Pokemon Center Report – Pokemon Christmas 2016 + Snowseason

What better time to share photos from the 2016 Pokemon Christmas and Snowseason promotions than on Christmas!

As with last year, the Pokemon Center decided that just having one winter/Christmas promotion was not enough, so they made two mini promotions: one with a Christmas theme and one with a snowy winter theme. Between the two, there’s lots of cuteness to share, so let’s dive into the wonderful world of snow and festivities on display at the Mega Tokyo Pokemon Center.

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Merchandise Overview – November

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[Pokemon Center] Christmas 2016
[Pokemon Center] Snowseason

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[Ichiban-Kuji] Pikachu Nebukuro Collection

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[Banpresto] I Love Mew Big Plush

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[Pokemon Center] Monthly Pair Pikachu December
[Pokemon Center] New Years 2017
[San-ei] All Star Collection (Audino, Axew, Croagunk, Chikorita, Cubone, Cyndaquil, Darumaka, Diglett, Dragonite, Eevee, Emonga, Greninja, Lucario, Meowth, Misdreavus, Pikachu, Togepi, Totodile)
[San-ei] Mochi-Fuwa Cushions (Chansey, Spheal, Slowpoke)

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[Banpresto] Kutsurogi Time – Pichu, Pikachu, Raichu

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[Banpresto] Kororin Friends – Big Cyndaquil Plush

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[Pokemon Game] Sun / Moon Release
[Pokemon Center] Pokemon Time Vol. 10
[Pokemon Center] Pokemon Center Exclusive Plush
[Pokemon Center] Welcome to Alola! merchandise + Rotom Dex merchandise
[Takara Tomy Plush] Eevee, Litten, Rowlet, Pikachu, Popplio, Rockruff
[MonColle] Litten, Lunala, Popplio, Rockruff, Rowlet, Solgaleo, Togedemaru, Turtonator
[MonColle Set] Journey’s Start Set (Litten, Popplio, Rowlet, Rotom, Tapu Koko)

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[Banpresto] Kutsurogi Time – Big Pichu Plush
[Banpresto] Pokemon Sun & Moon Big Plush (Litten, Popplio, Rowlet)

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[Banpresto] Big Snorlax Plush
[Banpresto] I Love Mew Mascot Plush

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[Banpresto] I Love Gengar Big Plush

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[Candy Toys] Pokemon Sun & Moon Mascot Charms

Friday Pokemon Announcements – Mario x Pikachu Collaboration + Christmas x Winter Promotion 2016

Sorry for the late update!

This past Friday gave us two very exciting announcements and I’m even more excited to share them with you!

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First up – the collaboration you probably never knew you wanted but: Mario Pikachu!

The majority of items from this promotion will be available at all Pokemon Centers around Japan starting October 29th (incidentally the day before my birthday), however a portion of items will be sold exclusively through the Kyoto Pokemon Center, as well as the on-line store.

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Mariochu / Luigichu Plush
2,376 yen

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Mariochu / Luigichu Mascot Plush
(Kyoto / Online Exclusive)
1,296 yen

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[Collaboration] Pokemon Forever at Kiddyland

On Saturday, January 30th, a limited time event called “Pokemon Forever” (Zu~tto Pokemon) started at four Kiddyland locations around Japan, including the Harajuku store in Tokyo.

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As part of the event, Kiddyland has the up-coming second batch of All-Star plush (Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, and Mew) as well as the larger Pikachu plush for sale earlier than the official release date, along with brand new Sepia Graffiti items. The two large sized plush cushions (Ditto and Snorlax) will also be available starting from February 13th.

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Entering Kiddyland, the first thing you see is the main Pokemon plush display, featuring the complete All-Star original line-up (including Espurr!) and the second batch of All-Star plush. Hanging overhead are blown up prints from the Sepia series.

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The other side of the display has a section devoted to both sizes of Pikachu plush

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Various Pikachu figures

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The newest Sepia Graffiti merchandise

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And even a small section for PokeKyun cards.

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Pokemon Center Report – All Star Plush + Fluffy Cushion Plush + Surprise Eeveelutions & Arcanine

I woke up early to head over to the Pokemon Center for the slightly earlier than expected release of both the All-Star plush line and the related fluffy cushion plush, but the Center decided just those plush was not enough for a Saturday release, and gave us four surprise Pokemon Center exclusives as well!

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Flareon

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Jolteon

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Vaporeon

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and Arcanine! The three Eeveelutions are, as expected of Poke-Cen exclusive plush, very soft and adorable, but having Arcanine in the surprise line-up was the most exciting, especially considering his lack of merchandise. He is extra fluffy and fierce and all Arcanine collectors should look into adding him to their collections!

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The All-Star plush came out great, maybe even better than I could have hoped for! All the plush are made of a soft minky fabric and are the perfect size to hold and cuddle. As opposed to the usual Poke-Cen plush, the All-Star collection plush have beans inside them, which makes them sit up easier. Also, Eevee is surprisingly dense! I have no idea what they stuffed him with, but wouldn’t be surprised if it was bricks.

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My favorite plush from the line-up (in no particular order): Buneary! I’m very picky with my Bun plush, but this guy just seems like one of the most perfect of the Bunearies. I didn’t get one today, but there is a chance I might cave next time I visit the Center.

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Psyduck! Another plush that is easy to derpify, but this one came out pretty much perfectly.

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Altaria! Yet another Pokemon that is easy to mess up in plush form, and once again, this plush came out great, with just the right amount of fluff.

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Poliwag! I’m not a huge fan or a collector, but the eyes looking up at you. You can’t resist!

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Last but not least, Dedenne! Dedenne suffers from “all of my merchandise looks the same” and with so many Pokemon in the All-Stars collection, I wasn’t sure if I was going to get him or not, even though I am a collector. Seeing him in person changed my mind: this plush is perfect. Perfect Dedenne plush! On par with the Pokemon Center exclusive!

“But wait!” you might be saying. “The All-Star Collection had 15 plush, there’s only 14 here! What gives!”

Well, for reasons I will probably never understand, the Pokemon Center is not carrying Espurr. (LE GASP) I know. Why would they leave out one of the most popular Pokemon from the line-up?! He’s still available through general toy stores (although I checked Toys R Us in the same shopping mall as the Mega Tokyo Center and their selection of Pokemon toys was pitifully small) as well as Amazon, but the best part of new releases is being able to pick out your perfect plush by hand.

At any rate (grumble grumble)

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I haven’t forgotten the cushions! There were three types of fluffy cushion plush in this release: Pikachu (the most cushion-like out of the three), Wailord, and Gulpin. They are all incredibly soft and incredibly huggable, so if you have the dough to drop, and you like hugging plush that’s as big as half of you, then I say go for it!

Get ready for next week’s big Pokemon Center update when the Mega Pikachu campaign starts. Until then!