By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter and TLL Staff
The Pokémon Company International has announced several new expansions to its plush, fashion, outdoor, trading card game (TCG) and ecommerce offerings during May 2024.
The brands’ recent consumer product expansions include the international launch of the Pokémon Soda Pop Plush collection and the debut of a new fashion and outdoor accessories line called Pokémon Lazy Summer.
Designed in collaboration with Japanese illustrator and graphic designer F*Kaori, the Pokémon Soda Pop Plush collection was previously only available to consumers located in Japan.
Beginning on May 21, the collection was launched for the US, Canada and UK retail market through the official Pokémon Center ecommerce website.
The Pokémon Soda Pop Plush collection currently features retro-inspired plush designs of Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle, with additional designs scheduled for release at a later date.
“There is significant interest from Pokémon fans for unique, collectible merchandise originating in Japan, and the Pokémon Soda Pop Plush line is one of those special collections which resonates with fans around the world,” said Pokémon Center senior director, Cindy Ruppenthal. “Pokémon Center is the perfect place to make this cute, popular collection available for the first time outside of Japan as we continue to deliver on our mission to make it the premier destination for premium Pokémon merchandise.”
The recent Pokémon Lazy Summer collection includes a wide range of warm-weather apparel, outdoor accessories and beach toys.
Featuring summery illustrations by long-standing Pokémon artist, James Turner, the products in the collection showcase a variety of Pokémon from the Paldea region and beyond.
“I like to draw feel-good artwork — illustrations that bring a smile to your face or make you feel happy when you look at them,” said Turner. “With this artwork, I hope that the sunny summer setting and the depiction of Pokémon relaxing conveys that kind of feeling. I also enjoy retro artwork and added retro-inspired elements to the artwork, such as the tropical poolside scenes, the surfing Pikachu illustration and the dancing Ditto with boombox illustration.”
The Lazy Summer fashion items include t-shirts, tank tops, hoodies, hats and pins.
The outdoor lifestyle items are picnic blankets, cooler backpacks, tote bags, folding chairs, plates, cups and postcard sets. Fans located in the US and Canada can also access exclusive Pokémon Lazy Summer pool floats and peach balls based on Slowpoke, Ditto, Piplup, Jigglypuff and Spheal. The Pokémon Lazy Summer collection is available for purchase through the Pokémon Center ecommerce website in the US, Canada and the UK.
The new TCG announcements from the company include two official expansions for its Pokémon: Scarlet & Violet game called Twilight Masquerade and Shrouded Fable.
Officially launched on May 24, the Pokémon Scarlet & Violet—Twilight Masquerade trading card expansion introduces Pokémon that initially debuted in the Pokémon Scarlet & Violet video games.
This includes rare Pokémon such as Okidogi, Munkidori, Fezandipiti, Ogerpon and more.
The expansion is currently available for purchase in Pokémon booster packs, Elite Trainer Boxes and special collections at participating retailers worldwide. Select products can also be found through the official Pokémon Center online store.
The Twilight Masquerade expansion is digitally playable through the Pokémon TCG Live app on iOS, Android, macOS and Windows devices.
First announced on May 16, Scarlet & Violet —Shrouded Fable is an upcoming special-edition TCG expansion that introduces new Pokémon illustrations inspired by Ukiyo-e (Japanese woodblock) art pieces.
Intended for Pokémon card collectors, the Shrouded Fable expansion will feature a unique foil pattern, new TCG booster packs, Pokémon themed illustration collections, Shrouded Fable mini tins, sticker sheets and more.
The Scarlet & Violet – Shrouded Fable collection will be available for purchase starting on Aug. 2, 2024 through the Pokémon Center and participating retailers worldwide.
The collection features a range of Pokémon such as Pecharunt, Kingambit, Kingdra, Greninja, Dusknoir, Zoroark, Fezandipiti and more.
A day ahead of the collection’s tabletop release, Pokémon TCG Live will offer players access to Scarlet & Violet—Shrouded Fable through the digital gaming app.
The expansion will be available through the Pokémon TCG Live shop, where players can redeem in-game currency for Scarlet & Violet—Shrouded Fable products.
In addition to these four new Pokémon collections, the company will soon be expanding its Pokémon Center e-commerce division to Australia and New Zealand.
“Since its initial launch in the U.S. nearly 10 years ago, Pokémon Center has become a fan-favorite destination for Trainers looking to engage with the Pokémon brand and express their fandom in ways that suit their unique interests,” said Ruppenthal. “We remain committed to delivering a diverse selection of high-quality Pokémon merchandise to as many Trainers as possible, and following successful expansions into Canada and the U.K., we are continuing this mission by bringing our e-commerce offerings to Australia and New Zealand,” added Ruppenthal. “We are incredibly grateful to the community for their continuous support and love for Pokémon Center, allowing us to expand into additional regions and bring the joy of Pokémon to more Trainers around the world.”
Pokémon Center is a dedicated online store that offers a wide selection of both officially licensed and in-house Pokémon products in multiple retail categories.
The Pokémon Center e-commerce website currently features exclusive licensed products from partners brands like Squishmallows, Funko, A.P.C, Bonpoint, Fossil, PUMA and more.
In addition to its online product portfolio, Pokémon Center has debuted several in-person experiences such as retail stores at Pokémon International Championship events and interactive pop-up installations.