TOMY Pokémon 20th Anniversary Release Calendar
TOMY’s Pokémon 20th Anniversary Collection turned 2016 into a year-long celebration rather than a single product launch. The central idea was simple and appealing to collectors: a new mythical Pokémon plush would arrive during each month of the anniversary year, creating a complete twelve-piece series by December.
The collection also included Clip ’n’ Carry Poké Balls, articulated figures, battle-ready toys, and Pikachu merchandise. Some items were broadly distributed, while others appeared through selected retailers or limited promotional channels. That combination made the range interesting for both children discovering Pokémon and longtime fans tracking every release.
The schedule below focuses on the monthly mythical Pokémon plush series, while also placing the wider TOMY anniversary products in context. Release timing could vary by retailer and region, so the month identifies the planned U.S. launch period rather than guaranteeing a universal in-store date.
How The Anniversary Series Was Organized
The signature format was a monthly plush release representing one of the Pokémon associated with the franchise’s special-event history. These characters were chosen from across the first six generations, giving the line a broader scope than a collection centered only on the original 151 Pokémon.
Each plush was designed as a standalone character item, but the complete series created a strong display theme. Collectors could arrange the figures chronologically, group them by game generation, or highlight favorites such as Mew, Darkrai, or Arceus. The staggered schedule also gave each character a brief period in the spotlight.
The anniversary branding connected the products to Pokémon’s twentieth year and official Nintendo licensing. Packaging and promotional material helped distinguish the limited-edition assortment from TOMY’s regular Pokémon toys, making the release calendar especially useful for anyone documenting a collection.
The Monthly Plush Calendar
The year began with Mew in January, an appropriate choice for the first month because Mew is one of the most recognizable mythical Pokémon and a major part of Pokémon lore. February followed with Celebi, whose time-travel theme made it a natural character for a commemorative series.
March featured Jirachi, followed by Manaphy in April. These releases continued the collection’s movement through different game generations and gave the early part of the year a varied visual identity. Jirachi’s star-like details and Manaphy’s blue aquatic design also helped prevent the plush range from looking repetitive.
May brought Darkrai, a particularly popular choice among fans of darker or more mysterious Pokémon. The Darkrai plush is an important entry for collectors because it represents the fifth-generation portion of the calendar and adds a dramatic silhouette to the display.
| Release month | Mythical Pokémon | Generation association | Collection significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Mew | I | Anniversary opener and franchise icon |
| February | Celebi | II | Time-traveling forest guardian |
| March | Jirachi | III | Wish-granting star Pokémon |
| April | Manaphy | IV | Ocean-themed mythical character |
| May | Darkrai | IV | Shadow-themed fan favorite |
| June | Shaymin | IV | Nature and gratitude theme |
| July | Arceus | IV | Mythic creator figure |
| August | Victini | V | Victory-themed character |
| September | Keldeo | V | Legendary sword-training hero |
| October | Genesect | V | Tech-inspired, battle-focused design |
| November | Meloetta | V | Music and performance theme |
| December | Hoopa | VI | Final release and year-end character |
June’s release was Shaymin, whose two-form mythology and flower-inspired appearance made it one of the softer, more colorful additions. Fans cataloging the complete range can use the Shaymin release as a reference point for the middle of the schedule.
Summer Releases And The Centerpiece Characters
July introduced Arceus, one of the most ambitious characters in the collection. Its importance within Pokémon mythology gave the summer schedule a centerpiece, and its distinctive ring-shaped design made the plush easy to identify in a display.
Victini followed in August. Its small size in the Pokémon world translated into a compact, expressive plush character with an optimistic anniversary feel. Together, Arceus and Victini created a strong contrast: one represented cosmic scale, while the other embodied energy and victory.
The summer period also helped maintain interest in the wider TOMY range. Fans encountering the monthly plush at retail could find related figures, Poké Balls, and role-play toys nearby. For children, that made the anniversary collection part of a broader play pattern rather than a purely commemorative series.
The Final Four Months
Keldeo arrived in September, extending the schedule with another fifth-generation mythical Pokémon. Its connection to training and heroic adventure fitted naturally alongside TOMY’s action-oriented figures and battle accessories.
October’s selection was Genesect, whose mechanical details and science-fiction styling gave the collection a sharper visual change. November then shifted toward music and performance with Meloetta, a character whose two forms and expressive identity made it especially distinctive among the plush releases.
Hoopa closed the calendar in December. As the final scheduled mythical Pokémon, Hoopa gave collectors a clear endpoint for completing the twelve-month series. Its release also made the holiday season an important period for fans searching for missing items, gift purchases, or a final addition to a full display.
Companion Toys Beyond The Plush
The anniversary assortment was broader than the monthly plush calendar. TOMY promoted Clip ’n’ Carry Poké Balls as interactive accessories that could hold or transport a Pokémon figure. These products supported imaginative play and reflected the familiar idea of catching and carrying Pokémon during an adventure.
The line also included character figures and specialty items aimed at different play styles. Some products emphasized poseability and battle action, while others focused on display value or recognizable character details. This mix allowed the anniversary program to reach children who wanted toys to play with and collectors who preferred limited seasonal merchandise.
Pikachu had a particularly strong presence throughout the year. As the franchise mascot, Pikachu appeared in anniversary-themed plush and other products that did not follow the mythical Pokémon rotation. These items often served as accessible entry points for casual fans, while the monthly mythical series appealed more directly to dedicated collectors.
Retail Timing And Collector Tracking
Retailer exclusivity was part of the collection’s appeal and its difficulty. Not every product was distributed through the same chain, and a special item could be easier to find at one retailer than another. Availability also depended on inventory, regional distribution, and whether a store received the product near the advertised release month.
For accurate tracking, collectors should separate three details: the planned month, the product type, and the retailer or distribution channel. A plush listed for May should not automatically be treated as identical to a Darkrai figure or a related accessory released during the same period. Product photography, packaging, and official TOMY descriptions are useful for distinguishing similar items.
- Record each mythical plush by month as soon as it is identified.
- Keep plush, figures, Clip ’n’ Carry accessories, and Pikachu items in separate categories.
- Note retailer-specific packaging or exclusivity when documenting an item.
- Compare regional release information before assuming a product was nationally available.
- Preserve original tags and packaging when condition matters to the collection.
Building A Complete 2016 Display
A complete display can follow the calendar from Mew through Hoopa, creating a visual timeline of the anniversary year. Arranging the plush in twelve monthly positions makes the collection easy to understand and emphasizes the deliberate pacing of the program.
Another approach is to group the characters by generation or design theme. Mew and Celebi can represent the early mythical Pokémon legacy, while Darkrai, Shaymin, Arceus, and the other fourth-generation characters form a substantial middle grouping. Victini, Keldeo, Genesect, Meloetta, and Hoopa then show how the series extended into newer generations.
Collectors may also want to display the plush alongside a Clip ’n’ Carry Poké Ball or selected TOMY figures, provided the accessories do not obscure the characters. Pikachu anniversary products can act as a central mascot piece, while the twelve monthly releases remain the main chronological feature.
The 2016 program is valuable because it documents a specific moment in Pokémon merchandise history. Its planned monthly rhythm, official licensing, retailer variation, and broad character selection make the collection more than a set of individual toys. Together, the releases preserve how TOMY marked two decades of Pokémon through a year of limited-edition products.
Use the calendar to check each month, identify gaps in the mythical Pokémon series, and compare supporting toys with their original release context. Exploring the individual product pages and preserving the story behind each item can turn a group of anniversary toys into a carefully documented Pokémon collection.