Artists Refusing Signatures

General
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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 :sweat_drops:

Basically, I only support “events that have been approved by the company” :black_nib: > 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!! :jack_o_lantern:”

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!:jack_o_lantern::+1:”

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)

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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 :four_leaf_clover:

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

Event-only

Arai Kiriko

(event only)

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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 :writing_hand::slightly_smiling_face:

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."

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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."

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I can’t say that I am surprised.

:confused:

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:woozy_face:
Can’t say I blame them. I am curious about the organizers of said “event” referred to by Aoki. Hopefully other events will be well organized to ensure good experiences that keep artists coming back.

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Kouki Saitou

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Oswaldo Kato
https://twitter.com/ozoztv/status/1649022616349593605?t=3bNwBM8vru1fsKKqc6ZbGA&s=19

It’s unfortunately not uncommon

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A real shame. The few signed cards I own are the favourite ones in my collection. Selfishly, one day I hope this frenzy will end and artists will be comfortable with signing again. I clarify this point that I much rather artists stop signing than gain a bitter taste towards the community.

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It’s really unfortunate and frustrating when passionate creators/artists get exploited of.

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Yuka Morii stopped signing cards by mail back in 2020;

Dear Pokémon Cards Fans,

About my autographs on Pokémon Cards:

Unfortunately I have to inform you that I’m temporarily suspending the signing on Pokémon cards. Because, as you may know, there have been more cases of illegal resale.

(I’ll autograph your pokemon cards that are postmarked before on 2020 January 7. in japan time）

Instead, I would like to sincerely thank everyone who loves my clay arts and I will mail you my original postcard with my sign on it. Please let me know if you want it.

It will take some time, but I will definitely send it to you.

You can message me through my Instagram (yukamorii).

Thank you.

Live long and prosper!

:pensive:

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This only gets better when people stop buying signatures. Unfortunately that’ll never happen. Post any signing event just log on to IG and you’ll see the same old people with new sigs, I remember one trying to justify his 18 Kouki Saitou sigs as ethical :rofl:

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Artists shouldn’t have to justify their decision not to sign cards in the first place. They have zero obligation to provide that service, and fans have no privilege to get signatures just because they ask.

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Im sad that I missed out on this! I wonder if she would sign cards at an official pokemon event

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I also believe Ryuta Fuse has stopped doing card signings outside of official events from what I’ve heard. Don’t have a tweet to back it up, but I heard this from another E4 member I’ve spoken to that has received signatures from them.

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Just start collecting signatures from other tcgs or other hobbies I guess.
:man_shrugging:.
If I was an artist I ruin the market n keep selling my signature until a card is worth $10 with my name :joy:. It’s the only way

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I love hearing everyone’s super positive stories on here about the times they have gotten to interact with and get signatures from artists, its awesomely wholesome and I am here for it. Unfortunately, E4 at its members are not the issue here, it is the droves of flippers trying to make some cash off these artists. While it spoils it for everyone else, I understand why they are doing. Like people have already mentioned, they don’t owe anyone signatures or anything.

If I am remembering correctly, Komiya also does not do signatures anymore. Which is sad, beacuse him and Shinji Kanda might be the only ones I would actually be interested in getting something signed from. Or maybe Souchirou Gunjima to sign a Radiant Greninja.

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This reminds me of kindergarten where one bad kid ruins the privileges for the entire class. A true meritocracy :joy:

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I cannot imagine how difficult it must be for the artist to maintain a healthy balance between sharing their passion with adoring fans and also trying to live regular, normal lives. Imaging getting off from work only to go home and having to open fan mail, signature requests etc. Once the door is open to signings, the number of requests will keep coming in large amounts. This is regardless of whether the signatures are being flipped or not.

However, when the “fans” start not valuing the signature from the artists can be a huge deterrent and discouraging for the time and effort that is put from their end. So I think it is very fair for every artist to just stick to official / recognized events. I think it is fair for fans who value the artist and their work to also put an effort to be present in person for the signings. Also considering how positive the stories have been, I think it is a net plus to the collectors journey.

Cheers!

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The Komiya incident displayed the ugliness of greed at full extent. Befriended through IG, did a favor for a supposed friend then left out to dry,

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Oswaldo Kato is religious? I did not see that coming.

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The Jason Paige way

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What is Yuka Morii referring to when saying “illegal resale”?

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This is true, but the bigger issue is that these artists often WANT to sign and engage with the community and their fans, but now they feel unable to do so because of the way they are received and treated.

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