Pokemon Center's "Tokkunchu" Series Flexes Its Muscles: Machamp Bottle Opener Takes Social Media by Storm!

Pokemon Center has announced the release of a new merchandise series called “Tokkunchu,” focused on Fighting-type Pokemon, set to launch on Saturday, February 21st. This announcement has generated significant buzz among Pokemon fans nationwide.

The series features dynamic illustrations by artist Kino Takahashi, with a lineup centered around poseable mascots and a 2-way pouch inspired by the popular Pokemon Lucario. Particularly drawing attention is the “Machamp Side Chest Bottle Opener,” affectionately dubbed “Impact Giga” for its sheer visual punch. Its overwhelming depiction of muscle has garnered widespread praise on social media. Beyond that, fans can't hide their excitement, exclaiming “The world-building is so rich!” at the detailed illustrations, which include small items that deepen the Fighting-type theme, such as Punching Gloves, Imitation Herbs, and Assault Vests.

Fan reactions have been overwhelmingly positive, with an outpouring of joyful comments like “Tokkunchu is too cute!” and “The lineup is divine!” Many have expressed eagerness for the release, with comments such as “I definitely want the Lucario pouch and the poseable mascots.” Meanwhile, Croagunk, appearing in the series' illustrations, has drawn amusing comments like “Doesn't look like it's training at all” and “The only one slacking off,” with its adorable depiction garnering attention from a wide range of fans. Apparel items like long-sleeve T-shirts and sweatshirts are also popular, with fans saying they “want to wear them to the gym.”

The “Tokkunchu” series will be available at Pokemon Centers nationwide starting Saturday, February 21st, and online at Pokemon Center Online from 10:00 AM JST on Thursday, February 19th. This new merchandise, packed with the charm of Fighting-type Pokemon, is expected to be highly sought after.

The context

The Pokemon Center is the official chain of retail stores in Japan and other regions, dedicated to selling merchandise related to the immensely popular Pokemon franchise. The “Tokkunchu” (とっくんちゅう) series name is a clever Japanese wordplay, combining “tokkun” (特訓), meaning “special training” or “intensive training,” with “chuu” (中), indicating “in the middle of” or “during.” This perfectly encapsulates the theme of the merchandise, featuring various Fighting-type Pokemon in dynamic, training-focused poses.

The “Machamp Side Chest Bottle Opener” is a standout item, referencing a classic pose in competitive bodybuilding (the side chest pose), which emphasizes the chest and arm muscles. Machamp (カイリキー) is a well-known Fighting-type Pokemon famous for its four muscular arms, making it an ideal subject for such a unique item. Other Pokemon mentioned, like Lucario (ルカリオ), a popular Fighting/Steel-type, and Croagunk (グレッグル), a Poison/Fighting-type often depicted with a mischievous or laid-back personality, are fan favorites. The inclusion of items like Punching Gloves, Imitation Herbs, and Assault Vests further ties into the world of Pokemon battles and abilities, enriching the theme for fans.