Pokémon’s Original Starter Evolutions Return for New Official 30th Anniversary Figures
Image by Charlotte DavisPokémon is celebrating its 30th anniversary with three new official figures of Venusaur, Charizard, and Blastoise, revisiting the final evolutions of the original Kanto starter trio.
The trio is joining BANPRESTO’s SOFVIMATES line, which recreates familiar characters as soft-vinyl style figures with simplified construction while retaining the key features of their original appearances.
Venusaur, Charizard and Blastoise all trace back to Pokémon Red and Green, which launched for the Game Boy in Japan in 1996 and introduced Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle as the first three partner Pokémon players could choose at the beginning of their adventure.
Those original starters have remained a major part of Pokémon’s 30th anniversary celebrations throughout 2026, appearing in everything from commemorative Moncolle figure sets to metal charm collections covering their full evolutionary lines.
Pokémon has also used the wider anniversary to revisit first partner Pokémon from every generation, including three Re-Ment figure collections covering starter trios from Kanto all the way through Paldea.
For BANPRESTO’s new collection, each figure focuses on the fully evolved form of one of Kanto’s original three partners rather than their smaller starting forms.
Venusaur stands approximately 10cm tall and 16cm deep, with its broad body, textured limbs, and huge flower forming most of the figure’s visual weight.
The sculpt also recreates Venusaur’s narrowed eyes and heavy stance, keeping the Grass and Poison-type Pokémon low to the ground in a pose that suits its larger build.
Charizard takes a taller approach at approximately 15cm high, with its wings spread and head raised to give the Fire and Flying-type Pokémon a more imposing silhouette.
Its sharp claws, facial expression and flame-tipped tail are all carried over into the SOFVIMATES style, giving Charizard a simple display pose that stays close to its familiar appearance.
Blastoise completes the trio with its thick limbs, large shell, and twin shoulder-mounted water cannons, which remain the defining features of the Water-type Pokémon’s final evolution.
BANPRESTO hasn’t yet confirmed the exact dimensions for Blastoise, although it will likely be somewhere close to the size of the Charizard figure given that they are canonically around the same height.
The three releases continue BANPRESTO’s recent use of the SOFVIMATES line for Pokémon, following an earlier Mewtwo figure produced in the same soft-vinyl style.
Venusaur and Charizard are scheduled to begin appearing as prize figures at amusement centers and arcades across Japan during November 2026, while Blastoise will follow in December.
Any international availability will follow around 1-2 months later, as Banpresto figures do often receive broader international retail releases, depending on licensing restrictions.
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