Some active tcg illustrators are no longer accepting requests to sign Pokémon merch (including cards), so I thought I’d post an alert thread in case the list grows
Refused Until Further Notice
Toshinao Aoki
“Due to the chaos at the venue yesterday with Pokeca autographs, we have decided to refuse all autographs on Pokemon cards and Pokemon goods at future events. That kind of situation is not what I want.
We apologize to all of you who love Pokemon, but please understand.
And please continue to love Pokemon.”
“It was the day when the solo exhibition was inundated with people asking for a Pokeka autograph. Is it ‘To Slowpoke’?
I feel angry, sad and betrayed.
I am sorry to all the fans that this has come out clearly, but I have no choice but to refuse to sign all Pokemon cards.
Thank you for your report Mr.”
kirisAki
“Signs related to Pokemon are currently not supported.
We get a lot of inquiries, but we can’t reply to them either.”
Kouki Saitou
"Signing Pokemon cards… I’m sorry, but I can’t do it casually 
Basically, I only support “events that have been approved by the company” 
> RT"
“I’ve been asked this question many times, but in my case, I only sign Pokémon cards at official events. So even if you send me a card, I can’t sign it. I also hope that someday I will have the opportunity to visit a place near you. thank you!! 
”
Pokecolor exhibition in Shanghai (September 2024)
“I will not be signing Pokémon cards at original events. I apologize for disappointing you.
(I can only sign Pokémon cards at official events that have been approved by the company.)
However, I will sign original event cards, so please come along if you’d like!
”
Oswaldo KATO
“Information about autographs on Pokemon cards From now on, we will refuse to sign any Pokemon cards outside of official events.
Please note that even if you bring your Pokemon card, you will not be able to sign it.
thank you.
The reason is that there was someone who acted unfavorably at this solo exhibition, and furthermore, it was confirmed that the card with the signature was resold, so I decided to stop signing the cards brought in from now on. I am grateful and happy to sign autographs as an exchange with those who are enjoying it, but I have to stop when something like this happens. It’s really sad and disappointing. I think most of the people who asked for my autograph are good fans who were looking forward to interacting and autographing. I feel really sorry for those people. If things like this continue, I think that not only me but also other artists will lose more and more opportunities to interact with each other. It is important not to buy for resale.
I pray that such sad things will never happen again.
Thank you for your understanding and understanding.”
Yuka Morii
(January 19, 2021)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CKM2Payl57t/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Naoki Saito
[Notice about signs]
Up until now, whenever I’ve been asked for an autograph, I’ve always been happy to be asked for an autograph, so I’ve responded to all requests as much as possible.
However, over the past year, there have been many incidents where I have been ambushed at the end of an event or when I am on my way, and surrounded by 5 or 6 people, probably due to systematic reasons. It’s very annoying.
We are taking countermeasures by talking to the event management and related parties, but in severe cases, the behavior has escalated, such as being followed in a car for several minutes, and I feel like my safety is in danger. .
His behavior is erratic, such as calling the event management staff under false pretenses to check on my schedule.
I’m very disappointed, but if this continues, I may have to decline event work.
I am very sorry to those who are not involved, but I will not be able to personally sign any autographs under any circumstances until the situation has calmed down for a while.
Thank you for your understanding 
Miki Tanaka
"Today was the first day of the exhibition. We had a lot of visitors and had a lot of fun talking with them. Thank you very much.
By the way, I am very disappointed and saddened that there were many people today who had different intentions than I had in mind. I told them that I wanted everyone to view the exhibition with good manners, but about half of them did not. This is very hurtful to the artist. It is only the first day of the exhibition, but I am very afraid that there will be more such people in the future, and I cannot continue the exhibition with the same policy as before. I am sorry, I was not aware of this.
I am sorry, but from now on, I will not sign anything other than original works. Even if you bring them to the gallery, I will not sign them. I will not disclose the time when I will be at the gallery.
Thank you very much for your understanding.
Miki Tanaka"
https://www.instagram.com/p/DAsT14aPHaX/?igsh=dHV1bG5hc3E3NGYy
Bun Toujo
All autograph requests for Pokémon TCG cards and other Pokémon TCG Accessories will be declined. Thank you for your understanding.
Regardless of whether it involves Pokémon cards or not, we have no plans to accommodate requests for services such as “receiving cards by mail, signing them, and then returning the signed cards”, whether paid or unpaid. Furthermore, we generally decline invitations to events that involve signing cards, except from official Pokémon organizations.
It is a great honor to hear that you would like my signed card. However, if I receive any emails or messages in the future regarding the mailing of signed cards or invitations to events, I will not respond to those emails or messages. We are very sorry to have to do this, but we ask for your understanding.
Thank you for reading.
Sumiyoshi Kizuki
ポケモンカードへのサインをやめます~I’m going to stop signing Pokémon cards~
2026年5月22日に、ポケモンカードとポケモンのポストカードへのサインの受付を終了致しました。現在コミッションを受付けている方には、サインさせて頂きます。
ポケモンカードへのサインは、皆様のご要望に沿うことで、価値のなかったカードが再生されるのが大変面白く、私も楽しみながら続けることができました。短い間ではありましたが、どうもありがとうございました。
理由のひとつは、サインについて開発元から懸念を示されたことです。ポケモンカードはたくさんの人の力によってできているもので、私だけの判断ではサインを続けることはできません。
もう一つはサイン用として私に送られてくるカードの中に、
故意にかどうかにかかわらず、偽造品ではないかと思われるカードが増えてきたことです。
私はアクリルガッシュでポケモンカードに着色するのですが、乾かしている間にそってきたり、絵具の乗り方がまったく違うのです。
私に真贋判定はできませんし、送られてくるカード全部の鑑定をするのも現実的ではありません。
でも偽造品には関わりたくありません。
急で一方的なお知らせで大変申し訳ありません。
ご了承くださいませ。
I’m using translation software. I apologize if there are any awkward expressions.
As of May 22, 2026, I have stopped accepting requests for autographs on Pokémon cards and Pokémon postcards.
I will continue to sign the items for the reservations were accepted until May 22.
Signing Pokémon cards—in response to your requests—was incredibly interesting because it allowed cards that had no value to be given new life, and I was able to continue doing so with great enjoyment. Thank you very much for your support during this short time.
One reason for stopping this practice is that the game developer expressed concerns regarding the autographs. Pokémon cards are the result of the efforts of many people, so I cannot continue signing them based on my own judgment alone.
Another reason is that, among the cards sent to me for signing, there has been an increase in cards that appear to be counterfeit—whether intentionally or not. I color the Pokémon cards using acrylic gouache, but some would warp while drying, and the way the paint applied looked completely different. I am not qualified to determine authenticity, and it’s not realistic for me to authenticate every single card sent to me. However, I never want to be associated with counterfeit items.
I sincerely apologize for this sudden and unilateral announcement. I ask for your understanding.
Event-only
Arai Kiriko
(event only)
OOYAMA
(event only)
"At the previous “Oyama Game Solo Exhibition (Kanto)”, it turned into a big autograph session, so I think I have to think about it a little.
(Because there are various problems with signatures)
So, at the “Oyama Game in Osaka”, I’m sorry for the pokemon fans, but I won’t be signing any pokemon-related merchandise.
Thank you."
Hitoshi Ariga
(event only 2-3/12/2023)
"Preparing for tomorrow’s Brevo 
We will repeat this over and over again, but we are unable to respond to any Pokemon-related matters, not just Pokemon Cards, so please understand."
Kagemaru Himeno
(event only August 14 2024)
Japan Artist Agency - Aloha! Himemaru’s Art Event
"Himemaru will have prepared hand-drawn artwork for attendees, to be completed in time for the event. The art pieces are Himemaru’s original works, and will be unveiled to the recipient at the event. These art pieces will be for sale and will include a brief one-on-one timeframe to meet her.
…
All pieces are Himemaru originals. Attendees don’t need to bring any materials, and personal items won’t be accepted at this event."
Mazakazu Fukuda
(event only March 19 2026)
.
. It’s the only way