collectibles | One Map by FROM JAPAN

English vs. Japanese Pokemon Cards: What Should You Collect?

Perhaps you’ve heard of the infamous “Pokemon Shock”—when Pikachu used an electric shock attack on a missile in episode 38 of the anime… and simultaneously gave 685 children epileptic seizures.

From banned episodes (James’ infamous bikini contest), to religious accusations of Satanism (the “Pokemon Rap” backwards), Pokemon is no stranger to controversy.

Among die-hard collectors, however, no aspect of Pokemon lore has been censored so much as its trading cards. Prepare your Counter Shield before reading any further, because what you find below may be as shocking as Pikachu’s trademark Thunderbolts! Here are the top eight banned Pokemon cards:

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The Cutest Korillakuma and Rilakkuma Merchandise Ever Made

Denizens of Japan can’t overlook the soft toy bear, Rilakkuma, and his friend–the white bear cub, Korilakkuma. First appearing in the picture book, Rilakkuma Seikatsu, which tells the story of a toy bear who takes up residence in the apartment of an Office Lady, Rilakkuma has since become a mainstay plush toy and beloved character, appearing on cameras, stamps, and furniture; and even starring in his own videogames on the Nintendo DS.

Now, If you were actually expecting ugly Korillakuma and Rilakkuma goods, this article is going to disappoint you! Let’s face it, is it possible for this squishy and pudgy bear to NOT be cute?

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Absolutely Awesome Pokemon Center Merchandise

The Best Pokemon Center Merchandise

For kids growing up the 90s, no childhood was complete without the mousey-faced, rosy-cheeked Pikachu and his array of Pokemon friends who challenged fans to “catch ‘em all!”

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S-Rank Memorabilia: a Guide to Unique, Japan-Exclusive Naruto Merchandise

If you’re into manga and anime, you’ve most certainly heard about Naruto—the spikey-haired, orange-suited ninja with dreams as big as the Village Hidden in the Leaves. As the third best-selling manga franchise of all time, Naruto has made itself readily available through multiple outlets—books, anime, movies, figurines, and more.

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Naruto Action Figures: Celebrating 15 Years of Ninja

Since the debut of its one-shot pilot chapter in August 1997, Naruto has spanned over seventy volumes and seven hundred chapters as a manga franchise. It’s no wonder that, with over 200 million copies sold, Naruto has become the third most popular manga series in the world, just behind the likes of One Piece and Dragon Ball.

The overwhelming success of the Naruto series resulted in an anime adaptation, multiple animated films, and a plethora of merchandise—the most popular of which are the Naruto figurines and action figures.

In commemoration of the series’ ending, let’s take a look at the best of the franchise’s figurine lines, examining some of the most detailed, masterfully crafted, and must-have pieces to add to your Naruto collection.

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One Piece Figures: More than Just Collectibles

One Piece is widely recognized throughout Japan as the most popular manga currently available, which can easily be understood due to its compelling story line and well-written characters. The series has never stopped building momentum since its early days in 1997, and has now become a worldwide sensation selling more than 345 million volumes. And of course, with any popular franchise, the demand for licensed merchandise is never far behind.

Monkey D. Luffy Figures
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