Pokémon artist Naoki Saito recently took to social media to share his experience of being stalked and ambushed by individuals seeking his autograph on trading cards to resell them at insane prices. Read on to learn more about the situation.
Pokémon Trading Card Frenzy Continues
Illustrator Naoki Saito Indefinitely Stops Signing Cards
In a lengthy message posted this week on Twitter (X), Saito expressed his frustration with the increasing incidents of being stalked and harassed by scalpers looking to get his autograph on Pokémon trading cards. He stated that the situation had escalated to the point where he no longer felt safe, with individuals going as far as following his car for extended periods and trying to confirm his schedule under false identities.
"I have always been very happy to receive autograph requests, and I have always done my best to respond to all of them," Saito wrote. "However, in the past year, there have been a number of cases where I have been systematically ambushed and surrounded by 5 or 6 people at the end of an event or during my transportation time. It is very bothersome."
Despite seeking assistance from event management and other parties involved, the situation persisted, prompting Saito to decline such events indefinitely until the issue is resolved. "I am truly sorry and for those who are not involved, but until the situation is settled for a while, I will not be able to sign autographs personally under any circumstances," Saito addressed fans.
Saito has illustrated over 280 Pokémon cards, some of which have become highly sought-after and valuable over the years. Due to the illustrator's renown and cult following, his autographs hold significant value, particularly among card collectors.
- [1] screenshot from Inside Games Japan
In particular, signed special editions like the 'Full Art Lillie' card, distributed only at exclusive events in Japan, go for more than $105,000 in resale markets. Pokémon cards' values range anywhere from a couple of ten-thousands to millions of dollars. Last year, The Pokémon Company issued an apology after scalpers disrupted a collaboration with Amsterdam’s Van Gogh Museum, however, the chaos prompted the company to reprint more copies of the cards to alleviate the situation.
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Pokémon creator stalked and ambushed for autographs by scalpers
[1]『ポケカ』宛名入りの「リーリエ」サインカードが高額転売―非難の声続出、作者本人も「予想外でした」
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