The Pokémon Company is developing a reality show based on fans of the Pokémon Trading Card Game.
Casting is now open for an "unscripted series involving the Pokémon TCG" with fans of all ages encouraged to apply, though it's pretty unclear what the format of the show will be.
“From dedicated competitors in the Play! Pokémon programme and casual players battling after school with friends and family to collectors or general enthusiasts, we’re looking forward to spotlighting the stories of our diverse TCG fans," said Barry Sams, vice president of The Pokémon TCG. "Anyone in the Los Angeles area with a Pokémon TCG story to tell is encouraged to apply."
Serebii Note: The Pokémon Company International have opened an open casting call for fans of the Pokémon TCG for a new unscripted Pokémon series https://t.co/gDbXkHSvkT pic.twitter.com/ek31hXQTVX
— Serebii.net (@SerebiiNet) July 11, 2022
The casting call poster reveals a little more about the show's premise, as it states that "whether you are trying to learn the Pokémon TCG to connect with your loved ones, hone your TCG skills to get to the next level, or are already a competitive player, we would like to hear how a Pokémon TCG expert can help you."
The show may therefore be about partnering professional Pokémon card players with random members of the community in a zero to hero format. Nothing is confirmed at the moment however, and we'll likely just have to wait until The Pokémon Company reveals more itself.
Pokémon cards continue to grow in popularity 25 years after the original set was released, as evidenced, among other things, by the number of people trying to steal them.
An independent gaming store in Minnesota reportedly had around $250,000 worth of Pokémon merchandise stolen in February while in March a man was arrested in Tokyo for allegedly launching a literal heist in order to steal the treasured cards.
Also in March, a Georgia man didn't steal Pokémon cards directly but instead misused money from the government to buy one, using a COVID-19 relief payment to buy a rare, shiny Charizard.
Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelancer who occasionally remembers to tweet @thelastdinsdale. He'll talk about The Witcher all day.