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
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Written by Reece Heather
A veteran Zelda Universe editor and First-class journalism graduate, Reece emerged with a Nintendo 64 and a lifelong obsession after a narrow escape from Santa’s Naughty List in 1998. Outside of games, he’s reading Punisher comics, being bossed around by his cocker spaniel, and cornering innocent bystanders to rant about the importance of game preservation.
