Banpresto Pokémon Prize Figures (2026): Every Sub-Line and Scale
By Dexhaul Team · October 12, 2026 · 6 min read
You've seen them on import shop shelves: clean sculpts, bright paint, and a "Banpresto" stamp pressed into the base.
Banpresto is a subsidiary of Bandai Namco Holdings and Japan's most prolific manufacturer of officially licensed prize figures. Their Pokémon figures were originally distributed through crane game machines (UFO catchers) across Japanese game centers.
They reach international buyers through specialist import shops. DexHaul is independent and unofficial, and all figures here are sold by independent third-party merchants.
There are five active Banpresto Pokémon lines on the international secondhand and import market right now: SOFVIMATES, Relaxing Time, VIBRATION STARS, Ichiban Kuji, and Monster Ball Figure Collections. Each targets a different price point and display style.
Start with SOFVIMATES if you want a single-character piece under $25. Start with Relaxing Time if you want a paired diorama as a gift.
On this page 6 sections
Every active Banpresto Pokémon figure line
The table below covers every line currently in stock through independent shops, with sizes and observed prices as of October 2026.
| Line | Style | Approx. height | Current characters | Observed price (Oct 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SOFVIMATES | Soft vinyl, poseable joint details | ~10 cm | Venusaur, Mewtwo, Blastoise, and others | $19–$35 USD |
| Relaxing Time / Relax Time | Fixed-pose diorama, 2 characters | 6–10 cm total | Pikachu + Snorlax, Pikachu + Pichu, Gengar + Pikachu, Psyduck + Slowpoke | $18–$56 USD |
| VIBRATION STARS | Dynamic action pose | 10–14 cm | Gengar + Pikachu (confirmed in stock) | $30–$40 USD |
| Monster Ball Figure Collection | Mini figure in Poké Ball half | ~3–4 cm | Gen 1–2 assortment, Vol. 1 and 2 | ~$10 USD |
| Ichiban Kuji | Lottery prize, various grades | Varies by prize tier | Kit-dependent; various Pokémon | ¥8,000–¥12,000 per full kit (secondary) |
Where to start
Best budget pick: SOFVIMATES ($19–$25 USD)
SOFVIMATES are the easiest entry point. Single-character soft vinyl at roughly 10 cm, with clean paint and Banpresto's logo stamped into the base.
The name comes from "sofubi" (ソフビ), the Japanese shortening of soft vinyl, the same flexible material used in classic Japanese capsule figures. Mewtwo and Venusaur are the most widely available through import shops, both under $25 USD.
Best mid-range pick: Relaxing Time ($23–$40 USD)
Relaxing Time dioramas pair two Pokémon in a shared pose, which makes them read differently on a shelf from standalone figures. The Pikachu and Pichu version runs around $19–$40 depending on the seller.
Psyduck and Slowpoke is another strong option and tends to be easier to find in US shops. These are fixed-pose PVC, so the two characters are designed as one scene.
For dedicated collectors: Ichiban Kuji
Ichiban Kuji (一番くじ), meaning "Number One Lottery," is sold to retailers as complete kits of roughly 80 tickets each. Every kit guarantees exactly one A-Prize, the highest-grade piece.
The Last One Prize is the final ticket drawn from any given kit: it is exactly as rare as the A Prize and typically features a larger or exclusive item. Secondary-market prices for A-Prize and Last One pieces run three to five times the face-value ticket cost, because they were drawn from a finite physical set.
Collectors sourcing these internationally should expect to pay a meaningful premium over Japanese retail. The official Pokémon Japan goods page lists active kit themes as they launch in Japan.
Telling authentic Banpresto from fakes
Counterfeit Banpresto figures show up frequently at low price points. Here is how to check before you buy.
Legitimate pieces have the Banpresto logo embossed into the figure base along with a Pokémon copyright stamp. SOFVIMATES boxes carry the "SOFVIMATES" name prominently in English and Japanese.
Ichiban Kuji pieces include the 一番くじ logo on the box and a prize-grade label (A賞, B賞, and so on).
Red flags for fakes: a base stamped "BANGPRESTO" or no stamp at all; soft vinyl with blurry or missing paint in detail areas like eyes and joints; pricing below ¥2,600 JPY for a SOFVIMATES ($16–$17 USD equivalent) from an unknown seller. Authentic SOFVIMATES retail in Japan from ¥2,600 JPY, so anything significantly below that threshold in a foreign listing suggests a copy. The official Pokémon merchandise program licenses Banpresto, so the brand name and copyright always appear on genuine pieces.
Size, display, and care
SOFVIMATES and VIBRATION STARS figures stand independently on a flat shelf without additional support. At 10–14 cm they fit in a standard three-shelf display cabinet without stacking issues.
Relaxing Time dioramas average 6–10 cm in total height across the two-character scene. The pieces in a set are designed to sit together but can usually be separated for individual display. Verify that any listing ships the complete scene: Pikachu and Pichu should arrive together; Psyduck and Slowpoke is one purchase covering both figures.
SOFVIMATES are soft vinyl. Sustained heat above around 35°C can cause slight warping, so avoid direct sunlight or storage in car interiors during warm months.
PVC Relaxing Time and VIBRATION STARS pieces are more heat-stable but will still fade under prolonged UV exposure. UV-filtering acrylic cases extend the paint life on any of these lines.
For comparison with other Japanese figure lines, see our Pokémon Scale World vs Moncolle guide. If you collect figures alongside TCG, the broader Pokémon figures guide covers how each manufacturer's pricing tiers compare.
Banpresto figures as Q4 gifts
The Relaxing Time duos are the easiest gift tier in this lineup. Pikachu and Pichu or Gengar and Pikachu at $18–$40 reads well as a two-for-one present: two characters, one purchase, compact enough to wrap and ship without extra padding.
SOFVIMATES at $19–$24 work for the fan who wants something different from plush. They display alongside card binders and sealed product without looking out of place.
Monster Ball Figure Collection Vol. 2 at around $10 USD is a genuine stocking-stuffer piece for a younger collector.
For gift ideas across all Pokémon categories and budgets, the DexHaul holiday gift guide has the full seasonal rundown.
Frequently asked questions
Are Banpresto Pokémon figures officially licensed?
Yes. Banpresto is a subsidiary of Bandai Namco Holdings and produces figures under an official license from The Pokémon Company. Every legitimate piece carries a Pokémon copyright stamp on the base.
What is the difference between SOFVIMATES and Relaxing Time?
SOFVIMATES are soft vinyl figures of a single Pokémon at approximately 10 cm, with painted joint-detail work. Relaxing Time pieces are fixed-pose PVC dioramas featuring two Pokémon together in a shared scene, typically 6–10 cm in total height.
Can I buy Ichiban Kuji figures if I'm not in Japan?
Yes, through import shops that stock individual prizes from completed kits. A-Prize and Last One pieces sell at a significant premium over face value because only one of each exists per kit; lower-tier D-Prize pieces run closer to the ticket price.
Do Banpresto figures need a display case?
They stand on their own, but a UV-filtering case extends the paint life on all lines, and SOFVIMATES soft vinyl pieces can warp slightly if left in heat above around 35°C. A closed cabinet in a climate-controlled room is enough for most collectors.
Where does the SOFVIMATES name come from?
It combines "sofubi" (ソフビ), the Japanese abbreviation for soft vinyl (ソフトビニール), and "mates." The soft vinyl material is the same type used in Japan's classic capsule figures, giving SOFVIMATES their slightly flexible, poseable feel compared to the rigid PVC used in Relaxing Time and VIBRATION STARS pieces.
Browse every Banpresto and independent-shop Pokémon figure available through DexHaul at the figures collection, where results come from hundreds of independent merchants worldwide.
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