Pokémon Scarlet and Violetmerch is nothing new, but the latest line of Legendary-inspired plushies has Koraidon and Miraidon looking more adorable than ever. The concept of Pokémon plushies has been around almost as long as the series itself has: from the sun-bleached, lopsided Pikachus that line the walls of your local gas station, to the real-deal, official merch like Worlds-exclusive plushies and Snorlax body pillows. Even Miraidon and Koraidon have been subject to the toy treatment, but never quite like this.
The newScarlet and Violetplushies, available now via thePokémon Center(and see Koraidon’sPokémon Centerlisting here),render Miraidon and Koraidon with chunky, chibi-style proportions, making the two Paldea mascot legendaries cuter than they have any right to be. These new designs squash their normally slender, serpentine silhouettes into far stouter, chubbier forms. Their wide-set eyes stare intently at nothing on either side of their gently rounded faces. Each roughly the size of a small Pomeranian, the plushies sit on broad, chicken nugget-shaped haunches, while their paunchy bellies hang low to the ground.
Pokémon Scarlet And Violet’s 10 Most Impressive Paldean Species
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet introduced plenty of new species to audiences, some of which left a lasting impression on new and returning fans.
Lovingly rendered with bright colors and close attention to detail,the Koraidon and Miraidon merch represents an entirelynew direction for Pokémon merch, giving them widespread appeal to a larger portion of thePokémonfandom. But it’s not the first time these two Legendaries have been turned into plushies.
A New Design For Koraidon & Miraidon
How The New Plushies Compare
Although it’s not the first time Koraidon and Miraidon have been made into plushies, it’s definitely the cutest they’ve ever looked while doing so. Just compare the two versions of each above:the older plushy designs were incredibly realistic, even too accurate, showing the Pokémon almost exactly how they appear in-game (only at a fraction of the height). There’s something to be said for the realistic approach: the resulting product is genuinely impressive, and certainly makes a desirable collectible piece.
That said, people likePokémonfor different reasons: some get bogged down in the details of backstories, stats, and designs, while others simply enjoy collecting adorable creatures and going on adventures with them. The old designs appealed more to that first camp, which prioritizes accuracy;the new ones appeal to the second camp, which prioritizes style.
Screen Rant’s Take: Plushies Should Be Cute
But There’s Space For Both
There’s nothing necessarily wrong with accuracy, but at the end of the day,the purpose of a plushy is to be hugged, and therefore, cuteness should be its guiding design principle. There’s a ton of different styles ofPokémonmerch: from apparel to accessories to toys,not even to mention thePokémon TCG. Exact, one-to-one video game accuracy is better saved for other media, like figures, while plushies should have free rein to bend the rules of anatomy.
And I’m glad to see that, in recent days,that’s the exact direction official Pokémon merch seems to be taking. In recent years,Pokémonplushies have only been getting cuter, with the release of products like the low-profile, fuzzy-lined Comfy Cuddlers, or the brightly colored Soda Pop plushes. However, the more accurate renderings are still available, so players are able to choose based on preference. Nothing’s necessarily wrong with either approach: the coexistence of both speaks to the vast depth of thePokémonfranchise, and the wide appeal ofPokémon Scarlet and Violet.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
Pokémon returns in its next installment series: Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Set in a fictional town near Mediterranean Spain, gamers will explore Paldea, catching new and classic Pokémon. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet is the first ever open-world game in the series and features new Pokémon that can transform into vehicles. Pokémon staples like gym battles are still present, but co-op exploration and Terastallize battles are also introduced.
