Getting in the Mood with Pikachu

Throughout this year, Pikachu has been getting into all sorts of moods, as well as circumstances that provoke those moods. All of these moods and circumstances have been encapsulated in a series of figures that is aptly titled "Pikachu Moods" that show off both of them in a highly expressive manner. This is likewise in the same vein as the previous figure lines of "A Day with Pikachu" and "An Afternoon with Eevee & Friends", so it would be neat to discuss this line as with the previous two figure lines.

Unlike the previous lines, this one has comparatively fewer individual figures in the set, with eight figures in all. What they lack in number, they make up in expression; each figure shows off Pikachu along with an accompanying situation that causes Pikachu to have a certain feeling (the mood), with special effects if necessary. A good example of the latter is the "confused" figure, where star effects are also shown above Pikachu's head in addition to the swirly-eyed facial expression that is characteristically expressive of this mood.

For this, the eight moods are "sleepy", "annoyed", "sad", "lovestruck", "confused", "hungry", "scared", and "guilty". All of these were divulged roughly once a month over the course of this year. As with the previous two lines, the figures went for USD 14.99 each - "went", of course, because these figures are limited in stock (even purchase is limited) and by now are out of stock and even unavailable in Pokémon Center. Moreover, some have stated that the figures are relatively poorer in quality, though I wouldn't vouch for this at face value.

Were I to have free choice in obtaining one or more of these figures, I would go for the more upbeat figures from this line, the "hungry" and "lovestruck" ones; both capture the essence of this figure line very well. As for the "best of the rest", I would go for the "sleepy" figure, which I consider expressive but just sufficiently so - it's also one of the figures that also feature another Pokémon, in this case Jigglypuff. The free choice remains a free choice, would that the figures be still available.

If anything, this figure line is a testament that Pikachu is quite an expressive Pokémon, particularly given the same circumstances that would provoke similar moods in people as in these line of figures. Other aspects notwithstanding, they may still be deserving of a spot in the collection of any Pokémon (figure) fan, even if it's because of the purely expressive factor. That may just be the core reason for collecting these figures, to exemplify the moods of this year and even past and future ones.

One year ago: Muscle Memory and Pokémon Games

Two years ago: Cosplay: Chibi Daisuki! Japan Fest 2019

Three years ago: A Pikachu Hand Puppet

Four years ago: I Claimed My Team