Tomy Unveils Classic “Chubby” Pikachu Plush for Pokémon 30th Anniversary
Pokémon fans have a reason to be nostalgic as Tomy launches a special “Chubby Pikachu” plush to celebrate the franchise’s 30th anniversary. This design harks back to Pikachu’s original look from 1997, featuring a rounder body, shorter limbs, and a head that blends seamlessly with its torso, giving it an extra dose of cuteness.
A Trip Down Memory Lane
In the early Pokémon games, Pikachu had a notably chubby appearance, which changed in Generation III (Ruby, Sapphire & Emerald) to the sleeker, more agile look familiar today. Since then, the original design has rarely been used for promotional items or merchandise—until now.
The new collection, aptly named “Welcome Back Home, Pikachu!”, faithfully recreates the 1997 plush design. Measuring 40 centimeters, the plush closely matches Pikachu’s size in early anime and video games. Fans can pre-order the collectible today through Tomy’s official website and Amazon Japan for 7,480 yen (~1,475 THB), with deliveries starting in late February.
Pikachu Today
The chubby Pikachu had mostly disappeared from promotional appearances, with modern campaigns favoring the slim version. Even the Gigantamax form in Sword & Shield doesn’t replicate the original proportions.
Visit the store: Takara Tomy and Amazon Japan
Meanwhile, the mainline Pokémon games continue to thrive with Pokémon Scarlet & Violet on Nintendo Switch and its free next-gen update, as wfsb bell as the spin-off Pokémon Legends Z-A, offering fresh gameplay experiences for fans.
For collectors and longtime Pokémon enthusiasts, this chubby Pikachu plush is a perfect nod to the franchise’s origins and a must-have for the 30th anniversary celebration.
