Four Mythical Pokémon Plushes Worth Collecting
TOMY’s Pokémon 20th Anniversary Collection turned 2016 into a year-long celebration for fans and collectors. Rather than focusing solely on the franchise’s most familiar faces, the range gave special attention to Mythical Pokémon—rare, story-rich characters that occupy a distinctive place in Pokémon history.
Among the collection’s most memorable figures are Manaphy, Darkrai, Shaymin, and Arceus. Each plush represents a different design language, from Manaphy’s ocean-inspired features to Arceus’s imposing legendary silhouette. Together, they show how a consistent plush format can still accommodate very different personalities.
These toys were released as part of a wider anniversary program that included Clip 'n' Carry Poké Balls, Pikachu merchandise, and other specialty products. Their limited-edition positioning, official Nintendo licensing, and staggered release schedule made them especially appealing to people who wanted to document the anniversary year through physical collectibles.
A Year Built Around Mythical Pokémon
The 2016 Mythical Pokémon plush series was designed around discovery. A new character appearing during the year gave collectors a reason to keep checking participating retailers and to follow TOMY’s announcements. The monthly rhythm also made the range feel like an unfolding event rather than a single seasonal launch.
That schedule created two kinds of appeal. Casual fans could choose a favorite character, while dedicated collectors could pursue the complete group and preserve the connection between the toys and the anniversary campaign. Retailer exclusivity added another layer, since availability was not always identical from one store or market to another.
The plush figures also fit comfortably into different collecting styles. Some owners displayed them alongside games, cards, or movie merchandise, while others treated them as soft, character-focused alternatives to articulated figures. Their fabric construction made them approachable, but their limited release context gave them lasting collector interest.
Manaphy Brings Oceanic Character
Manaphy has an immediately recognizable appearance built around a small blue body, a rounded head, and bright red jewel-like details. In plush form, those features create a friendly display piece with a strong visual identity. The character’s compact proportions also make it easy to place on a shelf with other anniversary figures.
For collectors, Manaphy represents the gentler side of the Mythical Pokémon lineup. Its association with the sea and the Pokémon Ranger storyline gives it narrative value beyond its appearance. A Manaphy plush can therefore appeal to fans of the games, animated films, and the broader mythology surrounding rare Pokémon.
The figure works particularly well as an early anchor for a display. Its blue color contrasts with darker characters such as Darkrai, while the rounded form helps establish the soft, accessible look shared by the series. When kept clean and upright, Manaphy remains easy to identify even in a crowded Pokémon collection.
Darkrai Adds a Shadowy Contrast
Darkrai gives the series a sharper and more mysterious presence. Its black body, white collar-like design, and red-and-blue accents create a strong contrast with the brighter colors found on many Pokémon plush toys. The silhouette communicates the character’s unusual status before a collector even notices the smaller details.
The appeal of Darkrai comes from that tension between menace and huggable construction. In the games and animated features, it is associated with nightmares and an elusive, misunderstood nature. A plush version softens the character physically while preserving the dramatic visual elements that make Darkrai popular with longtime fans.
As part of a display, Darkrai can serve as a visual focal point. Placing it near Manaphy highlights the range of the collection, while positioning it beside other dark or legendary Pokémon creates a more atmospheric arrangement. Its distinctive shape also makes it easy to recognize in photographs and inventory records.
Shaymin And Arceus Show The Range
Shaymin brings a lighter, more natural feeling to the group. Its small body, leafy accents, and gentle expression suit the plush format especially well. The character’s association with gratitude and renewal gives the toy a warm emotional quality, while its design remains sufficiently distinctive for serious collectors.
Arceus occupies the opposite end of the visual spectrum. Its larger, more elaborate form reflects its role as one of the most significant Pokémon in the mythology. The ring-like detail around its body and its pale, gold, and green palette help it stand apart from the smaller figures in the anniversary range.
Together, Shaymin and Arceus demonstrate why the series is more interesting as a set than as a collection of interchangeable toys. Shaymin adds softness and botanical charm; Arceus contributes scale, symbolism, and a commanding silhouette. Their contrast can help a collector plan a display with variation rather than arranging similar shapes in a row.
| Pokémon | Visual character | Display role | Collector appeal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manaphy | Blue, rounded, and ocean-inspired | Friendly color anchor | Strong connection to game and film lore |
| Darkrai | Dark, angular, and dramatic | Atmospheric focal point | Popular design with a mysterious story |
| Shaymin | Small, gentle, and nature-themed | Softens a mixed display | Charming form and distinctive leafy details |
| Arceus | Pale, elaborate, and imposing | Centerpiece or upper-shelf feature | Mythological importance and striking silhouette |
Reading The Series As A Collection
Looking at these four plushes together reveals the design strategy behind TOMY’s anniversary line. The characters were chosen from across Pokémon history, and their visual differences helped the full twelve-piece program feel varied. Mythical status provided a shared theme, but each release still had its own color palette, shape, and storytelling associations.
The series also reflects the collecting culture surrounding Pokémon’s 20th anniversary. Fans were responding to a specific moment in the brand’s history, while TOMY offered physical objects that could document that moment. For background on how the figures fit into the anniversary celebration, the series backstory provides useful context.
A complete display does not need to look identical in every home. Some collectors arrange the plushes by release order, others group them by color or size, and some place a favorite character at the center. The important feature is the relationship between the figures: each one contributes a different piece to the larger Mythical Pokémon story.
Caring For Limited Plush Figures
Because these toys are made for display as well as everyday enjoyment, condition can have a significant effect on their long-term appeal. Dust, direct sunlight, compression, and poorly stored tags can gradually change the appearance of a collectible. A simple care routine helps preserve both the fabric and the information that identifies the original release.
A collector building the full anniversary group may also need a practical tracking system. Recording the character, purchase source, packaging condition, and date acquired can prevent duplicate purchases and make retailer-exclusive variations easier to document. Guides for completing the set can be especially helpful when searching across multiple releases.
Useful habits include:
- Keep plush figures away from prolonged direct sunlight and damp storage areas.
- Support larger figures when moving them so seams and decorative parts are not strained.
- Use a soft brush or low-suction fabric attachment for routine dust removal.
- Store original tags and packaging separately in a dry, acid-free sleeve or box.
- Record retailer details and release information while those facts are still easy to verify.
Building A Display With Anniversary Context
A strong display can combine the four plushes with other items from TOMY’s 2016 range without allowing the smaller pieces to disappear. Clip 'n' Carry Poké Balls can add a recognizable accessory element, while Pikachu products can provide a familiar visual bridge between the Mythical Pokémon and the wider anniversary collection.
Shelving should provide enough depth for each plush to sit naturally rather than leaning against another figure. Arceus may deserve a central or elevated position, while Manaphy, Darkrai, and Shaymin can create a balanced arrangement around it. Rotating the display occasionally also limits uneven exposure to light and gives overlooked characters more attention.
Collectors who acquired the figures at different times can preserve the release story through small labels or a written inventory. Notes about month, retailer, and packaging can turn a shelf of plush toys into a record of the 20th Anniversary Collection. That approach keeps the focus on the official licensed history while leaving room for personal memories and favorite characters.
Manaphy, Darkrai, Shaymin, and Arceus remain compelling because they combine recognizable Pokémon design with the special circumstances of a limited anniversary series. Explore the wider TOMY collection, trace the release history, and build a display that preserves the character, craftsmanship, and nostalgia of Pokémon’s 20th anniversary.