As we reported in April of 2015, Pokémon Center Hiroshima (ポケモンセンターヒロシマ) will be the 9th Pokémon Center to open in Japan and it will have its Grand Opening on Friday June 26th, 2015. New details about the exclusive Koiking and alternate-colored Gyarados distributions and some of the exclusive merchandise have been announced by the official Pokémon website.

A Koiking and an alternate-colored Gyarados will be available for player of Pokémon X, Y, Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire from June 26th, 2015 until August 31st, 2015 at all Pokémon Center and Pokémon Store locations. This will be the first event distribution for Pokémon Store locations. No specific details were revealed but will be announced closer to the opening date.


Three Pikachu plushies will be available for 2000yen each: Pikachu Pretending to be Koiking (コイキングごっこピカチュウ), Pikachu Pretending to be Gyarados (ギャラドスごっこピカチュウ) and Pikachu Pretending to be Red Gyarados - Limited Pokémon Center Hiroshima (ギャラドスごっこピカチュウ 赤いギャラドスver. ポケモンセンターヒロシマ限定)


Source: http://www.pokemon.co.jp/ex/pokecen_hiroshima/

According to the May 2015 Issue of License! Global Top 150 Global Licensors, The Pokémon Company International is now selling over $2 billion USD a year in licensed products worldwide and it is the 34th highest selling licensed brand in the world. The reason for this significant milestone is due to the fact that the company has now sold over 270 million video games, 21.5 billion TCG cards and the Pokémon Anime VOD sales are thriving on services like Netflix, Hulu, iTunes and Amazon.


Source: http://images2.advanstar.com/PixelMags/license-global/digitaledition/05-2015-top150.html#16

The Amu Plaza Oita location will open on April 16th, 2015 but it was announced on the official Japanese Pokémon website on October 2nd, 2014. The Grand Opening was announced on the official Japanese Pokémon website on March 27th, 2015. This will be the 7th Pokémon Store location to open in Japan. The shop will feature Pikachu Yukata merchandise. Details of this Pokémon Store have been added to our content database page.

Amu Plaza Oita Pokémon Store Exclusive Merchandise

Yukata Pikachu Plushie - 1500yen (ぬいぐるみ 浴衣ピカチュウ　1,500円)
Mascot Yukata Pikachu - 860yen (マスコット 浴衣ピカチュウ　860円)
Print Cookies Yukata Pikachu Pokémon Store Oita ver. (プリントクッキー 浴衣ピカチュウ ポケモンストア 大分ver.　463円)

Source: http://www.pokemon.co.jp/info/2015/03/150327_p01.html

The Pokémon Black Rayquaza Campaign (ポケモン 黒いレックウザキャンペーン) takes place in Japan from March 14th, 2015 until June 30th, 2015. Various promotions are being held throughout this time period related to Black Rayquaza.

Black Rayquaza Event Distribution

Corocoro Comics presents another opportunity for players to receive an alternate-colored Black Rayquaza. Players of Pokémon X or Y or ORAS can receive it. It is a different Rayquaza than the one that was distributed at the World Hobby Fair '15 and therefore players that received that Rayquaza may also receive this one. The serial code will be distributed from March 14th, 2015 until April 12th, 2015. Players can use the serial code to obtain Rayquaza from March 14th, 2015 until May 15th, 2015. Full details of this Rayquaza distribution have been added to our Event Database.

Players can obtain a serial code by visiting the following participating locations and showing the shop attendant the title screen of X or Y or ORAS on their Nintendo 3DS: Ito-Yokado (イトーヨーカドー)、Aeon (イオン)、 Aeon Supercenter (イオンスーパーセンター)、Toys"R"Us (トイザらス)、Apita (アピタ)、Piago (ピアゴ)、Al-Plaza (アル・プラザ)、Heiwado (平和堂)、 Daiei (ダイエー)、Fuji (フジ) and Pokémon Centers (ポケモンセンター).

7Spot Distribution

Players may also obtain a serial code from 7-11 stores that have a 7Spot. It can be wirelessly accessed in-store via the Nintendo 3DS and players can then obtain the serial code.

Moncollé Black Mega Rayquaza Lottery

Takara Tomy is holding a lottery contest where 1000 people will get a Moncollé Black Mega Rayquaza that will only be obtainable through this promotion. In order to enter, participants must send in 3 bar codes from Tomy's Pocket Monster Collection Series of products between March 14th, 2015 and July 31st, 2015. Winners will be announced and shipped the prize.

Emerald Break - Black Alternate-colored Rayquaza EX Promo Card

Specially marked Emerald Break (エメラルドブレイク) TCG expansion booster packs contain a Pokémon Card Chance (ポケモンカードチャンス) ticket. Those that collect three points could turn them in between March 14th, 2015 and May 7th, 2015 for a Rayquaza promo card. Players needed to send in their Chance cards in an envelope with their information and address in order to get this promo card. Not all Chance cards have points as some are listed as 0 points and can not be used to obtain the promotional card.


Rayquaza (レックウザEX) 122 XY-P is the promo card that can be obtained in the Pokémon Black Rayquaza Campaign promotion. Its stats and details are identical to the Rayquaza (レックウザEX) 123 XY-P promo card that was released around the same time in the April 2015 issue of Corocoro except the color of Rayquaza is different.

Pokémon Pan x Pokémon Kids - GET Alternate-colored Mega Rayquaza Campaign

Bandai and Daiichipan are holding a Pokémon Pan x Pokémon Kids - GET Alternate-colored Mega Rayquaza Campaign where people can purchase specially marked goods and product that have a ticked which can be used to enter the lottery where 1000 people will receive a Black Mega Rayquaza Pokémon Kids Pearl Version [黒いメガレックウザのポケモンキッズ（パールVer.）] figure.


During the campaign period which takes place from April 6th, 2015 until June 30th, 2015, people can print out the application card and attach their three product tickets from eligible Bandai Pokémon Kids and Daiichipan products and include their address, name, age, phone number and drawing of Pikachu and send it to the appropriate address.


Specially marked Pokémon Pan products from March 1st, 2015 until April 27th, 2015 will have a ticket affixed to the package.

Sources: http://www.takaratomy.co.jp/products/pokemon/xy_campaign/index.html, http://www.pokemon.co.jp/ex/kurorayquaza/, http://www.pokemon-card.com/campaign/pcc/, http://www.bandai.co.jp/candy/camp/pokemon2015/, http://www.daiichipan.co.jp/?p=3495

The latest Pokémon Store Okinawa (ポケモンストア沖縄通) opened in Naha, Okinawa Prefecture （沖縄県那覇市） on March 12th, 2015. The store is selling exclusive tropical vacation wear Pikachu merchandise as part of the grand opening celebration. It located on the first floor of the HAPINAHA mall. HAPINAHA is a combination of the English word "Happy" and "Naha". The store is open from 10am until 10pm daily. This is the 5th Pokémon Store location to open in Japan.

Limited Exclusive Vacation Pikachu Merchandise

Vacation Pikachu Pokémon Store Okinawa ver. (ぬいぐるみ バカンスピカチュウ ポケモンストア 沖縄ver.) - 1620 yen
Mascot with Chain Vacation Pikachu Pokémon Store Okinawa ver. (マスコット バカンスピカチュウ ポケモンストア 沖縄ver.) - 928 yen

Source: http://www.pokemon.jp/info/pokecen/detail/20150312_13222.html

Nintendo Japan has announced they will be releasing two sets of Pokémon Playing Card, one set based on Omega Ruby and the other set based on Alpha Sapphire. The sets will be released in March of 2015 and will sell for 500yen each. The Omega Ruby set features Deoxys as the Joker while the Alpha Sapphire set features Jirachi.


Source: http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n09/chara_t/index.html

The official Japanese Pokémon website has revealed that a Shirona Nendoroid (ねんどろいど　シロナ) will be available for pre-order reservation starting March 7th, 2015 until April 15th, 2015. The 10cm Nendoroid will cost 5000yen. The release builds on the popularity of last years Red Nendoroid which was also released on the Pokémon Center website in the United States.

The Shirona Nendoroid includes:

Shirona figure parts: 2 Face Parts (表情パーツ2個), 5 arm parts (腕パーツ5個), 5 hand parts (手首パーツ5個), and 3 leg parts (脚パーツ3個).
Included Pokémon: Gablias (ガブリアス)
Accessory Items: Monster Ball (モンスターボール)

Source: http://www.pokemon.co.jp/info/2015/02/150220_p01.html

The Pokémon Company International has announced that they have hired Monika Salazar as the Director of Licensing for the English branding area which includes the Americas, Australia and New Zealand. She will be responsible for the merchandise licensing program with strategic planning, business development, sales and marketing.

"The Pokémon brand has an incredibly enthusiastic and passionate global fan base," Salazar said. "I look forward to creating new and innovative ways for fans to share their love for Pokémon."


According to her LinkedIn profile, the position is responsible for the: "Drive expansion of consumer goods licensees, categories and target audience segments. Create best-in-class product for the Americas and Australia/New Zealand. Build a team of category experts. Partner with video game, trading card game, online trading card game, and television animation teams to elevate the brand experience across consumer products. Collaborate with retail development to offer innovative exclusive and non-exclusive programs. Make fans happy."

Source: http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2015-01-08-pokemon-company-international-hires-hasbro-vet-as-director-of-licensing

In a press release from the McDonald's Corporation's head office in Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo from President and CEO Sarah El Casanova on December 25th, 2014, it was officially announced that a Pokémon themed Happy Set would begin being sold nationwide in Japan for a limited time starting January 2nd, 2015 at participating locations.

8 separate toys will be distributed during two different time periods in January. Starting January 2nd, 2015, Pikachu's Volt Attack (ピカチュウ ボルトアタック), Fokko's Fire Ring (フォッコ ファイヤーリング), Harimaron's Log Ride (ハリマロン ログライド) and Mega Lucario's Double Wave Spinner (メガルカリオ ダブルはどうスピナー) will be available. Starting January 9th, 2015, Keromatsu's Bubble Disk Shooter (ケロマツ あわディスクシュート), Mega Lizardon X's Fireball (メガリザードン X ファイヤーボール), Dedenne's Flower Ride (デデンネ フラワーライド) and Dancing Yancham (ダンシングヤンチャム) will be available.


Videos and a commercial featuring Abareru-kun from Pokémon Get TV will begin being shown on the McDonald's website and on TV starting January 2nd, 2015.

Pokémon Tretta and Pokémon Scrap Special Gifts

As an added bonus, on January 2nd, 3rd and 4th, 2015, those that purchase a Happy Set will also receive a 1 of 3 special Pokémon Tretta's: Pikachu, Xerneas and Yveltal. On January 10th, 11th and 12th, a Pokémon Scrap serial code card will be distributed with each Happy Set purchased.


Source: http://www.mcd-holdings.co.jp/news/2014/promotion/promo1225a.html

On November 21st, 2014, Toy R Us revealed that the Lucario amiibo would be exclusive to their store and would retail for $13.99 + tax. Many people pre-ordered the amiibo due to its limited run and exclusivity with Toys R Us. On December 19th, 2014, Toys R Us had a technical problem and canceled all of the pre-orders. Unfortunately not everyone will get their pre-orders reinstated automatically due to legal reasons with which method of payment they used to pre-order the Lucario amiibo and Toys R Us has sent out emails to those affected.

Pre-Order Cancellation Reinstatement via Credit Card Email

"We are reaching out today regarding the recent cancellation that has occurred with your online order. Unfortunately, there was a processing error that caused your order to erroneously cancel. However, we want you to know that your order has been reinstated. We thank you for your patience as we work to remedy this situation. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused."

Pre-Order Cancellation via PayPal or Gift Card Email

"We are reaching out today regarding the recent cancellation that has occurred with your online order(s). Unfortunately, there was a processing error that caused your order(s) to cancel. Legally, we cannot reinstate your order(s) however we are working to put a process in place that will allow you to purchase these items within the week. We will be reaching out to you as soon as we have specifics and appreciate your patience and understanding. We sincerely apologize for this cancellation and the inconvenience it has caused and will be in touch shortly."


Those that did not get their pre-order reinstated were sent a promotional code so they could re-order the Lucario amiibo online for $10.99USD. The Lucario amiibo will also be available for purchase in-store at Toys R Us locations starting in February of 2015 but supplies are limited.

About Lucario

Lucario can track a form of energy called an aura, given off by all living creatures. Lucario is the only known Fighting- and Steel-type Pokémon and evolves from Riolu during the day when its happiness is high enough. Lucario specializes in attacks that use aura energy, like Dark Pulse, and its can't-miss move, Aura Sphere.

• Lucario is fighting type Pokémon, making him perfectly suited to battle as an amiibo.
• First appearing in the popular Pokémon Diamond and Pearl game series, Lucario continues with strong presence in key Pokémon games such as Black and White, and X and Y.
• Most currently, Lucario returns as a fighter in Super Smash Bros. for 3DS and Wii U.
• Unlike the other characters, Lucario's power grows as his damage percentage increases, which will certainly add a new dimension as you level up with your amiibo!

Source: http://www.toysrus.com/buy/amiibo/lucario-amiibo-nvlcaaat-54369136