Part 1:
Hi all,
I really enjoyed putting together the first installment of Pokémon Histories and am happy to share with you all part 2 of the Poncho Retrospective discussing Pretend Magikarp and Gyarados Pikachu. I hope you enjoy.
The Announcement of Pokémon Center Hiroshima
Shortly after the opening of the Mega Tokyo Pokémon Center, in April of 2015 it was revealed that a new Pokémon Center would be opening up in Hiroshima on the 6th floor of the main building of the Sogo Hiroshima Store in the summer of that year. The logo was also unveiled which showed the center’s 2 mascots, Pikachu, as always, and Red Gyarados!
Not much more was revealed with this announcement, but in the coming months the date of the grand opening would be set as June 26th, 2015 and the commemorative products for this event would be unveiled! These products introduced us to the next Poncho Pikachus we will be discussing, Pretend Magikarp Pikachu and Pretend Gyarados Pikachu!
The Pretend Magikarp and Pretend Gyarados Pikachu
These designs, the Pretend Magikarp Pikachu コイキングごっこピカチュウ and Pretend Gyarados Pikachu ギャラドスごっこピカチュウ sport Pikachu in a Magikarp and Gyarados poncho and in Gyarados’ case there is also a red shiny variant. Something I neglected to mention in the Mega Tokyo article was the button holding the poncho on Pikachu. They actually do differ between designs in this case Magikarp with a Poke Ball, Gyarados with a Great Ball and Red Gyarados with a Cherish Ball. All 3 designs got a good amount of merchandise however, it is worth noting the shiny variant of Gyarados is the poncho design they deemed the “mascot” for this event, with all Shiny Pretend Gyarados merchandise being exclusive to the Hiroshima Center. As Red Gyarados is one of the actual mascots of the center this does make sense and that status is echoed in the marketing and distributions discussed below. Something also of note, the naming convention of Pretend used here is different from many of the other poncho cards usually titled Poncho Wearing Pikachu and fits in line with later pikachu designs where he is dressed up as a grunt or evil team leader. However, the design is clearly the poncho design we know and will continue to see so we will be discussing them! As the faces of Pokémon Center Hiroshima’s many commemorative goods there are many products featuring them to be discussed on top of just the cards that we will explore!
The Run Up and Opening of Pokémon Center Hiroshima
Unlike the Mega Tokyo Pokémon Center there was no pre-opening ceremony to commemorate the event however, that does not mean that nothing was done during the run up to the grand opening. To introduce those who may not have been to the area, the Pokemon Company took a Shiny Pretend Gyarados Pikachu plush around Hiroshima to show off some of the sights. Here are the pictures and sights they shared!
Irori Sanzoku Kuga Store
Apparently a popular location to practice for your drivers test in the Hiroshima area. This forested restaurant is famous for its Sanzoku Musubi(big rice balls with 3 kinds of ingredients), Sanzoku Chicken(charcoal roasted Chicken), these are both mentioned by Pokemon, as well as there Sanzoku Udon Noodles and their own beef brand Sumeragi Beef. The restaurant is large and surrounded by woods allowing patrons to enjoy the calm of nature around them if they aren’t too entertained by the Japanese drums and bonfire that accompany a visit. The location is also situated on the border of Hiroshima and Yamaguchi prefecture which Pokemon seems to make a joke about saying “But it’s located in Yamaguchi Prefecture, so chu!”
Takehara Townscape Preservation District
Takehara has a 350-year history as a famous merchant town. During the Edo Period(1603-1867) it was a salt-making hub due to its shore of the Seto Inland Sea being very conductive to salt making on account of its extreme shift between high and low tides. This production was then sent all over Japan! On top of salt, takehara is also known for its sake brewing also dating back centuries.
Today the town is known as the “Little Kyoto of Aki”(Aki being what is now known as the Hiroshima Prefecture) due its historic collection of buildings that litter the area. Many of the buildings display Kawarabuki(fired clay roof tiles) and assorted colors of Koshi(Decorative latticework). These features were a way for the merchants to show off their wealth during the time. Today these features make for a vibrant and colorful experience when traveling the Takehara streets. Something Pikachu seems to enjoy.
Yagenbori Hassho
A popular restaurant in the area famous for their Okonomiyaki, a pancake-like dish usually consisting of a flour and cabbage based batter paired with many different ingredients, and its long lines! In this picture Pikachu is staring down the restaurant’s most popular dish, the Soba Nikutama consisting of a pork, egg, beansprouts, cabbage, and soba noodle okonomiyaki. This dish is a great example of differing regional variants of Okonomiyaki. There are 2 main variants: Osaka and Hiroshima styles. While the Osaka Okonomiyaki mixes and cooks all of its ingredients together, the Hiroshima style layers them separately like a cake and also more commonly adds noodles as a layer.
Setouchi
Setouchi is a region of Japan that includes the above discussed Seto Inland Sea and the adjacent Coastal areas of Shikoku, Honshu, and Kyushu. Hiroshima prefecture(the largest producers of lemons in Japan) has a coastline in Setouchi and the city of Hiroshima(where the Pokemon Center is located) is also in the region. The Setouchi Lemons made here are synonymous with the area and are said to be lemons with a much sweeter taste than normal. Here we see Pikachu enjoying a beachside view with them!
Hiroshima Electric Railway
The Hiroshima Electric Railway or Hiroden is a tram system present in Hiroshima Prefecture. Its history dates back to 1910 and has stayed prevalent in the area ever since. The trams are a great way to get around to the multiple tourist attractions across Hiroshima, some of which Pikachu may be heading to.
To see how Pokémon presented all these pictures go here:
Gyarados and Magikarp Distribution Events
Much like the shiny Mega Charizard Y and Pikachu giveaway at the Mega Tokyo Pokémon Center, it was also announced that a shiny Gyarados would be distributed at Pokémon Center stores nationwide, as well as what they called the “Magikarp Unlimited Fishing Spot’', which was a distribution event held at these same Pokémon Centers that let you receive as many Magikarp as you’d like. Their goal being for you afterwards to use the GTS and Wonder Trade to “fill Pokémon exchanges around the world with Magikarp”. To fit in line with the Pikachu design the Red Gyarados distributed this way was in a Cherish Ball. However, unlike like the Pretend Magikarp Pikachu design, which sports a Poke Ball button, the Magikarp distributed during this event are also in Cherish Balls. These events would both last from the Hiroshima center opening on June 26th to August 31st of 2015. Like the last event you would need either X, Y, Omega Ruby, or Alpha Sapphire to receive these Pokémon.
The exacts of the mons distributed:
The shiny Magikarp here implies that the Magikarp Unlimited Fishing Spot gave you a chance at receiving a shiny Magikarp when participating. As I cannot find that mentioned on any promotional material its exact odds and release are still a mystery to me.
Along with the above event many limited products were announced, all of which we will discuss below.
The center went on to open on June 26th. For the first 3 days after the opening patron of the Sogo Hiroshima store rooftop(the store itself housing the center) would be greeted with a Mascot Pikachu in a Red Gyarados Pocho at 12:00, 1:00, 2:00 and 3:00 respectively each day for 10 minutes appearances at a time
Here are some pictures and a video showcasing the center the day of its opening:
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The Pretend Magikarp and Pretend Gyarados Pikachu Merchandise
Much like the Mega Tokyo Campaign these poncho designs were the face of merchandise for this grand opening with many unique and fun items showcasing them. To keep in line with how I presented them before I’ll start with the cards released for this event, Pretend Magikarp Pikachu 150/XY-P and Pretend Gyarados Pikachu 151 XY/P.
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These promos were included in the Pretend Magikarp & Pretend Gyarados Pikachu Special Box which contained, along with the cards, 5 Bandit Ring packs9Ancient Origins Japanese equivalent), a deck box, deck case, a 62 pack of sleeves, and a long card box. All of which are pictured below. This box cost 2700 yen with tax on release or around $21.80. Also pictured is a cool little display to showcase on contents present at the center when it opened.
These cards evolve the concept of the poncho card design in many ways compared to the Mega Tokyo’a Pikachu. Firstly, they are full arts and have a holo foil finish having that reflective star like foil pattern, we see commonly on regular ex cards today, placed above the card art and into the borders. They were also now purchasable at retail at all Pokémon Centers potentially allowing more people to get their hands on the designs on a trading card!
From here again, like I had done with Mega Tokyo’s Pikachu, through pictures of the center on release, the product list below, and my own research I’ll give you a, to my understanding, complete or at least very close to complete list of purchasable merchandise released during the launch of the center pertaining to the Pretend Magikarp and Gyarados design. As well as, the price in yen/USD at the time of release if applicable.
Exclusive to the Hiroshima Pokémon Center
- Logo Pins Pokémon Center Hiroshima OP: 680 yen or around $5.49
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Playing Cards Pokémon Center Hiroshima OP: 1,350 yen or around $10.90
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Plush Pretend Gyarados Pikachu Red Gyarados Ver.: 2,160 yen or around $17.44
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Mascot Pretend Gyarados Pikachu Red Gyarados Ver. Plush Keychain: 972 yen or around $7.85
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A4 Pretend Gyarados Pikachu Red Gyarados Ver. Clear File: 226 yen or around $1.83
Products Available at All Pokemon Center Stores
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Pretend Magikarp & Pretend Gyarados Pikachu Muffler Towel: 1,080 yen or around $8.72
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Pretend Magikarp & Pretend Gyarados Pikachu Metal Charm Set: 540 yen or around $4.36
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Pretend Magikarp & Pretend Gyarados Pikachu Pin Set: 680 yen $5.49
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Pretend Magikarp & Pretend Gyarados Pikachu Purse: 604 yen or around $4.88
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Pretend Magikarp & Pretend Gyarados Pikachu Canvas Tote Bag: 2,581 yen or around $20.84
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Pretend Magikarp & Pretend Gyarados Pikachu Stickers: 324 yen or around $2.62
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Pretend Magikarp & Pretend Gyarados Pikachu Set of 3 A4 Clear Files: 626 yen or around $5.06
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Pretend Magikarp Pikachu Plush: 2,160 yen or around $17.44
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Pretend Gyarados Pikachu Plush: 2,160 yen or around $17.44
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Mascot Pretend Gyarados Pikachu Plush Keychain: 972 yen or around $7.85
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Mascot Pretend Magikarp Pikachu Plush Keychain: 972 yen or around $7.85
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Pretend Magikarp & Pretend Gyarados Pikachu Round Soft Jacket for IPhone 6: 2030 yen or around $16.39
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Pretend Magikarp & Pretend Gyarados Pikachu Screen Protector for IPhone 6: 810 yen or around $6.54
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Pretend Magikarp & Pretend Gyarados Pikachu Acrylic Keychain: 540 yen or around $4.36
Purchase Bonus Merchandise
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Pretend Magikarp & Pretend Gyarados Pikachu Special Paper Bag:
The first 10,000 people to shop at Pokémon Center Hiroshima would receive this bag as a bonus with there purchase. -
Pretend Magikarp & Pretend Gyarados Rice Scoop Charm:
With every 4,000 yen or above purchase or around $32.30 at the center you would receive one of the 2 scoops shown above at random. Meaning to get both you would need to spend a total of at least 8,000 split evenly across 2 visits and get lucky to get both! -
Pretend Magikarp & Pretend Gyarados Original Shopper:
Available while supplies lasted at Pokémon Centers and Pokémon stores nationwide with all purchases starting on June 26th, 2015, the opening of Pokémon Center Hiroshima.
A Mega Tokyo Update
The Mega Tokyo Pokémon Center opened to great reception, recording sales of around 100 million yen(or roughly $845.8k) in the first 3 days after opening. So its no surprise during the time that Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo and Pokémon Center Hiroshima opened the Mega Tokyo’s Pikachu got a new merchandise item!
In early April 2015 it was revealed that a Mega Size Mega Tokyo’s Pikachu Plush would be released later that month on April 25th. The plush measured approximately 55cm or around 21.6in. It would cost 7000 yen pre tax with at the time equated to to around $58.88. Below is a size comparison.
Also a quick addition to my last post here is the box that the Mega Tokyo Pikachu Lottery Tumblers came in. The below pictures are courtesy of @Dizzle , who also gave me better quality pictures(and just pictures in general!) of other Mega Tokyo items I have updated on the prior thread. Thank you again!
Conclusion
The Pretend Magikarp & Gyarados Pikachus are great additions to the poncho family and showed how to really evolve the concept. They also showed Pokémon’s growing confidence in the poncho design letting them be the face of the Hiroshima Center merchandise campaign, a trend we will see again. Overall I really like these two and maybe I’ll pick up some of the merch one day.
Mega Tokyo 1st Ani(with new poncho products):
https://www.famitsu.com/news/201512/07094790.html
Mega sized MTP:
Pokemon Center Hiroshima Opening announcement:
https://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/702421.html
Shiny Gary distribution at Center:
Grand Opening simple explanation;
https://www.4gamer.net/games/256/G025651/20150626007/
Pseudo product list:
https://nlab.itmedia.co.jp/nl/articles/1506/26/news127.html
Wayback Machine finds:
https://web.archive.org/web/20150725115338/http://www.pokemon.co.jp/ex/pokecen_hiroshima/
Full Products List:
https://web.archive.org/web/20150607200933/http://www.pokemon.co.jp/ex/pokecen_hiroshima/goods/
Limited Goods:
https://web.archive.org/web/20150802011629/http://www.pokemon.co.jp/ex/pokecen_hiroshima/present2/
Towel:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/174606549889
Product Video:
Google Translate images:
Pikados Across Hiroshima:
Product List with Picture!!!:
General opening info;
Sales estimate for Mega Tokyo/Opening info for Hiroshima:
Opening Day(Good for Merch):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yd5DTQfptAk&ab_channel=MADA
General Location Info:
Good product list and commemoration info:
Irori Sanzoku Kuga Restaurant
https://www.hiroshimacvb.jp/en/unique-experience/unique-venue/839.html
Takehara History Sources:
https://heroesofadventure.com/listing/takehara-townscape-conservation-area/
https://www.mlit.go.jp/tagengo-db/common/001565261.pdf
Yagenbori Hassho
Everything you wanted to know about Okonomiyaki, but were afraid to ask - Samurai Tours.
https://www.shiroang.com/blog/yagenbori-hassho-the-most-famous-okonomiyaki-restaurant-in-hiroshima
Okonomiyaki | Japanese food | Travel Japan |JNTO
Setouchi:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Setouchi_region
Setouchi Lemons — THE SETOUCHI COOKBOOK
Hiroden
Pictures of the center:
Playing Cards:
Exchange Rates:
