Pikachu’s original look is making a comeback, as Takara Tomy has announced (via Essential Japan) the return of a popular plush from the ‘90s.
Faithfully reproduced from an iconic 1997 toy, the “Welcome Back! Pikachu 1/1 Plush” should be a potent hit of precious nostalgia for those who recall the “Pokémania” phenomenon from three decades ago.
Even if you don’t remember the plush specifically, old-school fans will recall Pikachu originally being much rounder than his sleeker modern appearance. The Pokémon fandom tends to affectionately refer to the old design as “Chonky Pikachu.”
The plush stands approximately 40 cm tall. This measurement is also in Pikachu’s official Pokédex entry, making the item “life-sized.”
Available from the online Takara Tomy store and Amazon Japan, it costs ¥7,480 (around $52 / £41). It will be packaged in a special box featuring a Pokémon 30th Anniversary design.
The “Welcome Back! Pikachu 1/1 Plush” will be released on February 28th, 2026. Purchases are limited to one per customer due to popular demand.
Pikachu was also featured in the new LEGO Pokémon sets announced earlier last week, along with Charizard, Venusaur, Blastoise, and Eevee.
Chonky Pikachu plush gallery
Check out more Pokémon content
LEGO Pokémon sets Featuring Pikachu, Eevee, and Kanto Starters coming in February
Build-A-Bear announces new Pokémon Pontya plush with a themed sleeper
The Pokémon Company shares logo for Pokémon’s 30th anniversary
Leave a Comment
Written by Reece Heather
A lifelong Nintendo fan and a longtime editor at Zelda Universe, Reece will forever be grateful that he somehow dodged the Naughty List of Christmas 1998, when Santa delivered the life-changing gift of a Nintendo 64 with Super Mario 64, Banjo-Kazooie, and Mario Kart 64. When he's not playing games, Reece is usually reading Punisher comics, delving helplessly into the weirdest depths of anime and manga, or spending time with his cocker spaniel Gracie -- the goodest girl ever!
