A collaboration between Pokémon and Squishmallow, revealed at San Diego Comic Con 2022, creates adorable pillows modeled after Pikachu and Gengar.
A collaboration between Squishmallow and Pokémon, revealed at San Diego Comic-Con 2022, has transformed Pikachu and Gengar into cuddly plush toys. Nintendo's monster collection franchise includes a massive lineup of more than 900 different creatures which range from terrifying to incredibly cute. Plenty of Pokémon merchandise has been created in the past, like a recently revealed life-size Lucario plush doll, and now Squishmallow is turning pocket monsters into plush pillows.
The Pokémon franchise has been celebrated for its unique and adorable monster designs, especially those from the series' earliest generations. Memorable creatures like Pikachu, Squirtle, Charizard and Mewtwo have become mascots of the entire franchise, icons of gaming and legends of pop culture in general. The iconic and often enchanting nature of Pokémon designs has led to plenty of merchandise ranging from action figures to backpacks to articles of clothing. Plush toys let fans take their favorite pocket monsters home and snuggle with them like a real Pokémon Trainer might. The Pokémon Company recently unleashed a Build-a-Bear Leafeon plush, for example, which lets monster collectors create and clothe Eevee's Grass-type evolution.
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Pokémon Global Brand Manager Aaron Margolin (via Twitter) recently unveiled Squishmallow plushes modeled after Pikachu and Gengar, with Twitter user sunthesunstone providing a 360 degree look at the amazing pillows. The Electric-type mouse is considered the series' mascot, making its transformation into a Squishmallow unsurprising, but the creepy Shadow Pokémon Gengar has been turned into a squishy pillow too. The squeezable plushes are perfect for use as both a pillow and a snuggle buddy, and the Pokémon variants include key details like Pikachu's lightning bolt tail and Gengar's intimidating back spikes. While the first wave of Pokémon Squishmallows premiered at SDCC 2022, no release plans were revealed.
Look what we caught! Pokémon: Squishmallow Pikachu & Gengar spotted on the Comic-Con show floor! #SDCC Details & Photos: https://t.co/f6MUusZXnL pic.twitter.com/o1njnE6TK7
Who’s that squishmallow?? @squishmallows @Pokemon #SDCC First look @ preview night at Comic Con!! #Pokemon pic.twitter.com/A3mO3ZSirs
Official Pokémon merchandise lets Trainers add real monsters to their collection, but some fans prefer to craft their own plushes. A Pokémon Scarlet and Violet Sprigatito plush, for example, turns the series' new Grass-type Starter into a huggable companion. The Pokémon Company is yet to release an official plush of Sprigatito, or its fellow starters Quaxly and Fuecoco, so a crafty fan brought the feline fighter to life themselves. The plush sold for an impressive $200, demonstrating both the skill of its creator and the Pokémon fanbase's interest in soft pocket monster recreations.
San Diego Comic-Con 2022 has a wealth of both old and new merchandise, but Squishmallow's collaboration with Pokémon will be tough to beat. The squeezable recreations of Pikachu and Gengar are extremely faithful to their classic designs, letting fans take them home as super soft pillows. While there is no information about when these Squishmallows will release, Pokémon fans should keep an eye out for the comfortable creatures.
Next: Pokémon Build-A-Bear Collection Adds New Sporty Pikachu Plushes
Sources: Aaron Margolin/Twitter, sunthesunstone/Twitter
Thomas McNulty is a self-published Senior Gaming News Writer who has been with Screen Rant since 2020. He has a bachelor’s degree in English, and is currently stationed in sunny New Jersey. As a part of Screen Rant’s dedicated Gaming News team, Thomas covers day-to-day happenings throughout the industry such as new game announcements, prominent leaks and rumors, exciting fan creations and more. As a life-long gamer and dedicated writer, Thomas is living the dream by reporting on the gaming industry’s latest and most groundbreaking stories. Movies, TV shows, video games, books and pop culture are personal passions, and he is thrilled to be helping Screen Rant cover topics that are so near and dear. If someone has a story to tell they should be able to tell it, so Thomas is committed to delivering accuracy with every article while staying true to his own voice and the voice of Screen Rant.