Pokémon Kids Finger Puppets (2026): Bandai's 30-Year Line
By Dexhaul Team · October 6, 2026
Bandai's Pokémon Kids figures have been on shelves since October 1996, making this October 2026 their 30th consecutive year as a licensed Pokémon product line. The series runs over 100 named editions and covers every generation and anime arc since the original.
Start with a single-figure blind box from a current series (around $3 to $8) to see if the format suits you. If it does, the boxed sets from importers like Ichiba Japan offer 12 or 24 figures at a lower per-figure cost.
The figures themselves are soft vinyl, or sofubi, a semi-rigid PVC used throughout Japanese candy-toy production. Each official Bandai release includes the figure, one ramune candy tablet, and a Pokédex sticker sheet in the original Japanese packaging. Western importers sell the figure only or with packaging intact.
Every Current Pokémon Kids Series Available Now
Series are grouped by theme and anime era. This is not an exhaustive list of all 100+ editions since 1996: it covers the series in active import stock as of October 2026.
| Series name | Era / anime tie-in | Figure size | Format | In stock now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| World of Adventure | Pokémon Journeys | ~1 inch (standard) | Single blind box | Yes |
| Traveling Friends | Pokémon Journeys | ~1 inch (standard) | Single blind box | Yes |
| Mezase Masters | Pokémon Journeys | ~1 inch (standard) | Single blind box | Yes |
| World Championships | Pokémon Journeys | ~1 inch (standard) | Single blind box | Yes |
| Memories of GET! | XY/Sun & Moon retrospective | ~1 inch (standard) | Single blind box | Yes |
| Sword and Shield Dreams | Sword & Shield era | ~1 inch (standard) | Single blind box | Yes |
| Gigantamax Kid Vol. 01 & 02 | Sword & Shield era | ~2 inches (enlarged) | Single blind box | Yes |
| Paldea Region | Scarlet & Violet | ~1 inch (standard) | Single blind box | Yes |
| Liko and Traveling Friends | Pokémon Horizons | ~1 inch (standard) | Single blind box | Yes |
| Roy and His Traveling Companions | Pokémon Horizons | ~1 inch (standard) | Single blind box | Yes |
| Tera Pokémon Edition | Scarlet & Violet | ~1 inch (standard) | 12-piece boxed set | Yes |
| Terrapagos Edition | Scarlet & Violet (Indigo Disk) | ~1 inch (standard) | Single blind box / 24-piece box | Yes |
| Mega Charizard X & Y Edition | XY era (Mega Evolution) | ~1 inch (standard) | 24-piece boxed set | Yes |
| Mega Mewtwo X & Y Edition | XY era (Mega Evolution) | ~1 inch (standard) | 21-piece boxed set | Yes |
| Sinnoh and Galar Region | Multi-gen retrospective | ~1 inch (standard) | Single blind box | Yes |
Where to Start
Three entry points cover the main ways collectors and gift-buyers use the line.
Single blind box, current series
The Horizons-era series (Liko and Traveling Friends, Roy and His Traveling Companions) are the easiest to find and the closest to current content. Single boxes cost $6 to $8 from most importers and give you one random figure. If you are buying for a child who watches the current anime, this is the correct starting point.
Boxed set, 12 to 24 figures
Importers like Ichiba Japan sell sealed display cases for the Tera and Mega Evolution editions. The Tera Pokémon Edition box ships 12 assorted figures. The Mega Charizard X and Y Edition ships 24 and covers both Charizard forms.
At $57 for 12 pieces, the Tera Edition works out to $4.75 per figure, compared to $7 to $8 for single boxes. The tradeoff is that you get the full assortment rather than a chosen character.
Gigantamax scale, if you want display pieces
The Gigantamax Kids figures run about 2 inches versus the standard 1 inch. They photograph better on a shelf and feel closer to the scale of the Moncolle line, though they carry the same soft-vinyl construction.
Volume 02 is in stock now, priced around $8.95 to $14.95 depending on seller.
How to Tell Versions Apart
The Pokémon Kids line has been counterfeited since at least the early 2000s. A few checks settle most questions.
Official vs. bootleg
Bandai prints a copyright notice and series code directly on the figure's base or underside. Legitimate figures read something like "© Nintendo · Creatures · GAME FREAK · TV Tokyo · ShoPro · JR Kikaku © Pokémon" with a Bandai production code.
Bootlegs typically omit this text or use a shortened, garbled version of it. The vinyl on genuine figures is uniform and slightly matte; cheap knockoffs tend toward a shinier, harder plastic with visible mold seams at unusual angles.
Japan import vs. US-shipped single
Original Japanese packaging is a foil-wrapped blind box roughly 5 cm square, with the Pokémon Kids logo and the series name in both Japanese and English. US sellers sometimes open the boxes and relist individual figures without packaging. Neither is counterfeit, but a loose figure without packaging cannot be attributed to a specific series number, since that information appears only on the box.
Pokemon Kids Memories Of GET! Series Finger Puppet Bandai 1-Inch Mini-Figure
$9.95 USD
Standard vs. Gigantamax scale
Standard Pokémon Kids figures are approximately 4 to 5 cm (roughly 1.5 inches). Western sellers often describe them as "1-inch mini-figures," which undersells the actual size slightly.
Gigantamax Kids figures are listed by sellers as 2-inch and are noticeably larger. The two scales do not mix well on a single shelf without deliberate spacing.
Care and Display
Sofubi holds color well under normal conditions but is not fade-proof. Keep figures out of direct sunlight: UV exposure yellows the vinyl over months and is irreversible.
Cleaning is simple: a damp cotton cloth or a soft toothbrush with mild soap removes dust and grime from recessed sculpt areas without affecting the paint. Avoid acetone or alcohol-based solvents, which strip the decorative coat.
For display, a shallow acrylic case with a felt floor works well for the standard-size figures. Because the hollow rubber base is designed for use as a finger puppet, the figures stand on their own without pins or adhesive, a practical advantage over the fixed-foot Moncolle line when you rearrange often. If you want a comparison of where Pokémon Kids fits against other Bandai figure lines, the Pokémon Figures and Collectibles guide covers the main options side by side.
Pokémon Kids as a Holiday Gift
Single blind boxes at $3 to $8 make solid stocking-stuffer material for any age. They are compact, cheap enough to buy multiples, and carry no small-parts concern since the figures are larger than choking-hazard size.
For a more substantial gift, pair a current-series blind box with a boxed set from a different era: one Horizons blind box plus the Mega Charizard 24-pack covers both the current anime and a classic characters collection in one package, all under $70. You can find the full figures range at the Pokémon figures guide, and more ideas across price points in the 2026 holiday gift guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big are Pokémon Kids figures?
Standard Pokémon Kids figures are approximately 4 to 5 cm (about 1.5 inches). The Gigantamax series runs slightly larger at around 5 to 6 cm (about 2 inches). The base is hollow rubber designed for use as a finger puppet.
Are these the same as the Pokémon finger puppets?
Yes. In Japan, Bandai's product name is "Pokémon Kids." Western sellers often list them as "finger puppets" or "mini-figures." They are the same product: a soft-vinyl candy toy figure with a hollow rubber base that fits over a child's finger.
What's in a Pokémon Kids blind box?
A sealed Japanese blind box includes one soft-vinyl figure, one ramune candy tablet, and one Pokédex sticker. Importers who sell individual figures may omit the candy and sticker.
How many Pokémon Kids series exist?
The line launched in October 1996 and has run continuously since. There are well over 100 named series or editions covering every generation and most major anime arcs. Not all are available through current import channels.
Can I buy individual characters instead of blind boxes?
Some sellers list individual deboxed figures by Pokédex number or character name. Prices for opened single figures vary by character and condition; popular Pokémon like Pikachu and Gengar tend to cost more per figure than a sealed blind box from the same era.
Browse the full range of Pokémon figures at DexHaul, sourced from independent shops in one place. DexHaul is independent and unofficial: not affiliated with Bandai, The Pokémon Company, or any of their partners.