Why May featured Celebi and Jirachi in one special pack
In May 2016, TOMY’s Pokémon 20th Anniversary Collection delivered something that broke the rhythm of its monthly toy releases: one box containing both Celebi and Jirachi. The May set was a double release, not two versions of the same character, and its wide presentation made it look more like an anniversary keepsake than an ordinary plush purchase.
The curiosity came from the format rather than either Pokémon alone. Celebi, the gentle forest spirit associated with journeys through time, and Jirachi, the golden wish-granting Mythical Pokémon, were both familiar special characters. Presenting them together in one coordinated carton gave the month a distinct identity and made the packaging itself part of the collectible.
The May release at a glance
The May item differed from a standard single-figure release in several useful ways. Collectors were buying two character designs, receiving them as one coordinated package, and gaining a display piece that worked as a pair rather than as two unrelated additions to a shelf.
| Feature | Single-figure format | May 2016 twin release |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity | One Pokémon figure | Celebi and Jirachi |
| Retail format | One character in one window package | Two characters in a wider carton |
| Presentation | A single focal display piece | A coordinated two-character display |
| Character pairing | One collectible identity | Two separate Mythical Pokémon |
The important distinction was between one coordinated twin release and two ordinary products placed together. The May package had been presented around the pair, so collectors treated it as a distinct monthly collectible with its own appeal and scarcity.
A wider box for two characters
The twin pack used a broad window carton to accommodate both soft toys. Their shaped plastic resting places kept them protected and orderly, while the shared cardboard surround and anniversary graphics made the pair look deliberately presented. Unlike loose plushes gathered in a bag, the figures remained visible and ready for display.
That unusual format served a practical purpose as well as an aesthetic one. A wider carton gave each character enough space to retain its silhouette, while the transparent front let buyers inspect both before deciding whether to purchase. The arrangement also made the item feel suitable for gifting, because the recipient received a complete scene rather than an isolated figure.
A double set did not mean that each Pokémon had been duplicated, nor did it imply that customers received an unwanted extra toy. It described the quantity and presentation of the release: two distinct Mythical Pokémon, each with its own design, housed together as the special May offering.
Why pair these two Mythical Pokémon?
Both characters carried substantial appeal within Pokémon, but their appeal came from different traditions. Jirachi appeared on the Japanese cover of Pokémon Sapphire and became closely associated with wishes, celebration and heartfelt gifts. Celebi belonged to the franchise’s Japanese releases and offered a quieter theme of forests, renewal and movement across time.
Together, they represented two familiar ways that fans connected with Pokémon mythology. Jirachi brought personality and a bright gold colour; Celebi brought a more naturalistic green palette and an imaginative sense of mystery. Neither was simply another starter Pokémon, and both had strong followings among players and plush collectors.
The wider anniversary campaign used that character appeal effectively. The anniversary promotional videos show how music, effects and animated presentation helped turn these products into miniature events. That approach suited a twin release that already looked more ceremonial than a routine monthly toy.
Collecting the May twin release in Australia
Australian buyers had several familiar ways of tracking limited collectibles. EB Games and JB Hi-Fi were natural places to watch for Pokémon stock, while specialist toy sellers and online marketplaces offered another route. Preorders and click-and-collect were useful for securing an item without repeated visits, especially when an arvo check of the store revealed no shelf stock.
Availability required careful interpretation. The wider anniversary collection included retailer-linked exclusives, so an Australian listing described as “exclusive” might refer to one chain’s allocation rather than worldwide availability. May also fell in late autumn and around Mother’s Day, giving the paired gift an obvious seasonal role, although stock levels varied between stores and sales channels.
Prices required similar context. Comparing an overseas listing in dollars with an Australian shelf price meant accounting for GST, currency conversion and shipping. Local collectors also followed Pokémon GO, which arrived in Australia in July 2016, only a couple of months after the May release. The app increased public interest in the franchise and brought new attention to characters that had previously appealed mainly to dedicated fans.
Licensing, provenance and the information microsite
The release belonged to an officially licensed collaboration between TOMY and The Pokémon Company, with Nintendo’s approval integral to the product. That status separated the anniversary plush programme from unofficial character toys and helped establish the packaging as part of a defined, year-long collecting project.
The TOMY Collections microsite is an information resource rather than a checkout. Its role is to explain releases, schedules and product details, so the site’s Privacy Policy is the relevant reference for personal information submitted through it.
Collectors using that guidance should distinguish genuine anniversary products from general Pokémon plushes and later standard releases. TOMY branding, official Pokémon licensing marks, the anniversary artwork and the correct character shapes all provide useful checks. Packaging condition also matters: crushed corners, scratches, loose plastic and missing components can reduce a twin pack’s value even when both figures remain present.
Why the unusual box still matters
The May release is often remembered by the two Mythical Pokémon it contains, yet its shared carton is what distinguishes it. A single figure might be described as a plush release; Celebi and Jirachi had been designed around a combined display, creating a different object within the collection.
Years later, local collector markets in Melbourne and Sydney have offered chances to inspect original examples in person, while online searches frequently mix complete twin packs with loose figures and empty boxes. Storage conditions can affect the result too, particularly in humid coastal areas where cardboard and adhesives need a dry, stable environment.
The lasting appeal of the May package lies in that combination of character and presentation. It delivered two beloved Mythical Pokémon, gave them a shared anniversary identity and turned an unusual retail format into a recognisable part of Pokémon’s 20th-anniversary history.