Featured Image Credit: The Pokemon Company/Takara Tomy/Pokejungle
Topics: Pokemon
Pokémon is celebrating its 30th anniversary by releasing a series of special plushies and figures for trainers to enjoy. But there’s one Pikachu plush in particular that’s caught everyone’s eye
Here’s the thing. I just came back from Japan after a month of travelling, and now, I’ve got to head out there again to bring home Pokémon and Japanese toy company Takara Tomy's glorious ‘fat Pikachu’ plush to celebrate the franchise’s 30th anniversary.
The series first launched on February 27, 1996 with Pokémon Red and Pokémon Green for the Game Boy.
There’s just over a month left before Pokemon Day rings in the franchise turning the big 30! Honestly, I think we’ve hit peak celebrations already.
First thing you need to know about me. I’m a huge Pokemaniac.
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I’ve got over 100 Eevee plushies in my room, and a bunch of special edition Pikachu plushes destined for a shelf that I’m going to try and put up this weekend.
The crown jewel of my collection is the limited edition Pokémon Astronomical Observatory Special Exhibition I was lucky enough to visit while out there.
I’ve got the exclusive Tokyo Skytree plush, the Haneda Airport plush, I even stumbled across a rare Japan Rail Pikachu while on the outskirts of Kyoto in a near-abandoned vending machine. I even travelled to Gotemba Premium Outlet just to get the exclusive Fuji Pikachu.
This ‘life-sized’ large lad looks just like the original Pikachu design from the early Pokemon games. If you were wondering, life sized equals 40 centimeters tall, matching Pikachu's in-game height. That’s the biggest electric mouse I’ve ever seen.
It’s actually a recreation of the life-sized Pikachu plush toy released in 1997, right down to its adorable label. I never had this one (I was born then, sorry). But I do remember a fat Pikachu on the top of my aunt’s cupboards that I coveted. I remember balancing on the bed posts just to stroke his very fuzzy fur. Dread to think what that would go for nowadays.
It’s officially called the ’30th Anniversary Okaeri Pikachu plushie.’ Now, I speak basic Japanese (shout out to Duolingo). ‘Okaeri’ means ‘Welcome home’. Welcome to my shelf, more like.
Fans are loving it online.
“Dude he is so fat. look how round he is and he is twice the size of her head. He is a bean bag” one said.
“YIPPEE!!! I have one of the OG fat pikachu plushies and I LOVE HIM :3 His name is Beef Wellington”, which almost made me tear up it’s so cute.
As per PokeJungle, you can get the 30th anniversary items in Japan on February 28, 2026.
There’s no information on whether they’ll ship global yet, but you bet I’ll be leveraging my family out there to secure the bag.
Make sure you check out Japanese importer sites if you want to add this chonky boi to your own collection.