The exclusive Pikachu plushies commemorating the recent Pokémon World Championships have become a target for scalpers, with resale prices on platforms like eBay reaching hundreds of dollars. These limited-edition items, originally sold at the event for $25, are now being listed at markups that dismay fans unable to secure them through the event's lottery system.
This year's collection featured two distinct plushies. One depicts Pikachu dressed as a king, representing the World Championships, while the other shows Pikachu as an astronaut for the accompanying XP fan convention. Both were available for purchase only to attendees of the event.
Scalpers are often bundling both plushies together, making it difficult for collectors to purchase just one. Even individual listings, when available, often start at around $80, a significant increase from the original retail price. While prices for past exclusive plushies have sometimes decreased over time, with last year's Anaheim Worlds Pikachu available for approximately $60 a year later, the demand for the current designs appears to be driving up immediate resale values.
Fans who missed out on acquiring these plushies directly from the event are now facing inflated prices. One fan noted that while they possess a plush from the 2022 London event, the new designs, particularly the king-themed Pikachu, are highly coveted.
