Early Pokémon Grail | Exceptionally Rare B1 Broadcast Format | TSC Television Setouchi Regional Variant | Original Japanese Television Launch-Era Campaign (1997) | c. 72.8 × 103 cm (28.7 × 40.6 in) | Original Unbacked Condition / Display Wear & Old Tape Repairs
An exceptionally rare, original Japanese B1 television promotional poster for the first Pocket Monsters animated series—the programme that introduced Ash and Pikachu’s adventures to television audiences. This is the distinctive TSC Television Setouchi regional version, carrying the broadcaster’s prominent blue branding beneath the original Tuesday-evening transmission time. TSC is the TV Tokyo network affiliate serving Okayama and Kagawa, giving this sheet a specific regional identity within the programme’s Japanese promotion.
The Pre-“Pokémon Shock” Era: This rare 1997 promotional poster stands as a definitive, time-capsule artifact from the absolute infancy of the Pokémon anime. On December 16, 1997, the infamous broadcast of "Dennō Senshi Porygon" triggered adverse physical reactions in viewers across Japan due to intense flashing imagery, resulting in an immediate 4-month blackout of the series. When Pokémon finally returned on April 16, 1998, TV Tokyo permanently moved the broadcast from Tuesday nights to Thursday nights.
Because this poster proudly features the original Tuesday evening time slot, it establishes an undeniable pre-incident provenance. It belongs to a very short, exclusive production window before the scandal forced anime production guidelines to change forever. For serious collectors, this sheet represents the ultimate historical significance: Pokémon being advertised to its original Japanese television audience, completely unaltered, in its historic first year of broadcast.
The expansive design brings together a first-generation Pokémon character chart, the original human cast and the striking green Pocket Monsters title. Ash, Misty, Brock and Pikachu occupy the upper centre; Professor Oak, Nurse Joy and Officer Jenny appear at the left; and Team Rocket with Meowth anchors the lower right. Around them, individually named Pokémon transform the sheet into a richly detailed introduction to the series’ world.
For a dedicated Pokémon collection, this is a compelling launch-era grail: substantial original advertising from the moment the franchise was moving from games into television. It is offered on original, unbacked paper, retaining visible display wear and old tape repairs. Its importance lies in its early broadcast context, regional variant and remarkable visual content.
Date & Original Japanese Television Broadcast
The original Pocket Monsters television series began broadcasting in Japan on 1 April 1997. Launch advertising promoted the programme on the TV Tokyo network in the Tuesday, 18:30–19:00 slot—the same schedule printed prominently on this TSC example.
The large blue announcement reads:
「毎週火曜日18:30〜19:00」
“Every Tuesday, 6:30–7:00 p.m.”
The vertical slogan at the right reads:
「こんどはテレビからやってくる！」
“This time, they’re coming from your television!”
Together, the introductory wording and original transmission time identify the design with the 1997 first-broadcast campaign. This particular sheet advertises the weekly schedule rather than printing a specific premiere date. Its lower section lists the participating network stations and carries the individual TSC / テレビせとうち identity.
This is television-launch material—not a theatrical poster. It belongs to the period before the first Pokémon feature film, Mewtwo Strikes Back, reached Japanese cinemas in July 1998.
The Series & Its Place in Popular Culture
Before the first movie, before the American television launch: Pokémon at the beginning of its animated life.
The first Japanese Pokémon Red and Green games appeared in February 1996, followed by the trading card game that October. The television series arrived in April 1997, with the first feature film and the American television launch following in 1998. This poster belongs to that formative transition, when the characters were being introduced as the inhabitants of an ongoing animated world.
Its appeal is particularly immediate for viewers who remember the original series. The familiar travelling companions, recurring adult characters and Team Rocket are presented alongside a dense array of creatures to recognise, name and discover. The composition makes the programme feel like an invitation: an entire world is waiting beyond the title.
The Pre-“Pokémon Shock” Era: This rare 1997 promotional poster stands as a definitive, time-capsule artifact from the absolute infancy of the Pokémon anime. On December 16, 1997, the infamous broadcast of "Dennō Senshi Porygon" triggered adverse physical reactions in viewers across Japan due to intense flashing imagery, resulting in an immediate 4-month blackout of the series. When Pokémon finally returned on April 16, 1998, TV Tokyo permanently moved the broadcast from Tuesday nights to Thursday nights.
Because this poster proudly features the original Tuesday evening time slot, it establishes an undeniable pre-incident provenance. It belongs to a very short, exclusive production window before the scandal forced anime production guidelines to change forever. For serious collectors, this sheet represents the ultimate historical significance: Pokémon being advertised to its original Japanese television audience, completely unaltered, in its historic first year of broadcast.
Design Notes
This is a wonderfully detailed character-chart and television-cast composition, with the substantial B1 format allowing numerous small illustrations to remain individually readable.
The original travelling companions: Ash, Misty and Brock stand together above the central title, with Pikachu immediately in front. Their familiar clothing and expressions give the otherwise encyclopaedic layout a clear human centre.
The supporting cast: Professor Oak, Nurse Joy and Officer Jenny form a separate group at the left. At the lower right, Jessie and James appear in their white Team Rocket uniforms, accompanied by Meowth. These larger illustrations break up the rows of Pokémon and establish the personalities around whom the television adventures unfold.
The first-generation character chart: The surrounding illustrations include the original starter families, Eevee and its early evolutions, the legendary birds, Mew, Mewtwo and Porygon. Each small image has its own name, inviting the viewer to study the sheet rather than simply glance at it.
Japanese names in Roman lettering: A particularly rewarding detail is the use of Japanese Pokémon names rendered in Roman characters, alongside katakana. Familiar creatures appear under names such as Fushigidane, Hitokage and Zenigame, rather than their English-language equivalents. These labels give the poster a distinctly Japanese identity.
The green Pocket Monsters logo: The large, dimensional green title dominates the centre, with POCKET MONSTERS beneath it in yellow-outlined lettering. Above, the red wording identifies the programme as a television animation series.
The broadcaster and publishing details: The blue TSC logo, prominent transmission time, network credits and red CoroCoro Comic promotional oval preserve the practical advertising purpose of the sheet. It is both an engaging character display and a document telling viewers what the programme is, where to watch it and when it will be broadcast.
At B1 scale, the design has the presence of a large wall chart. The pleasure lies in moving between the main characters and the smaller illustrations, discovering familiar faces throughout the composition.
About the Creators: Pokémon & the Original Television Series
The poster’s printed production credits identify TV Tokyo, SOFTX and Shogakukan Production, with planning cooperation from Shogakukan and JR East Japan Planning. Its copyright line also names Nintendo, Creatures, Game Freak, TV Tokyo, Sho-Pro and JR Kikaku, preserving the organisations associated with the programme’s early presentation.
That collaborative identity is reflected in the design. The creatures are presented individually, as recognisable characters to learn and collect, while the larger cast portraits introduce relationships, personalities and the promise of continuing adventures.
The poster does not rely on a single dramatic scene. Instead, it offers an overview of a world: protagonists, rivals, supporting characters and a remarkable variety of Pokémon, all brought together under one title.
For collectors interested in how the franchise was first presented in Japan, this makes the sheet especially rewarding. It preserves the excitement of an introduction—not the retrospective nostalgia of a later anniversary design.
Condition Report
Very Good+
Overall presentation: Display-used vintage condition / original unbacked paper with old tape repairs.
The poster retains strong, readable character artwork and an effective overall display, with the green title, blue broadcast lettering and colourful illustrations remaining prominent. However, it has visible condition issues that should be considered alongside its rarity.
Upper-edge tears: The upper-left portion of the printed face shows a substantial tear extending down from the top edge.
Old tape repairs: The reverse retains aged adhesive tape around the upper areas, including the repair corresponding to the tear visible on the front. The tape and surrounding paper show pronounced amber discolouration.
Authenticity: Original Japanese 1997 launch-era B1 television promotional poster for Pocket Monsters, carrying TSC Television Setouchi branding—not a modern reproduction or a Pokémon movie poster.
Format: Approximately 72.8 × 103 cm, original paper, unbacked.
Documentation: Certificate of Authenticity included.
(Please refer to the detailed images provided—these show the exact poster offered, including the front, reverse and existing repairs, and the poster you will receive.)
