Have you never heard of the Natta Wake Pokémon cards?
How I Became a Pokémon Card or Ni Natta Wake is a Japanese Manga illustrated and written by Kagemaru Himeno.
In each volume a Pokémon card is drawn in a different stance. Similar to Panini Prizm Basketball cards. And each manga shows the Pokémon in action, giving context to the card's illustration.
A special Pokémon card is included with every volume. Each promo card, as well as all the cards featured in each chapter, are originally illustrated by Himeno herself.
While 90’s kids had just started collecting Base Set in North America, Japan was of course creating more phenomenal cards. A time capsule we only discovered recently, the first volume was released in May of 1999.
Here are the the Natta Wake Japanese exclusive cards and Mangas:
Volume 1. The promo card included with this volume is Mankey. Discover more here.
Volume 2. The promo card included with this volume is Psyduck. Discover more here.
Volume 3. The promo card included with this volume is Jynx.
Volume 4. The promo card included with this volume is Sunkern.
Volume 5. The promo card included with this volume is Hoppip.
Volume 6. The promo card included with this volume is _____'s Pikachu.
With the Natta Wake cards being printed over 20 years ago, there are less than 80 copies of each in PSA 10. Find the population reports below:
| CARD NO. | NAME | AUTH | 1 | 1.5 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | TOTAL | |
| TOTAL POPULATION | Grade + Q |
0 – – |
0 – 0 |
– 0 0 |
1 0 0 |
4 0 0 |
12 0 0 |
35 0 0 |
47 0 0 |
62 0 0 |
125 2 0 |
314 – 9 |
216 – – |
816 9 10 |
|
| 56 | Mankey-Glossy Natta Wake Vol. 1 |
Grade + Q |
0 – – |
0 – 0 |
– 0 0 |
0 0 0 |
0 0 0 |
0 0 0 |
7 0 0 |
6 0 0 |
8 0 0 |
24 0 0 |
46 – 0 |
15 – – |
106 0 0 |
| 54 | Psyduck Natta Wake Vol. 2 |
Grade + Q |
0 – – |
0 – 0 |
– 0 0 |
0 0 0 |
0 0 0 |
1 0 0 |
7 0 0 |
7 0 0 |
12 0 0 |
18 0 0 |
39 – 0 |
24 – – |
108 0 0 |
| 124 | Jynx Natta Wake Vol. 3 |
Grade + Q |
0 – – |
0 – 0 |
– 0 0 |
0 0 0 |
1 0 0 |
4 0 0 |
10 0 0 |
20 0 0 |
15 0 0 |
11 0 0 |
35 – 0 |
47 – – |
143 0 0 |
| 191 | Sunkern Natta Wake Vol. 4 |
Grade + Q |
0 – – |
0 – 0 |
– 0 0 |
0 0 0 |
2 0 0 |
2 0 0 |
6 0 0 |
5 0 0 |
5 0 0 |
18 0 0 |
36 – 0 |
41 – – |
115 0 0 |
| 187 | Hoppip Natta Wake Vol. 5 |
Grade + Q |
0 – – |
0 – 0 |
– 0 0 |
0 0 0 |
0 0 0 |
0 0 0 |
0 0 0 |
2 0 0 |
4 0 0 |
12 0 0 |
28 – 0 |
18 – – |
64 0 0 |
| 25 | Birthday Pikachu Natta Wake Vol. 6 |
Grade + Q |
0 – – |
0 – 0 |
– 0 0 |
1 0 0 |
1 0 0 |
5 0 0 |
5 0 0 |
7 0 0 |
18 0 0 |
42 2 0 |
130 – 0 |
71 – – |
280 2 0 |
Here is a link to The Swiss Pokemon Card Collector @poke_z_irill ‘s Instagram post of the whole set graded and authenticated by PSA.
As we are lifelong fans of Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh! & Dragon Ball, it is safe to say the best card illustrations come from Japan. This goes for almost every Trading Card Game.
Most of the OCG (Official Card Game) in Yu-Gi-Oh!, Japanese Pokémon Promos & Dragon Ball Heroes are exclusive.
Japan has created almost every cool show, TCG and video game the world watches, collects and plays. And they are one of the originators of making things collectible, down to the way TCG’s are released!
Home to some of the world's most talented artists; Himeno has been producing art for Pokémon since the Jungle expansion released in 1996. She has made a name for herself producing some of collectors' favourite cards. Most fans know Himeno's artwork when they see it. Here are some of our favourites:
We are curious to know who are some of your favourite illustrators? What are your favourite cards? Please let us know in the comments below!
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