How Tall Were TOMY’s 2016 Mythical Pokémon Plush?

TOMY’s 2016 Pokémon 20th Anniversary Collection turned each month into a small collecting event. The range included plush figures based on the Mythical Pokémon celebrated throughout the anniversary year, along with Clip ’n’ Carry Poké Balls and other limited-edition toys. For fans, the appeal was the chance to build a complete display rather than simply buy one familiar Pikachu.

The tricky part is that “size” can mean two different things. TOMY generally presented these plush toys as part of a shared collection scale, while their different poses, ears, tails, wings and body shapes made some look much taller than others. When the figures are placed side by side, Arceus has the strongest claim to the tallest Mythical plush, although the result depends on whether you measure its head, crest, legs or highest raised feature.

The Scale Used Across The 2016 Range

The 2016 plush assortment was designed as a coordinated set, not as a scientifically proportioned model series. Many figures were sold as similarly sized soft toys, with the sewing pattern adjusted to suit each Pokémon’s shape. A compact Jirachi and a long-legged Keldeo could therefore occupy a similar retail category while appearing very different on a shelf.

This is why packaging dimensions and the visible height of the finished plush do not always agree. Soft toys compress in bags, sit differently according to their stuffing, and may have a tail or appendage that bends during storage. The collection’s place in the company’s longer history is explored in TOMY’s anniversary toy history, which helps explain why consistency across the range mattered as much as individual character accuracy.

For comparison purposes, a useful approach is to record the standing height from the base to the highest fixed point, then note whether a long tail, wing or head ornament changes the result.

Why Plush Proportions Change The Result

A plush figure is not measured like a trading card or an articulated action figure. Mew’s rounded body and low-set limbs make it look squat, while Victini gains visual height from its large ears. Meloetta’s hair and Keldeo’s upright head also create a taller outline without necessarily giving the toy a larger body.

Arceus is distinctive because its design combines a tall head and neck with a broad, raised silhouette. Its gold crest and upright posture draw the eye upward, while its legs keep the main body above the shelf. Even if another plush has a longer tail when fully extended, Arceus generally looks tallest in a normal standing display.

Features That Affect A Side-By-Side Measurement

The Mythical Pokémon In The Comparison

The anniversary line is usually associated with Mew, Celebi, Jirachi, Darkrai, Manaphy, Shaymin, Arceus, Victini, Keldeo, Meloetta and Genesect. Some collector references also discuss other 2016 TOMY products alongside the monthly Mythical releases, so it is worth separating the plush assortment from the wider anniversary programme.

At the shorter-looking end are rounded or seated designs such as Jirachi, Shaymin and Mew. Celebi is small in body but gains a little height from its head shape and wings. Manaphy has a compact, upright profile, while Genesect appears broad and mechanical rather than especially tall.

Darkrai and Keldeo sit closer to the middle of the display. Darkrai’s pointed head and hanging body create a narrow vertical outline, whereas Keldeo’s legs and head give it a more conventional standing height. Meloetta can look surprisingly tall when its hair is fluffed out, although its soft construction makes that measurement inconsistent.

Arceus Has The Tallest Visual Profile

Among the 2016 TOMY Mythical plush figures, Arceus is the best answer to the question of which one was tallest. Its upright stance, elevated head and prominent crest combine to create the highest stable silhouette in most collector comparisons. The result is especially clear when the toys are arranged on a flat shelf rather than photographed in their retail packaging.

That does not mean Arceus was necessarily marketed as a dramatically larger plush. The range was intended to look cohesive, and TOMY’s plush sizing often prioritised recognisable character shapes over strict height ratios. Arceus wins because of its design and posture, not because it belongs to a separate oversized category.

A collector measuring from the shelf to the crest may find only a modest difference between Arceus and Victini or Meloetta. If the measurement is taken to the top of a flexible feature, the order can shift. A practical description is therefore “Arceus is the tallest-looking figure in the standard Mythical plush group”, rather than claiming an exact universal height.

Australian Collectors Had A Different Buying Experience

For Australian fans, building the full set could be less straightforward than following the monthly schedule suggested by the anniversary campaign. Stock arrived through selected retailers and import channels at different times, and a figure available in the United States was not automatically easy to find in Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane. Local availability could depend on distributor shipments, retailer exclusivity and the timing of online listings.

Postage also affected the final price. A plush bought from overseas could attract international shipping, currency conversion and GST treatment, while an Australian listing on eBay might cost more because the seller had already carried those risks. In regional areas, collectors often relied on online orders rather than travelling to a major shopping centre, and a complete set could arrive in several separate parcels.

The Clip ’n’ Carry Poké Ball products were especially appealing for Australian holidays and weekend trips because they were easier to pack than several plush figures. The Clip ’n’ Carry Poké Ball guide shows how that part of the range served a different purpose: portable play rather than shelf display.

A Practical Height Comparison

The figures below describe the visual order collectors are most likely to see when the plush are standing naturally. They are comparative categories rather than guaranteed factory measurements, since stuffing, posture and handling can change the result by a small amount.

Plush Usual visual impression Main feature affecting height Display position
Arceus Tallest overall Upright crest and raised body Highest
Victini Medium-tall Large upright ears Upper middle
Meloetta Medium-tall when fluffed Long hair and upright pose Upper middle
Keldeo Medium Long legs and high head Middle
Darkrai Medium Pointed head and narrow body Middle
Celebi Medium-short Wings and rounded torso Middle to lower
Genesect Medium-short Broad mechanical body Middle to lower
Mew Shorter, rounded Low body and curled tail Lower
Manaphy Short to medium Compact torso and head Lower
Shaymin Short Small body and low stance Lower
Jirachi Shortest-looking group Seated, rounded proportions Lowest

This comparison explains why photographs can produce different answers. If every tail, hair section and wing is pulled straight, a lower-ranked plush may gain length. If the toys are judged by their natural shelf posture, Arceus remains the clearest tallest figure.

What The Height Difference Means For Collectors

The size contrast is most useful when planning a display. A shelf with Arceus at the back can create a natural centrepiece, while Mew, Jirachi and Shaymin work well at the front. Victini and Meloetta add vertical interest without overwhelming the group, and the darker shapes of Darkrai and Genesect help balance the brighter characters.

Collectors should also account for depth, not just height. Arceus has a broad body and distinctive side features, while some smaller plush need space for tails, wings or hair. A narrow bookcase may fit the figures by height but still force them into a crowded row.

Details Worth Checking Before Buying

The tallest figure is therefore a display judgement as much as a measurement. Arceus stands out because TOMY’s plush preserves its elevated, regal shape, making it the most prominent Mythical Pokémon in the 2016 collection. Its advantage is visible at a glance, while the remaining figures are better understood as variations within a shared anniversary scale.