Showing posts with label Merchandise. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Merchandise. Show all posts

Thursday, August 6, 2026

"Back to Basics" for Indomaret x Pokémon

It's been somewhat of a long time since Indomaret, a local convenience store chain where I am, collaborated with Pokémon and turned out some wonderful merchandise. Perhaps it may be because of that fact that this year, they've gone back to that collaboration; furthermore, the effort has adopted a more "fundamental" approach with the merchandise items, which then becomes a source of intrigue to be discussed along with the merchandise in question.

Earlier this year, the collaboration took the form of special cups featuring five Pokémon species: Pikachu (of course), Eevee, Charizard, Snorlax, and Gengar. The cups were all of a single dominant color with the respective species featured all over. In this way, the approach is simple and no-nonsense yet still collectible for the fans; that is true for me as well, as I obtained the Pikachu and Charizard cups (in part thanks to a friend) and enjoy their presence after having used them to hold some drinks.


A little later on, even around now, the collaboration has a "back to school" theme, in line with school students starting or returning to their places of study. For this, one is able to obtain lunch boxes, tumblers, and a pencil case by paying more for them after shopping a set amount of other items. The lunch boxes and tumblers have proven to be quite popular... which is why I'm only able to obtain the pencil case, the only item left over, often in great amounts. This too shows that the most basic thing is essential.

Of the collaborations that have been made, this one is indeed the most "basic" in many ways. Yet the most "basic" thing is that Pokémon fans, even the local ones in my area, will snap up great merchandise that is neatly designed and simple enough to satisfy their needs, including pertinent ones. So, the items above greatly exemplify this and show that there is intrigue (and a continued one at that) in Pokémon merchandise that simply works and plays well.

Six years ago: The Look of Pikachu
Seven years ago: There Is Always a Way
Nine years ago: Cosplay: Tomodachi 2
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Monday, July 27, 2026

A Pokémon Collector Exchange Idea

Something that groups of people who collect Pokémon merchandise of various kinds could probably use is an idea for making an exchange of merchandise. This could be especially true if they have large groups and want to facilitate a mass merchandise exchange among their members, also potentially redistributing the merchandise to those who seek them. For that, I thought of presenting one such idea that they can apply as a form of "collector exchange".

The idea involves gathering up all the merchandise on a table where everyone can see them, and when the time comes for the exchange, each person comes up to the table and chooses an item - likely not something of their own - to obtain for themselves. Each person would be randomly selected for this purpose, and if there are more items than there are people, then each person can go again. In any case, once the table is completely cleared out, the exchange stops and everyone goes back with the items they obtained.

What could also work would be that some people would have the "privilege" of coming up to the table more than once during the draw if they attained certain achievements - though this would have to be coupled with a really great number of merchandise items on the table. As for the draw itself, the selection should ideally be in quick succession, which would be even more suitable for large numbers of people and merchandise items. The prospect of this being viable for large Pokémon gatherings then becomes rather evident.

In fact, the above roughly describes the merchandise exchange process that takes place at Mysterium, a convention for fans of the Myst series of games (for which this year's edition just ended and I'm "shoehorning" the "annual mention" of the game series right into this post). It's growing in the number of attendees from year to year, especially at special milestones - which could also be said to apply to Pokémon gatherings in certain contexts. While the contexts are different, the exchange systems could be made to be similar somehow.

Any gathering of fans for different pop culture series might inevitably involve merchandise and its exchange at some point, especially when it gets big enough. At that point, it is likely that a system is needed for that purpose, especially if the gathering becomes systematic as well. At the least, an idea for a system like the one above could be considered, and it would allow a "collector exchange" to be manifested that reflects the massiveness of the series in question.

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Tuesday, June 16, 2026

"Professor Branding" for Pokémon Merchandise

Many Pokémon fans will no doubt recognize the cohort of people who are called Pokémon Professors - even I've written up about them at one time. They would also appeal to the more intelligent side of Pokémon fans... perhaps conceivably for merchandise as well. For that, I thought about discussing how certain elements of Pokémon merchandise are or can have a certain "branding" with this group of people, as well as the (possible) appeal.

Now, those who play the (physical) Pokémon TCG will recognize the Supporter cards with the different Pokémon Professors in each. Though they can't exactly be considered to have a "branding" with these Professors, their presence on the cards could still be considered part of the appeal for them, aside from the function of the respective cards. In fact, it seems they're some of the few Pokémon things with actual Pokémon Professors on them, and they still achieve some of the objectives of actual "branding" without being so.

For an actual branding, the Pokémon Professors would have to be applied - liberally maybe, but significantly could be possible as well - to the merchandise items in question. That could be quite a task, since most Pokémon merchandise are Pokémon species and the associated items to them. Perhaps a simple approach is to have a "Professor-approved" indication of some sort along with the merchandise items, which would be a funky kind of branding as well similar to what would be done for items gotten through certain ways of shopping.

Recently, though, a different kind of Professor has been popping up, particularly in Pokémon Go circles. The Professor Pikachu (obtainable in that game) is an actual Pikachu clad in a lab coat to resemble a Pokémon Professor, and it looks as cute as it is seemingly intelligent. This Pokémon with this specific costume or outfit could realize itself as a kind of "professor branding" without having to involve the human Pokémon Professors. Many fans might just delight in having some kind of merchandise item based on this Pokémon.

The presence of Pokémon Professors has become undeniably an important part of many Pokémon games and the associated world in general. In the merchandise realm, though, that presence could seem a little lacking since the focus remains on the eponymous species and related items. Having "Professor branding" for some merchandise items might just be a way of continuing to establish their presence, with or without their possibly distant relations.

One year ago: The Expressive Ditto
Two years ago: Cosplay: Gold Generation
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Wednesday, May 20, 2026

Focused Pokémon Collections

There is a trend among younger Pokémon fans, particularly in Japan and particularly those who collect Pokémon merchandise - in great quantities, no less. These fans and collectors have shown their tendency and effort to collect a lot of merchandise that specifically tie to one particular Pokémon species, perhaps even similar models (like dolls) related to them. I've taken to call this particular style of collection as "focused collections", and now I also want to discuss their merit and demerit, as well how it might apply to me and other Pokémon fans I know.

A big merit is that the process (as a trend) shows its dedication, much like how I have nearly all of Ash's outfits for cosplay. It would show that they really like that Pokémon and they want it in as many forms (maybe even sizes) as possible, and with different fans liking different Pokémon, it can show that all kinds of Pokémon can have their dedicated fans, much like these ones. The only real demerit would perhaps be the impression that they seem to be "hogging" all the Pokémon merchandise for the particular species, even if they didn't go and buy it all from one store. Other fans pose the same considerations, given their comments on these collections.

As for me personally, I tend to be eclectic in collecting Pokémon merchandise, so I may not exactly be described as a "focused" collector. That said, I do have a fondness for Pikachu, so that forms a basis of my collection, essentially becoming a "partial focus" in a way. Others may or may not show such a focused tendency; for example, one of my friends who likes Sylveon might just be interested in getting a lot of things tied to it if given great amounts of resources for that purpose. Meanwhile, I have another friend who is practically in the "Mimikyu fan club" but that friend doesn't go overboard with "focused" merchandise like the specific fans above.

The idea of collecting all kinds of Pokémon merchandise for a selected species might appear to be insane - and it is, if the pictures of these collections are indicated to be as such. Even so, there is a certain heart, as possessed by the collectors, in these "focused collections" that is only matched by those collectors who are more diverse (or eclectic, as in my case) in collecting Pokémon merchandise. With that, some Pokémon merchandise collectors may indeed "focus" themselves in other to diversify them and the merchandise, and that trend could just persist.

One year ago: I'm On to Your Vitals
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Thursday, March 12, 2026

Dreamy Visions... in Plush Form

After discussing three songs with certain dreamy visions, now I want to discuss some actual Pokémon dreamy visions... albeit in merchandise form. Many fans are of course familiar with Pokémon evolution, by which some species "upgrade" into other forms. Some people have visions of the process for their Pokémon, and it might also be construed that some Pokémon species themselves might have the same visions. Those visions are perfectly encapsulated in a new and recently released line of merchandise.

The line is called the "Little Daydream" plush, and the concept is that the featured Pokémon in plush doll form are themselves holding miniature plush versions of what will likely be their evolved state. Kicking off the line is Charmander, Pichu, Wooper, Togepi, and Munchlax, all of which hold their ultimate evolution forms - save for Pichu, who holds a Pikachu instead, which can be construed that Raichu is an optional and/or undesired objective for it. All of them also look in a dream-like state, befitting the line's name.

Even the first three of these are available in a more miniscule keychain plush form, which looks just as charming as the bigger plush versions (and certainly more affordable, given the state of the world nowadays). If I had the option of getting any of these, I'd love to have the one for Pichu, Charmander, or both, in either the regular or keychain form. I'd also love for the line to be expanded in the future, with more first partner and/or baby Pokémon, as I'm sure many fans also have the same interest for this plush doll line.

Dreams always have ways of manifesting themselves in certain realities, and the most recent certain reality for Pokémon merchandise is the line above with some cutesy Pokémon species holding cutesy visions of what they'd like to be. The concept is rather fascinating and fits the views of those who always have dreams on their minds, and the expansion potential is not only apparent but could be somewhat desired. Given those "dreamy visions", some fans may just have this line of plush dolls on their minds for some time.

One year ago: To Hold Hands and Love
Seven years ago: Beta Testing
Eight years ago: Taking the Go Train
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Thursday, January 15, 2026

Lego Pokémon: Breakout Sets, Breakout Prices

It was only in the second year of this blog that I discussed about Pokémon in toy block form, although at that time I did not "name names" to keep things fair. Many years later, now I can finally name one name, and it would be the most renowned one of all the names in this field of toys, which would be Lego. The famed toy block maker has finally collaborated with Pokémon and produced a few "breakout" sets for that collaboration. Yet that also comes with another "breakout" concern, which would be for the price - but that's to be discussed later. What matters first is the initial scope of this collaboration, as the way it's manifested.

The "breakout" sets involve a few facets from the first generation. Specifically, they would be block models of Pikachu on a stand (also featuring the Poké Ball), Eevee with movable parts, the fully evolved first partners, and even the Pokémon Center building (where Pokémon get healed, of course). Those who pre-order the evolved first partners set will also get the Kanto badge case set, including all its badges. As for piece counts, the sets for Eevee, Pokémon Center, and the badge case only have a few hundred pieces, while the Pikachu set has around 2000 pieces and the first partners one has close to 7000, so these need some commitment.

"Commitment" also applies to the price, the other "breakout" concern I mentioned. The sets go for hundreds of dollars, almost in line with the investment for a Nintendo Switch 2. Being that Lego is renowned for its toy blocks, the price point seems to justify that; yet even so, it still seems to be absurdly expensive, and the fact that it's with Pokémon - which lately has some expensive things of its own - doesn't help matters much. As such, some fans have taken to complain on social media regarding the affordability of these novel toy block sets.

For those who can afford the prices of the sets (that is, have some money to throw around), they'll be looking at a unique take on the featured facets as above. As with any toy block model, they're a bit "rough around the edges", but that's part of their charm. The selected facets by their ties to the first generation are quite nostalgic for older fans yet remain of interest for newer ones. Personally, I'd want to have the Pikachu set and build it regardless of the cost or commitment needed to obtain and process it as such, but that's quite a dream.

After being in the shadows for many years, Lego finally coming out with collaboration sets involving Pokémon is a welcome sight to see, even if the prices for the sets aren't exactly "welcoming". But for what could look like the first batch of such sets, the "breakout" aspect is also still welcoming regardless. It makes for a great toy block Pokémon future with the ones of renown being included in that picture and presenting their offerings for the franchise.

Five years ago: I Need Good Energy
Seven years ago: Keeping Up with VGC
Eight years ago: Here Comes an Ex-Raid
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Sunday, January 11, 2026

The Year of Plush?

It has come to my attention that Pokémon is also wanting to try out a little something new for this year, much like as they did last year with the "Year of Eevee". This time, though, it seems to be more specifically focused on a particular area of Pokémon, being merchandise: according to Pokémon Center, this will be the "Year of Plush", which could mean a lot of things given that the subset of Pokémon merchandise (and itself as an area of merchandise) can be broader than one might think it is. That's the reason for the added question mark in the title, which also becomes the prompt for further exploration of the topic in a post.

The announcement should also have come to the attention of a great deal of fans, since those who subscribe to the e-mail newsletters for all things Pokémon (which includes the one for Pokémon Center) should have received an edition of the newsletter containing that very announcement. Something prominent within this edition, one that comes up when one opens it, is the illustration containing a number of Pikachu and Ditto prominently along with a few other Pokémon in different moods and situations. For those who don't subscribe, the same illustration may be found on different social media accounts for Pokémon.

As far as merchandise content goes, the e-mail newsletter edition suggests that in fact Ditto and Pikachu will figure in prominently, given the associated promotion for Pokémon Natures plush featuring the two Pokémon species, including how they appear in the illustration. Then there's the new entry of a Pokédex Plush for Mimikyu, which of course means a life-size edition of this niche but highly appreciated Pokémon species (ahem) for fans to appreciate as well. The present offerings are quite fascinating and are surely to be accompanied by others throughout the year, given that the announcement is for that very period.

Plush dolls for Pokémon are pretty common by now, so technically there doesn't need to be a full, entire year for celebrating them. Still, the upcoming Pokémon anniversary of this year, as I've already hinted about in my actual "yearly theme" post, actually has something special going for it, so it seems to be quite pertinent to celebrate that alongside even the most common matters for Pokémon... which include plush dolls. With that, the "Year of Plush" can be construed to be a totally ambitious premise of a common matter that is made even more special by all kinds of circumstances for Pokémon and all its fans.

Six years ago: Faults in Some Stars
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Saturday, July 26, 2025

Odd Pokémon Items from Conventions

Aside from matters of meeting people and cosplay (IC: "characters"), I also get - mostly through Ash - a few odd things (but still related to Pokémon) from time to time. In this case, "odd" does not mean "weird", but disjointed or unrelated, like the contents of some drawers in some homes - even I have some. As a result, sometimes I don't know what to do with them or how I'd put them up on this blog for discussion - the latter until now. I thought of rounding them all up in one post as the odd things that they are.


Seen here are three kinds of those odd things. Perhaps the oddest thing would be the Team Rocket sticker that features the well-known trio from the anime, inset in a large "R" and illustrated in a monochromatic line-art style. It's a very expressive sticker, though it's not one that I would have chosen by myself for my own collection - hence introducing another oddity element. Regardless, through a convention, the sticker is now in my possession, and it's still a Pokémon thing to be appreciated.

The next odd thing would be the mini figure of Pikachu. It came to me by way of one of my good friends in the last convention I sent Ash to. Pokémon figures are pretty common, of course, but then again, this one is in an uncommon state: it could use a bit of help in the painting department to restore some of its lost details - similar to some mini figures from a long time ago. The figure being given to me is still a nice and appreciable gesture, and it may be up to me to find a way to improve on this token of friendship.

Last up is the selection of TCG cards. Like the figures, cards are pretty common, especially if they were extracted from a booster pack. But these didn't come from one, and they instead came from a goodie bag given out by a certain someone from a major recent convention. Though there are exactly five cards and one of them is a Basic Energy card, one of them is actually a promo card and the numberings are all different, which practically shoots down the possibility. So, oddities are abound in this usual fare.

I expect to obtain more odd Pokémon things from conventions (and festivals) as I attend them through characters as proxies, so these odd Pokémon things may only scratch the surface of the possibilities. Certainly, though, if they can't all be discussed at length and they might seem disjoint to each other as well as Pokémon merchandise itself (both mine and in general, then there would be a place for write-ups such as this one. The wonders of Pokémon things may never cease - even with odd possibilities of them.

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Friday, July 11, 2025

Next Targets for the Pokédex Plush Dolls

To close off this run of discussions related to Pokémon merchandise, I have a quite sensational discussion topic. The Pokédex Plush dolls, which are the life-size plush dolls I referred to in an earlier post, have taken the Pokémon merchandise realm by storm. This is especially true of the latest release, which I'll get to in just a bit. With such a state of affairs, it seems to make sense that the merchandise series will continue, and to that end, I've decided to pose a few potential targets for the series. 

Regarding the latest members, they are the Eeveelutions - all eight of them - also becoming a complement to this "Year of Eevee". Since a number of evolved Pokémon species are being featured (think Gardevoir and Lucario), other evolved Pokémon that make for good "cuddle buddies" could receive the treatment - the recently popular Meowscarada and the timeless Wigglytuff are strong candidates for this purpose, and several fan sectors might just pony up their support (and cash).

Of course, a few of the other members of this plush group are some of the "familiar yellow" ones, being Pikachu and Psyduck. Both not to mention are also rightful "cuddle buddies" in the same vein as the above. Other Pokémon that fit either of the above criteria - and as such may become potential plush targets - could be Yamper and Zeraora. Granted, the support for these Pokémon are even more sectional than the above, but if the demand is present, they might just get their way.

As for the rest of the Pokédex Plush doll crew, there is the oddball of Porygon, which suggests that other "oddballs" may have their ways of making them be realized as part of this illusory group. Those other "oddballs" might then consist of Rhyhorn (since Jolteon has been done and there are other beanbag-sized merchandise) and Primarina (which has overtones of certain senses but is an odd choice in itself). Others might be good choices to and would reflect other preferences.

If there's one other word that could be used to describe this series of plush dolls, it would be "engaging", since all of the ones realized so far have had this quality for the fans of the Pokémon species of concern. The potential species that could be realized as part of this series may be considered to have some of that "engaging" quality even without the existence of plush dolls in this manner, and if they were realized, that might just make for a different world of "engagement".

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Thursday, July 10, 2025

The Future of My Pokémon Merchandise Collection

Being that this is a week for discussing Pokémon merchandise "issues", I can't help but include those of my own in a dedicated post. One of them in particular is what the future holds for the Pokémon merchandise I already collect and accumulate. The topic of the post then parallels one that I wrote up a couple of years back for my cosplay costumes and can be considered to have the same overtones. In that regard, there's an understanding that there may be the need to address the topic - and why not do so now, with this being an appropriate time.

So, in accordance with the previous post, at the present, my merchandise items are still in my possession, and I'm sure to receive at least a few more of them. For those and the ones I do already have, I'm also still considering ways that I can display them, as through something like a display case or any other approaches. In fact, I'm still searching for ideas and/or alternatives in relation to this since I have not realized anything that I posed earlier in that post. What is important is finding that display approach that works well for me and the merchandise.

When all that's fit to display, it may then be the time to consider selling, trading, or giving away some of my collection - which might be hard to do but will likely need to be done. A lot of considerations might also go into these processes, including having merchandise types that are emblematic of currently available ones, as well as merchandise that reflects particular personal preferences for species, characters, or both. That may already be reflected in the items that I already have, but I'm also open to others per the above.

Like for costumes, I also have to consider what should be done when the time comes for me to be "forever absent" - again, still a touchy matter. The same is also pretty much true: I'd like them to find good homes and people who would take them up, which could mean in the hands of others in the Pokémon communities I'm a part of and wherever I may be. They'll certainly have to be contacted - perhaps with better means than how I've interacted with them - but above all it is necessary for everyone to understand the intent.

Having accumulated Pokémon merchandise of various types and forms, it is natural for me to think about what will become of them in the future, in consideration of their presentation and management. The items remain an inherent part of any Pokémon fan - especially diehard ones like me - and the personal considerations are not only apparent but also necessary. It rivals any kind of merchandise "issues" that have pervaded Pokémon and may still at times do so, and so there's a place for its discussion even here and now.

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Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Limiting Pokémon Merchandise Purchases?

It seems there may be no end to what forms that Pokémon merchandise may take, with them running the gamut from being directly related to games and other media to unique ones for lifestyle purposes. Yet, what could need to be limited is the possibility of obtaining them for a variety of reasons, even for seasoned Pokémon fans like yours truly. It's this limiting that makes for a good discussion in some of the relevant ways.

An obvious limiter is size, which dictates what kinds are purchasable and maybe even deliverable (also playing into other factors). For example, the life-size Pokédex Plush dolls are somewhat significant in size owing to their nature (and by extension to price), and getting them may require workarounds, not to mention having a place for keeping them. It's also likely that a fan may get only one or two at the most because of all of those factors. In other words, the factor really does matter for merchandise.

Timeliness may also be a limiter in merchandise purchasing. In this case, timeliness refers to purchasing certain items to take advantage of certain shipping deadlines - specifically of holidays such as Halloween and Christmas. In fact, those who subscribe to the Pokémon Center newsletters will be notified of these deadlines for their convenience. Still, it is likely that for peace of mind (and if the items in question aren't limited-time), fans might just lump purchases of merchandise items to suit those times.

While not quite related to merchandise and more to a game element itself, it is known that scalpers have infested the TCG system to the players' nuisance. Pokémon Center thus also implemented a "virtual queue" and "waiting room" in addition to a one-item limit for certain recent TCG products to combat them. By reasoning, these features could also be used to limit purchases of certain merchandise items, especially those that are extremely limited in quantity as well as time, which may be a last resort in some ways.

Limits may not be something that comes to mind when obtaining (purchasing) Pokémon merchandise, but they may be needed (or are otherwise inherent) for their viability in more ways than one, especially in order that everyone can revel in the enjoyment of Pokémon through the merchandise. At least, with no end to the possibilities, the enjoyment of fans by merchandise may not be something limited either. 

Four years ago: Twilight Wings Addendum
Five years ago: Pokémon Primer?
Six years ago: Picking Battles
Seven years ago: Cosplay Cards
Eight years ago: Ghosty and Me
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Tuesday, July 8, 2025

Pop-up Stores for Pokémon Merchandise

The next issue (or just matter) of Pokémon merchandise concerns the places where one gets them - as in, shops or stores. Specifically, it concerns a bit of an unusual kind of them: pop-up shops or stores. These are a kind of stores that, by their name, appear for that purpose at certain times or during special events, and in relation to Pokémon merchandise would sell these for prospective fans. It sounds like a great thing... and in fact, it has already happened, becoming something neat to discuss for its implementation.

In essence, the shops that appear during local special events (PIJ, Pokémon Festival) may be considered pop-up shops for their purposes during the goings-on of the special events. But there have also been pop-up shops in certain locations in direct relation to the events though the events themselves are not actually going on; in this way, they really are "pop-ups" in that their appearances may be considered unexpected. Given the special events, the pop-up approach suits their progressions and makes for convenience.

Meanwhile, a number of international Pokémon tournaments - which includes the World Championships - have begun to adopt the same approach and instituted pop-up shops for their own selections of Pokémon merchandise. Those who are fortunate enough to attend the events as either competitors or spectators will surely enjoy being able to take away some Pokémon merchandise, not to mention the convenience, and it makes for another social venue as well at the event - more pluses beyond merchandise.

As for having more pop-up shops beyond the above scenarios, that may seem to be only viable in Japan - the homeland of Pokémon - where it is practically entrenched and doesn't really need events to show it off. Elsewhere, events are practically what is needed to get Pokémon things going, let alone the associated shops for buying merchandise; awareness is a factor in this regard, like for the Pokémon Go Road Trip in Europe or the MLB collaboration in the U.S., as events that are necessary to generate just that. 

Pop-up shops or stores (and other establishments) are still interesting concepts, especially when considering how they are implemented outside of Pokémon. Bringing that back into Pokémon, there may just be the greater interest in having a few more of these implemented beyond the ways that they are already implemented as above. That might require a lot of planning for the arrangements and the interests of the fans, but with at least some of the global popularity of Pokémon, the interest might just "pop up".

Four years ago: Every Word Is a Prayer
Five years ago: Dream of Pokémon Life
Eight years ago: Pursuing Shiny?
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Monday, July 7, 2025

Making Pokémon Merchandise Cheap...?

For those who haven't seen the pattern, since January I've been making a series of posts all within a week for particular Pokémon topic, which I've dubbed as "gimme five", in line with the theme I've set for this year. This month, I've chosen the theme of Pokémon merchandise - but not all of them will be about specific items. Some of them will also be about other aspects or issues of Pokémon merchandise, including considerations and challenges. Incidentally, today's post deals with the latter, and it's a significant one at that.

The challenge or issue is the expense incurred for certain Pokémon merchandise items and how that could be minimized - that is, making things "cheap" or "on a budget". It's a difficult matter to consider, and that might also be reflected in the actual composition of this post for other reasons, though I digress. Yet with the state of the world today and the state of everyone's pockets for Pokémon and otherwise, the matter bears some consideration so that today's fans can get their fix of merchandise without spending a lot.

And that is where the problem lies. Many items of official Pokémon merchandise are expensive because their materials are excellent or their size is large (or both), and they have licensing fees attached to them. Even if something official (in other words, given "blessings" by Pokémon itself) were to be made by a small business, the licensing is expected to be where the costs would lie... which is essentially the case for the PIJ batik shirts, being produced by an actual local entity for Pokémon. As such, it might seem that most official merchandise cannot come cheaply in one way or another.

If fans are interested in cheap Pokémon merchandise, they might have to settle for something previously owned (which is certain to be affected in some way), something not very big in size (which is likely to be priced less depending on other factors), and/or something independently made (which almost surely dispenses the licensing). All of these obviously have their pros and cons in the same way that anything cheap - merchandise or otherwise - does as well, being that one gets what one pays for. Then, the tenets of buying good things for good prices would apply, and at that point, one might settle for official in any case and for support.

"Cheap" perhaps won't ever come to describe most official Pokémon merchandise, but it may still something that most fans think about, especially in this day and age. Some amount of money is still needed to make the world of Pokémon merchandise go around and around, but there may be no fault in fans wanting to suppress that in some way. Depending on what is on offer, at least a few things may be gained reasonably.

Four years ago: Go Fest Gets Musical
Five years ago: Everyone's Go Fest
Six years ago: Cosplay: Konbini Anime
Seven years ago: ...However Things Turn Out
Eight years ago: Shiny Stories
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Tuesday, May 13, 2025

A Pokémon Card Binder

Some years ago, I'd already discussed the equipment I possess or desire to have in order to supplement my dealings with the physical TCG. The effort has been meager, and predictably, the equipment is still as such as well. However, there was a piece of equipment I didn't know I would need back then until I know I'd need it, and that would be a card binder. It's helpful for holding some loose cards as well as the best cards one can stand to display, both of which have come into my possession in more recent times. As such, I really needed one to keep my collection organized, and a month or two ago, I finally got one to fulfill all of the purposes that I have stated, in the best manner possible.


Appropriately, the card binder features a Pokémon image on the front cover. That would be of Ash in his Kalos outfit along with a few first-generation species and the Pokémon logo. It's definitely a custom image - and not one of my own creation - but the image is excellent as well as dynamic, and surely attractive for me. The binder itself could come in two color options (red or blue), and I got the red one, though not by choice as I had intended to get the blue one; it would also have featured a different image. Regardless, functionality came first, so I was happy with what I got in order to use it.

For the functional aspect, the binder features eight sheets or 16 pages that can hold nine cards on each page, allowing the binder to hold 144 cards in total. I've already filled a couple of them fully and a few partially, but it's clear that it'll be awhile before most or all of the pages become filled, so this card binder will be a viable solution for quite some time. Further, if I was an active player, most of my cards wouldn't be here, as they'd be in decks; this binder, then, would be for the cards I can stand to keep within the pages - the "odd ones out" and the spectacular ones that are meant for display. 


Even so, a few concerns still manifest with this binder. Admittedly, it's not the most expensive of binders, so there may be the concern that it will give out at some point in the future, though with very gentle treatment, I can at least prolong the life expectancy of this current binder. Something also to keep in mind with this kind of binder is that there have been reports of people receiving the binders with dust, although that didn't happen with mine. It may seem imperative to check on it every so often.

Really good cards need a really good way of keeping them, and a card binder would serve that purpose well for anyone who is into the Pokémon TCG. Even something decently priced such as this one can serve its function well enough, particularly with good care, and the appearance is not too shabby either. It's only a wonder that I didn't think of getting one of these binders soon enough, even if I'm not that active in collecting and playing the physical cards. It may just support further efforts for these purposes.

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Sunday, May 4, 2025

Latest, Unique Plushes from Pokémon Center

I'm somewhat uninterested to fall into a "contemplative" trap for my posts with other things going on my life at the moment, so I thought I'd pull a discussion for a hard Pokémon thing that I can conveniently muster, and that would be some of the latest things from Pokémon Center, always known for the greatest and latest in merchandise. And some of those things are in the plush (dolls) department, always unique things in and of themselves, but lately there have been other, very unique offerings as well.

One of those is the Pokémon Dreams plush series, which depict Pokémon in their sleep, being positioned in certain ways. The implication, of course, is that they look like they're dreaming something. So, that would mean eyes closed, mouth open (especially evident for Gengar with its tongue sticking out), and possibly hands in different positions (outward as for Eevee and inward as for Cubone). They're out of the ordinary depiction of Pokémon in their idle positions, but even for some people they look cute and worth collecting.

Plush dolls are sufficiently fuzzy in and of themselves, but the latest Comfy Friends and Fancy Spring plush lines seem to want to take that even further. They appear extra-fuzzy for the enjoyment of whoever owns them to handle, and in the case of the latter, perfectly suited for the festivities of the season along with the appropriate attire (flowery and frilly). The sensory delight of these plush lines might become their primary draw, if not the usual fancy with some of the Pokémon featured for them.

Then, there is the "chain plush", as the Adventure Partner and Parallel Pairs plush lines. I call them that because they have some sort of (key)chain like attachments to hook them to something, including but not limited to keys. As for the featured Pokémon, the latter features "regional equivalents" for the tandem featured Pokémon, while the former features starter or first partner Pokémon - always a highlight for any Pokémon fan. But then, the highlight may just be the ability to attach these plush dolls to things. 

Like Pokémon itself, both the franchise and the creatures it's known for, plush dolls will appeal to certain people. If they can be made to have unique aspects like the above - and especially in combination with Pokémon - that could be the much-needed appeal to get people and fans to obtain and collect them for all their intended purposes. In that regard, with Pokémon Center having these unique novelties, the plush dolls don't fall into the "commonplace" trap... though they might trap the fancy (not to mention the cash) of fans.

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Wednesday, April 30, 2025

A Pokémon Lanyard and ID Holder

Occasionally, there's a certain piece of Pokémon merchandise, custom or official, that catches my fancy as a Pokémon fan, not to mention having the opportunity to review it on this blog and add to existing posts. So it is that from last Sunday's festival or convention, I obtained - with the help of Ash - a Pokémon lanyard and ID holder from one of the booths for goodies that look rather simple but really attractive for a Pokémon fan. It can even be functional too, but I'll get to that in a bit. The most important is making the review.


So, the lanyard itself is much like any other functionally, and thus it's the motif that makes it different. The motif is the Pokémon logo and Pikachu on pastel yellow, which is subtle and could be regarded as being a rare design of sorts - at least for the merchandise that I collect. The ID holder is also the differentiator, as its image of Pikachu, Pachirisu, and Wooper (with Buizel in the background) conveys senses of awe and fascination, also rarely seen in the selection of merchandise that I already possess. For that, it seems nice enough to have it be a part of my collection, which it is now.

As for its usage, I'd be happy to wear the lanyard and use it to hold certain things, with or without the ID holder. The ID holder might be a bit different, for the image on its backside has been embellished with an emboss, which may not be retained over time. As well, its method of inserting IDs is by way of a slot, which I may have to carefully open to put in the ID and likewise to remove it if I need to do so. The process might be prone to cause breakage, which affirms the fragility of the material. It may be that I have to consider carefully what I'd put in it and for how long it would have to stay there - perhaps the longest time.

Regardless, I'm still happy to possess the lanyard and ID holder, both in this case happening to be pieces with fascinating Pokémon art and style. Functionality will probably have to come later and be seriously considered then, but at least the factors that will contribute to that have been considered now. What doesn't need to be considered is that merchandise is part of the enjoyment and fancy of any Pokémon fan - including this one - and there would be always something that plays into that for me and others.

Three years ago: Pokémon and Virtual Pets
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Monday, February 10, 2025

Catching the "Fancy" of Life-Size Plush Dolls

As I had discussed nearly a year ago, Pokémon plush dolls come in all kinds of sizes, and one of them is the life size. Many Pokémon are undoubtedly suited to having plush dolls of this size, certainly as long as they're not already gargantuan to start off with. Besides being suitable, there's a certain captivating quality that plush dolls of this size have, and that becomes the branching point of this discussion from the earlier one: catching the "fancy" possessed by dolls of this size, along with a few illustrative examples of that "fancy".

Most recently, there had been hubbub and furor over the latest entry to this line of plush doll size, being the Gardevoir life size plush doll. Many fans are aware of the implications that are brought about by this particular Pokémon having a life size plush doll (for which nothing more will be said here), and this definitely means that those who conceived this plush doll and those who covet such a plush doll have caught a certain "fancy". When the Lucario life size plush doll entered the scene, some might have had the same reactions, even if it might have been less marked than for Gardevoir. Whatever "fancy" might be had, some are certainly preferential for these humanoid species in plush doll - even in life size.

Then, there are the more common entries like those for the species of Porygon, Psyduck, and Pikachu. Admittedly, though, the first of these species is somewhat tending into the uncommon given its history in Pokémon matters, but a life size plush exists for it and could be sat (and/or "ridden") on... just like it was meant to be. The other two are familiar yellow pals for those who are familiar (even, not so familiar) with Pokémon, and by the reactions and reviews to these, they're treated truly as "pals" more than anything else. In this way, the "fancy" of these Pokémon are "caught" and "served".

"Extraordinary" seems to be the word that can describe the scale of these life size plush dolls as well as the reactions of the people to them, Pokémon fans and non-fans alike. Something would captivate some people for the conception of these plush dolls and then other people to obtain them, and that's definitely the "fancy" that concerns these plush dolls. That too is "extraordinary" regardless, as is the general scales and sizes of Pokémon species.

Five years ago: On (No) Coincidences
Eight years ago: Space
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Monday, January 13, 2025

My Next Pokémon Figure Targets

Well, it seems that I might have to get rather personal with my posts on Pokémon things over the next few days, but I think that might be appropriate for a certain reason, to be detailed. So here I go. First up, I'd like to deal with something that I haven't touched in a long while, which would be the specific kind of merchandise that is Pokémon figures, something that fervent fans like me do collect and have (quite) a few of. Regarding this topic, I'd like to pose a few of my next targets for this should I be able to procure some of them.

Something that might be rather certain for this is that I'm not really interested to get full-size (or larger) figures at the moment. Predictably, this is due to a few constraints, mainly those of space and funds; the latter is especially crucial for any figure, but even more so with full-size ones, while the former is also tied to the interest of being able to show them off in the best way possible, something that I'd need to figure out for all figures regardless. Of course, I'll still accept those that are given to me, and perhaps I can work with them.

My interest (and thus, targets) would currently lie in figures of a smaller scale, like those of the Moncolle line, for which I only have one exemplar at present. I could foresee expanding my collection to more figures in this line, although the primary constraints as above would still apply. Therefore, I'd either have to pick and choose which figures I actually want... or else accept any giveaways that are directed to me, which is incidentally how that one Moncolle figure came about. Some considerations are still needed in this regard.

For other Pokémon figures that I'm open toward, I'm also interested in unique ones like the Pikachu character ones that I obtained some time ago. More figures along this concept would be something fascinating to obtain, especially if I can make them work according to the constraints as given above. Still, other figures that are cleverly crafted or originate from unique sources are also fair game, for which my sources tell me that there is actually such that are about to come soon - or in fact may have actually come for able fans.

Though I don't plan on expanding my Pokémon figure collection in the near future or even at any time adjacent to that, it's still great to be able to set a semblance of targets - personal ones, at least - for what I'd like to obtain next. That way, when the time or chance to obtain another Pokémon figure comes along, I'll know exactly what to get, although the "how" is still unknown at present. Personally, even anything beyond my targets would be appropriate, yet it's just as appropriate to develop a vision even at this moment.

Three years ago: Goh's Workstation Setup
Four years ago: The Rain and Pokémon
Seven years ago: My Pokémon Show
Eight years ago: Pokémon and Cosplay
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Wednesday, January 8, 2025

The Year of Eevee

While I've declared my "yearly theme" for this year, it seems Pokémon also went ahead and made a declaration of a specific theme for that same year. The theme involves a well-known species of Pokémon, primarily for its rather diverse evolutionary capability, although it itself is sufficiently well-known as a "secondary mascot" of sorts. The species in question is of course Eevee, and as such this year is dubbed as the "Year of Eevee".

One way that this has been officiated is through a Pokémon Center e-mail newsletter, which shows the promotional emblem for the year's theme. It also highlights plush dolls (for the eponymous Pokémon) as well as figures (for its evolved forms or "Eeveelutions"). The ones for the latter are vivid and graphical with unique styles, while the ones for the former are stylistic and expressive in different ways. These highlighted sets of merchandise suggest that the year will be filled with a variety of exploratory takes on the species (family).

This featuring of Eevee in the (rough) timeframe is not the first time, with the earlier feature being the line of mini-figures featuring Eevee and its evolved forms from a few years back. Of course, the current featuring of Eevee can and should go beyond merchandise - though as this year has only barely started, it means that it remains to be explored within the rest of the many days of this year. It's definitely something to look forward to.

I also want to explore the numerological aspect of this year's theme, as an aside. Eevee is #133 in the National Pokédex, which has a digital sum of 7; meanwhile, this year (2025) has a digital sum of 9. The latter actually has a close correspondence with the nine species of the family, the eight evolved species forms and Eevee itself, while the former might assert a certain "lucky" aspect... whether that's for fans discovering the theme as presented or possessing a certain representative example. It's not much to consider, but it's an useful aside.

Eevee is a rather special Pokémon for those who appreciate it, and this year, it seems Pokémon wants to give everyone more chances to make that appreciation. So it is that this year is declared as the "Year of Eevee" to fulfill that purpose. Given its diversity of possibilities for evolution, there is a diversity of possibilities for its appreciation as well, and the "secondary mascot" and its species family should serve that role well.

Five years ago: Locks on Shiny Forms
Seven years ago: The Three-Count
Eight years ago: On the Subject of Go
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Wednesday, September 25, 2024

Completing the Stylistic Stickers

It has been over a year since I posited the idea for having a certain "complete set" of a certain kind of stylistic Pokémon stickers, specifically those obtained from conventions. Since then, there's been a lot of ups and downs in dealing with the convention scene (and my life scene), but thanks to picking up more of the stickers from another edition of a convention where I got some of these stickers, at this point, I can say that I now have such a complete set of stickers, and further, a means of showing them off.


This "sticker collage" shows off that complete set with a neat presentation. The new stickers I obtained since the last time are obviously the Ash and Raihan stickers on the upper corners, in addition to the Eevee, Torchic, Turtwig, and Froakie stickers. This fulfills the "triple-triple" of selected starter Pokémon - three types three times for the nine extant generations, shown here in a square. Above that, there are Pikachu and Eevee "leading the pack". Overall, the selection is also just as neat as the presentation.

Still, I also ended up with two leftover stickers (not shown here) that I thought could complete the stickers but wasn't able to make them work. They were of Piplup and Fennekin; if I had wanted to make them work, I would have needed a Treecko sticker to satisfy the constraints and sub for the representative generations as in the above collage... but I didn't think long and hard enough to determine this course of action nor pass it on to Ash for execution. The arrangement as above may be just as well.

By the way, this "sticker collage" is admittedly an effective and artistic way of displaying stickers, especially ones that one doesn't want to display anywhere else for certain reasons. I'm certain to make more of them, in particular with Pokémon stickers I get from conventions and festivals. This then would include the two leftover stickers as above, though the results for those wouldn't be evident until some time ahead. It'll take a few more stickers and a bit of mental willpower before it'll surely be ready.

After a long time, I managed to complete a collection of these particularly stylistic Pokémon stickers and even discover a way of displaying them. There will still be some ups and downs in the scene of conventions and my sending of Ash to them, but now I know what I can prepare Ash to obtain from them in order to have a piece of something (related to Pokémon) from them, which I can then assemble in certain ways to make something artistic of my own while celebrating their own inherent artistic quality.

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