The 10 Best Pokemon Plushies

Pikachu is the face of the whole franchise, and the Jazwares Pikachu is the officially licensed version with the cartoon look kids expect: red cheeks, black-tipped ears and a big open smile. The face is embroidered, so there are no hard eyes or buttons to work loose. The maker grades it as suitable from age 2. It sits upright on a shelf or a pillow. It's a carry-along figure, though, not a big cuddle buddy for bedtime.

For a fan who wants something that looks impressive on a bed or a dresser, the Jazwares Charizard stands on its own with its teal wings spread wide. It keeps the cream belly and the flame on the tip of its tail from the show, and the dragon outline is easy to spot across a room. The wings are flat fabric rather than stuffed, so they look thin from the side and fold when it's squeezed.

Snorlax is the sleepy giant of the games, so it makes sense that the Jazwares Snorlax works as a pillow buddy. The body is round and wide, with a soft cream belly, stubby clawed feet and a laughing face. Everything is sewn on, and Jazwares grades it as fine from age 2, so it suits a toddler's bed. The open-mouth laugh isn't the calm, sleeping Snorlax many fans picture, which may matter to a collector.

Kids who want to collect a set can start with the Jazwares Eevee, since the same line also offers its evolutions, such as Espeon and Umbreon, in a matching style. This one stands on four legs, with tall ears, a bushy tail and a fluffy cream collar in a longer pile than the body. That collar is the part fans notice first. The thin legs make it more of a shelf figure than a sleep buddy.

The Squishmallows Pikachu trades detail for softness. It's a rounded, pillow-size body with a small stitched face, made by Jazwares under its Squishmallows name with an official Pokemon license. It squashes flat and springs back, which is why kids sleep on these and teens stack them on beds. Look for the Squishmallows name on the tag, since the brand says anything without it is a copy. The simple shape reads as Squishmallows first and Pikachu second.

The Jazwares Sleeping Chikorita is a big, flat-lying figure meant to share a bed. Chikorita curls up on its side with its eyes shut and the green leaf on its head drooping over its face, so it doubles as a body pillow. The same sleeping series covers other characters, including Vaporeon, if Chikorita isn't the favorite. It's a pricier buy for a single figure, and it takes up real room on a bed or a couch.

Picking one starter can start an argument, so the Jazwares Kanto First Partner 3-Pack skips the choice: Charmander, Squirtle and Bulbasaur come together in one box. Each has its own personality, with a winking Bulbasaur and a grinning, closed-eye Squirtle beside a classic Charmander. It's an easy gift for a fan who grew up on the original games or one who just started. The set is newer, so it has a shorter track record than single figures.

Not every fan wants something cute, and the Jazwares Gengar brings the grin instead: a wide white smile, narrow red eyes and a ridge of spikes down its back. Gengar is a longtime favorite among ghost types, and this version keeps the purple and the mischief from the cartoon. It stands up by itself and still feels soft when squeezed. That toothy grin can look a bit spooky to a younger child at bedtime.

Collectors who like the Japanese style can look at the Sanei All Star Sylveon, from a long-running line made in Japan for fans. Sylveon's ribbon feelers, pink ears and neck bow are sewn in, and the big blue eyes match the game art. Sanei rates it for teens, not small children, so it belongs on a shelf or a desk. It's imported and stock comes and goes, so buy from a seller with a clear brand name.

A low-cost way into the hobby, the Jazwares Mew has a pale pink body, big blue eyes and a long tail that curls around to the front. Mew is a rare, mythical character in the games, which gives it some appeal to older fans, and the gentle face suits younger ones. It sits upright without help and is light enough for a backpack. That pale pink fabric shows smudges fast and will need spot-cleaning.