Toy Fair 2025: Bandai Builds Your Pokemon World

You wana be the very best, like no one ever was? Well in addition to your preferred POKEMON collection..be they cards, plush or figures, you've no doubt been tempted to buy a killer collectible of your favorite pocket monsters. Do you like the simplicity and randomness of gashapon or the hyper detail of a collection figure with translucent elements reflecting your lil guy's power set? Whatever your poison, this world offers no shortage of pokemon collectibles in every price range. ENTER BANDAI who figured fans would love another way to catch em all...and build em first! 

Just like the Pokemon themselves, Bandai's model kits range from quick and simple to complex and detailed. Let's take a look at what Bandai had on display at NY Toy Fair 2025...

Heart Bubbles Over Walmart: Valentine's Day at Retail

The calendar retail follows to celebrate holidays monetarily will always be a bit of a mystery, mostly because it changes from store to store, region to region, and year to year. One year, three days before Halloween, it seemed the spooky holiday was abandoned and Target aisles went full speed through the nearest wall into Christmas Town. This year, my local PA Walmart hung onto those creepy vibes at least a week after the blessed day, allowing me to scoop up makeup, costume pieces, and monster decor at 90% off. We haven't even hit the 10th of January yet, but my Walmart has gone completely red and pink with Valentine's Day hearts slapped on the belly of every licensed character imaginable. While I can recall some interesting Valentine's merch in the past (a furry sasquatch themed, heart-shaped box instantly comes to mind), this year makes me think someone suggested they had not been exploiting the lovey-dovey holiday enough. The amount of merch and wide range of characters spotted is STAGGERING ...for the wallet....because there's some awesome stuff! Prepare your bank account and start your hunting engines...

Sweet Suite 2021: Jazwares & The 25th Anniversary of Pokemon

Summer is roasting us on the east coast in the states, and as we slowly reopen to large-scale events, some crews have opted to go virtual, at least one last time. The Toy Insider erred on the side of caution this year, so their annual Sweet Suite toy event launched online, complete with a full show floor populated with cardboard cutout-looking toy reps ready to connect us to the new toy news we've been begging for all year. SWEET TOY NEWS RELIEF!!! We kick things off with our buds at Wicked Cool who are now merged with pop culture giant JAZWARES who made squishing things a national pastime. Squishmallows may be mega-popular right now, but if you want to be the very best, like no one ever was, you go for POKEMON!! 

Toy Fair 2020: Wicked Cool Toys Pokemon Preview

Fans of the iconic Pokémon brand are in for a treat as Wicked Cool Toys, a Jazwares company, plans to introduce new products at New York Toy Fair. As the global toy master licensee (ex-Asia) for the brand, Wicked Cool Toys is celebrating the new generation of Pokémon with new products for the world’s #1 entertainment franchise. The line also covers figures, role play, plush, electronics and more.

My Partner Eevee ($19.99)
Play with Eevee like never before! My Partner Eevee has a built-in microphone and touch sensor technology that lets you and Eevee communicate in a new and fun way. With over 50 different reactions to your touch, your voice, and even music, watch My Partner Eevee come alive as its head and tail moves! My Partner Eevee has 20 iconic sound effects and expressions. My Partner Eevee lets you bring the thrill of becoming a Pokémon trainer into the real world! Gotta Catch ‘Em All!™
Available: August 2020 Ages: 4+

Detective Pikachu Just Might Be Amazing

The first-ever live-action Pokémon adventure, “POKÉMON Detective Pikachu” stars Ryan Reynolds as Pikachu, the iconic face of the global Pokémon phenomenon—one of the world’s most popular, multi-generation entertainment properties and the most successful media franchise of all time.

Fans everywhere can now experience Pikachu on the big screen as never before, as Detective Pikachu, a Pokémon like no other. The film also showcases a wide array of beloved Pokémon characters, each with its own unique abilities and personality.

The story begins when ace detective Harry Goodman goes mysteriously missing, prompting his 21-year-old son Tim to find out what happened...

IT'S NY INTERNATIONAL TOY FAIR TIME!!

If UK Toy Fair is the play offs, then NY Toy Fair is the World Series. As we head into the biggest toy show on the planet, we wanted to remind you where you can see the newest toys as quickly as we can get them to you. While we still aim to deliver articles right here on Idle Hands, our social media arms will be the fastest route to toy bliss while we are collecting images, video and info on the show floor. Hop inside and we'll lay out where you should be watching...

Toy Fair 2018: EXCLUSIVE Images of Wicked Cool Toys Pokemon Line!

IT'S POKETIME!! UK Toy Fair may have come to a close, but we've still got stacks of images to show off, and among them, an ENTIRE SHOWROOM of Wicked Cool Toys new Pokemon toy line, complete with 3 scales of figures, Poke Balls and plush! Matthew Hawkins bolted into UK Toy Fair on the last day, in the last hours, just for this special shoot, so be sure to shower him with your thanks in the comments! Let's jump right in and get a look at a load of excellent Pokemon product coming this year!!

New Nintendo 2DS XL Pikachu Edition in Stores Jan 26

On Jan. 26, an adorable New Nintendo 2DS XL system featuring Pikachu’s iconic face launches in stores at a suggested retail price of $159.99. The New Nintendo 2DS XL Pikachu Edition system is just as electric as the Pokémon itself, with an eye-catching yellow design featuring a stylized close-up of Pikachu’s face. This special edition system is a must-have for Pokémon fans! As with all Nintendo 2DS systems, the New Nintendo 2DS XL Pikachu Edition system plays Nintendo 3DS games in 2D.

Sweet Suite 2017: TOMY Pokemon Petite Pals & More

We're going to be jig jogging between San Diego Comic-Con and Sweet Suite coverage for the forseeable future, so hang onto your butts! Today we jump over to TOMY to show off some new Pokemon bits that will make you bite your lower lip and throw cash at the screen. HERE COMES THE TEMPTATION!!

TOMY’s new Pokémon Petite Pals collections enters a new world of play with stylized figures, a feature loved by kids but with limited availability in the market!

Wicked Cool Get Pokemon Master Toy License

Building on its mission to bring the best Pokémon experiences to fans around the world, The Pokémon Company International announced the appointment of Wicked Cool Toys as master toy licensee for the globally popular Pokémon brand, starting in July 2018. Wicked Cool Toys will have the rights to manufacture and market action figures, play sets, plush, roleplay items, and other toys based on the hit Pokémon animated series in worldwide markets, excluding regions in Asia where the brand is managed by The Pokémon Company International’s parent organization, The Pokémon Company.

“Pokémon is one of the most beloved entertainment properties in the world, and Wicked Cool Toys is thrilled to become part of that legacy,” said Michael Rinzler, co-president of Wicked Cool Toys.
“We can’t wait to deliver innovative and fun toys that embody the joy of Pokémon to kids and the brand’s millions of passionate fans around the world,” said Jeremy Padawer, co-president of Wicked Cool Toys.

VIZ Releasing Pokemon The Movie: Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel March 21st

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), a premier company in the fields of publishing, animation distribution, and global entertainment licensing, delights POKÉMON fans as it announces the upcoming home media release and the official manga edition of POKÉMON THE MOVIE: VOLCANION AND THE MECHANICAL MARVEL this spring.

Fans can experience all of the excitement and adventure of the newest POKÉMON anime feature film in the POKÉMON X·Y series in both DVD and graphic novel form. POKÉMON THE MOVIE: VOLCANION AND THE MECHANICAL MARVEL was directed by Kunihiko Yuyama and was originally released in Japanese theaters last summer.

Portal Popperz Monster Movie Kickstarter Goes LIVE

Pop Culture Shock Collectibles , a industry leading collectibles company with licenses including Conan, The Thing, The Howling , Mortal Kombat and An American Werewolf in London has launched a Kickstarter Campaign to make a love letter to the Creature Features of the 1980s.

The film, to be directed by PCS President, Jerry Macaluso, is titled Portal Popperz and aims to celebrate a lost genre not just in tenor and spirit, but also the fading art of practical creature puppet techniques used to create them.

Pop Culture Shock Enters Film Industry with Portal Popperz!

Some people re-watch their favorite 80's creature features, endlessly memorizing every detail and camera angle until they can replay the entirety in their head as if watching it on an IMAX screen. Others are inspired by the iconic imagery and lovable characters and shout LET'S MAKE OUR OWN DAMN MOVIE!!! Such is the case with our friends at Pop Culture Shock Collectibles and their head honcho Jerry Macaluso, who is no stranger to the grueling demands of bringing a film to life. This is a case where everyone wins, as this crew loves all the same things we love, and come January, you'll get the chance to pitch in and make their vision a reality!

Sweet Suite 2015: TOMY's Pokemon, Miles from Tomorrowland, Sonic Boom and More

We've still got a few new bits to show you from Sweet Suite 2015, so let's get into it! TOMY is a company we've only been playing closer attentions to...ohh...about the time they picked up the Pokemon license. From there, they grabbed Sonic and the rest is history. This year they've added Inside Out and Miles From Tomorrowland to their toy lineup, so there's lots for parents and fans alike to take notice of. TOMY's quality across the board is generally very high, so no bootleg looking plush being made here! All eyes will be looking in the same direction and limbs, while smaller on the big head plush, will not look like flippers. Standards. Let's check out the few items shown at Sweet Suite, some which were not shown at Toy Fair 2014, and some you'll notice they've moved from concept on into completion!

Pokémon: Symphonic Evolutions Live Orchestra Tour Announces 30 New Dates

The Pokémon Company International and Princeton Entertainment announced today 30 new dates and locations for the official Pokémon live orchestral concert, Pokémon: Symphonic Evolutions. After sold out performances in Washington, D.C. and Pittsburgh, PA and selling 5,000 tickets in Philadelphia, fans across the country will soon get the opportunity to see and hear Pokémon: Symphonic Evolutions in a city near them. More information about the new dates, locations, and how to purchase tickets can be found at Pokemon.com/symphony.  

Toy Fair 2015: TOMY Pokemon, Sonic & More

Back into the UK Toy Fair 2015 coverage as we wade through a veritable sea of images Emilie Noetzel sent over from the show floor. She's on her way home now, so we wish her a safe trip! TOMY continues to wow fans with their fairly innovative and beautifully sculpted Pokemon figure lines while they add plenty of characters fans have been screaming for to their Sonic lines. Usually, we can't tell if a company with this much on display is showing anything new, but when you've got what looks like production grade figures along side prototypes, package mock ups and boards showing items yet to be made into three dimensions, you know you've hit pay dirt! Dive in and enjoy!

Pokémon: Symphonic Evolutions Live

The Pokémon Company International and Princeton Entertainment have announced that the official Pokémon live orchestral concert series, Pokémon: Symphonic Evolutions, will premiere at the famed Warner Theater in Washington, DC on Friday, August 15, 2014. The 2014 Pokémon World Championships will also be held in the nation’s capital that weekend, August 16–17, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

The Pokémon Visual Companion

DK is thrilled to announce the Pokémon Visual Companion. This entertaining and informative volume packs the Pokémon world between its covers with amazing artwork, fascinating facts, and comical anecdotes. This is truly a must-have reference for every Pokémon fan!

This book will introduce you to many of the brave, sneaky, interesting, and prominent people in the Pokémon world. You will see what it takes to become a Pokémon Trainer (a human that makes Pokémon and human partnerships his or her priority) a Contest Coordinator, and a Pokémon breeder. Are you ready?

Toy Fair 2012 : JAKKS Pacific : Pokemon

Pokémon®, one of the top kids entertainments brands over the past 15 years, continues its successful franchise in 2012. Following on the launch of the hit video game, Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version, JAKKS Pacific is expanding its successful toy line in 2012 which brings to life the experience of a Pokemon Trainer: to catch, train and battle Pokemon in a quest to become a Pokemon Champion!

Throughout 2012, JAKKS will launch new figures and plush with all new Pokémon characters featured in the popular Black and White TV series, movies, video games and trading cards. This will be incorporated into many of the best selling toy lines including 3” Figures, Attack Figures, Mini Plush, Reversible Plush, Throw Poké Balls and the Pop n' Battle Launchers and Pokemon Catchers from the popular skill and action line launched last year.

Now, you can also train and battle your Pokémon in the Unova Region forest with the new Forest Battle Playset, available this Spring. The playset features a special motorized target base that works with all 3” figures. When the base is successfully hit with an attack disk, the Pokémon figure pops off in battle. Includes an attack figure and shooting base, 4 attack discs, target base and an additional 3” figure. The playset connects to the City Battle Playset for double the size and battling fun! (srp $24.99)

Fans of all ages will be able to accessorize and style their backpack, wardrobe, purses and other items with the new Pokémon On The Go Plush Clip-Ons! These plush clip-ons feature stylized designs of the most popular Black & White characters, and will be available in Fall 2012. They also include a feature that causes the Pokemon to shake and move when the clip-on string is pulled. (srp $5.99) Ages 4+

CLICK HERE for more images from JAKKS Pokemon toy line!

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Pokemon National Mall Tour

Pokémon Trainers get ready... the Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version video games for the Nintendo DS™ family of systems are touring America! The Pokémon Company International announced today that one of the most anticipated video game releases of the year will be supported by a multi-city national mall tour starting February 5th - a month before the March 6th U.S. launch of the games. The 14-city tour will give fans an opportunity to discover all-new Pokémon while playing the brand-new adventure that has already taken Japan by storm. The mall tour will kick off a blockbuster year for the franchise with more activities, entertainment, and product releases on tap throughout 2011.

Each two-day stop along the Pokémon Black Version and White Version Tour will offer fans a truly immersive experience based on the new world found in the video games, with Pokémon taking over malls to celebrate the marquee releases. Video game demo areas will showcase Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version, allowing fans to experience the games firsthand. Families can attend a free screening of the new Pokémon feature-length film, Pokémon-Zoroark: Master of Illusions, at theaters located at the mall tour stops. The tour also features Pokémon character meet and greets with brand-new starter Pokémon Snivy™, Tepig™ and Oshawott™, a mall-wide scavenger hunt, a special Celebi™ character distribution at GameStop stores; plus contests, prizes, and much more! A Pokémon Center store offering merchandise will also be on-site.

"The anticipation for Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version has been palpable, and we are eager to introduce these fantastic new games to America," said J.C. Smith, The Pokémon Company International's director of Marketing. "We cannot wait to hit the road and give Pokémon fans an up-close and personal look at an all-new world of Pokémon in a fun, totally immersive environment."

The Pokémon Black Version and White Version Tour will run every weekend through March 20th in the following cities:

February 5th and 6th:

* Seattle, WA (Westfield Southcenter, Seattle, WA)
* Cleveland, OH (Westfield SouthPark, Strongsville, OH)

February 12th and 13th:

* San Jose, CA (Westfield Oakridge, San Jose, CA)
* Memphis, TN (Wolfchase Galleria, Memphis, TN)

February 19th and 20th:

* Los Angeles, CA (Westfield Santa Anita, Arcadia, CA)
* Indianapolis, IN (Castleton Square, Indianapolis, IN)

February 26th and 27th:

* Denver, CO (Town Center at Aurora, Aurora, CO)
* Philadelphia, PA (Franklin Mills, Philadelphia, PA)

March 5th and 6th:

* New York, NY (Westfield Garden State Plaza, Paramus, NJ) (Actually Friday and Saturday, March 4th and 5th)
* Minneapolis, MN (Mall of America®, Bloomington, MN)

March 12th and 13th:

* Dallas, TX (Grapevine Mills, Grapevine, TX)
* Atlanta, GA (Discover Mills, Lawrenceville, GA)

March 19th and 20th:

* Phoenix, AZ (Arizona Mills, Tempe, AZ)
* Jacksonville, FL (Orange Park Mall, Orange Park, FL)

The mall tour kicks off a historic year for the Pokémon franchise that will introduce an all-new trading card game expansion, feature-length film, animated series, and merchandise. The multi-pronged rollout will thrust the Pokémon brand into the spotlight across its many entertainment offerings.