Dreadful, strange, and cuddly: Emily the Strange and Plushie Dreadfuls partner to launch exclusive plushie
This collaboration, 28 years in the making, celebrates a character that has long been a symbol for the misunderstood
Pleasanton, CA, April 2026 — Plushie Dreadfuls, the toy company that promotes emotional well–being, empathy, and acceptance, is collaborating with Emily the Strange to debut The Dreadful Emily, a limited edition plushie.
Some 28 years in the making, the new plushie mashup celebrates a character who has long stood as a symbol for creativity, independence, and unapologetic self-expression.
The Dreadful Emily translates the original character’s signature deadpan expression and proudly gothic vibes to Plushie Dreadful form, complete with soft fur and the iconic bunny ears. The special-edition, limited-run will only produce 2,200 plushies. Each, tagged with a numbered product tag for authenticity, will come with an exclusive card and tote bag, perfect for collectors showing off a love for the strange and dreadful.
Bringing together two design powerhouses, Rob Reger and American McGee, this release channels their shared talent for dark whimsy and twisted storytelling into a single collectible plushie. Emily is rocking a Plushie Dreadful onesie adorned with a broken, stitched heart motif and cat skull-and-bones tattoos in her ears. It’s a perfect match of soft goth stoic comfort, ready for a slumber party with besties and kitties!
Emily’s legacy of nonconformity and her dark aesthetic make her a natural fit within the wicked and wonderful Plushie Dreadfuls universe. This plushie is an icon for those who feel they don’t fit in, speaking to unique journeys and unseen struggles.
“We’ve had so many iterations and products made with Emily the Strange over the years, as well as several collaborations,” shares Rob Reger, Creator and Creative Director of Emily the Strange. “This collaboration, however, really feels like two brands and two minds coming together in a mash-up in the coolest way. I’m thrilled to team up with American’s mastermind and his creative vision. This Dreadful Emily is certainly strange, and the stranger the better!”
“I first met and immediately clicked with creator Rob Reger in 1998, who had just risked everything to get Emily the Strange off the ground,” says American McGee, Founder and CEO of Plushie Dreadfuls. “With our busy schedules, we didn’t have the time to really connect until last year, when we decided to bring together two of the world’s most iconic goth girls. We hope this launch is the start of a long and fun creative partnership.”
Meet your new delightfully dreadful friend: https://plushiedreadfuls.com/products/plushie-dreadfuls-emily-the-strange-plush-rabbit-stuffed-animal
About Plushie Dreadfuls
Plushie Dreadfuls is a company that brings to life a range of plush toys that represent different emotions, mental health experiences, and neurodivergence. Each plushie is designed with research and care for the emotional and psychological journeys people face. Plushie Dreadfuls strives to create an inclusive, supportive, and comforting environment through its products, encouraging connection and fostering a sense of being understood.
About Emily the Strange
Emily the Strange is a pop culture icon, with her own comic books, merchandise, novels, and apparel lines. She is known as a sharp-witted and rebellious young woman with a taste for invention, philosophical musing, scientific experimentation, and radical artistry. Her mission is to support self-assurance, creativity, and mental health in youth worldwide. She encourages fans to stay strange, reach for the stars, and wander in their imaginations.
Leadership
American McGee is a game designer, writer, and creative director best known for his darkly imaginative work that blends gothic aesthetics with psychological depth. Rising to prominence in the 1990s with his contributions to iconic games like Doom and Quake, he gained a cult following for American McGee’s Alice, a twisted reimagining of Lewis Carroll’s Wonderland through the lens of trauma and recovery. McGee’s work consistently explores themes of madness, identity, and emotional resilience, often drawing on literary influences and psychological motifs. Beyond gaming, he has expanded into storytelling, design, and merchandise (Plushie Dreadfuls), continuing to build emotionally resonant worlds that challenge convention and invite introspection.
Rob Reger lives in Berkeley, California, and is best known for introducing the world to his pop-goth character, Emily the Strange, an international icon for empowering people of all ages and a New York Times Bestseller. Reger has been designing Emily and her cats with his team at Cosmic Debris for over 30 years, generating millions of fans of the character worldwide. Along with a career in creative consulting, art direction, storytelling, and graphic design, he has been painting abstract works and creating sculpture for three decades. His fine art has been exhibited in galleries around the world, including Tokyo, Paris, Los Angeles, Miami, San Francisco, Berlin, Milan, Hong Kong, Sydney, and Sao Paulo.
