I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that I was lucky enough to secure a ticket to see Mitsuhiro Arita at MegaCon Live London. Well, today was the day, and even though it’s been the longest day of travelling, I’m so pleased I went!
Arita did a live drawing (which was incredible!) and then invited members of the audience up for photographs. He also signed my Base Set Charizard and Japanese Quick Starter Holo Moltres. I’m so happy with how they turned out (even if he did have to correct the L in my name after he misread it as Ciam ).
I know this will be the same for a lot of people, but Arita’s artwork holds a special place in my heart. That Charizard card, in particular, really epitomises my childhood, and it was a surreal feeling getting to see him sketch it in front of me.
Still riding the high, but definitely on a spending hiatus for the foreseeable, as this event has wiped me out!
That’s so wonderful! The Charizard sketch looks really great, are you staying here in London for the weekend? I’d also love to know how much it cost to get a card signed, but if you don’t want to say I understand!
Great card choices! The quick starter Moltres is fantastic. I love seeing unique cards signed by Arita, he has so many awesome artworks outside of the ones that typically get signed.
Not gonna lie though, at first look I thought he personalized it To Clam
Just there for the day, sadly! I know a lot of people had weekend tickets and were seeing Arita both days (meaning they could get 4 cards signed instead of just 2) but it would have been too expensive for me.
In terms of price, it worked as follows:
Common Signing: £35
Arita’s signature only (English only)
Signature MUST include a dedication, and the dedication has to match your legal name on your ID (dedication in English only)
Limited Signing: £165
Arita’s signature (English or Japanese) + a sketch
Signature MUST include a dedication, and your dedication must be your legal name or “a nickname that you go by in every day life” (dedication can be in English or Japanese).
I heard one of the staff members saying to people in the queue about what Arita wouldn’t sign, but couldn’t make her out properly. She definitely said he wouldn’t sign blank cards, but also mentioned something about sketches on Energies and also Lugias - sorry I didn’t catch all the details.
Lots of people (myself included) took print outs of reference pictures so we could show Arita the layout / sketch style we wanted. He was very accommodating. The person in front of me asked for red eyes on his Gengar sketch which is what prompted me to ask for the red tongue on my Charizard. There was no issue here.
If there’s anything else you’d like to know, I’ll do my best to answer!
Yeah I love that Moltres card and was delighted to get my hands on a holo copy. I checked last week and the signed version only has a PSA population of 6 which is crazy. Such a stunning card!
The guy who asked for red eyes Gengar was with his son - was this you maybe? Either way, your cards look amazing! Gutted I wasn’t able to stay for the full weekend, but so glad I had the opportunity to meet go.
The Pikachu is awesome, but your son’s sketch is out of this world! What an amazing thing to have signed. I bet it made Arita’s day to sign something so special.
).
I hope everyone else enjoyed their time at MegaCon
