Throughout both Kanto and Johto, a presence looms just outside of view, perched and hungry for their chance at power and profit. With their use of Pokémon to serve their own means and with no regard for their well being, they represent the worst of what it means to be a trainer, and efforts from authorities have been in vain. After shutting down their bases in the likes of Celadon City and Mahogany town, things were safe. Things were quiet… Now this organization has raised its voice once again, rising up and targeting the sanctity of… adorable Pokémon goods in Japan!
That’s right, the Japanese Pokémon Center store website has been taken over by Team Rocket! Visitors on the site will be greeted by a statement from a Rocket grunt styled Pikachu before the site becomes themed to Giovanni’s crew of crooks, criminals and cruelty-driven cronies as they try to get the people of Japan’s hard earned cash. One item has even sold out in spite of its one million yen price point.
What’s still in stock, however, are various Rocket themed goods, including mugs, ties, wallets and other items. Certain pieces, like the hoodie, hat and bag, have even sold out. They aren’t the only villains operating there though; with the likes of Magma, Aqua, Galactic, Plasma and Flare also managing to find a small presence in the form of random boxes with pins of their insignias, shirts themed after them, and the star of the show: Pikachu plushes modeled after each team’s grunt trainers. These plushes come in larger, huggable sizes and smaller keychain versions. It looks like Rocket style is the highest selling, though I expect that this takeover might cause those numbers to become cooked…
Sadly, all of this is exclusive to Japan as of right now, but this is a great bit of marketing fun and a look at some high quality stuff. With a little luck, the Secret Teams collection could cross overseas to the U.S. Pokémon Center website, but for now let us know which of these teams might just be winning you over to their side…
Visit the Japanese Pokémon Center Website here.
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Written by Ricky Berg
When he isn’t writing for Nintendo Wire, Ricky’s anticipating the next Kirby, Fire Emblem, or if the stars ever align, Mother 3 to be released. Till then he’ll have the warm comfort of Super Smash Bros. to keep him going.
