Gamertell

When a game is released in North America and becomes successful, you see it everywhere. Case in point, Halo 3 was available not only in major electronics retailers and game stores like Best Buy and GameStop, but also in 7-Eleven stores. If it is a real winner, it will be accompanied by a strategy guide, soundtrack or occasionally a cheap trinket or two.

Things are slightly different in Japan. Yes, all of the prior accompanying items coincide with a game’s success, but there are additional promotional materials released. Ones which America doesn’t often receive. One of the most famous of these is the stuffed toy.

The plushie, as the stuffed mascot toy is affectionately known, is indigenous to Japan. Occasionally you will see a stray one roaming outside of its natural habitat. Usually this is from a brave company who knows a game will be a hit and feels the mascot characters are cute enough to entice interest. Of course, a devoted fan who did exceptionally well in life-skills class (formerly known as home ec) will have the skills to create their own.

In Japan, plushies, both licensed and original, are rampant. Any successful game franchise with an adorable mascot is guaranteed to have at least one or two. So today we’ll take a brief peek at some of the more popular and recognizable stuffed toys that can be imported from Japan…

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