The 2016 TOMY Plush Size Comparison: 6 Inches vs. 8 Inches
TOMY’s Pokémon 20th Anniversary Collection brought a wide range of character toys to stores during 2016, including plush figures, Clip ’n’ Carry Poké Balls and special products focused on Pikachu and mythical Pokémon. The anniversary programme was designed as a year-long celebration, with new items appearing across different months rather than arriving as one single seasonal range.
For collectors, the difference between a nominal 6-inch plush and an 8-inch plush is easy to underestimate. Two inches can change how a Pokémon sits on a shelf, fits into a display case or travels home from a shop. The larger figure also tends to have a stronger presence, while the smaller size often works better for grouping several characters together.
These measurements describe the approximate height or length of the finished plush, not an official scale between Pokémon. Body shape, ears, tails, wings and sitting poses all affect the result. A 6-inch Pikachu, for example, may occupy more shelf width than a taller but slimmer mythical Pokémon.
Why the anniversary range used different sizes
The 2016 collection needed to serve several types of Pokémon fan. Some buyers wanted a familiar Pikachu for a birthday gift, while dedicated collectors were interested in limited-edition mythical Pokémon released during the anniversary year. Offering more than one plush size allowed TOMY to balance price, portability and visual impact.
A 6-inch plush generally suits casual collecting. It is easy to place beside games, trading-card binders or smaller figures without making the display look crowded. This format also feels practical for younger fans who want to carry a favourite character between rooms, to a friend’s house or during a family trip.
An 8-inch plush has a more substantial feel. It can show off embroidered details, facial expressions and distinctive features more clearly from a short distance. On a bookcase in Melbourne or a bedroom shelf in Brisbane, the larger format can become the main feature of a Pokémon display rather than one item among many.
The two sizes also helped the collection work across different retail settings. A compact plush could fit into a crowded toy aisle or a seasonal endcap, while a larger character had the visual presence to attract attention from several metres away.
How the measurements affect display and handling
The most obvious difference is shelf footprint. Height is only one measurement, and a plush with broad ears, outstretched arms or a long tail may need considerably more clearance than its label suggests. Collectors should allow space above the figure as well as room at the sides, especially when arranging several characters in a row.
Weight and softness can vary as much as dimensions. A larger plush may have more filling and hold its shape more firmly, but some designs are deliberately floppy. Smaller figures are often easier to stack around accessories, although stacking plush for long periods can flatten ears or compress facial features.
For an Australian collection, storage conditions deserve attention. Warm summers in Sydney, Perth and Adelaide can make enclosed cabinets heat up, while coastal humidity may affect fabric over time. Keeping plush away from direct sunlight, damp areas and dusty windowsills helps preserve colours and stitching. A removable shelf liner can also reduce contact with rough timber or painted surfaces.
The intended use matters as well. A 6-inch figure is convenient for imaginative play and travel, whereas an 8-inch plush is usually better treated as a display piece. Neither size is automatically superior; the useful distinction is whether the collector values portability or prominence.
Side-by-side guide for collectors
The following comparison uses the common advertised size categories as a practical guide. Individual Pokémon may measure slightly differently because of their pose and body proportions.
| Feature | Approx. 6-inch plush | Approx. 8-inch plush |
|---|---|---|
| Typical role | Portable character toy or compact display piece | Feature plush or centrepiece |
| Shelf space | Easier to fit into narrow spaces | Needs more height and width |
| Group displays | Works well in larger teams | Can dominate a small arrangement |
| Handling | Light and convenient for younger fans | More substantial and less travel-friendly |
| Detail visibility | Best viewed from close range | Details are easier to see across a room |
| Storage | Fits most standard shelves and tubs | May need deeper shelves or open display space |
| Gift appeal | Practical, easy to wrap and post | More dramatic presentation |
| Collector focus | Builds a broad cast of characters | Highlights favourite or rare characters |
The table is especially useful when comparing a mixed display. A single 8-inch mythical Pokémon can anchor a row of 6-inch figures, creating depth without requiring every character to be the same size. By contrast, placing several larger plush together can make a cabinet look full very quickly.
Nominal dimensions should also be read alongside the character’s design. A seated Pokémon may be labelled by height while occupying a wide base, and a long-eared character can appear larger than a compact character with the same measurement. Looking at photographs from the front and side gives a better idea of the real display footprint than relying on the number alone.
Retail presentation and the Australian market
TOMY’s anniversary strategy relied heavily on visible retail presentation. Special displays helped shoppers recognise that the releases formed part of a wider 20th anniversary programme, rather than appearing as unrelated plush arriving at different times. The role of these retail displays was particularly important for monthly launches and retailer-specific products.
Australian collectors encountered a market shaped by distance and distribution. A product available in a major Sydney or Melbourne chain might take longer to appear in regional Queensland, Western Australia or Tasmania. Local stock could also vary between large retailers such as Big W, Kmart and Target, independent toy shops, and specialist game stores. That makes packaging, release timing and retailer information valuable parts of the collecting record.
Postage is another practical distinction between sizes. A 6-inch plush is usually simpler to send within Australia and may fit a smaller satchel, while an 8-inch item needs more protective space to avoid crushed ears or bent tags. Collectors buying online should consider whether the listed dimensions refer to the plush itself or the packed parcel.
The 20th anniversary line also carried the appeal of an official, licensed release. Nintendo licensing, recognisable character design and a limited 2016 window give the plush greater historical interest than an ordinary character toy. For Australian buyers, keeping the original swing tag and noting where an item was purchased can help distinguish a carefully preserved anniversary piece from a later release.
Choosing a size for a focused collection
A useful way to compare the formats is to decide what job each plush will perform. The smaller size supports breadth, while the larger size supports emphasis. Collectors building a complete anniversary group may prefer several 6-inch figures, then add one or two 8-inch pieces to mark especially important characters.
Display strengths of the 6-inch format
- Fits easily on bookcases, desks and narrow cube shelves
- Makes it practical to display several Pokémon together
- Travels well for photos, visits and conventions
- Usually creates a lower-cost path into character collecting
Display strengths of the 8-inch format
- Gives facial embroidery and body details greater visual impact
- Works well as the focal point of a themed shelf
- Feels substantial when presented as a birthday or anniversary gift
- Helps distinguish a favourite mythical Pokémon from supporting figures
Pikachu products can work in either role because the character is instantly recognisable at a distance. A smaller Pikachu can sit beside game boxes or trading cards, while a larger version may become the visual centre of a complete TOMY display. The same principle applies to mythical Pokémon: size can communicate importance within a collection even when the plush is not true to in-universe scale.
The collection’s wider media setting also influenced interest. The film promotion surrounding the anniversary helped connect plush releases with the broader celebration, giving fans another reason to look for particular characters. For collectors today, the 6-inch and 8-inch formats together show how TOMY used size, timing and presentation to make a year-long Pokémon range feel varied while remaining recognisably part of the same 2016 event.