Toy company Jazwares has revealed an official plush based on Team Rocket’s iconic Meowth hot air balloon from the anime, and fans are already worrying they’ll miss out on the San Diego Comic-Con exclusive.
The limited-edition collectible, produced by Jazwares, will only be available from the to company’s booth during the convention, immediately prompting concerns from fans about limited stock and scalpers.
Team Rocket’s Meowth balloon is becoming a real plush
Dubbed the “Blasting Off Again! Meowth Balloon Plush,” the collectible recreates Team Rocket’s recognizable Meowth-shaped balloon from the Pokemon anime.
The plush stands 16 inches tall and includes a 3.5-inch Meowth sitting inside the basket, along with a display hook allowing fans to hang it like a miniature hot air balloon. Jazwares revealed the plush on Instagram as part of its lineup of San Diego Comic-Con 2026 exclusives.
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Almost immediately after the reveal, Pokemon fans began expressing concern that the plush’s convention-exclusive status would make it difficult to buy.
Since the reveal, multiple fans said they expected scalpers to snap up the plush before most attendees had a chance to purchase one, while others lamented that they wouldn’t be able to travel to San Diego Comic-Con at all. Jazwares hasn’t revealed the plushie’s price or available quantity.
Convention or event-exclusive Pokemon merchandise has regularly attracted long queues and high resale prices, particularly anything tied to the Trading Card Game.
In other hard-to-get merch news, Japan’s football league fully revealed the extent of its collab with Pokemon on July 6, including the announcement that attendees to the upcoming J.League season will get a free eco-bag adorned with various Pokemon.
