One bargain hunter andPokemonfan headed to their local thrift shop and found a remarkable find from the 1990s. VintagePokemonmerchandise, especially trading cards, has been making the news constantly in the past few years. Some eager fans have evengone to extremes to get their hands on Pokemon merchandise. This time, however, it’s not a card but another cool piece of memorabilia catching a stir online.
Other examples ofPokemonmerchandise, such as toys and plush, are rarer to hear about. The luckyPokemonfan and bargain hunter headed to the internet to relive their childhood and inspire nostalgia from otherPokemonfans. Recently, fan-made creations such as apersonalized Pokemon Pinball machinehave also gained attention online.
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Reddit user NeverDeadlyy shared an image of their surprise thrift find, an original 1998 Hasbro Original Pikachu “I Choose You” plush they scored for only three dollars. Now, this Pikachu does not look like the same Pikachu as today. In particular, many longtime fans refer to this style as “Chunkachu” compared to what the mascot for the popular franchise is depicted as in current media. This depiction illustrates the early days ofPokemon’sgrowing popularity and how much the franchise has evolved since it launched in the early 90s.
According to the two photos shared by NeverDeadlly, this plush is in excellent condition, its cheeks light up, and it even talks. They were even surprised to find one in such fantastic condition all these years later. When checking out the “Buy It Now” prices on eBay, sealed versions can be obtained for $150 -$230. Loose versions in good working condition, similar to what the Reddit user recently found, can be purchased for as low as $20. That’s a bargain compared toa single Pokemon sold for over $200,000in 2020.
In 1999, this plush retailed for about $25.99. Hasbro released it in five different versions, including Pikachu, Mew, Togepi, Pichu, and Marill, with two limited editions. Each plush was 10 inches tall and would move certain parts of its body and speak their name when its palms were squeezed. Because eager shoppers so successfully received Pikachu, it was the only one to get a re-release.Pikachu remains the top Pokemon today,as one fan recently illustrated.
Hasbro was the original manufacturer of much of thePokemontoy line. Today, multiple manufacturers create the toys gamers can find in stores. This story has inspired many online to relive theirPokemon-filled nostalgia trip from childhood and may have even encouraged them to check out their local thrift shops. Perhaps other eagle-eyedPokemonhunters will find a piece of rare nostalgia too.
