{"id":2081886,"date":"2026-08-06T08:10:24","date_gmt":"2026-08-06T05:10:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2081886"},"modified":"2026-08-06T08:10:24","modified_gmt":"2026-08-06T05:10:24","slug":"pokemon-is-using-japans-national-id-card-to-shut-scalpers-out-of-its-30th-anniversary-lottery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2081886","title":{"rendered":"Pok\u00e9mon Is Using Japan&#8217;s National ID Card To Shut Scalpers Out of Its 30th Anniversary Lottery"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F08%2F06%2FtwPokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy.jpg?w=1080&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&#8221;]<\/p>\n<div class=\"col-post-body col\">\n<div class=\"row post-body\">\n<aside class=\"post-body-sidebar\">\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-upper\">\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-category d-none d-lg-block\">\n<p>    Gaming\n                                                                                                    <\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-published d-none d-lg-block\"><time class=\"timeago\" datetime=\"2026-08-06T08:10:24Z\">1 day ago<\/time><\/div>\n<ul class=\"post-body-sidebar-hype-comments-container list-unstyled d-none d-lg-block\">\n<li><span class=\"hype-count grey\"><br \/>\n             537<br \/>\n    <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"floating-tooltip\" role=\"tooltip\"><span>Views<\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"disqus-comment-count\"><span>0<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"d-none d-sm-inline text\">Comments<\/span><\/span>\n<div class=\"floating-tooltip\" role=\"tooltip\"><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"text\">Save<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-author d-none d-lg-block\">\n<hr class=\"sidebar-divider share-divider\">\n<h6>Text By<\/h6>\n<p><span class=\"author-name\">Sophie Caraan<\/span><\/div>\n<hr class=\"sidebar-divider d-none d-lg-block\">\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-credentials d-none d-lg-block\">\n<div class=\"credential\">\n<h6>Editor Assistant<\/h6>\n<p><span>Thu Tran<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<hr class=\"sidebar-divider d-none d-lg-block\">\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-share d-none d-lg-block\">\n<h6>Share this article<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<article class=\"post-body-article\">\n<div class=\"post-gallery-container small inner-media\">\n<div class=\"gallery-container post-gallery-contain\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Pok\u00e9mon Is Using Japan&apos;s National ID Card To Shut Scalpers Out of Its 30th Anniversary Lottery\">\n<div class=\"hb-gallery before-booted full-screen-enabled  \" data-images=\"[{&quot;image&quot;:{&quot;description&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_caption&quot;:null,&quot;small&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F08%2F06%2FPokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy-2.jpg?w=480&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;,&quot;medium&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F08%2F06%2FPokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy-2.jpg?w=720&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;,&quot;large&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F08%2F06%2FPokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy-2.jpg?w=1080&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;,&quot;xlarge&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F08%2F06%2FPokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy-2.jpg?w=1440&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;,&quot;full&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F08%2F06%2FPokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy-2.jpg?w=1440&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;},&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/hypebeast.com\/image\/2026\/08\/06\/Pokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy-2.jpg&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;Poku00e9mon Center Online Reveals items Requiring Japanese ID Card purchase buy&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:1400,&quot;height&quot;:933,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Poku00e9mon Center Online&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;creditKey&quot;:&quot;general&quot;,&quot;description&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;annotations&quot;:null,&quot;shop&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;label&quot;:&quot;&quot;}},{&quot;image&quot;:{&quot;description&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_caption&quot;:null,&quot;small&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F08%2F06%2FPokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy-3.jpg?w=480&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;,&quot;medium&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F08%2F06%2FPokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy-3.jpg?w=720&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;,&quot;large&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F08%2F06%2FPokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy-3.jpg?w=1080&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;,&quot;xlarge&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F08%2F06%2FPokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy-3.jpg?w=1440&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;,&quot;full&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F08%2F06%2FPokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy-3.jpg?w=1440&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;},&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/hypebeast.com\/image\/2026\/08\/06\/Pokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy-3.jpg&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;Poku00e9mon Center Online Reveals items Requiring Japanese ID Card purchase buy&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:1400,&quot;height&quot;:933,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Poku00e9mon Center Online&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;creditKey&quot;:&quot;general&quot;,&quot;description&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;annotations&quot;:null,&quot;shop&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;label&quot;:&quot;&quot;}},{&quot;image&quot;:{&quot;description&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_caption&quot;:null,&quot;small&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F08%2F06%2FPokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy-4.jpg?w=480&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;,&quot;medium&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F08%2F06%2FPokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy-4.jpg?w=720&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;,&quot;large&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F08%2F06%2FPokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy-4.jpg?w=1080&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;,&quot;xlarge&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F08%2F06%2FPokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy-4.jpg?w=1440&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;,&quot;full&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F08%2F06%2FPokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy-4.jpg?w=1440&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;},&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/hypebeast.com\/image\/2026\/08\/06\/Pokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy-4.jpg&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;Poku00e9mon Center Online Reveals items Requiring Japanese ID Card purchase buy&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:1400,&quot;height&quot;:933,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Poku00e9mon Center Online&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;creditKey&quot;:&quot;general&quot;,&quot;description&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;annotations&quot;:null,&quot;shop&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;label&quot;:&quot;&quot;}}]\" role=\"list\">\n<div class=\"carousel-cell landscape\" data-gallery-index=\"1\" role=\"listitem\">\n<div class=\"carousel-cell-inner-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"carousel-cell-image-wrapper annotation-container fixed-ratio-3-2\">\n                                                                                                        <source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F08%2F06%2FPokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy-2.jpg?q=90&amp;w=1400&amp;cbr=1&amp;fit=max\" media=\"(min-width: 1260px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"gallery-image-index\"><span class=\"image-index \" aria-live=\"polite\">1 of 3<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"gallery-meta-container credit-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"credit general-general\">Pok\u00e9mon Center Online<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"carousel-cell landscape\" data-gallery-index=\"2\" role=\"listitem\">\n<div class=\"carousel-cell-inner-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"carousel-cell-image-wrapper annotation-container fixed-ratio-3-2\">\n                                                                                                        <source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F08%2F06%2FPokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy-3.jpg?q=90&amp;w=1400&amp;cbr=1&amp;fit=max\" media=\"(min-width: 1260px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"gallery-image-index\"><span class=\"image-index \" aria-live=\"polite\">2 of 3<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"gallery-meta-container credit-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"credit general-general\">Pok\u00e9mon Center Online<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"carousel-cell landscape\" data-gallery-index=\"3\" role=\"listitem\">\n<div class=\"carousel-cell-inner-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"carousel-cell-image-wrapper annotation-container fixed-ratio-3-2\">\n                                                                                                        <source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F08%2F06%2FPokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy-4.jpg?q=90&amp;w=1400&amp;cbr=1&amp;fit=max\" media=\"(min-width: 1260px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"gallery-image-index\"><span class=\"image-index \" aria-live=\"polite\">3 of 3<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"gallery-meta-container credit-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"credit \">Pok\u00e9mon Center Online<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"post-body-top-bar\" class=\"post-body-top-bar d-block d-lg-none\">\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"post-body-top-bar-share-meta-container\">\n<div class=\"post-body-top-bar-meta\"><span class=\"post-body-top-bar-category\"><\/p>\n<p>    Gaming<br \/>\n                                                    <\/span><span class=\"post-body-top-bar-published\"><time class=\"timeago\" datetime=\"2026-08-06T08:10:24Z\">1 day ago<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-top-bar-hype-comments-container \"><span class=\"hype-count grey\"><br \/>\n             537<br \/>\n    <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"floating-tooltip\" role=\"tooltip\"><span>Views<\/span><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"disqus-comment-count\"><span>0<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"d-none d-none text\">Comments<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"floating-tooltip\" role=\"tooltip\"><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"text\">Save<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-content\">\n<section class=\"post-summary\" aria-labelledby=\"post-summary-heading\">\n<header class=\"post-summary__header\">\n<h2 id=\"post-summary-heading\" class=\"post-summary__title\">Summary<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"post-summary__body\">\n<p>Pok\u00e9mon is tying its 30th anniversary card lottery to My Number card identity checks, reserving most winning slots for verified applicants<\/p>\n<p>Four 30th CELEBRATION MEGA products will be sold through staggered lottery windows at Pok\u00e9mon Center Online<\/p>\n<p>Fans can still enter without verifying, but the odds are deliberately tilted toward those who confirm their identity<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>Pok\u00e9mon is putting its 30th CELEBRATION MEGA card lineup behind a lottery gated by identity verification, a notable escalation in how the franchise controls access to its most sought-after releases. Rather than a first-come scramble, Pok\u00e9mon Center Online will run staggered draws that hand applicants who verify themselves through Japan\u2019s My Number card system the majority of available winning slots.<\/p>\n<p>For years, high-demand <em>Pok\u00e9mon<\/em> card releases have been a magnet for scalpers, bots and resellers who buy up limited stock and flip it at inflated prices, leaving everyday collectors shut out. Lottery-based sales have become the usual defense, yet a determined secondary market has repeatedly found ways around them. The 30th anniversary push answers that pressure with a firmer gate. Pok\u00e9mon is leaning on an identity-verification system built around the My Number card, Japan\u2018s government-issued national ID, to sort genuine fans from opportunistic buyers.<\/p>\n<p>The mechanics run through two application tiers. Entrants can apply via a verified slot, which requires completing My Number card authentication inside the Pok\u00e9mon Card Game Players Club and making sure the registered email matches their Pok\u00e9mon Center Online account, or via an unverified slot, which only asks for phone-number authentication on Pok\u00e9mon Center Online. The catch sits in the odds: the majority of winning entries are set aside for the verified pool, and while unverified fans may still enter, completing verification is openly framed as the way to improve one\u2019s chances. Verification on its own still guarantees nothing.\n<\/p>\n<p>The campaign covers four products from the 30th CELEBRATION MEGA range: the expansion pack BOX, the \u201cEspeon &amp; Umbreon\u201d premium deck set, the \u201cFuturistic Box,\u201d and a nine-type card set. The first three share an application window running August 10 through August 14, with results on August 21 and shipping timed ahead of a mid-September release. The nine-type card set follows on its own track, with entries open August 28 through August 31, results on September 4, and shipping ahead of a mid-October release. Pok\u00e9mon has also signaled that further lottery rounds will follow for those who miss out.\n<\/p>\n<p>The 30th CELEBRATION MEGA lottery runs exclusively through Pok\u00e9mon Center Online, with the first entry window open August 10 to August 14 and the card set draw following August 28 to August 31. Fans chasing the best odds will need to complete My Number card verification through the Players Club before applying.<\/p>\n<div class=\"show-article\">\n<p>                                                            Read Full Article<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<footer>\n<div class=\"related-stories-main-wrapper\">\n<h3>Related Stories<\/h3>\n<div class=\"stories-container\" data-layer-list-name=\"related_stories\" data-layer-list-offset=\"0\" data-layer-list-child-selector=\".story-item\">\n<div class=\"story-item\" data-layer-item-id=\"6763677\" data-layer-item-blog-id=\"1\" data-layer-item-type=\"post\"><span>&gt;<\/span>Secretlab and Pok\u00e9mon Drop a Pixel-Art SKINS Trio Led by Venusaur, Charizard, and Blastoise\n                                                                        <\/div>\n<div class=\"story-item\" data-layer-item-id=\"6763889\" data-layer-item-blog-id=\"1\" data-layer-item-type=\"post\"><span>&gt;<\/span>This Snorlax Diorama Sees 10 Napping and Snacking Pok\u00e9mon Into a Polystone Picnic\n                                                                        <\/div>\n<div class=\"story-item\" data-layer-item-id=\"6764455\" data-layer-item-blog-id=\"1\" data-layer-item-type=\"post\"><span>&gt;<\/span>Rockstar Games and Netflix to Debut &#8216;Grand Theft Auto VI: An Extended Look&#8217;\n                                                                        <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"city-related-posts-wrapper\" id=\"post-body-city-related-post\">\n<h3>\n        Find out more for Japan<br \/>\n    <\/h3>\n<div class=\"swiper-container\">\n<div class=\"swiper-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n<div id=\"city-related-post-1\">\n<div id=\"post-6755726\" class=\"post-box-container city-box \" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hypebeast.com\/2026\/7\/hanzo-neon-genesis-evangelion-fujin-raijin-zu-byobu-folding-screens-release-info\" data-title=\"These Handcrafted \u2018Neon Genesis Evangelion\u2019 Folding Screens Reimagine a 17th-Century Japanese Masterwork\" data-post-box data-layer-item-id=\"6755726\" data-layer-item-blog-id=\"1\" data-layer-item-type=\"post\">\n<div class=\"post-box-image-container fixed-ratio-3-2\"><source media=\"(max-width: 768px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F07%2F20%2FHanzo-neon-genesis-EVANGELION-Fujin-Raijin-zu-Byobu-Folding-Screens-Release-Info.jpg?fit=max&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;w=375&amp;h=250 1x, https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F07%2F20%2FHanzo-neon-genesis-EVANGELION-Fujin-Raijin-zu-Byobu-Folding-Screens-Release-Info.jpg?fit=max&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;w=500&amp;h=333 2x\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-box-content-container\">\n<div class=\"post-box-content-title\">\n<h2><span>These Handcrafted \u2018Neon Genesis Evangelion\u2019 Folding Screens Reimagine a 17th-Century Japanese Masterwork<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-box-content-excerpt\">\n                                The \u201cEva Japonism\u201d project\u2019s second installment maps EVA units onto Tawaraya S\u014dtatsu\u2019s wind and thunder gods in wood, cloth, and Japanese paper.\n                        <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n<div id=\"city-related-post-2\">\n<div id=\"post-6734257\" class=\"post-box-container city-box \" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hypebeast.com\/2026\/6\/sony-japan-takarajimasha-playstation-1-first-model-multi-cushion-case-book-release-info\" data-title=\"PlayStation Is Turning Its Original 1994 Console Into a Laptop and Tablet Cushion Case\" data-post-box data-layer-item-id=\"6734257\" data-layer-item-blog-id=\"1\" data-layer-item-type=\"post\">\n<div class=\"post-box-image-container fixed-ratio-3-2\"><source media=\"(max-width: 768px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F06%2F09%2FSony-Japan-Takarajimasha-PlayStation-1-First-Model-Multi-Cushion-Case-BOOK-Release-Info.jpg?fit=max&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;w=375&amp;h=250 1x, https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F06%2F09%2FSony-Japan-Takarajimasha-PlayStation-1-First-Model-Multi-Cushion-Case-BOOK-Release-Info.jpg?fit=max&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;w=500&amp;h=333 2x\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-box-content-container\">\n<div class=\"post-box-content-title\">\n<h2><span>PlayStation Is Turning Its Original 1994 Console Into a Laptop and Tablet Cushion Case<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-box-content-excerpt\">\n                                Takarajimasha\u2019s first-gen PlayStation Multi Cushion Case BOOK replicates the console\u2019s body color and button placement in a slim carry case.\n                        <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>    Looking for more suggestions for Japan?<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"article-email-signup-wrapper impression-tracker\">\n<h3>We got you covered. Don\u2019t miss out on the latest news by signing up for our newsletters.<\/h3>\n<div class=\"terms\">By subscribing, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-author d-block d-lg-none\">\n<hr class=\"sidebar-divider share-divider\">\n<h6>Text By<\/h6>\n<p><span class=\"author-name\">Sophie Caraan<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-credentials d-block d-lg-none\">\n<hr class=\"sidebar-divider\">\n<div class=\"credential\">\n<h6>Editor Assistant<\/h6>\n<p><span>Thu Tran<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-share d-block d-lg-none\">\n<hr class=\"sidebar-divider\">\n<h6>Share this article<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-content-tags\">\n<div class=\"body collapsed\">\n<p>    JapanPok\u00e9mon\n                                                            <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"post__body__author_info\">\n<div class=\"post__body__author_info__inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F06%2F05%2Fsophie-300.jpg?w=100&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max\" alt=\"Sophie Caraan\" class=\"post__body__author_info__avatar\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"post__body__author_info__body\">\n<p>                    Sophie Caraan<\/p>\n<p>                                    <span class=\"post__body__author_info__title\">Managing Editor<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post__body__author_info__bio_wrapper\">\n<p class=\"post__body__author_info__bio\">Sophie Caraan is the Managing Editor at Hypebeast, where she sets the editorial direction, standards, and output strategy for the HQ team. With a decade of editorial experience, she brings both a storyteller&#8217;s instinct and a strategist&#8217;s eye \u2014 spotlighting the figures and movements that shape the culture across a multitude of lanes. Her tenure is marked by high-impact conversations with the likes of RZA, Mads Mikkelsen, CORTIS, Erling Haaland, Kasing Lung, NIGO, and more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"post-footer\" class=\"post-footer row\">\n<div class=\"col-shopping-break\">\n<hr>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col-comments\">\n<div id=\"comments\" class=\"post-comments none \">\n<header>\n<div class=\"heading\"><span class=\"comment-count\">0<\/span><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"comment-dropdown-tooltip\">\n<ul>\n<li>\n<li><\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row post-body\">\n<aside class=\"post-body-sidebar\">\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-upper\">\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-category d-none d-lg-block\">\n<p>    Gaming\n                                                                                                    <\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-published d-none d-lg-block\"><time class=\"timeago\" datetime=\"2026-08-06T08:10:24Z\">1 day ago<\/time><\/div>\n<ul class=\"post-body-sidebar-hype-comments-container list-unstyled d-none d-lg-block\">\n<li><span class=\"hype-count grey\"><br \/>\n             537<br \/>\n    <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"floating-tooltip\" role=\"tooltip\"><span>Views<\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"disqus-comment-count\"><span>0<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"d-none d-sm-inline text\">Comments<\/span><\/span>\n<div class=\"floating-tooltip\" role=\"tooltip\"><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"text\">Save<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-author d-none d-lg-block\">\n<hr class=\"sidebar-divider share-divider\">\n<h6>Text By<\/h6>\n<p><span class=\"author-name\">Sophie Caraan<\/span><\/div>\n<hr class=\"sidebar-divider d-none d-lg-block\">\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-credentials d-none d-lg-block\">\n<div class=\"credential\">\n<h6>Editor Assistant<\/h6>\n<p><span>Thu Tran<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<hr class=\"sidebar-divider d-none d-lg-block\">\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-share d-none d-lg-block\">\n<h6>Share this article<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<article class=\"post-body-article\">\n<div class=\"post-gallery-container small inner-media\">\n<div class=\"gallery-container post-gallery-contain\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Pok\u00e9mon Is Using Japan&apos;s National ID Card To Shut Scalpers Out of Its 30th Anniversary Lottery\">\n<div class=\"hb-gallery before-booted full-screen-enabled  \" data-images=\"[{&quot;image&quot;:{&quot;description&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_caption&quot;:null,&quot;small&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F08%2F06%2FPokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy-2.jpg?w=480&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;,&quot;medium&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F08%2F06%2FPokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy-2.jpg?w=720&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;,&quot;large&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F08%2F06%2FPokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy-2.jpg?w=1080&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;,&quot;xlarge&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F08%2F06%2FPokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy-2.jpg?w=1440&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;,&quot;full&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F08%2F06%2FPokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy-2.jpg?w=1440&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;},&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/hypebeast.com\/image\/2026\/08\/06\/Pokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy-2.jpg&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;Poku00e9mon Center Online Reveals items Requiring Japanese ID Card purchase buy&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:1400,&quot;height&quot;:933,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Poku00e9mon Center Online&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;creditKey&quot;:&quot;general&quot;,&quot;description&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;annotations&quot;:null,&quot;shop&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;label&quot;:&quot;&quot;}},{&quot;image&quot;:{&quot;description&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_caption&quot;:null,&quot;small&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F08%2F06%2FPokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy-3.jpg?w=480&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;,&quot;medium&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F08%2F06%2FPokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy-3.jpg?w=720&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;,&quot;large&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F08%2F06%2FPokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy-3.jpg?w=1080&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;,&quot;xlarge&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F08%2F06%2FPokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy-3.jpg?w=1440&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;,&quot;full&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F08%2F06%2FPokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy-3.jpg?w=1440&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;},&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/hypebeast.com\/image\/2026\/08\/06\/Pokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy-3.jpg&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;Poku00e9mon Center Online Reveals items Requiring Japanese ID Card purchase buy&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:1400,&quot;height&quot;:933,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Poku00e9mon Center Online&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;creditKey&quot;:&quot;general&quot;,&quot;description&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;annotations&quot;:null,&quot;shop&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;label&quot;:&quot;&quot;}},{&quot;image&quot;:{&quot;description&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_caption&quot;:null,&quot;small&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F08%2F06%2FPokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy-4.jpg?w=480&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;,&quot;medium&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F08%2F06%2FPokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy-4.jpg?w=720&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;,&quot;large&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F08%2F06%2FPokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy-4.jpg?w=1080&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;,&quot;xlarge&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F08%2F06%2FPokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy-4.jpg?w=1440&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;,&quot;full&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F08%2F06%2FPokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy-4.jpg?w=1440&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;},&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/hypebeast.com\/image\/2026\/08\/06\/Pokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy-4.jpg&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;Poku00e9mon Center Online Reveals items Requiring Japanese ID Card purchase buy&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:1400,&quot;height&quot;:933,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Poku00e9mon Center Online&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;creditKey&quot;:&quot;general&quot;,&quot;description&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;annotations&quot;:null,&quot;shop&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;label&quot;:&quot;&quot;}}]\" role=\"list\">\n<div class=\"carousel-cell landscape\" data-gallery-index=\"1\" role=\"listitem\">\n<div class=\"carousel-cell-inner-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"carousel-cell-image-wrapper annotation-container fixed-ratio-3-2\">\n                                                                                                        <source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F08%2F06%2FPokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy-2.jpg?q=90&amp;w=1400&amp;cbr=1&amp;fit=max\" media=\"(min-width: 1260px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"gallery-image-index\"><span class=\"image-index \" aria-live=\"polite\">1 of 3<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"gallery-meta-container credit-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"credit general-general\">Pok\u00e9mon Center Online<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"carousel-cell landscape\" data-gallery-index=\"2\" role=\"listitem\">\n<div class=\"carousel-cell-inner-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"carousel-cell-image-wrapper annotation-container fixed-ratio-3-2\">\n                                                                                                        <source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F08%2F06%2FPokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy-3.jpg?q=90&amp;w=1400&amp;cbr=1&amp;fit=max\" media=\"(min-width: 1260px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"gallery-image-index\"><span class=\"image-index \" aria-live=\"polite\">2 of 3<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"gallery-meta-container credit-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"credit general-general\">Pok\u00e9mon Center Online<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"carousel-cell landscape\" data-gallery-index=\"3\" role=\"listitem\">\n<div class=\"carousel-cell-inner-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"carousel-cell-image-wrapper annotation-container fixed-ratio-3-2\">\n                                                                                                        <source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F08%2F06%2FPokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy-4.jpg?q=90&amp;w=1400&amp;cbr=1&amp;fit=max\" media=\"(min-width: 1260px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"gallery-image-index\"><span class=\"image-index \" aria-live=\"polite\">3 of 3<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"gallery-meta-container credit-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"credit \">Pok\u00e9mon Center Online<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"post-body-top-bar\" class=\"post-body-top-bar d-block d-lg-none\">\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"post-body-top-bar-share-meta-container\">\n<div class=\"post-body-top-bar-meta\"><span class=\"post-body-top-bar-category\"><\/p>\n<p>    Gaming<br \/>\n                                                    <\/span><span class=\"post-body-top-bar-published\"><time class=\"timeago\" datetime=\"2026-08-06T08:10:24Z\">1 day ago<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-top-bar-hype-comments-container \"><span class=\"hype-count grey\"><br \/>\n             537<br \/>\n    <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"floating-tooltip\" role=\"tooltip\"><span>Views<\/span><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"disqus-comment-count\"><span>0<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"d-none d-none text\">Comments<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"floating-tooltip\" role=\"tooltip\"><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"text\">Save<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-content\">\n<section class=\"post-summary\" aria-labelledby=\"post-summary-heading\">\n<header class=\"post-summary__header\">\n<h2 id=\"post-summary-heading\" class=\"post-summary__title\">Summary<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"post-summary__body\">\n<p>Pok\u00e9mon is tying its 30th anniversary card lottery to My Number card identity checks, reserving most winning slots for verified applicants<\/p>\n<p>Four 30th CELEBRATION MEGA products will be sold through staggered lottery windows at Pok\u00e9mon Center Online<\/p>\n<p>Fans can still enter without verifying, but the odds are deliberately tilted toward those who confirm their identity<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>Pok\u00e9mon is putting its 30th CELEBRATION MEGA card lineup behind a lottery gated by identity verification, a notable escalation in how the franchise controls access to its most sought-after releases. Rather than a first-come scramble, Pok\u00e9mon Center Online will run staggered draws that hand applicants who verify themselves through Japan\u2019s My Number card system the majority of available winning slots.<\/p>\n<p>For years, high-demand <em>Pok\u00e9mon<\/em> card releases have been a magnet for scalpers, bots and resellers who buy up limited stock and flip it at inflated prices, leaving everyday collectors shut out. Lottery-based sales have become the usual defense, yet a determined secondary market has repeatedly found ways around them. The 30th anniversary push answers that pressure with a firmer gate. Pok\u00e9mon is leaning on an identity-verification system built around the My Number card, Japan\u2018s government-issued national ID, to sort genuine fans from opportunistic buyers.<\/p>\n<p>The mechanics run through two application tiers. Entrants can apply via a verified slot, which requires completing My Number card authentication inside the Pok\u00e9mon Card Game Players Club and making sure the registered email matches their Pok\u00e9mon Center Online account, or via an unverified slot, which only asks for phone-number authentication on Pok\u00e9mon Center Online. The catch sits in the odds: the majority of winning entries are set aside for the verified pool, and while unverified fans may still enter, completing verification is openly framed as the way to improve one\u2019s chances. Verification on its own still guarantees nothing.\n<\/p>\n<p>The campaign covers four products from the 30th CELEBRATION MEGA range: the expansion pack BOX, the \u201cEspeon &amp; Umbreon\u201d premium deck set, the \u201cFuturistic Box,\u201d and a nine-type card set. The first three share an application window running August 10 through August 14, with results on August 21 and shipping timed ahead of a mid-September release. The nine-type card set follows on its own track, with entries open August 28 through August 31, results on September 4, and shipping ahead of a mid-October release. Pok\u00e9mon has also signaled that further lottery rounds will follow for those who miss out.\n<\/p>\n<p>The 30th CELEBRATION MEGA lottery runs exclusively through Pok\u00e9mon Center Online, with the first entry window open August 10 to August 14 and the card set draw following August 28 to August 31. Fans chasing the best odds will need to complete My Number card verification through the Players Club before applying.<\/p>\n<div class=\"show-article\">\n<p>                                                            Read Full Article<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<footer>\n<div class=\"related-stories-main-wrapper\">\n<h3>Related Stories<\/h3>\n<div class=\"stories-container\" data-layer-list-name=\"related_stories\" data-layer-list-offset=\"0\" data-layer-list-child-selector=\".story-item\">\n<div class=\"story-item\" data-layer-item-id=\"6763677\" data-layer-item-blog-id=\"1\" data-layer-item-type=\"post\"><span>&gt;<\/span>Secretlab and Pok\u00e9mon Drop a Pixel-Art SKINS Trio Led by Venusaur, Charizard, and Blastoise\n                                                                        <\/div>\n<div class=\"story-item\" data-layer-item-id=\"6763889\" data-layer-item-blog-id=\"1\" data-layer-item-type=\"post\"><span>&gt;<\/span>This Snorlax Diorama Sees 10 Napping and Snacking Pok\u00e9mon Into a Polystone Picnic\n                                                                        <\/div>\n<div class=\"story-item\" data-layer-item-id=\"6764455\" data-layer-item-blog-id=\"1\" data-layer-item-type=\"post\"><span>&gt;<\/span>Rockstar Games and Netflix to Debut &#8216;Grand Theft Auto VI: An Extended Look&#8217;\n                                                                        <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"city-related-posts-wrapper\" id=\"post-body-city-related-post\">\n<h3>\n        Find out more for Japan<br \/>\n    <\/h3>\n<div class=\"swiper-container\">\n<div class=\"swiper-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n<div id=\"city-related-post-1\">\n<div id=\"post-6755726\" class=\"post-box-container city-box \" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hypebeast.com\/2026\/7\/hanzo-neon-genesis-evangelion-fujin-raijin-zu-byobu-folding-screens-release-info\" data-title=\"These Handcrafted \u2018Neon Genesis Evangelion\u2019 Folding Screens Reimagine a 17th-Century Japanese Masterwork\" data-post-box data-layer-item-id=\"6755726\" data-layer-item-blog-id=\"1\" data-layer-item-type=\"post\">\n<div class=\"post-box-image-container fixed-ratio-3-2\"><source media=\"(max-width: 768px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F07%2F20%2FHanzo-neon-genesis-EVANGELION-Fujin-Raijin-zu-Byobu-Folding-Screens-Release-Info.jpg?fit=max&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;w=375&amp;h=250 1x, https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F07%2F20%2FHanzo-neon-genesis-EVANGELION-Fujin-Raijin-zu-Byobu-Folding-Screens-Release-Info.jpg?fit=max&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;w=500&amp;h=333 2x\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-box-content-container\">\n<div class=\"post-box-content-title\">\n<h2><span>These Handcrafted \u2018Neon Genesis Evangelion\u2019 Folding Screens Reimagine a 17th-Century Japanese Masterwork<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-box-content-excerpt\">\n                                The \u201cEva Japonism\u201d project\u2019s second installment maps EVA units onto Tawaraya S\u014dtatsu\u2019s wind and thunder gods in wood, cloth, and Japanese paper.\n                        <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n<div id=\"city-related-post-2\">\n<div id=\"post-6734257\" class=\"post-box-container city-box \" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hypebeast.com\/2026\/6\/sony-japan-takarajimasha-playstation-1-first-model-multi-cushion-case-book-release-info\" data-title=\"PlayStation Is Turning Its Original 1994 Console Into a Laptop and Tablet Cushion Case\" data-post-box data-layer-item-id=\"6734257\" data-layer-item-blog-id=\"1\" data-layer-item-type=\"post\">\n<div class=\"post-box-image-container fixed-ratio-3-2\"><source media=\"(max-width: 768px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F06%2F09%2FSony-Japan-Takarajimasha-PlayStation-1-First-Model-Multi-Cushion-Case-BOOK-Release-Info.jpg?fit=max&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;w=375&amp;h=250 1x, https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F06%2F09%2FSony-Japan-Takarajimasha-PlayStation-1-First-Model-Multi-Cushion-Case-BOOK-Release-Info.jpg?fit=max&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;w=500&amp;h=333 2x\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-box-content-container\">\n<div class=\"post-box-content-title\">\n<h2><span>PlayStation Is Turning Its Original 1994 Console Into a Laptop and Tablet Cushion Case<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-box-content-excerpt\">\n                                Takarajimasha\u2019s first-gen PlayStation Multi Cushion Case BOOK replicates the console\u2019s body color and button placement in a slim carry case.\n                        <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>    Looking for more suggestions for Japan?<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"article-email-signup-wrapper impression-tracker\">\n<h3>We got you covered. Don\u2019t miss out on the latest news by signing up for our newsletters.<\/h3>\n<div class=\"terms\">By subscribing, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-author d-block d-lg-none\">\n<hr class=\"sidebar-divider share-divider\">\n<h6>Text By<\/h6>\n<p><span class=\"author-name\">Sophie Caraan<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-credentials d-block d-lg-none\">\n<hr class=\"sidebar-divider\">\n<div class=\"credential\">\n<h6>Editor Assistant<\/h6>\n<p><span>Thu Tran<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-share d-block d-lg-none\">\n<hr class=\"sidebar-divider\">\n<h6>Share this article<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-content-tags\">\n<div class=\"body collapsed\">\n<p>    JapanPok\u00e9mon\n                                                            <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"post__body__author_info\">\n<div class=\"post__body__author_info__inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F06%2F05%2Fsophie-300.jpg?w=100&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max\" alt=\"Sophie Caraan\" class=\"post__body__author_info__avatar\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"post__body__author_info__body\">\n<p>                    Sophie Caraan<\/p>\n<p>                                    <span class=\"post__body__author_info__title\">Managing Editor<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post__body__author_info__bio_wrapper\">\n<p class=\"post__body__author_info__bio\">Sophie Caraan is the Managing Editor at Hypebeast, where she sets the editorial direction, standards, and output strategy for the HQ team. With a decade of editorial experience, she brings both a storyteller&#8217;s instinct and a strategist&#8217;s eye \u2014 spotlighting the figures and movements that shape the culture across a multitude of lanes. Her tenure is marked by high-impact conversations with the likes of RZA, Mads Mikkelsen, CORTIS, Erling Haaland, Kasing Lung, NIGO, and more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-upper\">\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-category d-none d-lg-block\">\n<p>    Gaming\n                                                                                                    <\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-published d-none d-lg-block\"><time class=\"timeago\" datetime=\"2026-08-06T08:10:24Z\">1 day ago<\/time><\/div>\n<ul class=\"post-body-sidebar-hype-comments-container list-unstyled d-none d-lg-block\">\n<li><span class=\"hype-count grey\"><br \/>\n             537<br \/>\n    <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"floating-tooltip\" role=\"tooltip\"><span>Views<\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"disqus-comment-count\"><span>0<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"d-none d-sm-inline text\">Comments<\/span><\/span>\n<div class=\"floating-tooltip\" role=\"tooltip\"><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"text\">Save<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-author d-none d-lg-block\">\n<hr class=\"sidebar-divider share-divider\">\n<h6>Text By<\/h6>\n<p><span class=\"author-name\">Sophie Caraan<\/span><\/div>\n<hr class=\"sidebar-divider d-none d-lg-block\">\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-credentials d-none d-lg-block\">\n<div class=\"credential\">\n<h6>Editor Assistant<\/h6>\n<p><span>Thu Tran<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<hr class=\"sidebar-divider d-none d-lg-block\">\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-share d-none d-lg-block\">\n<h6>Share this article<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-category d-none d-lg-block\">\n<p>    Gaming\n                                                                                                    <\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-published d-none d-lg-block\"><time class=\"timeago\" datetime=\"2026-08-06T08:10:24Z\">1 day ago<\/time><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-author d-none d-lg-block\">\n<hr class=\"sidebar-divider share-divider\">\n<h6>Text By<\/h6>\n<p><span class=\"author-name\">Sophie Caraan<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-credentials d-none d-lg-block\">\n<div class=\"credential\">\n<h6>Editor Assistant<\/h6>\n<p><span>Thu Tran<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-sidebar-share d-none d-lg-block\">\n<h6>Share this article<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<article class=\"post-body-article\">\n<div class=\"post-gallery-container small inner-media\">\n<div class=\"gallery-container post-gallery-contain\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Pok\u00e9mon Is Using Japan&apos;s National ID Card To Shut Scalpers Out of Its 30th Anniversary Lottery\">\n<div class=\"hb-gallery before-booted full-screen-enabled  \" data-images=\"[{&quot;image&quot;:{&quot;description&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_caption&quot;:null,&quot;small&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F08%2F06%2FPokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy-2.jpg?w=480&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;,&quot;medium&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F08%2F06%2FPokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy-2.jpg?w=720&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;,&quot;large&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F08%2F06%2FPokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy-2.jpg?w=1080&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;,&quot;xlarge&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F08%2F06%2FPokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy-2.jpg?w=1440&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;,&quot;full&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F08%2F06%2FPokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy-2.jpg?w=1440&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;},&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/hypebeast.com\/image\/2026\/08\/06\/Pokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy-2.jpg&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;Poku00e9mon Center Online Reveals items Requiring Japanese ID Card purchase buy&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:1400,&quot;height&quot;:933,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Poku00e9mon Center Online&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;creditKey&quot;:&quot;general&quot;,&quot;description&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;annotations&quot;:null,&quot;shop&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;label&quot;:&quot;&quot;}},{&quot;image&quot;:{&quot;description&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_caption&quot;:null,&quot;small&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F08%2F06%2FPokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy-3.jpg?w=480&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;,&quot;medium&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F08%2F06%2FPokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy-3.jpg?w=720&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;,&quot;large&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F08%2F06%2FPokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy-3.jpg?w=1080&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;,&quot;xlarge&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F08%2F06%2FPokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy-3.jpg?w=1440&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;,&quot;full&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F08%2F06%2FPokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy-3.jpg?w=1440&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;},&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/hypebeast.com\/image\/2026\/08\/06\/Pokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy-3.jpg&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;Poku00e9mon Center Online Reveals items Requiring Japanese ID Card purchase buy&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:1400,&quot;height&quot;:933,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Poku00e9mon Center Online&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;creditKey&quot;:&quot;general&quot;,&quot;description&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;annotations&quot;:null,&quot;shop&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;label&quot;:&quot;&quot;}},{&quot;image&quot;:{&quot;description&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_caption&quot;:null,&quot;small&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F08%2F06%2FPokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy-4.jpg?w=480&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;,&quot;medium&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F08%2F06%2FPokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy-4.jpg?w=720&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;,&quot;large&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F08%2F06%2FPokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy-4.jpg?w=1080&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;,&quot;xlarge&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F08%2F06%2FPokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy-4.jpg?w=1440&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;,&quot;full&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F08%2F06%2FPokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy-4.jpg?w=1440&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&quot;},&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/hypebeast.com\/image\/2026\/08\/06\/Pokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy-4.jpg&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;Poku00e9mon Center Online Reveals items Requiring Japanese ID Card purchase buy&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:1400,&quot;height&quot;:933,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Poku00e9mon Center Online&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;creditKey&quot;:&quot;general&quot;,&quot;description&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;annotations&quot;:null,&quot;shop&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;label&quot;:&quot;&quot;}}]\" role=\"list\">\n<div class=\"carousel-cell landscape\" data-gallery-index=\"1\" role=\"listitem\">\n<div class=\"carousel-cell-inner-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"carousel-cell-image-wrapper annotation-container fixed-ratio-3-2\">\n                                                                                                        <source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F08%2F06%2FPokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy-2.jpg?q=90&amp;w=1400&amp;cbr=1&amp;fit=max\" media=\"(min-width: 1260px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"gallery-image-index\"><span class=\"image-index \" aria-live=\"polite\">1 of 3<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"gallery-meta-container credit-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"credit general-general\">Pok\u00e9mon Center Online<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"carousel-cell landscape\" data-gallery-index=\"2\" role=\"listitem\">\n<div class=\"carousel-cell-inner-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"carousel-cell-image-wrapper annotation-container fixed-ratio-3-2\">\n                                                                                                        <source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F08%2F06%2FPokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy-3.jpg?q=90&amp;w=1400&amp;cbr=1&amp;fit=max\" media=\"(min-width: 1260px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"gallery-image-index\"><span class=\"image-index \" aria-live=\"polite\">2 of 3<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"gallery-meta-container credit-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"credit general-general\">Pok\u00e9mon Center Online<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"carousel-cell landscape\" data-gallery-index=\"3\" role=\"listitem\">\n<div class=\"carousel-cell-inner-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"carousel-cell-image-wrapper annotation-container fixed-ratio-3-2\">\n                                                                                                        <source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F08%2F06%2FPokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy-4.jpg?q=90&amp;w=1400&amp;cbr=1&amp;fit=max\" media=\"(min-width: 1260px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"gallery-image-index\"><span class=\"image-index \" aria-live=\"polite\">3 of 3<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"gallery-meta-container credit-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"credit \">Pok\u00e9mon Center Online<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"post-body-top-bar\" class=\"post-body-top-bar d-block d-lg-none\">\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"post-body-top-bar-share-meta-container\">\n<div class=\"post-body-top-bar-meta\"><span class=\"post-body-top-bar-category\"><\/p>\n<p>    Gaming<br \/>\n                                                    <\/span><span class=\"post-body-top-bar-published\"><time class=\"timeago\" datetime=\"2026-08-06T08:10:24Z\">1 day ago<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-top-bar-hype-comments-container \"><span class=\"hype-count grey\"><br \/>\n             537<br \/>\n    <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"floating-tooltip\" role=\"tooltip\"><span>Views<\/span><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"disqus-comment-count\"><span>0<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"d-none d-none text\">Comments<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"floating-tooltip\" role=\"tooltip\"><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"text\">Save<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-content\">\n<section class=\"post-summary\" aria-labelledby=\"post-summary-heading\">\n<header class=\"post-summary__header\">\n<h2 id=\"post-summary-heading\" class=\"post-summary__title\">Summary<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"post-summary__body\">\n<p>Pok\u00e9mon is tying its 30th anniversary card lottery to My Number card identity checks, reserving most winning slots for verified applicants<\/p>\n<p>Four 30th CELEBRATION MEGA products will be sold through staggered lottery windows at Pok\u00e9mon Center Online<\/p>\n<p>Fans can still enter without verifying, but the odds are deliberately tilted toward those who confirm their identity<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>Pok\u00e9mon is putting its 30th CELEBRATION MEGA card lineup behind a lottery gated by identity verification, a notable escalation in how the franchise controls access to its most sought-after releases. Rather than a first-come scramble, Pok\u00e9mon Center Online will run staggered draws that hand applicants who verify themselves through Japan\u2019s My Number card system the majority of available winning slots.<\/p>\n<p>For years, high-demand <em>Pok\u00e9mon<\/em> card releases have been a magnet for scalpers, bots and resellers who buy up limited stock and flip it at inflated prices, leaving everyday collectors shut out. Lottery-based sales have become the usual defense, yet a determined secondary market has repeatedly found ways around them. The 30th anniversary push answers that pressure with a firmer gate. Pok\u00e9mon is leaning on an identity-verification system built around the My Number card, Japan\u2018s government-issued national ID, to sort genuine fans from opportunistic buyers.<\/p>\n<p>The mechanics run through two application tiers. Entrants can apply via a verified slot, which requires completing My Number card authentication inside the Pok\u00e9mon Card Game Players Club and making sure the registered email matches their Pok\u00e9mon Center Online account, or via an unverified slot, which only asks for phone-number authentication on Pok\u00e9mon Center Online. The catch sits in the odds: the majority of winning entries are set aside for the verified pool, and while unverified fans may still enter, completing verification is openly framed as the way to improve one\u2019s chances. Verification on its own still guarantees nothing.\n<\/p>\n<p>The campaign covers four products from the 30th CELEBRATION MEGA range: the expansion pack BOX, the \u201cEspeon &amp; Umbreon\u201d premium deck set, the \u201cFuturistic Box,\u201d and a nine-type card set. The first three share an application window running August 10 through August 14, with results on August 21 and shipping timed ahead of a mid-September release. The nine-type card set follows on its own track, with entries open August 28 through August 31, results on September 4, and shipping ahead of a mid-October release. Pok\u00e9mon has also signaled that further lottery rounds will follow for those who miss out.\n<\/p>\n<p>The 30th CELEBRATION MEGA lottery runs exclusively through Pok\u00e9mon Center Online, with the first entry window open August 10 to August 14 and the card set draw following August 28 to August 31. Fans chasing the best odds will need to complete My Number card verification through the Players Club before applying.<\/p>\n<div class=\"show-article\">\n<p>                                                            Read Full Article<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<footer>\n<div class=\"related-stories-main-wrapper\">\n<h3>Related Stories<\/h3>\n<div class=\"stories-container\" data-layer-list-name=\"related_stories\" data-layer-list-offset=\"0\" data-layer-list-child-selector=\".story-item\">\n<div class=\"story-item\" data-layer-item-id=\"6763677\" data-layer-item-blog-id=\"1\" data-layer-item-type=\"post\"><span>&gt;<\/span>Secretlab and Pok\u00e9mon Drop a Pixel-Art SKINS Trio Led by Venusaur, Charizard, and Blastoise\n                                                                        <\/div>\n<div class=\"story-item\" data-layer-item-id=\"6763889\" data-layer-item-blog-id=\"1\" data-layer-item-type=\"post\"><span>&gt;<\/span>This Snorlax Diorama Sees 10 Napping and Snacking Pok\u00e9mon Into a Polystone Picnic\n                                                                        <\/div>\n<div class=\"story-item\" data-layer-item-id=\"6764455\" data-layer-item-blog-id=\"1\" data-layer-item-type=\"post\"><span>&gt;<\/span>Rockstar Games and Netflix to Debut &#8216;Grand Theft Auto VI: An Extended Look&#8217;\n                                                                        <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"city-related-posts-wrapper\" id=\"post-body-city-related-post\">\n<h3>\n        Find out more for Japan<br \/>\n    <\/h3>\n<div class=\"swiper-container\">\n<div class=\"swiper-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n<div id=\"city-related-post-1\">\n<div id=\"post-6755726\" class=\"post-box-container city-box \" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hypebeast.com\/2026\/7\/hanzo-neon-genesis-evangelion-fujin-raijin-zu-byobu-folding-screens-release-info\" data-title=\"These Handcrafted \u2018Neon Genesis Evangelion\u2019 Folding Screens Reimagine a 17th-Century Japanese Masterwork\" data-post-box data-layer-item-id=\"6755726\" data-layer-item-blog-id=\"1\" data-layer-item-type=\"post\">\n<div class=\"post-box-image-container fixed-ratio-3-2\"><source media=\"(max-width: 768px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F07%2F20%2FHanzo-neon-genesis-EVANGELION-Fujin-Raijin-zu-Byobu-Folding-Screens-Release-Info.jpg?fit=max&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;w=375&amp;h=250 1x, https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F07%2F20%2FHanzo-neon-genesis-EVANGELION-Fujin-Raijin-zu-Byobu-Folding-Screens-Release-Info.jpg?fit=max&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;w=500&amp;h=333 2x\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-box-content-container\">\n<div class=\"post-box-content-title\">\n<h2><span>These Handcrafted \u2018Neon Genesis Evangelion\u2019 Folding Screens Reimagine a 17th-Century Japanese Masterwork<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-box-content-excerpt\">\n                                The \u201cEva Japonism\u201d project\u2019s second installment maps EVA units onto Tawaraya S\u014dtatsu\u2019s wind and thunder gods in wood, cloth, and Japanese paper.\n                        <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n<div id=\"city-related-post-2\">\n<div id=\"post-6734257\" class=\"post-box-container city-box \" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hypebeast.com\/2026\/6\/sony-japan-takarajimasha-playstation-1-first-model-multi-cushion-case-book-release-info\" data-title=\"PlayStation Is Turning Its Original 1994 Console Into a Laptop and Tablet Cushion Case\" data-post-box data-layer-item-id=\"6734257\" data-layer-item-blog-id=\"1\" data-layer-item-type=\"post\">\n<div class=\"post-box-image-container fixed-ratio-3-2\"><source media=\"(max-width: 768px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F06%2F09%2FSony-Japan-Takarajimasha-PlayStation-1-First-Model-Multi-Cushion-Case-BOOK-Release-Info.jpg?fit=max&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;w=375&amp;h=250 1x, https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F06%2F09%2FSony-Japan-Takarajimasha-PlayStation-1-First-Model-Multi-Cushion-Case-BOOK-Release-Info.jpg?fit=max&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;w=500&amp;h=333 2x\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-box-content-container\">\n<div class=\"post-box-content-title\">\n<h2><span>PlayStation Is Turning Its Original 1994 Console Into a Laptop and Tablet Cushion Case<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-box-content-excerpt\">\n                                Takarajimasha\u2019s first-gen PlayStation Multi Cushion Case BOOK replicates the console\u2019s body color and button placement in a slim carry case.\n                        <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>    Looking for more suggestions for Japan?<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"article-email-signup-wrapper impression-tracker\">\n<h3>We got you covered. Don\u2019t miss out on the latest news by signing up for our newsletters.<\/h3>\n<div class=\"terms\">By subscribing, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-author d-block d-lg-none\">\n<hr class=\"sidebar-divider share-divider\">\n<h6>Text By<\/h6>\n<p><span class=\"author-name\">Sophie Caraan<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-credentials d-block d-lg-none\">\n<hr class=\"sidebar-divider\">\n<div class=\"credential\">\n<h6>Editor Assistant<\/h6>\n<p><span>Thu Tran<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-share d-block d-lg-none\">\n<hr class=\"sidebar-divider\">\n<h6>Share this article<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-content-tags\">\n<div class=\"body collapsed\">\n<p>    JapanPok\u00e9mon\n                                                            <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"post__body__author_info\">\n<div class=\"post__body__author_info__inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F06%2F05%2Fsophie-300.jpg?w=100&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max\" alt=\"Sophie Caraan\" class=\"post__body__author_info__avatar\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"post__body__author_info__body\">\n<p>                    Sophie Caraan<\/p>\n<p>                                    <span class=\"post__body__author_info__title\">Managing Editor<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post__body__author_info__bio_wrapper\">\n<p class=\"post__body__author_info__bio\">Sophie Caraan is the Managing Editor at Hypebeast, where she sets the editorial direction, standards, and output strategy for the HQ team. With a decade of editorial experience, she brings both a storyteller&#8217;s instinct and a strategist&#8217;s eye \u2014 spotlighting the figures and movements that shape the culture across a multitude of lanes. Her tenure is marked by high-impact conversations with the likes of RZA, Mads Mikkelsen, CORTIS, Erling Haaland, Kasing Lung, NIGO, and more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/footer>\n<\/article>\n<div id=\"post-body-top-bar\" class=\"post-body-top-bar d-block d-lg-none\">\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"post-body-top-bar-share-meta-container\">\n<div class=\"post-body-top-bar-meta\"><span class=\"post-body-top-bar-category\"><\/p>\n<p>    Gaming<br \/>\n                                                    <\/span><span class=\"post-body-top-bar-published\"><time class=\"timeago\" datetime=\"2026-08-06T08:10:24Z\">1 day ago<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-top-bar-hype-comments-container \"><span class=\"hype-count grey\"><br \/>\n             537<br \/>\n    <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"floating-tooltip\" role=\"tooltip\"><span>Views<\/span><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"disqus-comment-count\"><span>0<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"d-none d-none text\">Comments<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"floating-tooltip\" role=\"tooltip\"><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"text\">Save<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-top-bar-share-meta-container\">\n<div class=\"post-body-top-bar-meta\"><span class=\"post-body-top-bar-category\"><\/p>\n<p>    Gaming<br \/>\n                                                    <\/span><span class=\"post-body-top-bar-published\"><time class=\"timeago\" datetime=\"2026-08-06T08:10:24Z\">1 day ago<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-top-bar-meta\"><span class=\"post-body-top-bar-category\"><\/p>\n<p>    Gaming<br \/>\n                                                    <\/span><span class=\"post-body-top-bar-published\"><time class=\"timeago\" datetime=\"2026-08-06T08:10:24Z\">1 day ago<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-top-bar-hype-comments-container \"><span class=\"hype-count grey\"><br \/>\n             537<br \/>\n    <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"floating-tooltip\" role=\"tooltip\"><span>Views<\/span><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"disqus-comment-count\"><span>0<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"d-none d-none text\">Comments<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"floating-tooltip\" role=\"tooltip\"><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"text\">Save<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-content\">\n<section class=\"post-summary\" aria-labelledby=\"post-summary-heading\">\n<header class=\"post-summary__header\">\n<h2 id=\"post-summary-heading\" class=\"post-summary__title\">Summary<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"post-summary__body\">\n<p>Pok\u00e9mon is tying its 30th anniversary card lottery to My Number card identity checks, reserving most winning slots for verified applicants<\/p>\n<p>Four 30th CELEBRATION MEGA products will be sold through staggered lottery windows at Pok\u00e9mon Center Online<\/p>\n<p>Fans can still enter without verifying, but the odds are deliberately tilted toward those who confirm their identity<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>Pok\u00e9mon is putting its 30th CELEBRATION MEGA card lineup behind a lottery gated by identity verification, a notable escalation in how the franchise controls access to its most sought-after releases. Rather than a first-come scramble, Pok\u00e9mon Center Online will run staggered draws that hand applicants who verify themselves through Japan\u2019s My Number card system the majority of available winning slots.<\/p>\n<p>For years, high-demand <em>Pok\u00e9mon<\/em> card releases have been a magnet for scalpers, bots and resellers who buy up limited stock and flip it at inflated prices, leaving everyday collectors shut out. Lottery-based sales have become the usual defense, yet a determined secondary market has repeatedly found ways around them. The 30th anniversary push answers that pressure with a firmer gate. Pok\u00e9mon is leaning on an identity-verification system built around the My Number card, Japan\u2018s government-issued national ID, to sort genuine fans from opportunistic buyers.<\/p>\n<p>The mechanics run through two application tiers. Entrants can apply via a verified slot, which requires completing My Number card authentication inside the Pok\u00e9mon Card Game Players Club and making sure the registered email matches their Pok\u00e9mon Center Online account, or via an unverified slot, which only asks for phone-number authentication on Pok\u00e9mon Center Online. The catch sits in the odds: the majority of winning entries are set aside for the verified pool, and while unverified fans may still enter, completing verification is openly framed as the way to improve one\u2019s chances. Verification on its own still guarantees nothing.\n<\/p>\n<p>The campaign covers four products from the 30th CELEBRATION MEGA range: the expansion pack BOX, the \u201cEspeon &amp; Umbreon\u201d premium deck set, the \u201cFuturistic Box,\u201d and a nine-type card set. The first three share an application window running August 10 through August 14, with results on August 21 and shipping timed ahead of a mid-September release. The nine-type card set follows on its own track, with entries open August 28 through August 31, results on September 4, and shipping ahead of a mid-October release. Pok\u00e9mon has also signaled that further lottery rounds will follow for those who miss out.\n<\/p>\n<p>The 30th CELEBRATION MEGA lottery runs exclusively through Pok\u00e9mon Center Online, with the first entry window open August 10 to August 14 and the card set draw following August 28 to August 31. Fans chasing the best odds will need to complete My Number card verification through the Players Club before applying.<\/p>\n<div class=\"show-article\">\n<p>                                                            Read Full Article<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-author d-block d-lg-none\">\n<hr class=\"sidebar-divider share-divider\">\n<h6>Text By<\/h6>\n<p><span class=\"author-name\">Sophie Caraan<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-credentials d-block d-lg-none\">\n<hr class=\"sidebar-divider\">\n<div class=\"credential\">\n<h6>Editor Assistant<\/h6>\n<p><span>Thu Tran<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-share d-block d-lg-none\">\n<hr class=\"sidebar-divider\">\n<h6>Share this article<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-body-content-tags\">\n<div class=\"body collapsed\">\n<p>    JapanPok\u00e9mon\n                                                            <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/hypebeast.com\/2026\/8\/pokemon-center-online-reveals-items-requiring-japanese-id-card-purchase-buy&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/image-cdn.hypb.st\/https%3A%2F%2Fhypebeast.com%2Fimage%2F2026%2F08%2F06%2FtwPokemon-Center-Online-Reveals-items-Requiring-Japanese-ID-Card-purchase-buy.jpg?w=1080&amp;cbr=1&amp;q=90&amp;fit=max&#8221;] Gaming 1 day ago 537 Views 0\u00a0Comments Comments Save Text By Sophie Caraan Editor Assistant Thu Tran Share this article 1 of 3 Pok\u00e9mon Center Online 2 of 3 Pok\u00e9mon Center Online 3 of 3 Pok\u00e9mon Center Online Gaming 1 day ago 537 Views 0\u00a0Comments Comments Save Summary Pok\u00e9mon is tying its [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,39],"class_list":["post-2081886","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-hypebeast-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2081886","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2081886"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2081886\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2081886"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2081886"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2081886"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}