The mythical Pokémon in TOMY’s 20th anniversary collection
TOMY’s 2016 Pokémon 20th Anniversary Collection marked two decades of Pokémon with a year-long series of limited-edition toys. The range focused on the franchise’s Mythical Pokémon, giving each character a dedicated release period rather than treating the anniversary as a single seasonal launch.
For Australian collectors, the collection is especially interesting because availability could depend on retailer exclusivity, imported stock and the timing of local releases. The series included plush figures and related items, while selected characters also appeared alongside Clip ’n’ Carry Poké Balls and other anniversary merchandise.
How the anniversary series was organised
The collection followed the 2016 Mythical Pokémon celebration calendar. One character was highlighted each month, creating a twelve-part sequence that moved from Mew in January to Hoopa in December. This structure made the range feel like an ongoing collecting event, with fans able to track each new release as the anniversary year progressed.
The toys were licensed Pokémon products associated with Nintendo’s anniversary programme, rather than unofficial character merchandise. Packaging, character selection and release timing were part of the appeal for collectors who wanted a complete set. Some items were sold through particular retailers, so the full range was not always equally easy to find in every market.
Australian buyers often had to account for the country’s distance from North American and European distribution centres. A product announced for a particular month overseas might appear later in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Perth, depending on shipment schedules and retailer stock. Imported examples could also carry different packaging or pricing from locally distributed toys.
The complete monthly character list
The twelve Mythical Pokémon associated with TOMY’s 20th anniversary plush programme were:
| Month | Mythical Pokémon | Collector notes |
|---|---|---|
| January | Mew | The original anniversary mascot and one of the most recognisable Pokémon |
| February | Celebi | The time-travelling guardian of the forest |
| March | Jirachi | A wish-granting Pokémon connected with rare appearances |
| April | Darkrai | A distinctive Dark-type character linked with vivid dreams |
| May | Manaphy | A sea-dwelling Mythical Pokémon from the Sinnoh era |
| June | Shaymin | A small Pokémon known for its Land and Sky Forms |
| July | Arceus | The creator figure associated with the Pokémon universe |
| August | Victini | A Victory Pokémon with a strong anniversary theme |
| September | Keldeo | The Mythical colt related to the Swords of Justice |
| October | Genesect | An ancient Pokémon modified by technology |
| November | Meloetta | A musical Pokémon with two different forms |
| December | Hoopa | A mischievous Pokémon known for its rings and portals |
Mew was a natural starting point because of its central place in the original Pokémon games and animated film. Celebi and Jirachi followed with similarly elusive identities, reinforcing the idea that the line was celebrating rare, special Pokémon rather than standard early-route characters.
The later releases broadened the collection across generations. Darkrai, Manaphy and Shaymin represented Sinnoh-era mythology, while Victini, Keldeo, Genesect and Meloetta came from the Unova period. Arceus occupied a particularly important place in the set, and Hoopa gave the final month a more playful, dimensional theme.
What collectors should know about the toys
The Mythical Pokémon plush figures were designed as displayable character items, but their appeal went beyond simple softness. Proportions, facial details, colours and distinctive features helped each figure stand apart. For collectors, matching the monthly characters with their original packaging was often as important as owning the plush itself.
The wider anniversary range included other TOMY products, including Clip ’n’ Carry Poké Balls and small Pokémon figures. These items connected the Mythical Pokémon series to imaginative play: a plush could represent a display piece, while a figure and Poké Ball could be used for capture-and-battle scenarios. The zipper mechanism is also relevant to buyers assessing how well an anniversary accessory has aged after years of storage and handling.
Condition varies significantly in the secondary market. Plush fabric may show flattening, dust or fading, while tags can be bent or removed. Boxed toys may have shelf wear, price stickers or minor crushing from international transport. In Australia, collectors should also check whether an imported item includes a suitable local compliance marking or retailer information, especially when purchasing from a marketplace rather than an established toy seller.
Regional releases and retailer availability
Retail exclusivity shaped how fans found the anniversary products. A character might be promoted through one chain in a particular country while appearing through a different distributor elsewhere. This created uneven availability: some collectors could buy a figure at a physical toy shop, while others had to use an online retailer or seek an imported release.
The Australian market adds several practical considerations. Goods and Services Tax is generally included in advertised prices from Australian businesses, while international purchases may involve GST collection at checkout or import processing depending on the seller and shipment. Australian Consumer Law can apply when a product is bought from an Australian business, but protections may be less straightforward for direct overseas purchases.
Release timing also mattered across Australian time zones and school-holiday shopping periods. A product promoted in the United States could reach local stores after the advertised month, and a limited shipment might sell quickly in Melbourne or Sydney before regional stores received replenishment. Collectors often had better results by checking both major chains and specialist game or anime retailers instead of relying on a single source.
Building a complete set today
A complete set means different things to different collectors. The simplest version is the twelve Mythical Pokémon plush figures, with one character for every month of the 2016 calendar. A broader interpretation includes anniversary packaging, companion figures, Poké Balls and retailer-specific variations. Establishing that definition before buying helps prevent confusion when listings use “complete collection” loosely.
Character recognition is essential when comparing listings. Keldeo, Meloetta and Hoopa can be less immediately familiar to casual buyers than Mew or Darkrai, while Shaymin may appear different depending on whether a seller is referring to its Land Forme or another product interpretation. Product photographs should be checked carefully against official images, particularly when colours have faded or a listing uses a stock photograph.
Collectors comparing related anniversary merchandise may also find a TOMY and JAKKS comparison useful when identifying manufacturer details and design differences. Manufacturer marks, tags, stitching, packaging language and product codes can help separate an original TOMY release from a later plush, a different company’s item or an unofficial reproduction.
Why the line remains significant
The collection captured a specific moment in Pokémon history. Rather than focusing solely on Pikachu and the original 151 Pokémon, it presented Mythical Pokémon from across the franchise’s generations. That gave long-time fans a way to revisit familiar stories while also recognising characters introduced in later games and films.
Its monthly format also encouraged anticipation and long-term collecting. A fan could begin with Mew, add Celebi and Jirachi, then gradually assemble a visual history of Pokémon mythology. The sequence works as a display because the characters vary so much in colour, silhouette and personality, from the tiny wish-granting Jirachi to the imposing Arceus.
For Australian collectors, the line’s limited availability and overseas distribution add another layer of interest. Original tags, clean plush fabric, intact packaging and documented purchase history can all influence value, but rarity alone does not guarantee a high price. The strongest appeal remains the completeness of the twelve-character set and its connection to Pokémon’s twentieth anniversary in 2016.