Why Some 20th Anniversary Plush Toys Smell Like Plastic
TOMY’s Pokémon 20th Anniversary Collection arrived in 2016 as a celebration of two decades of games, characters and collecting. The range included mythical Pokémon plush figures, Clip ’n’ Carry Poké Balls, Pikachu products and other limited-edition releases scheduled throughout the year. For collectors, the packaging and release timing are part of the appeal, so an unusual smell can be concerning when a plush is opened years later.
Some Australian fans have reported a noticeable plastic, rubbery or “new toy” odour from anniversary plush toys. That smell does not automatically mean the item is counterfeit or unsafe. It can come from materials used in the toy, printing and packaging processes, storage conditions, or the way odour becomes concentrated inside sealed plastic.
Where the smell may come from
A plush toy is rarely made from fabric alone. Polyester fibre filling may sit alongside plastic eyes, embroidered coatings, internal weights, synthetic thread, labels, tags or small moulded components. These materials can release low levels of volatile compounds, particularly when the toy is newly manufactured or has been sealed for a long time.
Packaging can add another layer. Clear plastic bags, printed cardboard, adhesive labels and ink coatings may all contribute to the first smell released when a collector opens a box or storage sleeve. If the plush has spent years in a sealed carton, odours that would normally disperse in a warehouse or shop can remain trapped around the fibres.
The scent is often strongest around areas with printed or coated details, such as a character’s eyes, markings or accessories. A rubber-like smell may also be associated with vinyl or soft plastic parts rather than the fabric body itself. This is one reason two figures from the same collection can smell different after storage.
The collection’s character range makes comparisons especially interesting. A collector examining Meloetta’s two formes may notice a different odour from a simpler plush because the construction, surface printing and packaging may not be identical.
Why old stock can smell stronger
Age does not always make a toy smell better. In some cases, sealed storage allows odours to build up, while gradual changes in adhesives, coatings or soft plastic can create a sharper scent. Heat accelerates this process, which matters in Australia, where a parcel can sit in a delivery van or on a verandah during a hot summer afternoon.
Queensland humidity can affect the experience as well. Moist air does not necessarily create the plastic smell, but it can make fabric hold odours for longer and may produce a stale or musty note when a plush is removed from storage. In drier parts of Australia, such as inland New South Wales or South Australia, the same item may smell more like packaging or synthetic material than damp fabric.
Collectors should also consider the storage environment. A plush kept beside scented candles, fragranced cardboard, moth products or plastic tubs can absorb surrounding smells. A toy displayed in a glass cabinet may smell stronger when the doors are opened because the small enclosed space has concentrated the odour.
This does not mean every strong smell is harmless. An odour accompanied by oily residue, tackiness, colour transfer, surface cracking or visible mould deserves closer attention. A simple manufacturing smell is usually different from material breakdown, and the condition of the toy matters as much as the scent itself.
How to compare a normal odour with a warning sign
Smell is subjective. One fan may describe a plush as smelling like a new shower curtain, while another may notice almost nothing. People who are sensitive to fragrances or chemical odours can react to very small amounts. A first impression immediately after opening the packaging can therefore be stronger than the smell noticed after several days of ventilation.
The following comparison is a practical guide rather than a laboratory test:
| Observation | More consistent with a temporary packaging odour | Worth investigating further |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | Noticeable but gradually fading | Increasing or remaining overpowering |
| Surface | Dry fabric and firm plastic parts | Oily, sticky or greasy surface |
| Appearance | Normal colour and stitching | Cracks, stains, mould or discolouration |
| Location | Mostly around packaging or printed details | Strongest at a deteriorating component |
| Response to airing | Improves in a shaded, ventilated room | Does not change after reasonable airing |
| Physical reaction | Mild annoyance from the scent | Headache, breathing irritation or skin reaction |
The official status of a toy is another part of the assessment. TOMY’s 20th Anniversary Collection was presented as an officially licensed Nintendo range, and its limited releases were tied to particular characters, months and retailers. Packaging, hang tags, stitching and product proportions can help establish provenance, but smell alone cannot authenticate or reject an item.
For collectors researching the character line, the Mew plush details can provide useful context about how a particular release was presented. Comparing photographs, labels and construction is more reliable than treating a plastic odour as proof of a fake.
Safe ways to air out a collectible
A new or newly unboxed plush should be handled gently. The goal is to let trapped odour disperse without fading colours, weakening adhesive details or exposing the toy to unnecessary heat. Australian sunlight can be intense, particularly in summer, so placing a collectible on a windowsill or in direct sun is not a good deodorising method.
Use a clean, dry and shaded area with ordinary airflow. A fan can help circulate room air, but it should not blow dust forcefully into the fibres. Avoid spraying perfume, fabric freshener, disinfectant or essential oils onto the plush, since these products can stain fabric and permanently replace one smell with another.
A collector’s checklist can make the process easier:
- Remove outer plastic wrapping where the item’s condition and provenance allow it.
- Let the plush rest in a clean room away from food, smoke and strong fragrances.
- Check seams, tags, printed areas and plastic components before placing it on display.
- Keep the toy out of direct sun and away from heaters, car interiors and hot sheds.
After airing, storage choices still matter. Acid-free tissue or a breathable cotton cover is generally preferable to tightly sealing a plush in an unventilated plastic bag. Do not compress the figure for long periods, as flattened fibres can retain odours and lose their original shape.
When storing several Pokémon figures, give each one enough space for air to circulate. A collector in Melbourne may need to think about damp winter cupboards, while someone in Perth may be more concerned about heat in a spare room. In either case, stable indoor conditions are kinder to fabric, printed details and packaging.
Collecting with scent and condition in mind
The smell of a 2016 plush can become part of its ownership story, especially when the item has remained sealed since the original release. Some collectors prefer untouched packaging, while others open their toys to inspect the fabric, confirm the tags and allow trapped odours to fade. Neither choice is automatically right; it depends on whether the priority is display, preservation or resale.
Retailer history can also affect condition. Australian stock may have moved through department stores, specialist toy shops, online sellers or import channels, with different warehouse environments along the way. An item bought at a convention in Sydney or Melbourne may have been handled repeatedly, while a boxed figure sent through Australia Post could have experienced heat in transit before reaching its owner.
The wider anniversary range helps explain why collectors pay attention to small details. The collection reflected Pokémon’s original characters and its expanding mythology across 20 years, as described in this account of the first 20 years. Plush texture, tags, packaging and release timing can all help place an item within that history.
If the scent is mild and fades with ventilation, it is usually best treated as a characteristic of age, packaging or synthetic components rather than a defect. If it comes with sticky surfaces, deterioration, mould or physical symptoms, isolate the toy and seek advice from the retailer, manufacturer or an appropriate product-safety authority. Never let a nostalgic purchase override basic care, particularly when young children or pets may handle it.