You didn’t know you needed it in your life: the chubby Pikachu plush toy is being relaunched for Pokémon’s 30th anniversary

Over the course of three decades, Pikachu has had dozens of different variations in both the main games and their spin-offs. However, one of the most memorable and beloved versions is precisely the original design affectionately nicknamed “fat Pikachu” by Ken Sugimori. Now, fans will be able to get their hands on a life-size version again thanks to the re-release of the official plush toy to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Pokémon this February.

Takara Tomy relaunches the iconic 1:1 scale plush toy based on the original chubby Pikachu design

Japanese toy company Takara Tomy has announced the relaunch of a new life-size Pikachu plush toy—about 1″1′ tall—to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Pokémon. It will hit stores on February 27, 2026, just one day after the franchise’s 30th birthday. It is already available for pre-order at some retailers, such as Amazon Japan, at an official retail price of around ¥17,000, or about $107.

Although it may seem expensive, its price is more a reflection of its collectible and commemorative nature than the simple fact that it is a large stuffed animal. It is a limited edition product exclusive to the anniversary, and much of its appeal lies in the fact that it is a re-release or recreation of a classic stuffed animal that already existed, based on the original design of such an iconic character. For now, we do not know if it will have an official release outside of Japan, although it would not be surprising given its celebratory nature.

The “fat Pikachu” that came to the West only appeared in the first two installments of the First Generation: the Red and Blue editions. In contrast, in the Yellow Edition, the cheerful electric rodent had more stylized proportions, in line with the anime. And speaking of the anime, the television series was the direct cause of Pikachu’s “weight loss.”

As Ken Sugimori revealed in an interview at the time, the redesign was adopted because it was easier to animate the more stylized Pikachu, giving it more pointed ears and greater expressiveness. This led to what many considered the sad discontinuation of such a recognizable version of the character. Therefore, the nostalgia factor makes the relaunch a compelling reason not to miss the event, and there are already users on social media who are digging up the original TV commercials, comparing them with the new incarnation of the stuffed animal.

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