Pokémon has blessed us with movies, CD's, terrible t-shirts and figurines but what is some of the best merchandise to come out of the world of Pikachu and co.?

You've no doubt collected your fair share of plastic Rattata and hideous clothing in your many years of being a Pokémon fan but you'll be shocked to hear that there's plenty more you need in your life, after all, gotta buy 'em all. Continuing the theme of #Pokémon20 and loving all aspects of the series, outside of just the games, it only made sense that at one point we'd have to take a look at some of the crazy products that have been inspired by these little critters. So here's the Trubbish and Vanillite of Pokémon merchandise, things that are so bad and bizarre that they're actually great. 

Pokémon Cologne 

You're about to go on a hot Tinder date but you're terrified because sure, they know what you look like and your personality but they don't know your scent. What cologne should you slap on? Paco Rabanne? Nah, too obvious. How about... Pokémon cologne! You know that nothing gets a potential SO more excited than the smells of fictional magic animals. 

"You smell positively ghastly"

"Actually, no. I smell positively vile, thanks to this wonderful Essence of Vileplume"

Shockingly, this comes in three variations. Are you an electrifying Pikachu or a breezy Bulba? 

Anicent Mew Jumper

The definition of 'so bad it's good', this ancient Mew jumper is not only as colourful as a 70's wallpaper print, it also shows that you love the TCG so much that you're willing to emblazon it across your chiselled chest.

My personal taste is terrible. That Star Fox Zero shirt? I loved the look of that, so whilst I know this is garish and hideous, I still find myself really wanting it – and with a dash of Vileplume for Men, I reckon I'll be pretty irresistible to the guys in the local club.

Pokémon Tail

What do you do when you want someone to check you out? There are plenty of options, a famous one being Rachel's walk to the bathroom...

...But what can you do if you want people to check you out often without thinking you have a water infection? It's simple – stick a tail on to your jeans! They'll gasp as they see you swagger away with the famous tail. Little do they know they're subconsciously checking out your ass as well as your sass. “Is that guy a Waboffet in disguise?!”

Pikachu Necklace

Your outfit is nearly complete, you have the dashing Mew jumper, you smell wonderful and have a tail to die for. Now it's time to accessorize! Perhaps a necklace? That's what all the cool kids in The O.C. are wearing!

Alas, you want to be one step ahead of those poppin' kids, so how about a Pikachu necklace? Shockingly I actually used to own one of these. On a summer holiday long ago in Wales, me and my cousin bought a pair from a cheap seaside shop, so elated that we not only had necklaces but the most kickass necklaces in all the land.

My mother was mortified, but who cares? That day we were the coolest kids in Wales, like Richie and Tracey... they're cool right? It worked for us anyway, so it surely makes a great addition to the jumper and tail ensemble. 

Ryan glares in envy of our fabulous fashion sense

Traditional Pokémon Food

The New Year holidays are huge in Japan, everything closes and they're forced to converse and spend quality time with family. Osechi ryouri is a huge part of that, a traditional food that has been eaten during the New Year holidays for years, so if traditional Japanese food on your first date wasn't good enough, you can now eat it from a Pokéball.

Yes, mini burgers (perhaps not part of the 'traditional' side of things) and dried sardines are packed into each one, making it truly the best thing to eat out of a Pokéball... aside from maybe Oddish, that little bundle of joy is no doubt packed with healthy vitamins and a part of your 5 a day.

For added theatrics, be sure to throw the ball at your date whilst screaming “Sardinette-chu, I choose you!”

Master Class Professional Frying Pan

The Master Class Professional Heavy Duty Aluminium Non-Stick Frying Pan is the most durable frying pan on the market, perfect for frying up rice cakes and Pop Tart's alike, but with its elegant design and high tech specifications, it doubles up as a waterproof liquid expelling device, otherwise known as a 'drying pan'.

The Pokémon universe is known for its complete lack of umbrellas, a wonderful invention that was simply never introduced into the fictional world, so drying pan usage has been on the rise for years, featuring prominently in the animé. If you want to be like your favourite Pokémon characters, more specifically Brock, then The Master Class Professional Heavy Duty Aluminium Non-Stick Frying Pan is for you and will come in handy for any 'we're stuck in the rain, how romantic' situations.

Pikachu Pillow

You know that feeling when you fall madly in love with someone and all you want to do is spend every waking hour with them and learn every last detail of their life? The typical Pokémon fan feels this same level of desire for series icon Pikachu and whilst s/he is fictional, you needn't tell yourself that and live in a cruel reality, especially with this Pikachu pillow.

Take your Pikachu adoration to the next level by not only sleeping on Pikachu but sleeping inside of him. Now when you wake up from your night terrors, you can be reassured by the comfy innards of your favourite electric mouse - It's also the perfect comfort for when your Ancient Mew, Vileplume scented, tailed jeans with necklace and drying pan combo fail to impress and you're left all alone.

Pokémon Pants

A favourite in the N-Europe office, whenever Aaron saunters in with these on, you know it's going to be a good day. Also known to be a Tom Daley favourite, these tight fitting pants will not only tell the world of your extreme Pokémon adoration but will make you look utterly steaming in the process. But the question is, does the tail come off before or after these?

Yes, the perfect replacement for your tired old y-fronts, these snazzy pants are sure to create quite the stir in the gym changing rooms. 

Good Night

Alas, it's about time you took to your Pikachu pillow as whilst there's plenty more that we haven't touched upon, we'll leave it there for this week before we go into really weird territory. If you did like this insight into the seedy underbelly of cheap Pokémon tat, then let us know and we'll delve ever deeper but if you're afraid and disturbed by the contents on this page then you'll be happy to know that #Pokemon20 shall return to it's normal self next week with a look back at classic Pokémon films that have been recently re-released on Blu-ray! Until then, as Entei would say... Keep me close, in your dreams.

Previous Pokémon#20

Pokémon Puzzle League

A Lifetime of Memories

Red, Blue and Pokkén!