Japan’s Pokémon Visa cards are totally legit, completely adorable, may reveal Pikachu’s last name

06:09 cherishe 0 Comments

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While there are definitely some upsides to being a child, growing up isn’t all bad, especially when you can find ways to incorporate the things you loved as a kid into your adult life. For example, there’s that new Pokémon lifestyle magazine that’s written for fully grown, productive members of society.

And should you be a Pokémon-loving man or woman who heads to the store to buy the magazine’s latest issues, you don’t even need to pay cash, since now you can just whip out a Pikachu credit card.

linguistically, a tie-up with Master Card would have made the most sense, but these cards are actually Visas, issued through the credit company’s partnership in Japan with financial conglomerate Sumitomo Mitsui.

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The simplest design is found on the Pokémon credit card, with an illustration of an eager looking Pikachu.

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That picture alone probably would have been enough to convince some people they need a new Visa, but Sumitomo Mitsui is sweetening the deal in a number of ways. The first 500 people to sign up will receive a Pokémon hand mirror, and the first thousand will also receive an illustrated plastic file. It also looks like everyone who signs up will receive 1,200 points in Sumitomo Mitsui’s World Present Point rewards program and an original design Pikachu stuffed animal.

▼ Wow, according to this, Pikachu’s last name is…Pokemon! Wait, are credit card advertisements canon?

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The most attractive incentive of all, though, is that everyone who signs up for the credit card between now and October 31 will be entered into a drawing, and the winner will receive a visit from Pikachu himself at his or her home on Christmas Day of 2015, thrilling your kids and making Santa Clause feel like chopped liver.

Sumitomo Mitsui is also issuing two different prepaid Visas with Pokémon designs.

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The card on the right is a special edition that can only be applied for at Pokémon Center retail outlets, and is a limited run of 10,000 to commemorate the upcoming Pokémon Movie X Y Hoopa and the Clash of Ages theatrical feature. The standard design can be obtained at either Pokémon Centers or online.

If you’re ready to choose Pikachu and paying with plastic, online applications for the credit card can be made here, and the prepaid card here. Depending on your credit ranking, the credit limit for the Pokémon Visa is between 100,000 and 800,000 yen (US$800 and $6,400), but in any case, should be high enough to keep you comfortably stocked with Pikachu ramen.

Source: Jin
Top image: Sumitomo Mitsui (edited by RocketNews24)
Insert images: Sumitomo Mitsui (edited by RocketNews24)