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The Original Pokemon Starters Are Ready To Make You Pokemoan
Geeky Sex Toys is relaunching a range of adult products inspired by Pokémon’s original Kanto starters, alongside a Pikachu-tail-themed item. The products previously sold out when offered around a decade ago, and the relaunch highlights the continuing commercial appeal of fan-made merchandise based on well-known entertainment franchises.
The range comprises the Bulbypulse, Charmybuzz, Squirtyblast and Pikyplug, with sales due to begin on 21 July. The three starter-inspired products cost $169 each, while the Pikyplug costs $69–$100; a $399 collector’s set is limited to 151 units and includes the products, five holographic cards and a themed hard case.
In short
- Pokémon-inspired adult products return after an earlier sell-out.
- Four items go on sale from 21 July.
- A 151-unit collector’s set costs $399.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Adult consumers have legitimate nostalgic connections to Pokémon and should have choice in niche products designed for consenting adults. The broader Pokémon franchise remains family-friendly; adult merchandise in a separate market doesn't contaminate the mainstream brand or harm its appeal to younger audiences. This represents a natural extension of fandom and entrepreneurship where autonomous adults make their own purchasing decisions entirely removed from children's engagement with the brand.
The case against
Pokémon's core identity is fundamentally tied to childhood, and using these characters to create adult products risks permanently tainting that association for fans of all ages. This approach exploits childhood nostalgia in a way that appears to commodify and sexualise characters that hold innocent cultural meaning, treating beloved figures as mere vessels for commercial adult products. The unlicensed nature further raises questions about whether Nintendo wishes to see its intellectual property boundary-crossed in this manner, and whether respecting a franchise's cultural meaning matters beyond legal requirements.
Explained simply
Pokémon is a Japanese entertainment franchise that began in 1996 and has become one of the world's most popular media properties. In the games, "starter" Pokémon are the first creatures that players obtain, with the original three from the first generation being Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle, alongside the franchise's mascot Pikachu.
Merchandise inspired by Pokémon represents a substantial commercial sector encompassing diverse products and consumer groups. This ranges from children's collectibles to items targeted at adult audiences, reflecting how major entertainment franchises maintain commercial appeal across different demographics.
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