Which Mythical Plush Had the Softest Fur in TOMY’s 20th Anniversary Collection
TOMY’s Pokémon 20th Anniversary Collection turned a year of releases into a plush-focused celebration of the series’ most elusive characters. The 2016 range included mythical Pokémon plush figures alongside Clip ’n’ Carry Poké Balls and other licensed toys, giving collectors several ways to mark two decades of Pokémon.
For collectors, the appeal was more tactile than simply owning a rare character. Each plush had a different silhouette, fabric finish and stuffing density. A small Mew could feel smooth and velvety, while a larger, more angular figure such as Darkrai relied on shaped sections and contrasting materials.
The question of the softest fur is therefore partly about the textile itself and partly about construction. A plush with short, dense fabric may feel silkier than a longer pile, while embroidered details, felt panels and internal supports can change how comfortable a figure is to hold.
Australian collectors also had practical concerns in 2016. Products appeared through local retail channels and different release months, and availability could vary between Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and smaller regional areas. Warm homes, dusty shelves and frequent handling all made fabric feel and durability important.
How The Plush Fabrics Differed
The mythical Pokémon figures were designed as character toys rather than identical beanbag-style plush. Their fabrics were selected to follow each Pokémon’s colour and shape, so the range included smooth body coverings, fuzzy accents and firmer decorative pieces.
Mew is the clearest example of a soft, rounded design. Its pale pink body offered a broad area for handling, with fewer hard or heavily structured sections than some of the darker mythical figures. That gave it an immediately gentle feel, especially when new and free from shelf dust.
Celebi and Jirachi also suited collectors looking for a softer tactile experience. Their compact bodies and rounded forms made them easy to cradle, although wings, antennae, eyes and other details could feel different from the main pile. The overall impression was plush and cuddly, rather than rugged or heavily sculpted.
The Strongest Candidate For Softness
Among the collection’s mythical plush, Mew is the strongest candidate for the softest overall fur. Its velvety-looking pink surface, rounded proportions and relatively uninterrupted body made the fabric easy to appreciate. There was no need to work around large armour-like panels or extensive contrasting trim.
This does not mean every Mew figure aged identically. A display model kept in its packaging could retain a smoother nap than one carried around, squeezed often or placed beside a sunny window. Even clean hands and regular dusting matter when a pale plush is handled over many years.
Collectors often judge softness by running fingers over the torso, ears and tail rather than touching only the face. On Mew, those areas provide a more consistent sense of the main fabric. The face may include embroidery or shorter sections that feel less plush than the body.
Why Darker Designs Can Feel Different
Darkrai has a striking silhouette, but its design is more complicated from a tactile perspective. The figure’s head crest, red features and flowing shapes create visual drama, while different panels and seams can interrupt the sensation of one continuous soft surface.
The Darkrai figure is especially interesting for collectors comparing character accuracy with cuddle comfort. Its appeal comes from the mysterious design and strong contrast, yet those same features can make it feel more structured than a rounded pink or green plush.
Shaymin presents a different comparison. Its Land Forme appearance is compact and rounded, with a soft-looking body that can feel very pleasant in the hand. The Shaymin plush is a good option for fans who value a smaller, gentle-looking figure with fewer dramatic protrusions.
Mythical Pokémon Worth Comparing
Celebi is a strong contender for softness because its body is small and rounded, with a light, friendly design that translates naturally into plush. Its wings and leaf-like details may feel firmer, but the central body remains comfortable to hold.
Jirachi has a similar appeal, although its star-shaped head points and hanging tags give it a more defined structure. The main body can still feel soft, but it does not offer quite the same uninterrupted surface as Mew.
Manaphy is another appealing choice for collectors who prefer smooth, rounded forms. Its blue body and large eyes create a clean plush profile, while the tail and fin details may have a different texture. Victini is compact and cheerful, though its ears and pointed features make it feel more character-shaped than cushion-like.
Arceus is likely to rank lower for softness because its recognisable rings, crest and leg details require more shaping. It remains an important anniversary release, but collectors seeking the gentlest fur may favour Mew, Celebi, Shaymin or Manaphy first.
A Practical Australian Collector’s Test
In Australia, plush may spend months in a warm bedroom, a sunny study or a shop display exposed to fluctuating temperatures. A collector in Perth may think more about dry dust, while someone in coastal Sydney or Brisbane may notice humidity affecting storage and the feel of fabric.
The most useful test is simple: inspect the torso, sides and back, then compare the pile with the ears, face and decorative pieces. Softness should be judged across several areas rather than from a photograph, since online images cannot show whether the nap is dense, brushed or slightly coarse.
Retail habits also influence condition. A figure taken home from a major retailer may have been handled by children, moved between shelves or packed tightly in a shipment. In Australia, checking seams, tags and surface marks at purchase was sensible, particularly when a release was tied to a limited monthly window.
Australian Consumer Law provides consumer guarantees for products sold by businesses, although it does not promise that every plush will remain pristine after years of use. Keeping receipts, packaging and purchase details can help if a new item has a manufacturing fault such as loose stitching or a damaged seam.
Softness Compared Across The Range
| Mythical Pokémon | Overall tactile impression | Likely softness appeal | Features that may change the feel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mew | Rounded and smooth | Highest | Embroidered face and tail |
| Celebi | Soft central body | Very high | Wings and leaf details |
| Shaymin | Compact and gentle | Very high | Floral and facial details |
| Manaphy | Rounded and clean | High | Fin and tail sections |
| Jirachi | Soft but structured | Medium-high | Star points and hanging details |
| Victini | Small and character-shaped | Medium-high | Ears and pointed features |
| Darkrai | More sculpted and contrasting | Medium | Crest, seams and darker panels |
| Arceus | Firmly shaped and detailed | Medium to low | Rings, crest and leg construction |
This ranking is best treated as a hands-on collecting guide rather than a laboratory measurement. TOMY’s 2016 releases were made for character recognition and play value, and the same figure can feel different depending on age, storage, handling and surface cleanliness.
For a collector building a complete anniversary display, softness may be less important than character significance. For someone choosing a single plush to keep beside a bed or on a reading chair, Mew’s broad, smooth body gives it a clear practical advantage.
Choosing And Preserving A Favourite
A soft plush deserves storage that protects the fabric without trapping dust. Open shelving away from direct sunlight is usually better than a windowsill, while a breathable display case can help in homes where ceiling fans, pets or open windows bring in debris.
Avoid aggressive brushing or frequent washing unless the care instructions permit it. Surface cleaning with a gentle, dry cloth or a low-suction vacuum attachment can remove dust, but pressure should be light around embroidery, tags and stitched features.
For Australian collectors, a stable indoor location is preferable to a hot car, shed or enclosed balcony. The country’s strong summer sun can fade pale pink, green and yellow fabrics, while repeated compression in storage tubs can flatten the pile and distort ears or tails.
The following priorities help when comparing a pre-owned example or deciding which mythical Pokémon to display:
- Choose Mew for the softest all-round handling experience.
- Consider Celebi or Shaymin when a compact, gentle-looking plush is preferred.
- Inspect the torso and back, not just the face, before judging fabric softness.
- Check seams, tags and embroidered details on second-hand figures.
- Keep pale plush away from direct Australian sunlight and dusty windows.
- Store figures in a cool, dry indoor space with room to retain their shape.
The softest-feeling figure is ultimately the one with the largest uninterrupted area of dense, smooth fabric. In the 20th Anniversary Collection, that description most convincingly fits Mew, with Celebi, Shaymin and Manaphy close behind. Darkrai and Arceus remain highly collectible, but their more elaborate construction makes them better choices for visual impact than pure tactile softness.