One of the biggest entertainment franchises in the world is finding yet another way to reach its youngest fans.
Tonies has continued to grow its library with some of the most recognizable characters and children’s properties around. Now, the screen-free audio platform is adding one of its biggest legacy IPs yet as Pokémon officially makes its Toniebox debut.
And Pikachu isn’t coming alone.
Beginning August 19, Tonies and The Pokémon Company are bringing Pikachu, Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle into the Tonies universe with four new figures featuring original audio adventures created specifically for the platform.
For kids, that means an entirely different way to enter the world of Pokémon.
Rather than watching an episode, playing one of the games or flipping through a book, young Trainers can place their favorite Pokémon on top of the Toniebox and allow the story to build through sound and their own imagination.
But these aren’t simply adaptations of existing Pokémon adventures.
The new stories have been developed by Tonies and The Pokémon Company specifically for the Toniebox, with the experience designed to introduce younger listeners to some of the fundamentals of the massive Pokémon world.
A professor-narrator will guide kids through the adventures while explaining Pokémon types, abilities, Poké Balls and what it actually means to become a Pokémon Trainer.
There is even a Trainer Academy incorporated into the experience, offering age-appropriate introductions to the relationships, rules and characteristics that have helped define Pokémon for generations.
It makes this partnership more than simply putting familiar characters onto another Tonie.
Pokémon has spent 30 years expanding across video games, animation, trading cards, toys, publishing and countless other areas of children’s entertainment. Tonies now gives the franchise another space to play in — one built around screen-free storytelling for younger fans who may only be beginning their Pokémon journey.
And Tonies is going all out for the occasion.
Alongside the four character Tonies, the company is introducing a special-edition Lightning Yellow Toniebox 2, clearly taking a few design notes from everyone’s favorite electric mouse.
The special starter set includes the Lightning Yellow Toniebox 2 and Pikachu Tonie, giving new listeners everything they need to begin their audio Pokémon adventure. Pikachu, Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle will also be available individually and work with both the original Toniebox and Toniebox 2.
For longtime Pokémon fans who are now introducing their own children to the franchise, there is also something rather fitting about beginning with these particular characters. Pikachu is joined by the original Kanto starter trio, connecting today’s youngest Trainers with Pokémon that have been part of the franchise since its earliest days.
Pokémon has found countless ways to invite generations of kids into its world.
Now, all young Trainers have to do is listen.
The Pokémon Tonies and special-edition Lightning Yellow Toniebox 2 launch online August 19, followed by stores on August 20, with pre-orders already underway.