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Pikachu can now be part of your legal signature in Japan thanks to awesome Pokémon personal seals

Casey Baseel Nov 24, 2018
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Why just say “I accept the terms of this transaction” when you can say “I accept the terms of this transaction, and also PIKA!”

In Japan, instead of writing your signature on legal documents, adults are expected to use a personal seal, called either a hanko or inkan. Usually stamped with red ink, the seal leaves a round circle with your last name written in its center, showing your acceptance and confirmation of the document or transaction.

But a new line of seals also conveys a third message: that you’re a Pokémon fan, and one with a particular species of Pocket Monster that’s captured your heart.

Personal seal maker Hankos has just released its Pokémon Pon inkan (pon being the Japanese onomatopoeia for pressing down a stamp with a forceful flourish). Each stamp is made to order, combining your choice of Pokémon with your family name.

▼ Here’s an example pairing Pikachu with Sato (which, ironically, makes it a hanko SoraNews24’s Mr. Sato can’t use).

Three different fonts are available…

…as are three different constructions: wood…

…water buffalo horn…

…or a plastic, self-inking stamp.

Obviously, Pikachu is the most heavily featured species in Hankos promotional images. You’re not stuck with the franchise mascot by any means, though, nor are your other options limited to Eevee or starter Pokémon. Hankos is offering no fewer than 151 different designs, covering the entire roster of original Kanto Region Pocket Monsters.

▼ We promise there’s more information (including ordering information) below, but we couldn’t bring ourselves to break up this beautiful collection of samples.

And again, these aren’t toys or arts and craft supplies. The wooden and horn Pokémon hanko are legally recognized by major banks including Sumitomo Mitsui, Mizuho, Mitsubishi UFJ, Risona, and Yucho. Parcel delivers services such as Yamato, Sagawa, and the Japan Post Office also recognize all three types of Pokémon seals.

Pokémon Pon personal seals can be ordered online through Hankos’ store on either Rakuten or Yahoo! Prices start at 2,000 yen (US$18) for the self-inking version, while the wooden and horn seals are 5,000 yen each. There’s also a 7,000-yen combo pack that gets you your choice of wooden or horn hanko plus the self-stamping one, and while there’s no discount in price, you do get the cute box shown above (all seals come with a cylindrical illustrated case as well).

Source: PR Times, Hankos via Japaaan
Featured image: PR Times (edited by SoraNews24)
Top image: PR Times
Insert images: Hankos

Follow Casey on Twitter, where he’s tempted to get himself an Abra seal since the character is called “Casey” in Japan.