Mew and Shaymin Hair Tufts in TOMY’s 2016 Plushes

Among TOMY’s Pokémon 20th Anniversary Collection, the small head features on the Mew and Shaymin plush figures are easy to overlook. Their body shapes are distinct, yet both toys have something raised above the head that collectors may call a tuft. On Mew it is part of the pink fur; on Shaymin it represents a green leaf. The difference affects identification, handling and display.

For Australian buyers, these figures were also part of a staged collector release rather than a single annual launch. Stock changed between specialist retailers, discount chains and online sellers, while the collection mixed mythical Pokémon with Pikachu merchandise and Clip ’n’ Carry Poké Balls. Monthly timing and retailer variation shaped what collectors could actually find.

Mew’s Pink Fur Tuft

Mew’s feature is a small tuft of pink plush rising from the crown of the head. It reads as a soft cluster of pointed fibres rather than a separate accessory. The points can merge visually when the toy is packed, so the tuft may look rounder from the front and more articulated from the side.

The key distinction is its colour and texture. The tuft belongs to the same pink plush language as Mew’s head and body; it is not a contrasting leaf, cap or wired piece. Viewed in profile, it breaks the otherwise smooth curve between Mew’s ears. Compression can make the points sit closer together.

Collectors should resist trimming, glueing or separating the fibres to make them match a catalogue image. Their apparent length changes with handling and storage. A naturally compressed Mew tuft still looks correct when it has the expected pink colour, soft texture and crown placement.

Shaymin’s Leaf-Like Crest

Shaymin’s head feature represents the leaf associated with the Pokémon. It is broader, flatter and green, giving it a more graphic silhouette than Mew’s fibre tuft. A central vein detail may be visible, depending on the light and angle. This is the quickest visual clue when the two anniversary plushes are mixed in a collection.

The collection’s Shaymin product guide is the better reference for the complete character design and photographed presentation. Compare the crest with that guide rather than relying on a seller’s generic word “hair”, which can obscure whether the feature is meant to be plush or leaf-like.

On the toy, the crest should look like part of Shaymin’s natural design, not a removable hat. It may sit slightly to one side or lean as the soft body is posed. Buyers should note the body markings and pose as well, because the green element is useful evidence but should not be used alone.

Identifying Each Plush Correctly

A reliable identification routine begins with colour, then outline, then construction. Mew’s tuft is pink and fibre-like; Shaymin’s is green and leaf-like. Next, compare the ear shape, body colour and face design. Finally, inspect how the top piece is fixed: soft and integral on Mew, thin and crest-like on Shaymin.

Packaging and tags provide a second layer of evidence. Look for consistent TOMY branding, an anniversary paper insert where supplied, and careful typography rather than improvised stickers. Condition matters in Australia, where collectors often value original tags and packaging as much as the plush itself.

For authentication, the anniversary presentation should include TOMY’s branding and Nintendo’s official licensing seal. The seal supports the product’s status within the licensed anniversary programme, but it does not establish age or condition by itself. Those judgements still require close inspection.

Releases, Exclusivity and Official Licensing

The 2016 collection unfolded through monthly releases, so collectors tracked new Pokémon and products as the year progressed. Mew and Shaymin belonged to a wider mythical-Pokémon emphasis that included other special releases, while Pikachu appeared in several formats and remained easy for retailers to promote. Clip ’n’ Carry Poké Balls added displayable products to the schedule.

Some specialty items were retailer exclusives, while major chains received different allocations. Online preorders did not always mirror shelf stock, making saved listings, receipts and dated photographs valuable evidence. The TOMY collector hub provides context for the broader range and its coordinated presentation.

Variations in pile direction, tuft angle and crest shape can occur because soft materials settle differently through packing and display. They do not automatically make a plush a counterfeit. More meaningful warning signs include missing seals, mixed-up inserts, unusual adhesives, incorrect colours or character details that fail to match official references.

Australian Collecting Conditions

Australian shopping habits shaped the hunt. JB Hi-Fi, Kmart, Target and specialist toy sellers carried anniversary stock at different times, while eBay Australia and marketplace sellers filled gaps between deliveries. Shelf prices were shown in Australian dollars with GST included, so collectors compared the delivered price, postage and return policy rather than an overseas release price.

Local collector language adds useful nuance. A listing may describe an opened plush as “mint” if it has only been carefully “popped”, Australian usage for opening a sealed toy without damaging it. Melbourne and Sydney Pokémon communities often exchange knowledge at conventions, online groups and meet-ups, where checking a tuft in daylight can settle a doubtful listing faster than a phone photograph.

Humid Sydney weather and Melbourne’s variable temperatures can encourage repeated handling as collectors move figures away from damp cupboards or direct sunlight. Air-conditioning may also reduce pile moisture in dry periods. Gentle airing, stable placement and avoidance of sudden temperature changes protect both a pink fibre tuft and a thin green crest.

Buying and Displaying the Pair

When buying either plush, inspect it before paying or committing to a preorder. The head feature should match the official character design, colours should be even, and the base should show no glue, stress marks or pulled fibres. Keep the packaging until the toy has been checked from every angle.

Checks at an Australian reseller

At home, position the pair so both silhouettes can be seen. Mew benefits from space so its points do not flatten against a shelf, while Shaymin needs support if its thin leaf has begun to curl. Handling by the body is safer than pulling either head feature.

Protecting the tufts during storage

The quickest check remains straightforward: pink, close-matching fibres point to Mew, while a contrasting green leaf-shaped crest points to Shaymin. Confirm that distinction with the face, body and anniversary packaging before accepting a listing.

Feature Mew’s 2016 tuft Shaymin’s 2016 crest
Main colour Pink, close to the head colour Green, contrasting with the pale face
Form Small cluster of soft pointed fibres Broad, thin leaf or sprout shape
Profile Breaks the rounded crown between the ears Creates a peaked or slightly tilted silhouette
Texture Plush and compressible Smoother and more panel-like, often with a central vein detail
Best quick check Same-colour pink fibres Contrasting green crest
Main handling caution Do not pull or trim the points Do not bend or flatten the thin crest