As some Pokémon are graduating, others are just about to start life at their new schools.
March is the month when Japanese schools have their graduation ceremonies, and over the coming weeks diplomas will be given out across the country to academically qualified young men and women.
Oh, and also Pokémon, apparently.
This month’s entry in the Monthly Pikachu line of stuffed animals is an adorable grad dressed in cap and gown. If his beaming expression wasn’t enough of a giveaway that he passed his classes with flying colors, there’s also the fact that he’s moved his tassel to the left, is wearing a Poké Ball emblazoned honor society ribbon, and is carrying his diploma in the cylindrical holder the documents are commonly kept in in Japan.
But there’s a double meaning to making March’s Monthly Pikachu a graduate. The 1,600-yen (US$14) plushie marks the twelfth, and final, stuffed animal in the series. Don’t fret, though, because the seasonal themed fun will continue with double the Pocket Monsters with the new Monthly Pair Pikachu series, with each month featuring a male and female Pikachu in new outfits.
After graduation in March, the Japanese educational system has only a brief break between school years, with the new term starting in April. Because of that, the first two representatives of the Monthly Pair Pikachu, officially the April pair, are ready for their first day of the Spring semester, with both of them decked out in their school uniforms.
The blazer and sailor suit-wearing pair go on sale March 19, priced at 2,600 yen, and will be available at Pokémon Center locations, as well as the Pokémon Center online shop and Amazon Japan Pokémon Store. Here’s wishing them both the best as they start life at their new school, and that they study hard enough to find good jobs when it’s their turn to graduate.
If you can think of anything more Japanese than a Pikachu in a schoolgirl outfit, let Casey know on Twitter.
Source: Pokémon official website (1, 2)
Top image: Pokémon official website
Insert images: Amazon Japan, Pokémon official website
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