What were the Poncho Pikachus?
Poncho Pikachus or as they are officially known as usually, Poncho-Wearing Pikachu ポンチョを着きたピカチュウ were as the name suggests Pikachu simply wearing a poncho and in this case having the likeness of another Pokémon such as Rayquaza, Mega Charizard Y, Rowlett, and so on. These Pikachus were seen throughout the XY and SM eras with many cards released showcasing the designs, all illustrated by long time TCG artist Kouki Saitou. However, as you’ll soon see, not just cards were made with these designs and there is much more merchandise and events regarding them and their interesting releases that may be unknown to some.
Mega Tokyo’s Pikachu
The first incarnation of the Poncho Pikachu was this design below, the Mega Tokyo’s Pikachuメガトウキョーのピカチュウ, sporting a poncho depicting Mega Charizard Y. An interesting thing to note is that usually only products with the design we see on the promo card get classified as Mega Tokyo’s Pikachu(Only exception is the poncho itself) and the more happy one seen below is usually called Pikachu from Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo. No happy face design alone is called Mega Tokyo’s Pikachu, but if they share a product they have been called both. In a way it kind of seems like they were marketing these as separate “characters”, but here we are talking about designs of Pikachu in X poncho as a whole and the representation it got overall so for the sake of simplicity I will mainly be calling the design with the Zard Y poncho Mega Tokyo’s Pikachu. This design arguably has the most focus and prominence of any of the ponchu designs and it all started with the Mega Tokyo Pokémon Center that opened its doors on December 12th, 2014.
Background and Run Up to Mega Tokyo
The Mega Tokyo Pokémon Center was the 3rd and current incarnation of the chain’s Tokyo location(along with the Tokyo DX Center which opened in 2018). Originally based in Nihonbashi, the Tokyo Pokémon Center opened its doors on April 25th, 1998 being the first ever Pokemon Center store. The building it occupied also happened to be where Creatures Inc. Headquarters was at the time.
For the next 9 years the center thrived as the brand’s flagship store with 5 more opening along the way(One being the NYC Center which also closed in this timeframe) and in June 2007 it was announced that they would be relocating their store to a new building in Hamamatsu-chō. The Nihonbashi location would close its doors on July 16th, 2007 and the Hamamatsu-chō location would open soon after on July 20th.
Left: Pokemon Center Tokyo in Nihonbashi 1998
Right: Pokemon Center Tokyo in Nihonbashi days before Closing 2007
The location change also corresponds with a brand shift for the store. Losing Poliwhirl as one of its mascots and adding new fan favorite Starter Piplup in its place. The center was also generally Diamond and Pearl themed upon opening, decorated as such to fit the current gen. Honestly, I could and may just write an entire article about the history of the Tokyo Pokemon Center, but for now I will keep it brief and show you some photos from the Hamamatsu-cho location shortly after opening all from this blog here:
https://murasaki--labs-org.translate.goog/library/pctokyo.htm?_x_tr_sch=http&_x_tr_sl=ja&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc
Just a quick note I love the cones here. I hope some collector out there has a Pokemon Center Tokyo cone in there collection.
For the next 7 years the location stayed in Hamamatsu-cho and even changed their mascot’s again to feature Froakie as opposed to Piplup when the XY era rolled around. Throughout this run 3 more Pokemon Centers and a handful of pop up shops also opened expanding the stores brand further. Ultimately, in October of 2014 it was announced that the Tokyo Center would once again be relocating including a full rebranding with how they put it, the Center having “Undergone a Mega Evolution!” The Hamamatsu-cho store would then close its doors on December 7th, 2014.
The Grand Opening of the Mega Tokyo Center and Emergence of the Mega Tokyo’s Pikachu
With the announcement of the Mega rebranding for the Tokyo Pokemon Center came the reveal of their new logo and mascots being Pikachu(keeping its role), now paired with Mega Charizard Y. To commemorate this pairing Mega Tokyo’s Pikachu was born! Showcasing a Pikachu sporting a Mega Charizard Y poncho. Although the Mega Tokyo Pikachu was not on the logo nor an official mascot of the store, this design was the face of the branding for the grand opening and much of its new merchandise celebrating the event.
Before the store’s official opening on December 12th, a pre-opening ceremony was held on the 11th where selected parties(including members of the Pokemon Daisuki Club) and members of the public chosen by lottery could come and see the center early. The pre-opening was hosted by Risa Yoshiki, a regular Japanese media talent who worked as store manager for the day, the comedian Abareru-kun(who you may know from 320/SM-P), and a Pikachu sporting a Santa hat. Though this was a ceremony intended to celebrate the launch of the rebranded center the partie’s hosts were mainly Christmas themed, no doubt due to the holiday’s ever approaching date. Abareru-kun even brought out a Christmas themed cake during the celebration. Regardless, the new store was still celebrated and debuted for the first time to happy patrons. To further celebrate, when the store would officially open, from 12/12 to 12/16 a Mascot Costume of Mega Tokyo Pikachu would grace the store’s guests at 12-4pm each day as seen in the video below. Shiny Pikachu and Mega Charizard Y could also be distributed into your copy of Pokemon X, Y, Omega Ruby, or Alpha Sapphire at Pokemon Centers nationwide lasting from December 12th(though potnetially also at the pre-opening as well) to January 16th. Here is a look at the center from pictures directly from the pre ceremony and around launch of the store!
I highly recommend looking at the gallery and article I found many of these pictures in as it shows you a great number of products available on day 1! Here is the link to the gallery:
Here are a few videos that give you a good look at the Center at the time as well as the pre-opening ceremony itself documented.
Pre-opening ceremony event;
Mega Tokyo Pikachu Mascot Video:
Good look at the center during the grand opening;
I gave the history of the center as a whole to emphasize here the sheer importance of this event. It’s not everyday that a Pokemon Center moves location and being their flagship store at that, this was a big deal event and Mega Tokyo’s Pikachu spearheaded this major rebranding by being the face of its merchandise campaign throughout the transition. This gives Mega Tokyo’s Pikachu a lot more weight than just an average Pokemon Center purchase promo. It was a design at the forefront of a major event and without that context its history can’t be fully appreciated.
Mega Tokyo’s Pikachu Merchandise
Now to the section I thought I would discuss a lot sooner, the merchandise for Mega Tokyo’s Pikachu! As stated above the poncho design was the face of merchandise for the Mega rebranding and as such many fun and unique items were made. There is really nowhere else to start, but with the Mega Tokyo’s Pikachu 098/XY-P promo card! The first ever poncho promo, this card was given to any patron of the Mega Tokyo Center(while supplies lasted) from December 12th(though potentially at the pre-opening as well) through January 16th. The card shows the design striking a pose with a more confident and playful look leaning into the charizard side of the design while comedically still being a cute Pikachu. It is worth noting that this card, unlike many of its predecessors, is non holo.
From here through pictures of the center on release, the product list below, and my own research I’ll give you a, to my understanding, complete or at least very close to complete list of purchasable merchandise released during the launch of the center pertaining to the Mega Tokyo’s Pikachu design. As well as, the price in yen/USD at the time of release if applicable. All of these products were released at Pokémon Centers nationwide with a couple exceptions
Product List Raw and Translated
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Pikachu from Pokemon Center Mega Tokyo Plush: 2160 yen or around $18.10.
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Pokemon Center Mega Tokyo’s Pikachu Plush Limited Version(exclusive to MT PC): 2160 yen or around $18.10.
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Mascot Pikachu of Pokemon Center Mega Tokyo Plush Keychain: 972 yen or around $8.22
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Cookie Tin Mega Tokyo Pokemon Center OP: 1058 yen or around $9
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Hooded Poncho Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo Pikachu Version: 3,888 yen or around $32.89
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Pins Set Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo Pikachu: 518 yen or around $4.38
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Logo Pin Mega Tokyo Pokémon Center OP(Exclusive to MT PC): 680 yen or around $5.75
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Clear File Set Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo OP: 302 yen or around $2.55
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Ballpoint Pen w/ Figure Pikachu from Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo: 702 yen or around $5.94
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A5 Notebook(set of 2) Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo OP: 626 yen or around $5.29
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Mechanical Pencil w/ Figure Pikachu from Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo: 702 yen or around $5.94
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Stickers Pokemon Center Mega Tokyo Pikachu: 324 yen or around $2.74
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Netsuke Strap Pikachu from Mega Tokyo Pokémon Center: 648 yen or around $5.48
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Purses(both Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo OP and Pikachu from Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo versions): 604 yen or around $5.11
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Handkerchief Pokemon Center Mega Tokyo OP: 367 yen or around $3.10
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Ficrofiber towel Pikachu From Mega Tokyo Pokemon Center: 702 yen or around $5.94
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Pass Case Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo Pikachu: 864 yen or around $7.31
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OUTDOOR Daypack Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo OP; 8856 yen or $74.91
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OUTDOOR Roll Boston Bag Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo OP: 8856 yen or $74.91
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OUTDOOR Roll Boston(Small) Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo OP: 7344 yen or around $62.12
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OUTDOOR Kids Daypack Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo OP: 6912 yen or around $58.46
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OUTDOOR Daypack Pouch Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo OP: 2678 yen 0r around $22.65
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Melamine Cup Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo (BK and WT versions): 648 yen or around $5.48
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Music Box: 6000 yen or around $50.75
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Metal Charm Set Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo Pikachu: 410 yen or around $3.47
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Jiyucho Pokemon Center Mega Tokyo OP: 183 yen 0r $1.55
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Stickers/Seal Mega Tokyo Pokémon Center OP: 378 yen or around $3.20
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Clear Card:
Miscellaneous Mega Tokyo Commemoration/Pikachu Merch
Lastly, here is a rapid fire of items that were released to commemorate the event that were not purchasable, as well as items I could find little info on:
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Advertisement Promo Stickers:
Upon making a purchase at the center on and assumedly around the time of launch day you would receive one of these 6 stickers all with separate art of Mega Tokyo’s Pikachu. -
Bag Purchase Shopper:
All items purchased at the store starting at the launch of the center, including at the pre-opening, would net you the bag while supplies lasted. -
Mega Tokyo’s Pikachu Coin:
- First Prize Mega Tokyo Opening Commemorative Tumbler Set:
![image|690x460]
![image|690x460]
These 2 tumblers were given out if you won first prize of the "Pokemon Center DE Mega Chance ‘’. This was a lottery which could be entered by purchasing eligible products at Pokémon Centers nationwide from assumedly the pre-opening of the Mega Tokyo center to January 16th, 2015. I can’t find any instances of this product on the secondhand market or being discussed elsewhere so these were either released later and are scarce or very few were made.
- Daisuki Club Member Commemorative Keychain:
To my understanding 150 of the 450 Daisuki Club Members invited to the pre opening ceremony would receive this keychain, which was only available to those members at this event, making it decently rare.
Mega Tokyo Pokemon Center Deck Box and Sleeves:
Conclusion
The first poncho Pikachu was certainly a big one! The history and sheer amount of merchandise was a lot deeper than I thought and I really love how it was all centralized around such a large event for the franchise’s flagship store. There are plenty more ponchos Pikachu has yet to wear so I hope you’ll join me again for part 2 in the near future!
Sourceshttps://tokyoexcess.blogspot.com/2012/03/pokemon-center-store.html
User:BthrussellUK/Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo - Bulbapedia, the community-driven Pokémon encyclopedia
https://web.archive.org/web/20141018052537/http://www.pokemon.co.jp:80/info/2014/10/141015_p01.html
https://web.archive.org/web/20070811025348/http://www.pokemon.co.jp/info/pokemon/p070601_01.html
https://bulbanews.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Pok%C3%A9mon_Center_Tokyo_moving_to_new_location
https://murasaki–labs-org.translate.goog/library/pctokyo.htm?_x_tr_sch=http&_x_tr_sl=ja&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc
https://www.famitsu.com/news/201512/07094790.html
https://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/679997.html
https://ikebukuro.keizai.biz/headline/1165/
https://www.tanseisha.co.jp/works/detail/57888
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMLnc1cJgTM&ab_channel=シルヴィア
https://translate.google.com/?sl=auto&tl=en&op=images
「ポケモンセンターメガトウキョー」は12月12日オープン。12月14日には福島で「ポケモンクリスマスパーティ2014」が開催
https://www.exchange-rates.org/exchange-rate-history/jpy-usd-2014-12-12
https://buyee.jp/mercari/item/m803698794?conversionType=Mercari_DirectSearch
https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-11-18/pokemon-co-to-offer-limited-shiny-charizard-to-players-in-tokyo/.81189
Pokemon Center 2014 Mega Charizard Y Pikachu Metal Charm Set Mega Tokyo
https://www.ebay.com/itm/285555568979
https://jp.mercari.com/item/m91904146587
https://jp.mercari.com/item/m45659175870
Pokemon Center Mega Tokyo Limited Mega Charizard poncho Pikachu Keychain | eBay
https://asami-1120.hatenablog.com/entry/20141211/p4
https://www.suruga-ya.com/en/product/994644543
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