Pokémon Plush Sizes In The 20th Anniversary Collection
TOMY’s Pokémon 20th Anniversary Collection turned 2016 into a year-long celebration of the series’ history. Rather than presenting a single wave of standard merchandise, the collection brought together monthly character releases, retailer exclusives, Clip ’n’ Carry Poké Balls, Pikachu items, and specialty toys connected with Pokémon’s twentieth anniversary.
The plush range was especially attractive to collectors because it focused on Mythical Pokémon from across the franchise. Several characters received individual plush figures during the release schedule, but the figures did not all follow the same sizing pattern. Most were presented as a single character plush, while a small number appeared in more than one size or format.
The clearest comparison involves Pikachu and Mew. Pikachu had multiple anniversary plush options connected with the broader product range, while Mew appeared in two distinct plush sizes within the character-focused releases. Understanding that difference helps separate genuine size variants from toys that simply used different packaging, poses, or retailer distribution.
The Main Plush Format
The monthly Mythical Pokémon plush figures were designed as a coordinated series. Their similar styling made them easy to display together, with each character representing a different generation or milestone in Pokémon history. The figures were soft toys rather than articulated action figures, making them appealing to both children and adult collectors.
Most of the Mythical Pokémon in the series were released in a common, compact plush format. Jirachi, Celebi, Arceus, Victini, Darkrai, Keldeo, Meloetta, Genesect, Diancie, Hoopa, and Volcanion generally fit the idea of a single standard-sized character plush. Their individual release months helped create a complete collecting journey throughout 2016.
The Jirachi release is a useful example of this approach. It represents one character in the anniversary sequence rather than a pair of differently scaled plush versions. Collectors comparing the figures should therefore treat the standard Mythical Pokémon size as the baseline.
Mew’s Two Plush Sizes
Mew is the key answer for collectors looking specifically at two different plush sizes. The character appeared as a smaller anniversary plush and as a larger plush version, giving Mew a presence that was visually different from the regular monthly figures. The two versions represented the same Pokémon, but their scale and display impact were noticeably different.
The smaller Mew matched the collectible character-plush format used for much of the Mythical Pokémon program. It could sit comfortably beside the other monthly figures and helped preserve a consistent shelf arrangement. The larger Mew, by comparison, worked more like a centerpiece item, with a bigger silhouette and greater visual prominence.
This distinction matters because Mew was one of the collection’s most recognizable characters. Its popularity made it a natural choice for expanded merchandising, while its simple design translated well into both a compact plush and a larger soft-toy format. The Mew anniversary figure is therefore especially important when identifying the collection’s size variations.
Pikachu Had A Broader Range
Pikachu also appeared in more than one plush scale across the anniversary merchandise. However, its situation is slightly different from Mew’s. Pikachu was the franchise mascot and received a wider range of products, including plush toys and specialty items that were not limited to the Mythical Pokémon monthly sequence.
The anniversary Pikachu products could vary by retailer, pose, costume, or product category. A collector may encounter differently sized Pikachu plush figures without those items belonging to precisely the same release structure. This makes Pikachu a genuine example of multiple plush sizes, but a less straightforward comparison than Mew’s two clearly differentiated character plush versions.
For a display focused only on the monthly Mythical Pokémon figures, Mew is the standout character with two plush sizes. For the complete TOMY anniversary range, Pikachu should be included as well because the mascot received broader treatment than the other Pokémon.
Comparing The Size Variants
The table below separates the two main cases and explains why they can be confused. It also shows how the standard Mythical Pokémon figures fit into the wider collection.
| Pokémon or group | Plush-size situation | Place in the collection | Collector’s interpretation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mew | Two distinct plush sizes | Featured in the Mythical Pokémon anniversary merchandise | The clearest two-size example |
| Pikachu | Multiple plush scales and product formats | Broader mascot and anniversary range | Multiple sizes, though not limited to one monthly series |
| Jirachi | Primarily one standard plush format | Monthly Mythical Pokémon release | Standard-size character figure |
| Arceus | Primarily one standard plush format | Monthly Mythical Pokémon release | Standard-size character figure |
| Celebi, Darkrai, Victini and others | Generally one coordinated plush format | Mythical Pokémon release program | Usually no second plush size in the same range |
The Arceus collection page helps illustrate why collectors should avoid assuming that every popular Mythical Pokémon received the same treatment as Mew. Arceus was an important anniversary character, yet its role in the plush sequence was primarily that of a single coordinated release.
Size should also be judged by the actual plush, rather than by the retail package. Packaging can make a figure seem larger or smaller, and a seated pose can change the apparent height. Product measurements, the scale of neighboring figures, and the release category provide more reliable evidence than photographs alone.
Why The Difference Matters To Collectors
For someone assembling the full 2016 range, the two-size issue changes how the collection is displayed. A shelf containing one standard plush for each Mythical Pokémon will look balanced, but adding the larger Mew creates a focal point. Some collectors may place the larger version behind the smaller figures, while others may keep the two Mew plush toys together as a dedicated character grouping.
The variation also affects collecting goals. A buyer seeking one representative plush from every monthly release may need only the standard version associated with the schedule. A completionist interested in every official plush format will want both Mew sizes and the relevant Pikachu variants, along with retailer-specific products.
Because the collection was released over a full year, availability could differ by month and by store. Some products were connected to particular retailers, while others belonged to the wider TOMY assortment. That distribution history is part of the appeal: the collection records both Pokémon’s twentieth anniversary and the way licensed toys were marketed during 2016.
Official Products And Release Context
TOMY’s collection was officially licensed by Nintendo, which gives the plush range a clear place in the anniversary’s authorized merchandise. The licensing is significant for collectors because it distinguishes these products from unofficial soft toys, custom figures, and later anniversary items that may look similar.
The monthly schedule also gives the plush figures historical context. Each release was part of a larger campaign rather than an isolated toy launch. Mythical Pokémon were introduced through the year, while Pikachu and related specialty products supported the broader celebration. This structure explains why certain characters received extra attention and why the plush sizes were not uniform across every Pokémon.
The result is a collection with two overlapping layers: a coordinated Mythical Pokémon series and a broader anniversary merchandise program. Mew’s two plush sizes belong to the most direct answer to the size question, while Pikachu’s additional formats reflect its special status as Pokémon’s central mascot.
A Practical Way To Identify The Right Versions
Collectors comparing listings, photographs, or existing figures can use a few simple checks:
- Separate the monthly Mythical Pokémon plush from general Pikachu merchandise.
- Treat Mew as the primary character to search for in both smaller and larger plush versions.
- Include Pikachu when documenting the full anniversary range, since its products used multiple formats.
- Compare measurements and proportions instead of relying only on package size.
- Check official TOMY and Nintendo licensing details when distinguishing original releases from later reproductions.
The most accurate summary is that Mew had two clearly different plush sizes within the character-focused anniversary merchandise, while Pikachu also appeared in multiple plush scales across the wider TOMY Pokémon 20th Anniversary Collection. The other Mythical Pokémon generally followed the standard plush format, even when their importance to the series was just as great.
Explore the official character pages and release details to identify the versions that belong in your display. With Mew, Pikachu, and the monthly Mythical Pokémon considered separately, the collection becomes much easier to catalogue and appreciate as a complete record of Pokémon’s 2016 anniversary celebration.