High-tech plush: The Pokémon Company unveils its most realistic Pikachu yet

The Pokémon Company recognized early on what fans wanted – their own Pikachu at home, brought to life as realistically as possible. In 1998, Hasbro released an electronic Pikachu plush featuring moving ears and a moving mouth, light-up cheeks, and voice lines, including the iconic “Pika Pika.” Below is a commercial for the toy, now more than 25 years old:

A new Pikachu collectible is now ready to launch – reportedly the most lifelike of its kind. During the Pokémon Europe International Championships in London, The Pokémon Company unveiled a new collector’s highlight: an animatronic version of the iconic character. Insider Gaming was on site and shared a short video showing it in action.

Animatronic means that the plush toy combines mechanical components and electronics to recreate the Pokémon as realistically as possible. It features movable ears, animated eyes, and a moving mouth, all controlled via elements on its back. In that sense, it functions somewhat like a hand puppet – but with significantly greater range and precision. The animatronic Pikachu offers more than 120 different sounds and facial expressions. It also includes sensors on its face and belly that respond to touch, making interactions feel more natural and dynamic.

The MSRP is £89.99 – roughly $123 – with international pricing still to be announced. Although no specific date has been confirmed, the release is scheduled for later this year. At launch, the animatronic Pikachu will be exclusive to the Pokémon Center online store and will include a certificate of authenticity and a “1st Edition” label. The item has not yet been officially listed, but a wider retail rollout is planned for a later date.