Pokemon Zukan are toy figures that are made at a 1/40 scale according to their Pokedex entry. That means some are extremely tiny, such as Diglett, and some are HUGE, such a Wailord. Not all of these figures are true to size though. Some of the legendary Pokemon, such as Groudon and Dialga, are at a 1/50 scale.
Groudon, Raquaza, and Kyorge zukan, all in the 1/50 scale.
Where can you buy Pokemon Zukan?
This is the question I get asked the most, and many collectors have their own preferred source of acquiring these figures. I mainly use eBay or Noppin. These two websites are helpful in finding older sets of figures that are no longer made. I also use Animeraro.com to preorder and order newer sets that have just come out in the past few months. I know a lot of people who collect Pokemon merchandise also use the Pokemon Collectors live journal group to buy, sell, and trade. I am not a member of Pokemon Collectors but I think it could be a good way to find zukans for much cheaper than if you used an auction site.
Originally, these figures are sold in gashapon machines in Japan and a few other places. These machines are a sort of toy vending machines that dispensed a capsule containing the figures safely inside.
Yveltal and Xerneas zukans from the XY1 set (currently the newest set) bought from Animeraro.
What Pokemon have been made into Pokemon Zukan?
Almost all the Pokemon from Generations 1-4 have been made with the exception of Onix and Steelix. These two figures are both very large so hopefully one day in the future they will be made at the 1/40 scale and will probably be part of a lottery drawing. Currently, the 6th generation Pokemon are being produced and sold and only about half of the 5th generation has been made.
Are there special figures that aren't sold in sets?
Yes. Some figures were too big to be put into capsules because of their large Pokedex size. Wailord, Ho-oh, and Lugia are the biggest zukans. They were never sold but were part of a lottery drawing. Im not sure of the processes exactly but I've heard you had to send in a few 'proofs of purchases' and a certain amount of money to enter the drawing. This was also just for residence of Japan. So these figures are the rarest zukans. 1000 Wailords were made and 2000 Ho-oh + Lugia sets were made.
There are also figures that were produced as promo items with certain Pokemon fan magazines. Some of these figures are clear, and one (Arceus) is pearly. These figures can be quite rare too.
Wailord zukan and Diglett zukan size comparison.
Why would someone collect these figures?
I think most people that collect Pokemon Zukan are attracted to the quality and detail of the figures themselves. Its also nice that they are sized accordingly so that when displayed Bulbasaur is not the same size as Ivysaur, and Venusaur. Also, these figures have been produced in almost every Pokemon, and if its not been produced yet, there is a good chance that it will one day.
Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, Venusaur zukans
How much does one pay for these figures?
New individual lines are around 5-10 dollars. New complete sets are around 30 dollars. After a year though the price dramatically increases. Sets that came out just a few years ago can cost over $100! The lottery figures typically are around 500$ for either Wailord or Ho-oh/Lugia, but often times more depending on their condition. A badly beat up lottery figures might go for just a few hundred. Some sets containing highly desirable Pokemon such as the RSE Special Set that contains the Kanto line starters, Bellsprout line, Growlithe line, Meowth line, Ekans line, Electabuzz, and Scyther usually sells for over $500! Some other Pokemon zukan that sell for over $100 are: Milotic, Flygon, Salamence, Latios/Latias, Garchop, and some of the legendaries. So, be prepared this is not a cheap hobby!
Pikachu zukan riding on Lapras zukan.
