Gotta catch ’em all™

In Finland the easiest second hand Pokémon to encounter (heh) are definitely the Topps candy container figures, most often referred to simply as the European candy figures. If there is a random Pokémon inside a 1€ bag of toys at a thrift store, it is 99.9 % surely one of these guys.

So let’s start things with a little history lesson. Topps started distributing these blindbag… blindbox… blindpokéball figures right when the Pokémon fever was first raging in Europe in 1999. The containers were indeed shaped like pokéballs and included a random figure accompanied with obviously not as interesting assortment of candy. During 2006 a sticker sheet was also added to the jumble. The set of collectable figures changed annually or biannually and usually consisted of six to seven different surprises. During the 13 years of action, Topps released altogether 15 different sets of Pokémon.

picture from http://pkmncollectors.wikia.com/

In 2000, the 9-year-old me lived and breathed Pokémon, which was kind of rebellious of me since the parents of the popular girl of our elementary school class were deeply religious and proclaimed Pokémon as a Satan-worshipping cult. I wasn’t up for being brainwashed and even got my hands on some Topps figurines that still, after all these years reside in my collection. Lately my set of European candies has been expanding and boy oh boy do I want to catch ’em all!

The creme de la creme is naturally the release of 1999/2000, the generation 1 if you will. Three of the set of ten have found their way into my possession, Charmeleon being one of the ones that I’ve owned since childhood and Psyduck and Charizard being later purchases.

From the 2001/2002 release I own only Mantine and Togepi. And the Remoraid attached to Mantine HOW CUTE.

The 2003 Advanced set is completely unrepresented, whereas the Pikachu of the 2004 Advanced-2 set can be found on my shelf. Isn’t it astounding that the first candy Pikachu was introduced in as late as the fourth set (EDIT: the first Pikachu came in the first release, woops)? Pikachu here is accompanied with the 2005 release Lotad, who is also missing all of its set friends.I’m not missing many figures from the first release of 2006. So far I’ve found Poochyena (mint mint mint), Volbeat (missing its antennae, not so mint) and the funky Deoxys. Only Machop, Wobbuffet and Castform are absent.The second release of 2006, the one that introduced stickers, was to promote Diamond and Pearl. Snorunt and Chimecho are the only ones been caught. So far.Buizel, Dialga and Mamoswine here are all from different sets and until the unforeseeable future the only representatives of their sets. Buizel is from the 2007 Diamond and Pearl set and Dialga from the 2008 set. The Mamoswine is from the 2009 ”Pikachu edition”.In addition to these 15 Topps candies, I have found three mystery figures that are also referred to as European candy figures in the depths of the internet, but cannot be found in the Topps candy list (complete list below if anyone is interested). If somebody knows where the heck these Meowth (1999), Prinplup (no year mentioned) and Palkia (2010) came from please let me know. Pretty please.

*EDIT: Apparently the Meowth is a Topps figure from the first release. Seems like the pkmncollectors wiki article on Topps figures is not complete since I found an Italian site with quite a few extra figures. I still have no idea where Prinplup and Palkia came from, though. Anyways, I have now updated the checklist below.

All in all the Topps figures are not as fancy and consistent in quality as for example Tomy figures but somehow they just creep inside my heart. Some of them, like the Snorunt, are purely amazing and could pass for a Tomy anytime whereas others (Psyduck I’m looking at you) are rubbery and a little weird but not at all less loveable. And they are Nintendo licensed so no booties here. Honestly, the one thing that bugs me the most is WHAT GENIUS DECIDED TO PUT THE NINTENDO STAMP UPSIDE DOWN RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF LOTAD'S FOREHEAD??? That aside I think that the encounter rate (sorry too funny) of these is just perfect making the hunt exciting yet satisfying and the number of different figures is neither crazy high nor disappointingly low. Good times.

Topps candy container figures

1999-2000 Release(s): Bulbasaur, Charmeleon, Blastoise, Clefairy, Psyduck, Vulpix, Poliwhirl. Charizard, Mewtwo, Charmander, Squirtle, Pikachu, Meowth, Jigglypuff, Eevee

2001-2002 Release(s): Croconaw, Mantine, Misdreavus, Steelix, Magcargo, Entei, Lugia, Elekid, Phanpy, Delibird, Houndour, Togepi, Slowking. Chicorita, Cyndaquil, Totodile, Igglybuff, Marill, Bellossom, Octillery, Heracross

2003 Release (Advanced): Treecko, Torchic, Mudkip. Latias, Groudon, Kyogre

2004 Release (Advanced-2): Sceptile, Blaziken, Marshtomp, Skitty, Wynaut, Pikachu

2005 Release(s): Taillow, Rayquaza, Lotad, Plusle, Minun, Beautifly

2006 Release 1: Poochyena, Machop, Volbeat, Deoxys, Wobbuffet, Castform

2006 Release 2 (Pre-DP): Snorunt, Glalie, Wurmple, Munchlax, Chimecho, Corphish, Manaphy (limited)

2007 Release (Diamond and Pearl): Weavile, Lucario, Bonsly, Mime Jr., Buizel, Mantyke

2008 Release 1: Dialga, Palkia, Chatot, Turtwig, Chimchar, Piplup

2008 Release 2 (Darkrai Edition): Darkrai, Electivire, Croagunk, Mesprit, Cranidos, Lickylicky

2009 Release 1 (Shaymin Edition): Magmortar, Rhyperior, Azelf, Regigigas, Shaymin, Shaymin sky form (also clear variation, limited), Giratina (origin form)

2009 Release 2 (Pikachu Edition): Pikachu (also clear variation, limited), Abomasnow, Froslass, Mamoswine, Uxie, Hippowdon (male), Heatran

2010 Release 1 (Arceus Edition): Grotle, Monferno, Prinplup, Dialga, Palkia, Gizamimi Pichu, Arceus (limited)
2010 Release 2 (Ho-Oh & Lugia Edition): Ho-Oh, Lugia, Swinub, Chikorita, Cyndaquil, Totodile

2011 Release (Jirachi Edition): Entei, Raikou, Suicune, Feraligatr, Meganium, Typhlosion, Jirachi (limited).

So let me know, is there anyone else collecting these? What do you have and what are the biggest, most tempting wants?

✿Tuuli