Hello!
Today, a user on telegram asked for the provenance of the following card:
The card contains the password for the Manaphy event and resembles a TCG card, featuring its iconic yellow border.
Initially, we couldn’t find any information about it, but according to the Internet Archive, the website www.manaphy.eu redirected to Nintendo’s official site, so we were confident it was real.
Following some further research, I found out that the card was given out at BRUMS (an Italian children’s clothing chain) as part of an official collaboration with Nintendo Italia, provided a minimum purchase was made.
Here’s the excerpt from the official source indicating that the card was distributed there:
“The only way to obtain the password is through television or at BRUMS shops. With a minimum spent amount, these shops will also give their young customers exclusive Pokémon playing cards and 50 tickets to the Pokémon Day event (to be held at Mirabilandia on 7 and 8 July).”
source: Nintendo Italia
Although labeled as ‘unofficial’ on the front (“carta non ufficiale”), the card was released as part of an official collaboration with Nintendo Italia.
I have decided to share the card here for historical documentation purposes, having obtained the owner’s permission. It would also be interesting to find out whether this was ever released outside of Italy.
I’ll post scans of it once I receive them.