One of the inductees for the 2019 class is, deservedly, Magic the Gathering. All the honorees since it’s inception in 1998 are assuredly deserving. But…there’s one glaring omission, Pokemon which is the highest grossing media franchise in the history of the world. Based on the Hall of Fames qualifying criteria, Pokémon’s eligible.
How did it not get in this year? The only rules are copied below. Please note that all rules aren’t necessary for inclusion, such as the multi generation requirement though even that is disputable considering the age variance of their enthusiasts.
***Inducted toys are selected on the basis of the following criteria:
Icon-status: The toy is widely recognized, respected, and remembered.
Longevity: The toy is more than a passing fad and has enjoyed popularity over multiple generations.
Discovery: The toy fosters learning, creativity, or discovery through play.
Innovation: The toy profoundly changed play or toy design. A toy may be inducted on the basis of this criterion without necessarily having met all of the first three.
What is the process for selecting toys for the National Toy Hall of Fame?
The public can nominate toys on site at the National Toy Hall of Fame gallery at The Strong museum, on the National Toy Hall of Fame website, or by U.S. mail. Each year, an internal museum advisory committee comprised of curators, educators, and historians, reviews the submitted nominations and determines which 12 toys best meet the criteria for selection. A National Selection Committee then reviews that list of 12 toys and each member votes for his or her top toy choices. The votes are then tallied, with the toys receiving the most votes making the cut for induction into the National Toy Hall of Fame.***
They may be waiting a couple years before inducting Pokemon. I just scanned the list of those inducted over the past years and most of them are much older toys than Pokemon. Now that MTG is in I’d give in 2 years tops before we get in.
I guess it is just me, but MTG just does not seem like it should be in the TOY hall of fame. Usually the bottom entry level for that is High school with almost all of it geared towards just TCG.
Pokemon is also quite young in comparison to many, but it has so much variety and actually has toys(not to mention everything else from clothing, to a tv show, apps, toothbrushes, you name it) along with a huge appeal to both children, and adults alike. If MTG made it in, Pokemon would be a sure add later on.
We should all vote next year to get it in. I live a few blocks from the museum so I’ll go when Pokémon makes in. My kids love going to the museum, it’s the second largest play museum in the country and they are adding a ton of new stuff right now.
I went to that museum with my little niece. They had a base 2 Pokemon card behind glass Its a fun museum. Would love to see them add more Pokemon stuff.
Its a fun museum. Would love to see them add more Pokemon stuff.
Smartphones I guess are considered toys to this generation but uhh