The 2016 TOMY Pokémon Plush Completionist Checklist
TOMY’s 2016 Pokémon 20th Anniversary Collection gave collectors a focused way to celebrate two decades of the franchise. Rather than relying only on familiar starters and mascot characters, the range placed unusual attention on Mythical Pokémon, releasing a different plush character throughout the anniversary year.
For completionists, the appeal lies in the structure as much as the characters. Monthly launches, retailer-specific availability, anniversary packaging, and companion products created a collection that rewarded careful record-keeping. A collector could pursue the complete Mythical Pokémon plush series while also searching for Pikachu exclusives and related TOMY releases.
This guide separates the main plush checklist from the wider anniversary range. It also explains how to identify genuine 2016 releases, track variations, and avoid confusing the plush line with later Pokémon merchandise.
What Belongs In The Core Plush Set
The central 2016 plush program is the monthly Mythical Pokémon series. Each character represented a different part of Pokémon history, from the original-generation Mew to newer figures such as Victini and Genesect. The monthly format made every release feel like an event and gave collectors a clear sequence to follow.
The core checklist generally includes Mew, Celebi, Jirachi, Darkrai, Manaphy, Shaymin, Arceus, Victini, Keldeo, Meloetta, and Genesect. Pikachu products were also prominent during the anniversary, but they should usually be logged as a separate category because Pikachu was offered in several specialty designs and was not simply another entry in the Mythical Pokémon sequence.
Character scale, pose, fabric, and packaging can vary by market. Some listings describe the plush by approximate height, while others use a character name without a size designation. Before marking an item complete, compare the hangtag, copyright information, manufacturer details, and original promotional imagery.
The Monthly Release Calendar
The schedule is one of the most useful tools for identifying the collection. It gives the series a narrative order and can help distinguish a 2016 anniversary plush from a similarly designed TOMY figure released later. Retailer availability sometimes affected when collectors actually found an item, so the advertised month and the date a product appeared in stores were not always identical.
| Release Month | Pokémon | Checklist Notes |
|---|---|---|
| January | Mew | Anniversary launch character and essential first entry |
| February | Celebi | Second Mythical Pokémon in the monthly sequence |
| March | Jirachi | Often tracked by collectors as a key series release |
| April | Darkrai | Check tags carefully for edition and market details |
| May | Manaphy | A less common character outside anniversary merchandise |
| June | Shaymin | Compare form and product photography before buying |
| July | Arceus | One of the most recognizable specialty releases |
| August | Victini | Anniversary-era plush with strong collector interest |
| September | Keldeo | Verify the item is the TOMY plush, not another format |
| October | Meloetta | Review packaging and retailer information |
| November | Genesect | Final Mythical Pokémon entry commonly listed in the series |
| Throughout 2016 | Pikachu and companion items | Track separately from the monthly Mythical checklist |
The exact retail calendar can look different across regional advertisements, especially where stores received stock later or used exclusive launch windows. Treat the month as a catalog reference rather than absolute proof of purchase date.
For a character-specific reference, the Jirachi collection page is useful when comparing appearance, anniversary context, and related product information. A dedicated page can be more reliable than marketplace descriptions, which often combine several Pokémon plush lines under one generic title.
How To Record A Complete Set
A practical checklist should contain more than a character name. Record the Pokémon, release month, approximate size, packaging status, tag condition, purchase source, and whether the item is loose or new in package. Photographing the front and back of each hangtag creates a useful personal archive and makes future identification easier.
Separate “owned” from “verified.” An online listing may show the right character but use a stock image, omit the tag, or describe a later reissue as a 20th Anniversary product. A verified entry should match the TOMY branding, Pokémon copyright notice, product construction, and details visible in official or reputable reference material.
Condition is another important distinction. A complete character set can contain a mixture of boxed, tagged, and loose plush, while a premium display collection may require consistent condition. Note stains, flattened stuffing, fading, missing tags, seam repairs, and storage odor rather than treating every example as equal.
Variants, Exclusives, And Common Confusion
Retailer exclusivity is a major reason why this range can be difficult to complete. Certain products were promoted through particular stores or regional channels, and availability may have been limited even when the overall anniversary program was widely advertised. A collector should therefore record the retailer or market whenever that information is known.
Pikachu creates the greatest risk of overcounting. The anniversary year included special Pikachu merchandise, and some pieces may resemble standard TOMY plush at first glance. Keep separate lines for the core Mythical Pokémon, anniversary Pikachu plush, smaller promotional items, and non-plush toys such as Clip ’n’ Carry Poké Balls.
Scale is another frequent source of mistaken identity. A plush, figure, keychain, and soft toy may all depict the same Pokémon while belonging to different product families. Search using the character name, TOMY, 2016, Pokémon 20th Anniversary, and the product format. Then compare measurements and photos before adding a purchase to the main checklist.
The Wider Anniversary Collection
The plush series makes a strong centerpiece, but the 2016 TOMY program was broader than soft goods. Clip ’n’ Carry Poké Balls, specialty Pikachu products, figures, and other accessories helped create a coordinated anniversary assortment. These items are valuable to collectors who want to document the entire TOMY campaign rather than only complete the Mythical Pokémon plush run.
The collection also differed from earlier Pokémon toy lines in its emphasis on a year-long celebration and character-focused releases. The background behind that approach is explored in what made the collection different, which can help place the plush schedule within the wider 20th Anniversary strategy.
For cataloging purposes, use separate categories: Mythical Pokémon plush, Pikachu plush, other plush formats, Clip ’n’ Carry products, figures, and retailer-exclusive items. This prevents a complete plush set from appearing incomplete simply because an unrelated toy has not been found.
A Smarter Buying And Cataloging Method
Collectors often pay more for the first example they see when a release is scarce. A slower approach usually produces better results. Save listing photographs, compare multiple sales, and watch for missing tags or incorrect year claims. Marketplace titles are frequently copied from one another, so repeated wording does not establish authenticity.
Use this working system while building the set:
- Create one checklist entry for every Mythical Pokémon in the monthly series.
- Add separate fields for Pikachu, retailer exclusives, and non-plush anniversary products.
- Record tag photographs, measurements, condition, and purchase source.
- Compare suspicious listings with official TOMY imagery before paying a premium.
- Keep duplicate plush for trade only after the primary set is verified.
Storage matters once the collection is complete. Keep plush away from direct sunlight, damp rooms, smoke, and tightly packed containers that can deform ears, limbs, or embroidered features. Acid-free tags sleeves or archival storage can help preserve paper materials, while breathable fabric bags are preferable to sealed plastic for long-term display storage.
The strongest completionist record combines a checklist with a visual archive. Photograph each plush in consistent lighting, retain receipts or screenshots when possible, and note regional differences instead of forcing every item into a single universal release history. That approach makes the collection easier to enjoy, explain, and authenticate.
Begin with the monthly Mythical Pokémon sequence, then expand into anniversary Pikachu and retailer-specific products. As each character is verified, the 2016 TOMY Pokémon plush line becomes more than a group of rare toys: it becomes a documented snapshot of Pokémon’s twentieth-anniversary celebration.