Pokémon card illustrator says he feels in danger from autograph hunter ambushes

Popular Pokémon trading card illustrator Naoki Saito says he feels like he’s in danger because of frequent ambushes by autograph hunters.

Saito has illustrated over 280 Pokémon cards and some of them have rocketed in value over the years. A special version of his ‘Full Art Lillie’ card which was only given away during an Extra Battle Day event in Japan is valued at over $100,000.

Because of this, Saito’s autograph has become sought after by collectors – and therefore by resellers – and it’s the latter who Saito claims are giving him a hard time.

As spotted by Automaton, Saito posted a lengthy message on X in which he explained that he would no longer give out autographs until the situation calms down.

“I have always been very happy to be asked for autographs, so I have always done my best to respond to all requests for autographs,” he explained.

“However, in the past year there have been a number of cases where I have been systematically ambushed and surrounded by five or six people at the end of an event, or during my travel time. It is very annoying.

“I have approached event management and other relevant people to take countermeasures, but the behaviour has escalated to the point where I feel I am in danger. For example, in extreme examples, I’ve been followed by a car for several minutes.

“They have also been making phone calls to the event management under false identities, trying to confirm my schedule.

“I am very reluctant to turn down event work, but I may have to start declining it if this continues.

“I am truly sorry and for those who are not involved, but until the situation is settled for a while, I will not be able to sign autographs personally under any circumstances.”

The frenzy surrounding valuable Pokémon cards has continued for a number of years.

Last year, The Pokémon Company was forced to apologise after scalpers appeared to spoil a planned collaboration with Amsterdam’s Van Gogh Museum, which saw a line of unique Pokémon x Van Gogh merchandise made available.