Column: Pokémon Company should promote Japanese illustrators at overseas Pokémon Events

Could we someday see something like this displayed at overseas Pokémon Events?

Signature sessions in Japanese Pokémon Events

During Pokémon Card Game events in Japan, such as the Champions League events, Japanese illustrators are officially available for signature sessions. These can be a mixture of new and upcoming artists, or well-established artists within the TCG. Their work is showcased on walls during these events, allowing attendees to marvel in the beauty of their card designs. Some artists can prove to be very popular in Japan due to their artistic styles, with cute [or kawaii] designs, abstract art [Imakuni? Comes to mind here!] or extremely detailed artwork that captures the ferocity of beloved Pokémon characters.

Fans standing in line to get their card signed by illustrator kirisAki during the Japanese Champions League 2019 in Tokyo

Japanese culture

Obtaining a personalised signature from an artist is for you and you alone. Selling one of these cards is perceived to be very disrespectful as this card was meant as a gift from the artist directly to you. It’s a sign of respect, knowing that you have made the effort to see that particular artist and in return, they are rewarding you with a piece of timeless history. If you are a foreigner in Japan and visit an autograph session during a Japanese Pokémon event, many people will be weary of your presence.

Some people have stated that they have had their picture taken when you have their card(s) signed. If the artist or others attending recognise you and believe that you are flipping the card for profit, they will refuse you and even ban you from all future events.

In the West [Europe and the Americas], it's quite normal to ask for autographs of your beloved artists or celebrities and isn’t seen as something to be disrespectful if you do sell on that signature. Some signatures [for example in Baseball or Basketball] may hold a premium price in the future and the players of these respected sports know this as well.

How it could work here

Creatures Inc. & The Pokémon Company could promote their illustrators at official Regional/National & International Championship events, and only allow for unique personalised autographed to attendees of these events. Signing a card “For Zak” or “To Adam” holds a unique impression on the person attending the event whilst also safeguarding the integrity of the artists’ signature in the second-hand market. These methods would severely crack-down on the reselling of signed cards and allow for collectors and fans alike to appreciate the card and signature on their own level.

Why it could not work here

Creatures Inc. & The Pokémon Company’s illustrators will have to leave Japan, an extra cost that may not make sense to both companies. There will also be a culture gap. For those of you who may have travelled to Japan from the Western world, you may have noticed how polite, respectful and generally pleasant Japanese people are. This generally isn’t the case in Europe and the Americas and people can be prone to wanting more for less, something that portrays the West in a negative light. Misunderstandings in language, tone, terminology and gestures can lead to poor experiences for both artists and attendees which will have a detrimental effect to future events. As previously stated, Midori Harada has seen the negativity of ‘pushy’ Western collectors and both Creatures Inc. & The Pokémon Company may not want to subject their artists to the same fate.

What do you think about this? This is a topic that many may not discuss, if you have an experience to tell, or an opinion that covers any of the points raised or missed, let us know in the comment section below, or start a conversation on Twitter.

My signed Meiji Promo Lugia during the Dallas Regionals 2018. Signed by Mitsuhiro Arita.