KelsiDavis

The Pokémon Company International has announced plans to continue their partnership with The Wand Company, whose extensive line of collector’s quality Poké Ball Replicas has been ongoing since first announced in 2020. The newly previewed Mini Poké Ball Replica line has a 40 mm (~1.57″) diameter and will include five designs to be released throughout 2024: Mini Poké Ball, Mini Great Ball, Mini Ultra Ball, Mini Cherish Ball, and Mini Premier Ball. The first to release will be the Mini Poké Ball, which will be available on the U.S., U.K. and Canadian Pokémon Centers online, via The Wand Company’s Amazon storefront, and from other retailers worldwide beginning February 12th.

The Pokémon Company International’s collaboration with the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, which began September 28th of 2023, was quickly overwhelmed with issues related to its limited Van Gogh x Pokémon merchandise and overcrowding within the museum. Scalpers wasted no time acquiring and flipping merchandise for hundreds of dollars on resale sites like eBay; the most egregious item was perhaps the limited edition “Pikachu with Grey Felt Hat” promo card, which was originally available free in-person at the Van Gogh Museum and free with online Pokémon Center orders of Van Gogh-themed Pokémon merchandise. The museum stopped giving out the card in mid-October due to safety concerns. Getting tickets for the exhibit in the Van Gogh Museum also became difficult due to overwhelming demand. Tickets sold out weeks ahead when the collab was announced in September, and patrons reported being offered double the price for their ticket inside.

The Pokémon Company and Singapore’s largest supermarket chain, FairPrice, are bringing limited-edition OREO cookie packs with Pokémon theming to customers in Singapore. Three flavors (Vanilla, Strawberry, or Chocolate-filled) come in packages containing nine snack packs of 3 cookies for $3.34 SGD ($2.49 USD), or the 3 cookie snack packs can be bought individually for $1.71 SGD ($1.27 USD). The newly-debuted special edition flavor, Choco Banana, which features Pikachu on each bright yellow cookie, is $4.34 SGD ($3.23 USD) for the package of nine snack packs, and $2.22 SGD ($1.65 USD) for the individual pack of 3 cookies. The three regular flavors will be stamped with 16 different Pokémon designs randomly distributed throughout the packs. The designs seem to be identical to those included in the Pokémon x OREO Limited Edition cookies that were available in the U.S. in 2021, containing fan favorites like Bulbasaur, Piplup, and Pancham.

The “Legends of Johto” capsule collection by Italian streetwear design collective Dolly Noire has arrived online at the Pokémon Center for customers in the U.S., U.K., and Canada. The premiumly-priced collection consisting of seven t-shirts ($49.99 USD each) and two sweatshirts ($144.99 and $129.99 USD) is part of the larger Pokémon collection available via Dolly Noire’s website. The larger collection, which does ship internationally, includes additional pieces not available at the Pokémon Center, like Poké Ball socks and a beanie. Despite the name, “Legends of Johto” includes starters and Legendary Pokémon from both Kanto and Johto. Favorites featured include the Johto starters, Charizard, Suicune, Entei, Raikou, the Legendary birds, Ho-Oh, Lugia, and Mewtwo.

2022 Social Impact ReportThe Pokémon Company International (TPCi) has issued their second annual Social Impact Report, detailing their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) strategies from 2022. TPCi has also used this announcement to welcome their first occupant of a newly-created role at the company, Raquel Daniels as its first Chief Diversity and Social Responsibility Officer, who will be responsible for overseeing and growing the CSR and DEI initiatives.

The Pokémon Company has announced the latest addition to Project Snorlax (プロジェクトカビゴン), a year long celebration of the titular Pokémon through social media and product tie-ins. The Japanese-American pop artist known as CHRIS has debuted his version of Snorlax, with its eyes unusually open in his signature style, to be featured on products and art available online and at the Isetan Shinjuku department store in Tokyo, Japan. From January 17th until January 23rd, an art exhibition will be held on the #2 Stage inside the store's main building, featuring several of CHRIS’s Snorlax-themed art pieces, including a life-size (6’11”) Snorlax titled “The Snorlax in the Dream.”

The newest addition to Pokémon animation is Pokémon Concierge, a stop-motion, four-episode project that debuted on Netflix on December 28th. Fans of the new series will be able to find new homegoods, apparel, and stationary themed after the show beginning January 20th, exclusively in Pokémon Centers in Japan and at Pokémon Center Online. The resort theming from the show is clear in this collection, which includes an Aloha shirt like the one worn by the show’s main character, Haru, for ¥4,950 ($34.23 USD) and an adorable LED lamp shaped like Bellsprout for ¥7,700 ($53.25 USD). More cute and tropical merch like the Horsea watering can for ¥4,400 ($30.43 USD), throw pillows for ¥2,970 ($20.54 USD), and a shoulder bag also for ¥2,970 ($20.54 USD) round it out.

Japanese streetwear designer Hiroshi Fujiwara’s label, fragment design, is teaming up with Italian luxury fashion brand Fendi for new Pokémon-inspired goods to celebrate the Year of the Dragon. Dratini, Dragonair, and Dragonite are the stars of the collection, appearing on t-shirts and sweatshirts, as jewelry, and alongside Fendi’s signature pattern on handbags and other leather goods. Fendi reports that the Dragonite figure, made entirely of leather and just under 16 inches tall, requires 30 hours of handcrafting, which is reflected in its $2,290 USD price tag.

There’s been plenty of festive merchandise from the Pokémon Center this season, and for fans in the U.S., U.K., and Canada, the newest addition is the Eevee Winter Celebration of Seasons figure. It’s the final of four Eevee figures released throughout this year, each representing a different season. The festive figure featuring Eevee in a Santa hat and Pikachu snowman stands at just under 4 inches tall, and is available online now for $49.99 USD. For those who caught a glimpse of Squishmallows' teaser promo from September, preorders are now available for the 12-inch Teddiursa and Clefairy Squishmallows online at the Pokémon Center. Preorders are available for $29.99 USD and will close on November 28th, with the expectation that the plushies will ship in mid-December. Just like other Squishmallows available at Pokémon Centers, Teddiursa and Clefairy will come with the exclusive Poké Ball embroidery.

Beginning November 25th, Pokémon Centers in Japan and the Pokémon Center Online will be stocked with new merch based on the Normal-type move, Hyper Beam. The collection takes on a retro feel, calling back to the move’s introduction in Generation I by utilizing a limited color palette similar to Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow’s. The apparel available in the new line includes T-shirts, bags, and hoodies with designs on the front and sleeve. Also included are accessories like keychains, a lanyard, and a baseball cap, as well as homegoods like pillows and hand towels.

The Pokémon Company International (TPCI) and high-end, ready-to-wear brand A.P.C. have announced their new collection of Pokémon inspired fashion, available online now. “The collection combines A.P.C.’s renowned minimalist signature with colorful Pokémon to create ’90s-inspired designs that are both playful and simple — while nodding to the decade when the popular brand was born in Japan,” says TPCI. Several pieces of the collection, including sweatshirts, T-shirts, and A.P.C.’s signature raw denim jacket - with a Pokémon twist - are available online at the Pokémon Center U.K. The entire collection, which includes unisex and kids pieces, plus accessories like Pikachu jewelry and bags, is available online at A.P.C.’s website, and in-person at A.P.C. locations and retailers worldwide.

The newest holiday attraction from The Pokémon Company International is coming to the U.K., France, and Germany this winter, as the Poké Post Mailing Office travels around the three countries beginning this coming Saturday, November 18th. The popup attraction will appear for one day in each of eight locations, where visitors can receive special Trading Card Game packs and a Pokémon Together promo card featuring their choice of Pikachu or Eevee in a corresponding wintry envelope. Visitors can then send the promo card (and the TCG pack) they didn’t choose to a friend; if a visitor chooses to keep the Pikachu promo card, Eevee will be sent to a recipient of their choice, and vice versa. Poké Post says they will endeavor to have the mail delivered to recipients by Christmas Day, though it isn’t guaranteed.

The Pokémon Company International announced today that the newest plush at the Pokémon Center is Detective Pikachu, in honor of the recently released Detective Pikachu Returns. His iconic hat and determined expression set him apart from other Pikachu plushes. Though he is similar in appearance to the talking Detective Pikachu available at Japanese Pokémon Centers, this plush does not talk. Detective Pikachu is 8 ¼ inches tall and available online now for $25.99 USD.

Tiffany & Co., the high-end brand most well known by their proprietary color, Tiffany Blue, has announced a new collection of nine Pokémon pendant necklaces in collaboration with artist Daniel Arsham. Two pieces, both featuring Pikachu in different poses, come as 18 karat yellow gold, and the other seven necklaces come in an oxidized sterling silver finish and feature Pokémon from Generation I, including Charmander, Squirtle, Mew, Jigglypuff, and Cubone. Both materials are accented with diamonds, and the two gold Pikachu designs will come packaged in a Tiffany Blue Poké Ball.

There is quite a variety of new Pokémon merchandise this week, ranging from practical Trading Card Game accessories and skincare to cozy plushes and holiday décor. Long-term partner of The Pokémon Company International, Ultra PRO, has announced the Paldea First Partner accessory bundle, available online now only at Ultra PRO’s website. The bundle includes 65 protective card sleeves, a 24 inch by 13.5 inch playmat, a deck box which holds 80 or more cards, and a card storage box which holds up to 500 sleeved cards, all decorated with the Paldea starters Quaxly, Fuecoco, and Sprigatito. The set retails for $44.99 USD and ships internationally.

The Pokémon Company International confirmed this week that a giant Pokémon balloon will appear in the yearly Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, just as in every parade since the debut of the original Pikachu balloon in 2001. Pikachu and Eevee will appear along the 2.5 mile long parade route in New York City in their Poké Ball sleigh, accompanied by 90 balloon handlers on the ground. This will be Pikachu and Eevee’s third appearance in the sleigh, as the balloon debuted in 2021 in conjunction with the Pokémon franchise’s 25th anniversary. It’s also the first of the four Pokémon balloons in the parade’s history to feature a Pokémon other than Pikachu.

At about 12:20 a.m. on Friday, October 27th, two unidentified suspects backed a red Ford pickup truck through the side door of Gabi’s Olympic Cards and Comics in Lacey, Washington. With the door completely removed from the hinges, the two thieves entered the store and stole approximately $10,000 dollars worth of merchandise, including eight to ten cases (containing six booster boxes each) of Pokémon cards, according to owner Gabi Shepard. Shepard, who helped construct the store, says she remembers putting up the pillar that the pickup truck destroyed. “I know the building is just a thing, but it's still a thing that, you know, has been a part of my life for almost 20 years.” said Shepard.

James Carter Cathcart is best known as the voice talent for multiple roles in the English-language version of the Pokémon anime, including Professor Oak, James of Team Rocket, and many different Pokémon throughout his long career. He has recently offered an encouraging update for fans on his blog, which he began early this year to document his ongoing battle with throat cancer. Cathcart and his wife, Martha Jacobi, wrote on October 29th that he has been cleared to return home after an intense 14-day in-patient session of IV antibiotics. “Overall, our spirits are tired, but good,” they wrote

Dragonite is enjoying quite a bit of popularity this year; in September, it was introduced as one of the mascots of the upcoming Pokémon Center Taipei, and just this week on October 23rd, was ceremonially signed in as the Official Ambassador Pokémon for Fukui Prefecture, making it the ninth Pokémon to be given the honor. The Ambassador Pokémon promotion is sponsored by Pokémon Local Acts, a program designed to drive tourism by “highlighting [the] well-known and not so well-known charms,” of various localities in Japan through events and activities. Pokémon Local Acts may be best known for the “Poké Lids,” which are utility hole covers with Pokémon designs, often including the region’s Ambassador Pokémon, which are located all throughout the country.

Available online beginning October 25th, customers in the U.S., U.K., and Canada can find holiday apparel, kitchenware, home décor, and plushes that were originally announced for Japanese retailers online at the Pokémon Center. The new collection includes plenty of bakeware, pajamas, and more to get cozy as the weather gets cold. An exciting part of the new announcement are the Christmas-themed plushes of Pikachu, Pawmi, and Psyduck, as well as some plush stocking keychains and a plush bouquet of the Paldean starters, which were first announced for Pokémon Centers in Japan.