Mythical Pokémon Timeline: The Order They Were Released in 2016

TOMY’s Pokémon 20th Anniversary Collection turned 2016 into a year-long celebration of the franchise’s rarest and most mysterious characters. Rather than focusing only on Pikachu and the usual starter Pokémon, the range followed a carefully timed lineup of Mythical Pokémon plush figures and specialty toys.

The collection connected each monthly release with a different era of Pokémon history. Mew represented the beginning of the Pokédex, while later figures such as Arceus, Victini, and Genesect showed how the series had expanded across generations.

For collectors, the order matters. It provides a useful way to identify missing figures, understand the anniversary campaign, and distinguish the monthly Mythical Pokémon releases from other TOMY products that appeared during the same year.

How The 2016 Mythical Pokémon Schedule Worked

The central release sequence began with Mew and continued through the Mythical Pokémon associated with the anniversary campaign. Each character received a place in the calendar, creating a collectible timeline rather than a random assortment of plush toys.

Mew was the first major milestone. As the original Mythical Pokémon discovered in the Kanto region, it was an appropriate starting point for a celebration of two decades of Pokémon. The character’s small size, pink design, and importance to the earliest games made the opening release especially recognizable.

After Mew, the schedule moved through Pokémon from later generations. Celebi and Jirachi represented the Johto and Hoenn eras, followed by Sinnoh, Unova, and Kalos characters. This progression gave the collection a historical rhythm that appealed to both longtime fans and newer collectors.

The Release Order Across The Year

The 2016 sequence is generally remembered in this order: Mew, Celebi, Jirachi, Darkrai, Manaphy, Shaymin, Arceus, Victini, Keldeo, Genesect, and Meloetta. These characters were tied to the official Mythical Pokémon campaign and the wider 20th anniversary celebration.

Some retail listings and regional promotions used different shipping dates, and individual stores could receive stock early or late. That means a collector may see slightly different month labels on packaging, retailer pages, or promotional material. The underlying character sequence, however, remains a helpful guide to the anniversary release story.

The timeline also explains why several figures appeared close together in collector discussions. Distribution schedules were designed around a monthly celebration, while physical inventory moved through different retailers at different speeds. A release month therefore describes the campaign’s intended rhythm more reliably than the exact day a product reached a particular store.

From Mew To Manaphy

Mew opened the collection with a figure that carried unusual historical weight. It was the secret Pokémon that helped establish the series’ early aura of discovery, and the first plush release gave the anniversary range an instantly recognizable centerpiece. The Mew plush spotlight explores why this character was such a fitting beginning.

Celebi followed as the Mythical Pokémon of Johto, bringing a time-travel theme and a very different visual identity. Jirachi then continued the Hoenn connection, pairing its wish-granting legend with a compact, distinctive plush design. These early releases showed that the range was designed around character significance, not simply popularity.

Darkrai added a darker tone from the Sinnoh region. Its shadowy appearance contrasted with the softer look of Mew, Celebi, and Jirachi, giving the growing display more visual variety. Manaphy followed as another Sinnoh-era Mythical Pokémon, recognizable for its blue body, large eyes, and connection to the sea. Collectors documenting the midyear portion of the lineup can find the dedicated Manaphy plush release among the collection’s featured products.

The Middle Of The Mythical Pokémon Timeline

Shaymin continued the 2016 sequence with a gentler, nature-focused design. Its Land Forme appearance made it especially suitable for plush production, and the character introduced a lighter visual pause after Darkrai and the aquatic Manaphy.

Arceus marked one of the most important points in the anniversary range. Often described in Pokémon mythology as a creator figure, Arceus gave the collection a sense of scale that extended beyond individual regions. Its place after Shaymin also made the release feel like a progression from early legends to the broader mythology of the Pokémon world. The Arceus plush feature examines the character’s role in the 20th anniversary set.

Victini then shifted the focus to Unova. Its energetic pose and flame-shaped ear details made it easy to identify in a display, while its Victory Pokémon theme suited an anniversary collection celebrating the continuing success of the franchise.

The sequence was therefore more than a list of release dates. It moved from foundational mystery, through regional legends, toward characters associated with creation, victory, and the expanding mythology of Pokémon.

Release position Mythical Pokémon Region or era Collector significance
First Mew Kanto Opening figure and original Mythical Pokémon
Second Celebi Johto Time-travel legend from the second generation
Third Jirachi Hoenn Wish-granting Mythical Pokémon
Fourth Darkrai Sinnoh Shadow-themed character with a dramatic design
Fifth Manaphy Sinnoh Sea-themed Mythical Pokémon
Sixth Shaymin Sinnoh Nature-focused character with a soft plush profile
Seventh Arceus Sinnoh Creator figure and major lore centerpiece
Eighth Victini Unova Victory-themed character with a bright design
Ninth Keldeo Unova Younger member of the Swords of Justice group
Tenth Genesect Unova Fossil Pokémon modified through technology
Eleventh Meloetta Unova Music- and performance-themed Mythical Pokémon

The Final Releases In 2016

Keldeo came next, extending the Unova portion of the schedule. Although it is associated with the Swords of Justice, Keldeo’s Mythical status and story made it an important addition to the anniversary lineup. Its quadrupedal shape also gave the plush range a silhouette that differed from many upright characters.

Genesect followed with a very different concept. As an ancient Pokémon altered by technology, it represented the tension between natural history and scientific modification. The character’s mechanical cannon and insect-like form made it one of the more unusual figures in the sequence.

Meloetta completed the principal 2016 Mythical Pokémon order. Its connection to music, dance, and performance gave the final release a celebratory quality. Ending with Meloetta allowed the collection to finish on a character associated with creativity and expression rather than simply power or rarity.

Hoopa is sometimes mentioned in anniversary collecting conversations because it is a Mythical Pokémon connected with the same period of Pokémon promotion. However, it was generally treated separately from the main monthly 2016 sequence. Keeping Hoopa distinct helps prevent confusion when cataloging the TOMY releases.

Beyond The Plush Figures

The Mythical Pokémon plush figures formed the timeline’s backbone, but they were not the only products in TOMY’s 20th Anniversary Collection. The range also included Clip 'n' Carry Poké Balls, character figures, and Pikachu products aimed at different types of fans.

Pikachu merchandise provided a familiar link between the monthly Mythical Pokémon and the broader anniversary program. A collector could build a display around the legendary sequence while adding Pikachu items as a visual anchor. Specialty products also made the collection accessible to fans who did not intend to purchase every plush.

Retailer exclusivity added another layer of complexity. Some products were associated with particular stores or distribution channels, so availability could vary by country and region. Limited production, promotional packaging, and uneven stock made original retail research valuable for anyone assembling a complete set today.

The collection carried official Nintendo licensing, which helped distinguish it from unofficial merchandise. Packaging, character details, and product naming are useful clues when verifying an item, especially when secondhand listings omit the original box or describe a figure only by its Pokémon name.

Building A Reliable Collector Record

A simple checklist can preserve the chronology while leaving room for regional variations. Record the Pokémon, the advertised month, the product type, the retailer, and any packaging details. This creates a stronger identification record than relying on a seller’s title alone.

Useful collector checks include:

The 2016 timeline is especially useful when a collection is incomplete. Missing Mew or Arceus is easy to recognize, but less prominent characters such as Keldeo, Manaphy, or Meloetta can be overlooked when products are listed by store rather than by campaign order. Arranging the figures chronologically reveals gaps immediately.

For display purposes, the sequence can run from Mew through Meloetta, with Hoopa kept in a separate section if included. This arrangement reflects the anniversary narrative and makes each regional transition visible.

The Mythical Pokémon releases transformed TOMY’s 2016 anniversary merchandise into a historical snapshot of the franchise. From Mew’s opening appearance to Meloetta’s musical finale, each figure represented a different part of Pokémon lore and collecting culture. Explore the collection’s featured products, verify the release order against original packaging, and use the timeline to assemble a display that tells the full 20th anniversary story.