Pre-orders are now open for a lifesized plush figure of Lucario from the Pokémon franchise, which stands at over 120 cm tall. Lucario was voted the 2nd most popular Pokémon (behind Greninja), so there are likely a lot of people who would drop a few hundred dollars on its simulacrum.
Lucario is a Steel/Fighting-type Pokémon that was introduced in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. It was clear from the start that The Pokémon Company had big things in store for this Pokémon, as it was the focus of the eighth Pokémon movie. Over the years, Lucario has been the Gen IV Pokémon representative in Super Smash Bros., a playable fighter in Pokkén Tournament, gained a Mega Evolution in Pokémon X and Y, and a Lucario currently sits on Ash's team in the Pokémon anime, in what may be his last group of Pokémon in the franchise.
The Pokémon Company loves to release lifesized dolls of Pokémon like Spheal and a new Pokémon is joining the fray. NintendoSoup is taking international pre-orders for a lifesized Lucario doll that is nearly 4ft tall and is fully posable. The Lucario can also stand under its power when posed in the correct way. These are being released by the Pokémon Center Japan, with NintendoSoup handling the international shipping to countries like the United States of America, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand. The pre-orders are currently live and the Lucario are expected to ship in February 2023.
It bears mentioning that the Lucario figures aren't cheap, as a single plush will cost $449, plus $82 international shipping from Osaka. People might have to sell some of their most expensive Pokémon cards to afford this Lucario figure or at least find a Meowth that knows Pay Day, as over $500 is a tall ask for a single Pokémon doll. The price is equal to quality, as the plush is massive and accurately matches the look of the Gen IV Pokémon.
Pokémon is the most profitable media franchise on the planet and a big part of that is due to its merchandise sales. The Pokémon Company makes a lot of money from Pokémon dolls and plushies, ranging from the small cheap ones to the massive ones that take up a chunk of the living room. The lifesized Lucario doll made a stir on Twitter when it was first announced, with people declaring their love for the big plush, but that price point might be enough to convince people to leave this Pokémon in the PC.
The lifesized Lucario Pokémon doll will be released in February 2023.
Source: NintendoSoup