Nintendo and Game Freak are usually pretty careful with thePokemonbrand, but odd things occasionally slip through the gaps. For example, it’s hard to imaginethe company that sued TikTok star Pokeprincxssapproving a bizarrely segmented Pikachu plushie that conjures images ofThe Human Centipede.
Chinese online retailer AliExpress is selling a line of strange Pikachu plush dolls with long, segmented bodies. While intended to serve as a cute and comfortable cushion, some are reminded of thecontroversial horror filmThe Human Centipede. Twitter user ultrapokememes was quick to compare the plushie to the infamous film, jokingly suggesting itsPokemonvariant will have a 2021 release date.
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The product’s full name is “Very Long Pikachued Insect Elf Plush Doll Cute Anime Cartoon Pillow Stuffed Toy Yellow Decoration Christmas Gift For Kids” on AliExpress, but some fans have taken to calling it the Pikacentipede. The plushies come in four sizes ranging from 2'9" to 5'6" in length, and the insectoid look comes from the five-to-ten spherical segments making up their elongated bodies. Creepy toys may befar fromPokemon’s biggest problem as a franchise, but this one is eye-catching.
Strange as they may seem, there is a method to the Pikacentipede’s madness. Customers can bend the articulated dolls into a variety of different shapes, including pillows, neck supports, back supports, or even armrests. While the fluffy yellow monster certainly looks comfortable, there is something undeniable off-putting about an elongatedPokemonwrapped around someone’s neck.
Naturally, the Pikacentipede has inspired confusion, amusement, and horror in more or less equal measure. One common question from Twitter users is why they went with a Pikachu plush when there are already segmented Pokemon such as Gyarados, Weedle, and Caterpie. Presumably, the plushie creators were hoping to capitalize on Pikachu’s recognizability as thePokemonmascot. However, stretching it to several times the standard length might make some people glad that not every piece ofPokemon paraphernalia ends up in the public eye.
Many were horrified by these monstrous Pikachu, but others are eager to get one. However, people should be careful how much they are willing to spend on a gag gift or ironic purchase, as the Pikacentipede retails at upwards of $119.99, and the international shipping for a person-sized pocket-monster can’t be pretty.More frugal Pokemon fanscan acquire the smaller 2'9" version for around $27.99, and buying one could undoubtedly be a memorably unsettling way forPokemonfans to ring in the new year.
