Merchandise!
Hello, merchandise hungry Pokémon fans ;) I've got some Japanese and American Pokémon merchandise and cards for you to feast your eyes on. NOTE- I DO NOT SELL, NOR AM I WILLING TO SELL THIS MERCHANDISE. I do not distribute merchandise, I bought these items at a small marketplace in a local mall. These things are ludicrously overpriced, and I spent a lot of money on them. So you people that live for ordering on line, please don't e-mail me asking for these! That being said, this page will be updated frequently as I visit the place of my purchases every once and a while. Beside the merchandise I have included small descriptions and the reason why you should buy it and be hesitant of buying it. This isn't anything you probably haven't seen before, but if you haven't, here's a small idea of the original cool stuff you may see in the homes of Japanese hardcore Pokémon fans.
Stuffed Pikachu (Isn't he cute?!)
Why you should buy it: It's cute ^_^ and the real deal. It's cute and rare. It's also very cute and you can brag to other Pokémon friends that you have one...Did I mention it's cute?
Why you'd be hesitant on buying it: The price for a small thing like that is mind boggling while it probably takes 75 cents to make in the toy factory. The sewing is somewhat less than desirable, but not too noticable.
This is a Pikachu I've seen sold on the internet. Around $14.95 (The price I bought it for at the store,) it is about 7'' tall and 5'' wide. (It's slightly bigger than the picture above) It also squeaks when you squeeze it, (although I would have liked it if it said 'Pikachu.') Sewing is not that great, but isn't very noticable. It is extremely cute and all Pikachu lovers should keep on the look out for the American version of this toy coming out soon. Like I said, this stuffed Pikachu is ludicrously overpriced by about $8, but if it's the REAL DEAL, I'm willing to shell out the extra bucks.
'Pikachu's Summer Vacation/Mewtwo Strikes Back' Playing Cards.'
These Cards are the kind you'd play a game of Blackjack, or Poker with, with pictures from the two movies release in Japan in the summer of '98. There are too many to put all on one page, so click on the links to see the full card packs (9 cards per picture)
Card Scan 1
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Why you should buy it: It contains rare and well drawn pictures from the Japanese Movies 'Pikachu's Summer Vacation' and 'Mewtwo Strikes Back.' VERY fun to play with, the back of every card is a BEAUTIFUL shiny Pikachu foil and also, the words on the cards are English.
Why you'd be hesitant on buying it: Like the stuffed Pikachu, these cards are overpriced. I purchased these for about $11.
Hologram Sticker-Cards
Why you should buy them: These cards are SOOOO fun to trade and also can be used as stickers. I must admit, their price is reasonable, depending on where you buy them. (I bought mine for $1.95 per pack. Each pack contains about 6 or 7 card stickers.) Very sparkly, holographic and detailed.
Why you would be hesitant on buying them: Nothing really, prices are reasonable, the only drawback is the stories on the back are only written in Japanese (Sorry, no storylines!)
These sticker-cards are mostly from the Snorlax episode to episodes not yet released in America. They are sparkly cards with holographic backgrounds. Great to trade, or stick anywhere. These cards are also too much to fit on one page. Take a look see
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Pikachu Keychain and Clefairy Wind-Up
Why you should buy these: All your friends will be wondering where you got the keychain (Trust me, I got a LOT of compliments from the Pikachu keychain!) And the Clefairy wind-up keeps you occupied while you're trying to put it together!
Why you'd be hesitant of buying these: Once again, the price sort of hurts my wallet... I purchased the Pika-keychain for around $6.50. The Clefairy Wind-up was reasonably priced where I bought it at $4.50, but putting it together for the first time can be awfully frustrating.
The one to the left is the Pikachu Keychain (If you didn't know that ALREADY.) A stuffed Pikachu keychain I purchased at around $6.50, and about 4'' tall, 1 1/2'' wide. And a word to the wise- NEVER underestimate the people who put together WIND UP TOYS!!!! The Pokémon wind-ups are put into sets, so if you want them, you have to put them together yourself. (Sounds hard, but once you stop the small pieces from falling out repeatedly and get used to it, it's not that hard anymore.) The Clefairy Wind-Up I purchased for about $4.50.
Although it is rather difficult to come by, Japanese Merchandise can be found at most Japanamation Gift Shops (Duh...) Internet Webpages and Specialty/collector/rare toy stores.
American Merchandise
The American Merchandise line of Pokéstuff has really got to hurry up for us hungry fans! We've got a lot of work to do! Here's the only American Merchandise I have gotten so far.
KFC Beanies
Why you should buy them (if still available): They're irrasistably cute, and collectable. (Even if they still aren't available at your local KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) , try looking at such places as Beanie Baby seller stores or at some kind of Flea Market, where you may be able to get all four.)
I'm sure now everyone knows in November, KFC started to sell Pokémon beanbags, consisting of (pictured left to right) Dratini and Vulpix, and (not pictured) Seel, and Zubat. These are total, special edition collectors items!!!!
Pokémon Battle Figurines
Why you should buy these: According to my friend who has all 29 American figurines (including the hi-bouncer balls) read somewhere that all current figures will be retired in December, when new ones will come out (such as Metapod, Butterfree, etc.) Also, shooting the little figurines down with the ball is SO ADDICTIVE!
Why you'd be hesitant to buy these: It doesn't take imports from Japan to have these things be ludicrously overpriced, the Americans are ripping us off. My friend picked this up for me for $11 at a Toys 'R Us. The so-called 'game' they put together isn't really that challenging.
Right now, the figurines consist of- 'Pikachu 3 pack,' 'Charmander, Charmeleon, Charizard 3-pack', 'Squirtle, Wartortle, Blastoise 3-pack', 'Pikachu and Raichu,' 'Rattata and Raticate,' 'Pidgeotto and Pidgeot,' 'Geodude and Golem,' 'Evee and Flareon,' and 'Gengar and Meowth.' A little note-don't be fooled by the American package. The Pikachu figurines are exactly like the ones they sell in Japan. You may be paying a lot here, but literally you are getting the real deal. Other American Merchandise consists of a talking Pikachu (put it in your hand and it says 'Pikachu') Another talking figure is the voice-activated Meowth (Nyasse) figure, which I find has a humorous story to it. The same friend who picked me up the Pikachu 3-pack says that the talking Meowth just speaks Japanese. This is his explanation of what Meowth spits out when you say 'Meowth!':
"Nya no nye na! No comya ne Pokémon comyon ya! Nye Pokémon nyte nya?!"
That's what I made out of what Meowth said when it spoke. (Man, does Meowth sound freaky!) Unfortunately, the American voice of Meowth couldn't be put in there for some odd reason.
T-Shirts!
(Currently no pictures. Once I can get one developed, I'll be sure to scan it and put it on the page.)
T-Shirts are more rare American Merchandise that is hard to come by. I purchased my T-shirt at a store called 'Toon City,' but I don't think it is a chain of stores, so if you don't live in Connecticut, you're sorta out of luck. Some T-Shirts I saw there were a gray T-shirt, with Ash throwing a Pokéball on back, and a Pokéball on the front of the shirt. Another was an assortment of Pokémon being caught under a net. The last one I saw was a maroon one with Ash, Misty, Brock and Pikachu running under a title of 'Pokémon, Gotta catch 'em all!' (The one I have.)
You can purchase American Merchandise at such places at a Toys 'R Us, Wal-Mart, and any specialty/collector/rare toy stores in your area.
My Merchandise Reviews
I purchased all Japanese merchandise at a small Japanamation 'marketbooth' in a mall. The first time I went there and saw a gigantic Pikachu sitting atop the shelves, I KNEW this was my kind of store!!!
My First trip: 10/27.98 I walked to the marketbooth with excitement as I glanced at all the merchandise. What first caught my eye was a cute Pikachu beanbag. I was about to buy it when I saw the price of $17 and forgot about that. The next thing I saw were the stuffed Pikachu keychains (like the one pictured in the Japanese merchandise section. Cheaply put together but cute, I bought one for $6.50. Unfortunately, I didn't have enough money as I also browsed at the Vulpix, Ditto, Kangaskhan and Sandshrew keychains, desperately looking for an Abra keychain (no such luck.) But I went home happy :)
My Second Trip: 12/26/98 It was just after Christmas Day (presents-return-day! AAAAH!) and I rushed through the crowds to get to the marketbooth. Now the booth was more crowded and with more merchandise. What I first wanted to get were the hologram cards, the only thing there that was reasonably priced. The Japanese saleswoman was very nice, and walked me around, pointing out things I may be interested in. I left with two packs of cards, a Clefairy wind up, and a Pokémon (The Poket Monster Battle) poster.
My Third Trip: 1/3/99 I returned one week later to buy more stuff. There was a different saleswoman who was also very nice, and guided me around again to see some merchandise I may be interested in. There were new posters, and one caught my attention, with all the human characters, Ash's Pokémon, Mew and Mewtwo all in one. I purchased that poster and she showed me the movie playing cards. I didn't care if they were eleven dollars, I couldn't help buying it! (Shiny things interest me.) Before I left I picked up a pack of stickers for around three dollars.
My Fourth Trip: 1/24/99 Having to pick up a Pikachu related present for my friend anyway, I went back to the mall and stopped at the booth. There were more keychains, including plastic ones of Pikachu, but no new posters =P. New wind ups were in, Pikachu, Mewtwo and Blastoise. I really wanted to get them, but I FINALLY saw a stuffed Pikachu I could afford! I bought the stuffed Pikachu (the one above) and a free pack of hologram cards. After that I bought the present and an extra pack of hologram cards. Hopefully I'll go next week!
Note From Publisher: I want to keep my merchandise page constantly growing. If ANYONE knows of any ABRA, KADABRA, or ALAKAZAM merchandise being sold on any webpages that sell Pokémon stuff, PLEASE E-MAIL ME!