Catchers
12.1
[Pokemon Center] Pokemon Red / Green Dot Sprite Promo
[Pokemon Center] Pokemon Accessories
12.3
[Bandai] Pokemon Kids – First Edition Return (Charizard, Metapod, Pikachu, Raichu, Jigglypuff, Magnemite, Gengar, Lapras, Eevee, Mewtwo, Secret)
[Re-Ment] Atsumete! Kasanete! Poke-Forest Shooting Star (Pikachu & Caterpie, Eevee, Charmander, Togepi & Exeggcute, Jigglypuff, Mimikyu, Hoothoot, Jirachi)
[Re-Ment] Cord Keeper Volume 2 (Pikachu, Ditto, Piplup, Rowlet, Arbok, Ditto, Natu, Sentret)
12.6
[Banpresto] Korotto Manmaru Plush – Colorful (Chikorita, Tyranitar, Leafeon)
[Banpresto] Pokemon Sun & Moon Extra Large Plush – Eevee
12.7
[TCG] Booster Pack “Tag Bolt” SM9
[TCG] Pokemon Center Card Sleeves (Pikachu & Zekrom Tag Team WCS Illustration Ver., Pikachu & Zekrom Tag Team)
[TCG] Pikachu & Zekrom Tag Team – Deck Case, Play Mat
12.8
[Pokemon Center] Q.Pot x Pokemon Center Collaboration
[Pokemon Center] Pokemon Christmas 2018 (Delayed Merch)
12.10
[Re-Ment] Terrarium Collection DX – Pikachu’s Sunny Forest
[Munch x Pokemon Exhibit] Pikachu promo card distribution period starts until December 16th.
12.11
[Banpresto] Tsuretette Large Plush (Gengar, Ditto)
12.13
[Banpresto] Tsuretette Plush (Eevee, Snorlax, Clefairy)
12.15
[Pokemon Center] Pokemon Center Can Badge Collection – Kalos Region
[Pokemon Center] Pokemon Yurutto
[Pokemon Center] Pokemon League Mini Promotion
[Pokemon Center] Pikachu & Eevee Plush Merch
[Pokemon Center] Pokemon With You Can Badges (Charizard, Blastoise, Venusaur, Vulpix, Kangaskhan, Psyduck, Meowth, Jigglypuff)
[Pokemon Center] Pokemon Christmas 2018 – Delayed Merch (Cookie Tin)
12.18
[Banpresto] Pokemon Focus Large Plush – Legendaries (Mew, Shaymin, Manaphy)
12.20
[Banpresto] Pokemon Sun & Moon – Hokkori Iyasare Fuzzy Bags (Pikachu, Rowlet)
12.21
[Sekiguchi] Moko-Moko Plush (Bewear, Stufful, Espeon, Umbreon, Eevee, Marshtomp, Magikarp)
12.22
[Pokemon Center] Seasons Pikachu & Eevee – Winter
[Pokemon Center] Ditto Transform Plush & Mascot Plush (Leafeon, Glaceon, Poipole, Litwick, Misdreavus)
[Pokemon Center] Ditto Transform Gacha (Leafeon, Glaceon, Poipole, Litwick, Misdreavus)
[Pokemon Center] Super Nerd Promotion
[Pokemon Center] Finger Puppets (Venusaur, Blastoise, Charizard, Dratini, Psyduck, Chikorita, Totodile, Cyndaquil, Sentret, Furret, Giovanni, Team Rocket Grunt)
[Ichiban Kuji] Ichiban Kuji Pokemon – Eevee & Crystal Drops
12.27
[Banpresto] Pokemon Sun & Moon – Hokkori Iyasare Large Plush (Pikachu, Mareep)
[Takara Tomy] Chokkori-san Plush – Zeraora
[MonColle] Porygon, Jang Mo-o, Magikarp
[Takara Tomy] Chokkori-San Plush – Zeraora
12.30
[Banpresto] Pokemon Sun & Moon Extra Large Plush – Bulbasaur (Smiling, Winking)
12.31
[Bandai] Pokemon Doll 2 (Eevee x 3, Pikachu x 3)
[Ensky] Fluffy Eevee Plush Cushion
[Ensky] Paper Theater – Wood Style (Pikachu, Eevee)
by ZombieMiki | Jun 4, 2018 | Pokemon, Pokemon Center Report
Hello everyone!
The Pokemon Center decided to release a bunch of things all at once this past Saturday (June 2nd) because causing chaos for their staff is what the Pokemon Center does best.
The festivities for the Pokemon Center’s 20th Anniversary continued with the release of a second batch of goods, including a brand new main illustration.
The highlight for this release was the large and super squishy Shaymin plush!
20th Anniversary 2 Part 1
There wasn’t quite as many items in this release as part 1, however some of the more interesting items included: Pikachu figure keychain, a large can badge, Pikachu memo clip, super cute phone cases (including a shell case for the iPhone X!), and a pen and pencil with a cute Pikachu figure on top.
My favorite item from this release, and the only item I personally got, was this adorable cookie tin. It’s so colorful and cute! And it has cookies!
June Eevee Plush
New Pokemon Center exclusive Eevee plush came out on Saturday!
The three poses are sitting, running, and sleeping.
My personal favorite is the sleeping pose! I didn’t get one, but there is a chance I’ll cave because the more I see it, the cuter it becomes…
Pokemon Neon 1
A small apparel related release came out on Saturday as well. Dubbed Neon Colors due to the prevalence of, you guessed it, neon colors, the line-up featured hats (not pictured: Pikachu and Charizard).
Pokemon Neon 2
Pass cases
Pokemon Neon 3
A very neon backpack and pouch, as well as some other t-shirts.
Last but not least! On the heels of the Pokemon Quest game announcement, a small release of Pokemon Quest related items sort of surprise came out on Saturday. (The Pokemon Center does not mess around)
Pokemon Quest Plush
Along with the larger sized Pikachu plush, there were 8 smaller mascot plushies: Pikachu, Charmander, Bulbasaur, Squirtle, Eevee, Electrode, Slowpoke, and Magikarp.
Pokemon Quest 2
There was also a couple other non plush items, including t-shirts, a hat, two types of bags, a clearfile set (of course), and more iPhone shell cases (including for the X!)
That wraps up this Pokemon Center Report.
Until next time~
by ZombieMiki | May 18, 2018 | Pokemon, Pokemon Merch News, TCG
Hello everyone!
I wasn’t sure what to expect from Friday’s announcements, so I was surprised that not only did we get a pretty neat line-up for part 2 of the Pokemon Center’s 20th Anniversary festivities, but also new Pokemon Center exclusive plush (although three are Eevee so don’t get too excited).
The second wave of merchandise will feature a completely different base illustration from the first wave. Unlike the first illustration which included Shaymin, Pikachu, and the starter Pokemon across all 7 generations, this second illustration includes Pokemon that have been featured on Pokemon Center logos, plus Shaymin and Eevee.
Personally, I’m a fan of this second illustration more than the first, and likewise, I like the items from the second wave a little more than the first.
These items will go on sale at all Pokemon Centers & Stores in Japan starting June 2nd (Saturday).
Merch Line-Up
Shaymin Squishy Plush – 4,536 yen
Anniversary 2 Part 1
Keyholder – 1,026 yen
A4 Clearfile – 260 yen
Smartphone Flip Phone Case – 3,240 yen
Hard Shell Case for iPhone 8/7/6s/6 – 2,030 yen
Hard Shell Case for iPhone X – 2,160 yen
Pen/Pencil – 648 yen each
Memo Stand – 864 yen
Mug – 1,620 yen
Set of 2 Plates – 3,240 yen
Cookie Tin – 1,296 yen
20th Anniversary 2 Part 2
Ringed Notebook – 864 yen
PET Stickers – 540 yen
Can Badge – 378 yen
Next up – new Pokemon Center exclusive plush!
There will be 3 Eevee plush and 1 life-size Jirachi plush coming out in the month of June.
June Pokecen Plush
The three Eevees (standing, running, and sleeping) will all cost 1,296 yen each and will go on sale at all Pokemon Centers & Stores starting June 2nd (Saturday).
Life-size Jirachi will cost 3,024 yen and will go on sale at all Pokemon Centers & Stores starting June 9th (Saturday).
A new booster set, “Broken Sky’s Charisma” (SM7) will go on sale starting June 1st (Friday).
Each pack will contain 5 random cards and will cost 162 yen after tax.
A special Pokemon Center exclusive set will also go on sale starting June 1st. As can be guessed by the name, it will be sold exclusively through Pokemon Centers.
The set contains 2 boxes of “Broken Sky’s Charisma” booster packs, 1 set of 64 original card sleeves, 1 deck case, and 1 card box.
The set will cost 10,800 yen after tax.
June Card Sleeves
We get some new card sleeves, too!
Each pack contains 64 sleeves and will cost 777 yen after tax.
Pikachu Closet April 2
Last but not least! Pictures have finally surfaced for the items coming out Saturday April 19th from Pikachu’s Closet.
Raincoat Set – 4,104 yen
Argyle Set – 1,404 yen
Substitute Plush Shirt – 1,080 yen
Sailor Shirt – 1,080 yen
That wraps up today’s report! Until next time~
Pokemon Center 20th Anniversary Wave 2
June Pokemon Center Exclusive Plush
Pokemon TCG
by ZombieMiki | May 1, 2018 | Pokemon, Pokemon Center Report
Hello everyone!
It’s gonna be May!
I do my best to keep my blog updated with the latest information on official Pokemon merchandise in Japan, along with pictures of merchandise from the Pokemon Center when promotions happen. I love helping keep people informed (and helping provide pick-ups when possible!) as Pokemon merchandise and collecting is one of my favorite things. If you find my blog helpful in any way, please consider sending some support! It’s of course not required but 1000000% appreciated 😊
Patreon
Follow my Patreon and get access to artwork, monthly original postcards with messages from me, or commissioned artwork every month!
Ko-fi
Buy me a coffee and I’ll draw you a Pokemon (or non Pokemon character by request!)
Artwork Commission
I draw Pokemon and non Pokemon characters! Send me a message for more information~
Amazingly enough, it’s been 20 years since the first Pokemon Center opened in the original Nihonbashi location April 25th, 1998! It’s fitting that the Tokyo DX Pokemon Center would open in the historic location 20 years later. Since the original opening, the Tokyo Center has moved twice, and various Centers and Stores have opened up all over Japan.
The main mascots for this 20th Anniversary celebration are Pikachu (of course), Shaymin, Mew, and Poliwhirl deserves a mention as well, as he was one of the three logo Pokemon for the original Tokyo Pokemon Center.
20 Anniversary Part 1
The selection of merchandise for this promotion was sort of meh? It’s one of those promotions where there is a main illustration and most items simply reuse that illustration, which is fine, it’s just not my favorite thing. The illustration here includes all the starters across all the current generations, plus Pikachu and Shaymin.
The two cutest items (in my opinion) was the mug, which came with a small box covered in the main starter Pokemon illustration, and pictured here, the cookie tin, featuring the same illustration!
I had to get a cookie tin for me because not only do you get a cute souvenir celebrating the 20th anniversary, but you can use it as storage after the cookies are gone and also cookies!
20 Anniversary Part 2
There were also a couple simple items, in this leather like style. Simple, cute, stylish, but also still celebrating the 20th Anniversary.
Fluffy Plush April
There were three big sellers of the day. One was the small figure calendar, which sold out quickly on-line and had various levels of in-stock-ness across the country’s Pokemon Centers over the week into the weekend.
The next two were the new basically life-size and extra fluffy Pikachu and Eevee plush! For some reason, these two sold out quickly in a lot of Pokemon Centers, very unexpectedly. They are cute, though, so I can sort of understand.
Look at their faces!
That wraps up today’s Pokemon Center Report. Until next time~
