This is a rare original Japanese B2 promotional poster printed in 1997 for the launch of the first Pokémon television series. Featuring all 151 original Pokémon alongside the principal human characters, it captures the franchise at a defining moment: the arrival of Ash and Pikachu’s adventures on Japanese television.
Created to announce the programme’s debut across the six-station TV Tokyo network, this is a particularly significant piece of early Pokémon publicity. Its appeal combines a wonderfully detailed character chart with a printed announcement of the broadcast that began one of animation’s most enduring stories.
Series background and dating
The crucial wording appears prominently across the lower section:
「毎週火曜日18:30〜19:00 4月1日より放送スタート！」
“Every Tuesday, 6:30–7:00 p.m.—broadcasting starts April 1!”
This identifies the poster with the series’ 1 April 1997 premiere campaign, placing it before the December 1997 interruption commonly known as “Pokémon Shock.” When broadcasting resumed in April 1998, the programme moved to Thursday evenings.
The explicit premiere announcement gives this example particular historical interest. It records Pokémon being introduced to its first television audience, as the world established by the original Game Boy games expanded into an ongoing animated adventure.
Poster design
A beautifully organised composition gathers the original 151 Pokémon, each labelled with its Japanese name in Roman lettering and katakana, around the enormous dimensional green ポケットモンスター logo.
Satoshi / Ash, Misty, Brock and Pikachu occupy the upper centre. Professor Oak, Nurse Joy and Officer Jenny appear at the left, while Jessie, James and Meowth bring Team Rocket’s unmistakable presence to the lower right. Familiar favourites, the original starters and their evolutions, the legendary birds, Mew and Mewtwo reward close inspection throughout the sheet.
The vertical slogan 「こんどはテレビからやってくる！」 announces “This time, they’re coming to television!” Below, the broadcast schedule, TV Tokyo logo, production credits and sponsor names preserve the poster’s original promotional purpose.
The pale background allows the colourful illustrations to stand out, giving the design the absorbing appeal of an illustrated Pokémon encyclopaedia. A remarkable display piece for collectors of the franchise’s earliest Japanese television material.
Condition
Excellent overall, with a small area of paper loss at the upper left edge, clearly shown in the additional close-up photograph. The colourful character illustrations and central title retain strong display appeal.
Once framed, this poster will display excellently. Please review all photographs, including the close-ups and reverse—they show the exact poster for sale.
It is over 29 years old!
It is not a reproduction or a reprint.
Certificate of Authenticity included.
