Set: Full Color Stadium
Company: Bandai
Year: 1998-1999
Size: +/- 3 cm
Main distribution: Japan
Full Color Stadium figures are small figures on an interlocking hexagon base that were distributed in gashapon machines in various series. Most of these are from Gen 1, with a couple of Gen 2 Pokémon. Full Color Stadium is the successor of the Full Color Collection series.
Each gashapon serie came in 12 figures. It consists of 1 figure, 1 interlocking hexagon base, the leaflet of the set and a sticker to place under the base. People can “battle” with each other by both choosing a Pokémon and then comparing the numbers on the stickers under the bases.
The figure will have a small hole under them or a little circular “base”. The hexagon base has a plug to place the figure on. In the back of the figure is the brand engraved. It reads in indented font: © 任天堂 · C · G · T · S · J B. CHINA and has the 4 dots Bandai stamp.
Because these series are from the 90’s, they mostly represent Gen 1 Pokémon, with a couple of early Gen 2 in the later series.
The Full Color Stadium line has Pokémon doing Moves, whereas the Full Color Collection simply had the Pokémon.
There are 15 parts of 12 figures, resulting in 180 figures to collect. I got 8/180.
Below is my collection so far.
Full Color Stadium Part 1
I got 1/12.
Squirtle – Tail Whip しっぽをふる (Tail Wag)
Full Color Stadium Part 2
I got 0/12.
Full Color Stadium Part 3
Release: 1998
I got 0/12.
Full Color Stadium Part 4
Release: 1998
I got 1/12.
Pikachu – Swift スピードスター (Speed Star)
Full Color Stadium Part 5
Release: 1998
I got 0/12.
Full Color Stadium Part 6
Release: 1998
I got 1/12.
Pikachu – Double Team かげぶんしん (Shadow Divide)
Full Color Stadium Part 7
Release: 1998
I got 1/12.
Pikachu – Mega Punch メガトンパンチ (Megaton Punch)
Full Color Stadium Part 8
Release: 1998
I got 0/12.
Full Color Stadium Part 9
Release: 1998
I got 0/12.
Full Color Stadium Part 10
Release: 1998
I got 1/12.
Pikachu – Rage いかり (Rage)
Full Color Stadium Part 11
Release: 1998
I got 0/12.
Full Color Stadium Part 12
I got 2/12.
Squirtle – Withdraw からにこもる (Withdraw into Shell)
Pikachu – Thunder Shock でんきショック (Electric Shock)
Full Color Stadium Part 13
I got 0/12.
Full Color Stadium Part 14
I got 0/12.
Full Color Stadium Part 15
I got 1/12.
Ditto – Transform へんしん (Transform)
There is something nostalgic about these figures. They’re slightly derpy looking in my opinion as a lot of early merchandise did back in the day. However, the Full Color Stadium figures have some unique poses of their moves that I absolutely adore, so I’m trying to collect these. Also, it has the iconic chubby Pikachu, which I like.
And anyone that knows me knows I like mathematical shapes and hexagons are one of my favourites! The fact these interlock makes them so cool to display.
My first figure was boxing Pikachu, which I found randomly through google images and then asked on a collectors group if anyone knew what figure it was or if anyone had it for sale. Then I found it and bought it from a collector in Germany.
I really liked the boxing Pikachu as it refers to Episode 29 where Pikachu fights a Hitmonchan by boxing.
That same collector also had the laying Squirtle. My boyfriend calls me his tiny turtle so Squirtle is a bit special for me.
The next two I gained came completely new in packaging, hence I have the leaflets they came with. These came from a collector in Hong Kong who orders through Japan, and had a whole box of them as he was cleaning out! I can’t believe I found something new that was released almost 2 decades ago. Even better, he had Dittosaur! And another cute Squirtle to add to the collection.
The rest came out of a cheap lot I bought from Spain. The figures were a bit dirty, but they were cheap and it has that angry Pikachu I was looking for. Although not high on the want list and not a big fan of “clear” figures, I’m glad I gained the other Pikachu as well. Sadly the Double Team one has a piece missing from its ear.
I’ve really fallen in love with these figures, and would love all of them, however I think that’s probably unrealistic as there are quite a few including the other lines. Annoyingly they also end up often mixed up or with the wrong colour bases, so it’s quite hard to collect.
If you like retro, or small figures, these series are really cute and easy to collect (not too expensive in general). I find these figures have some cool poses that look great in any collection!
Got any more details / information? Did I get something wrong? Do you own the same figures? Let me know in the comments below!