Pokémon Canvas Plush Series

Set:  Pokémon Canvas / ポケモンキャンバス

Company: Pokémon Center

Year: 2006~2012

Size: 11~16 cm high

Main distribution: Japan

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Pokémon Canvas was a range of plush designed to look like an artwork, like a drawing or a canvas (painting), hence their name. They were sold exclusively in the Pokémon Centers in Japan. They were released in 8 waves ranging from 2006 to 2012. There are over 40 different plush.

The Canvas plush are fairly small sized plush (palm sized) and have a very soft pile. They have a slight pastel colour tone to them, to give them more of a ‘drawn’ feel. This also means most of their eyes are brown rather than black. They have little beans in their butts but they aren’t floppy like beanies.

All their hang tags looked the same, and is attached to their tush tag. It contains an image of an artist and his Smeargle painting a canvas. Next to it is a drawing of the plush.

In 2011, the series got revitalised with a release of the first 4 starter sets. New merchandise got added like mugs and keychains. The hang tag got a redesign, and now only has the drawing of the plush in a frame. The plush are still the same as their previous counterparts however.

The tush tag is the standard Pokémon Center one, containing a Pokéball, Pokémon Center and the year of their release amongst other things.

They retailed in Japan for ¥750.

I’m trying to get the Gen 1 Pokémon, so I have 13 to collect I believe.  Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, Pikachu, Raichu, Vulpix, Growlithe, Lapras, Eevee, Vaporeon, Jolteon, Flareon and Dragonite to be exact.
So far I got 12 of them, so 1 more to go!

As these were so exclusive and limited, and well loved by the community, they can be quite pricey and hard to get now.

Below is my collection so far;

Bulbasaur

Bulbasaur was released in November 2011, when the series got revitalised. He’s of a slightly lighter, pastel colour. His face has embroidered features, but his spots seem painted on. His nails are felt.

Bulbasaur I found on eBay from a reputable local seller. Together with Charmander, Squirtle and Growlithe I managed to haggle a good price for the lot.

Charmander

Charmander was released in November 2011, when the series got revitalised. He’s of a slightly lighter, pastel colour. His face has embroidered features, but the fire on his tail seems painted on. His nails are felt.

Charmander I found on eBay from a reputable local seller. Together with Bulbasaur, Squirtle and Growlithe I managed to haggle a good price for the lot.

Squirtle

Squirtle was released in November 2011, when the series got revitalised. He’s of a slightly lighter, pastel colour. His face has embroidered features, but the lines on his belly and shell seem painted on. The rim of his shell is felt.

Squirtle I found on eBay from a reputable local seller. Together with Bulbasaur, Charmander and Growlithe I managed to haggle a good price for the lot.

Pikachu

Pikachu was released in 2006 in the first wave of these cute plush. Unlike its anime version, Pikachu’s ear tips and face is brown instead of black as is common in this line. He’s of a slightly lighter, pastel colour, but not as light as the I ♡ Pikachu line. His face has embroidered features.

Pikachu was the first one I managed to get, and for a good price as it was missing its hang tag. Found him on a Facebook Collector group.

Raichu

Raichu was released in January 2010. This was the fifth wave of Canvas plush released. Just like the others, Raichu is of a slightly lighter, pastel colour and has embroidered features.

I got Raichu together with Eevee, Vaporeon and Jolteon from a collector on a Pokémon Facebook group who was downsizing. Because I bought them as a lot, I got a good deal for them.

Vulpix

Still in search of!

Growlithe

Growlithe was released in June 2010. He’s of a slightly lighter, pastel colour. His face has embroidered features, but his stripes seem painted on. His nails are felt. His flames are a long fluffy fabric yet still have a nice shape to them.
Growlithe is one of my favourite Pokémon but his merchandise, and especially plush, often look a bit derpy in my opinion. However, this little guy looks pretty spot on and this is in my opinion the best plush of him out there.

Growlithe I found on eBay from a reputable local seller. Together with Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle I managed to haggle a good price for the lot.

Lapras

Lapras was released in June 2010. This was the sixth wave of Canvas plush released. Just like the others, Lapras is of a slightly lighter, pastel colour and has embroidered features, but isn’t as light as the I ♡ Marine plush line.

I got Lapras through a collector I met on Facebook from America. They were selling a large plush my brother wanted, so I asked to add this little Lapras in to save on shipping. I got it for a really good price thanks to a low dollar and low shipping, so well pleased with that.

Eevee

Eevee was released in 2006 and re-released in December 2009. This one is the 2009 one. Its pattern has been updated to match its Eeveelutions, and stands higher on its legs (I actually prefer this one). This was the fourth wave of Canvas plush released. Just like the others, Eevee is of a slightly lighter, pastel colour and has embroidered features. I like how its ears feels nice and thick unlike some other Eevee plush.

I got Eevee together with Raichu, Vaporeon and Jolteon from a collector on a Pokémon Facebook group who was downsizing. Because I bought them as a lot, I got a good deal for them. Sadly this Eevee is missing its tush tag (don’t mind hang tags but do want tush tags) and its collar fur is a bit loved, but still great to add it to my collection!

Vaporeon

Vaporeon was released in December 2009 during the Pokémon Center’s Eevee Collection promotion. This was the fourth wave of Canvas plush released. Just like the others, Vaporeon is of a slightly lighter, pastel colour and has embroidered features.

I got Vaporeon together with Raichu, Eevee and Jolteon from a collector on a Pokémon Facebook group who was downsizing. Because I bought them as a lot, I got a good deal for them. Vaporeon has its hang tag as well!

Jolteon

Jolteon was also released in December 2009 during the Pokémon Center’s Eevee Collection promotion. This was the fourth wave of Canvas plush released. Just like the others, Jolteon is of a slightly lighter, pastel colour and has embroidered features. I like how its ears and spikes feel nice and thick unlike other Jolteon plush, who often have simple felt for spikes. I have a soft spot for Jolteon and this is in my opinion the best plush of him out there.

I got Jolteon together with Raichu, Eevee and Vaporeon from a collector on a Pokémon Facebook group who was downsizing. Because I bought them as a lot, I got a good deal for them.

Flareon

Flareon was also released in December 2009 during the Pokémon Center’s Eevee Collection promotion. This was the fourth wave of Canvas plush released. Just like the others, Flareon is of a slightly lighter, pastel colour and has embroidered features. Her flames are long fluffy fabric yet still have a nice shape to them.

I managed to find Flareon for a good price from an online shop in America with a few other Pokémon plushies. My brother also bought a few so the lot got shipped in one large parcel and we could split the shipping costs. It took a while to arrive and then had to be shipped from my brother to me, but it’s finally here with its friends.

Dragonite

Dragonite was released in June 2010 in the sixth wave of this series. He has a pastel colour scheme as the other plush in this line have, and embroidered features.

Dragonite was the second one I managed to get, and for a decent price as well. Found him on a local Facebook Collector group, so shipping was pretty cheap too.

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Anyone that knows me knows I have a weak for cute. And small plush in pastel colours? That’s just the thing for me. They are very soft and look adorable!

I love these little ones but sadly they are so expensive and hard to get. I do see them often for sale though, I’m just hunting for good prices I guess.

Some fakes ones of these have also popped up (mostly the Starters as I guess they are populair) so you need to pay attention as well!

I’m only needing Vulpix now, so if you have one for sale for a good price feel free to message me!

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Got any more details / information you think I should add? Or did I get something wrong? Do you own plush of this line? Do you agree or disagree with my findings? Let me know in the comments below!