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The hottest trading cards in Japan's Fukuoka Prefecture are of real-life old men
The youth in Kawara, a small town in Fukuoka Prefecture in Japan, are collecting a new trading card game featuring men in their community
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While the world has changed immensely since trading card games (TCGs) first exploded in popularity around the world in the 1990s, one thing has remained consistent. If you want to connect with the youth, trading card games are a surefire way to do it. That is what Eri Miyahara, the Secretary General of the Saidosho Community Council in Kawara, Japan, has discovered when she created a trading card game featuring ojisan - middle-aged to older men - in her community.
As reported by Tokyo Weekender and Fuji News Network, this community-centered TCG is composed of 47 unique cards featuring almost 30 men in Kawara, breaking them into familiar elemental 'types' like fire, electric, water, and more. Each card reflects the role that each man has played in their community. For instance, one card represents Mr. Honda, a 74 year-old man who served as the town's fire brigade chief for decades. Mr. Honda's card is a fire type that has a 'Super Guard move' that can deal 200 damage.
Miyahara stated to Fuji News Network that she created the game as a way to "strengthen the connection between the children and the older generations in the community," and it's been immensely successful. Children have been coming out for town events in droves since the game's inception for the chance to meet the ojisan from their cards. Overall participation at town events has doubled.
Currently, all of the cards are made by hand and are only available for sale at the Saidosho Community Center. A pack of 3 cards sells for ¥100 ($0.70) while a pack of 6 with a shiny card goes for ¥500 ($3.50). That's a real bargain if you ask me!
You don't need to beat the game to prepare for the next one—here are all the major new and upcoming games coming our way.
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