Today’s item seems like a bit of an oddball—at least to my eyes, it looks clunky, to say the least. But after asking for information here on e4, @nidokingdom shed some light on this strange release:
That Sticker is a 2012-2013 AR Pro sticker. It’s basically multiple sets of stickers (all generations up to 5th gen) that have a QR code on the back, and with the Nintendo DSi/3Ds you could scan the QR code to unlock the pokemon in your pokedex and to see the 3D model of the Pokemon in your game (note sure but probably a Japan-only software. (source)
Apparently they are also called Zenkoku Zukan stickers.
I actually like the simple CGI graphics in a weird way. The primary colors are powerful, and the cryptic black-and-white back of the sticker gives it a rather unusual appearance. And for those reasons, I really like it—even though at first glance it seems relatively simple and unimaginative.
Also, I’m always stunned when I think about the thousands of different products that were released in the wake of the Pokémon phenomenon. It’s totally crazy!
I actually quite like these too. Not sure why though because they are very simplistic.
The Pro AR sticker is probably a better name for them, but the bottom left corner says “zenkoku zukan,” which roughly translates into something like “nationwide encyclopedia.” “Zukan” is often used for the Pokedex, so “zenkoku zukan” is a phrase that can be used to refer to the “complete (or national?) pokedex.” So it’s nothing that’s specifically points to this set or anything. I don’t know much Japanese, though, so some of this may be off!
As I mentioned in previous posts, I love collecting Monopoly cards featuring Starmie. It’s not that I’m a huge fan of Monopoly, but something about those cards fascinates me. Maybe it’s the simplistic design or the distinct look of the cards—I don’t know.
In 2000, Waddingtons/Parker Brothers re-released the 1999 Monopoly: Collector’s Edition by Hasbro. I think the only differences are the year printed on the cards and the company logo on the game’s outer carton.
The blue on the card’s front is dark and rich, giving the card a somewhat vibrant appeal—if one can say that about a Monopoly card. The back, however, looks unimaginative, even for a Monopoly card, and could have been done much better. It just looks boring and faded.
Be that as it may, every Monopoly card is worth collecting in my book.
Today is a special day! I got my new haul of flats from Japan, and it contained one of my grail cards as well as two highly sought-after items!
I don’t really like the concept of “grail” cards, because every item has something special to it—but some cards are just a wish come true. And the 1998 Televi-kun Appendix card (back row, left, red card) is one of my all-time favorites that I’ve wanted since I first spotted it. And now it’s here, in NM condition. I’m absolutely thrilled!
The other two items I’m really happy about are the two Bandai Snack stickers in the front row. It was so nice of @joponnes to alert me about the auction! The normal one is in really good condition, although the back is stained. But the holographic version is NM, and Starmie as well as Tangela look absolutely stunning in foil. Yes!!
To celebrate these important cards in my collection, I photographed them in front of my exhebition cabinet—as a sneak peek, so to speak, because I’ll be adding some acrylic stands to get more Starmie and Dragalge stuff inside. Once the whole cabinet is ready, I’ll share some proper photos of all the compartments. For now, this will have to do!
Ooh, very exciting to see some of the display! Also, congrats for finding the televi-kun appendix, it’s such a species collector thing to have one of these random rare niche non-tcg items as a grail and celebrate it like a madman while others arw purchasing gold stars and 1st ed holos glad i could help with snack stickers too!
I feel exactly the same — the joy of acquiring a non-TCG card one has hunted for only truly warms the hearts of species collectors.
I am so happy about the Televi-kun card.
The Televi-kun card and the holo snack sticker look awesome (the holo snack stickers are so shiny )! Happy to see you add your grail and some other great Starmie stickers to the collection!
2003 saw the release of a more or less obscure set of cards; at least to me, the set feels strangely out of place — maybe because the design is so different from many other sets. This amazing website (I found because of @joponnes amazing identification link collection) lists the set as Bandai Zukan Carddass Vending Set (Base), which is quite a mouthful.
This set consists of 223 different cards, this includes the picture puzzle sets and binder collection exclusive Jirachis. The set featured regular cards, rares, holos and special holos. (source)
I love the powerful and vibrant colors of the set, with the indicated motion of the Pokémon leaving its Pokéball. It looks like a true color explosion and is one of the most distinct designs I’ve come across. The design, to me, is so cool and different that it feels more like a unlicenced fanart than an official product. I don’t know why I get this impression, but I’ve had it since I first saw the card.
Sadly, PGS did not recognize the set and put it in a Collector’s Case. But I can live with that — the card is just beautiful and luckily in superb condition.
The Bandai Sealdass Sticker Series was released in multiple parts (totalling 26 cards), and earlier I wrote about Part 4, which actually featured a small Starmie sticker.
Part 1, released in 1997, had a little gimmick on the back of the #9 Bug Type sticker card—it featured an illustration of Starmie in its sideways pose, though only depicted in red.
I think this makes for a nice collectible, and I’d love to know if there are more cards in the series with Starmie on their backs. If you happen to know, please tell me.
I think every species collector knows the feeling of joy after browsing hundreds, maybe thousands of listings and then … there it is, a never before seen item.
For me it happened more than once by now, but finding the 1997 Batt-Memo DX (also called Battle Game Note) items released by Tomy totally blew my mind. I don’t know exactly what is was, but after seeing the Batt-Memo Starmie stickers, I had to buy them immediately. Something about the bone dry aesthetics and nearly lifeless colors totally got me hooked.
And because I found it very hard to learn about the Batt-Memo products, you find all the information I gathered in this guide.
One of the most beautiful items I’ve found since I started collecting is the Banpresto poster No. 2 from 1997.
It depicts a lively scene full of action. The characters and Pokémon look amazing, and the colors are vivid and joyful. It’s such a pleasure to look at this poster—the Pokémon’s expressions are hilarious, and the characters all seem to be having a great time. I’m so happy to have found a nice frame for this absolutely stunning piece of art and to have it decorating my wall.
There are actually a lot of them and I have seen them regularly. Ironically they have a beautiful Gen 1 Poster with a lot of water Pokemon which showcases underwater action, however without your favourite Pokemon
I really dream that i could one day have more posters like this framed and decorate my home with them, the unique and detailed art like this really is worth highlighting
On the 14th of April 2010, the Publisher Hachette released the 34th installment of the Germany only DVD-series “Die Welt der Pokémon” (more information here). This series features episodes from the anime, with each installment showcasing a different Pokémon on the front cover. For the 34th release, it was Starmie — and I’m quite happy about it. I’m even more thrilled that I managed to acquire a sealed copy of the DVD, even though I don’t usually like DVDs as collectibles.
The DVD includes three episodes: Get Along, Little Pokémon, The Mystery Menace, and Misty Meets Her Match. The front cover prominently features a large illustration of Starmie, the back displays Starmie in a video screen screenshot, and the DVD itself also features Starmie.
This release is interesting for species collectors, because it features lots of different Pokémon on the front, here is the link to the whole list: click.
Was hoping i had missed something in my searches and there was a grimer cover on one of the dvd:s, but the niche pokemon history enthusiast in me is happy that you got lucky with your starlet!
Recently, I posted about a really cool poster I got my hands on. Posters are a great type of collectible, so it’s always a pleasure to find a truly unique one. I believe the poster released in the Foldable Pokémon Vol. 1 magazine (original title: りったいポケモン 1) from November 1997 is just that.
The background features a section of the Pokédex with drawn illustrations of various Pokémon—one of them, of course, being Starmie (along with Muk and Grimer— @joponnes ). But the most striking part of the poster is the two Pokémon in the foreground: Charmander and Bulbasaur. They’re prominently displayed, and the Pokédex design cleverly follows the shape of their silhouettes. The concept is brilliant, and the way the background and foreground blend is strangely immersive. The colors are vibrant, and the whole poster looks absolutely stunning. I’m very happy to have found a copy in great condition.
glad i could help with snack stickers too!
)! Happy to see you add your grail and some other great Starmie stickers to the collection!
