Exclusive Retro Pixel Pikachu Plushies Head to Pokémon Centers for Series’ 30th Anniversary
The official Pokémon Center has revealed a pair of new Pikachu plush toys celebrating the early days of the video game franchise.
These new additions, affectionately dubbed the “Pikachu of Beginnings” collection, offer fans a nostalgic look back at the origins of the beloved Electric-type mouse.
The Pokémon franchise launched in 1996 with a simple premise of discovering, catching, training, and battling fictional creatures.
Over the past thirty years, it has grown into a multimedia giant spanning video games, trading cards, and animated television shows.
Pikachu quickly became the face of the entire brand, starring as the main companion in the anime and leading the adventure in the classic Pokémon Yellow video game.
In those early Kanto adventures, the character had a much rounder, more robust shape compared to its modern streamlined silhouette.
This new merchandise explicitly references that vintage art style, bringing back the classic proportions that veteran fans remember from the late nineties.
These retro character goods serve as a perfect companion to the “Pokémon Timeless Adventure” collection, sharing the 30th-anniversary theme of looking back at where the journey first started.
Two limited edition 30th-anniversary plushies, released as the “Pika Pika! Pikachu” collection, will also be available at the official Pokémon Center this March.
Let’s take a closer look at the new “Pikachu of Beginnings” collection!
- “Pikachu of Beginnings Plush”
- Price: 3,300 yen (approx. $22 USD / £17 GBP).
A cuddly, larger-scale soft toy perfectly replicating the vintage, chubby aesthetic of the iconic character from the original 1996 video games.
- “Pikachu of Beginnings Mascot”
- Price: 880 yen (approx. $6 USD / £5 GBP).
A smaller, highly portable version of the character equipped with a chain, designed to be easily attached to bags or keys for adventures on the go.
These nostalgic toys will be available to purchase at physical Pokémon Center and Pokémon Store retail locations across Japan.
Online sales will open through the official Pokémon Center Online store.
The official launch date across all physical locations and online platforms is scheduled for Saturday, February 28, 2026.
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