“Pokémon – Charizard & Blastoise” (ポケットモンスター), Original 1997 Japanese Banpresto Character Poster / Prize Promotional Poster — Not for Sale, B2 Size (51 x 73cm) O199A

This is an original Japanese B2-size Pokémon promotional poster printed in 1997 by Banpresto, produced as part of the Banpresto Character Poster Series. It was issued under licence from Nintendo, Creatures, Game Freak, TV Tokyo, ShoPro, and JR Kikaku, and is marked 非売品 — Not for Sale, confirming that it was not a standard retail poster.

Series background
First aired in Japan in 1997, Pocket Monsters — Pokémon — rapidly became one of the defining pop-cultural phenomena of the late 1990s. By the time these early Banpresto posters were produced, the franchise had already expanded from the Game Boy titles into television animation, trading cards, toys, arcade prizes, and character goods. Original 1997 Japanese Pokémon promotional material from this first-generation period is now highly collectible, particularly when featuring major Kanto-era characters.

Poster design
A dynamic early Pokémon battle composition featuring Charizard and Blastoise, the final evolutions of the original Red and Blue game mascots. Charizard dominates the left side of the image, unleashing a stream of fire, while Blastoise advances from the right, firing high-pressure water blasts from its twin cannons. Set against a deep cosmic blue background, the design has the bright, cel-animation quality associated with the earliest Pokémon television era.

The lower right corner identifies this as No. 5 from the Banpresto character poster line, with the printed production code LOT 971105 and the footer ©BANPRESTO 1997 MADE IN JAPAN. The poster also carries the Banpresto logo in the upper left and the original Pokémon logo in the upper right, making it a strong example of first-generation Japanese Pokémon promotional design.

Condition
Excellent. Light handling wear, creasing, and edge wear visible in places. Please review the photos—they show the exact poster for sale.

It is over 28 years old!

It is not a reproduction or a reprint.

Certificate of Authenticity included.