In Japan, The World Cup Is Sold With Pikachu

The World Cup is starting soon — real soon. June 12, actually! You know what that means? Merchandising. And in Japan that means Pokémon merchandising.

Since Japan’s official World Cup mascot is Pikachu, the character is being put on a whole bunch of things so people will buy them. Makes sense!

Better yet, in Japan, Pikachu is already slapped on a bunch of things. Now, the character is on a bunch of things in a World Cup jersey. Gotta catch ’em all!

In-store display proudly features Pikachu. Picture: zugotta

Here are Pikachu sandwich cakes. They are flavored “milk ichigo” (ミルクイチGO) a pun on “milk strawberry” and “go first.” Picture: rabienrose310

More Pikachu World Cup soccer snacks. Picture: 3sasanosassa4

Towels. Picture: kyangab

A notebook. Well, two notebooks (one is not for the World Cup, but rather, Yokai Watch). Picture: kimubun

Doughnuts. Picture: withrilakkuma_S

Pikachu World Cup bread comes with little stickers (all Pokemon bread does, but the World Cup-branded ones come with stickers like this.) Picture: jun_hz

A hat. Picture: oi_mnm

A kiddy jersey. Picture: ega_watari

Chewing gum. Picture: kenta_ebityuu]

Plush toys. Note the coin cases. Picture: mi0nyan_a

A thermos. Note the thermos. Picture: soccer_nipponda

Another uniform for kids. Picture: GALLERY2_shop

Paper for origami. This also comes with stickers. Picture: keimass_soccer

A Pokéball… soccer ball. And no, it’s not as big as an actual soccer ball, but rather, Pokéball-sized. Picture: Takara Tomy