With Our Pokémon Trading Card Game “Official Certification System,” Game Players Can Become Active Supporters

1. Enlisting the Help of Passionate Players

Behind the success of the ”Pokémon Trading Card Game”(Pokémon TCG) stands a dedicated group of certified individuals who strive to support play spaces and tournaments.

We created a system to certify “Event Organizers,” who serve as organizers or operators of sanctioned Pokémon TCG events, and “Official Judges,” who serve as judges at official Pokémon TCG competitions.

We launched this certification system and its qualification exams in 2015. One of our employees recalls the initial situation: “At the time, players had limited options when it came to getting together. We realized there simply weren’t enough places for people to enjoy the  game casually.”

Meanwhile, in the United States and Europe, card game players were already active in organizing events and supporting competitions in the role of judges. A culture of active involvement in expanding card game communities was already deeply ingrained.

We believed that if a similar culture were developed in Japan, the Pokémon TCG would flourish even more. This was the motivation that led to the creation and launch of the official certification system to back these enthusiastic fans.

2. Creating Player-Centered Spaces

To acquire Official Certification, candidates first take a web-based written exam that tests their knowledge of the Pokémon TCG rules. Those who pass proceed to an online interview. Successful candidates who complete both acquire qualification as an Event Organizer, while those aiming to become Official Judges must complete additional judge training after passing these exams.

A team member explains our approach: “Any experienced player is certainly welcome to take on the challenge, but success requires more than just technical knowledge. We believe candidates also need to demonstrate a genuine desire to share the joy of the game with others.

Candidates who acquire certification as Event Organizers are able to independently organize sanctioned Pokémon TCG events. Many organizers start by hosting beginner-friendly events, such as “Introductory Matchups” or “Teaching Events.” To support these activities, we provide necessary materials like playmats, rule guides, and more.

Surprisingly, candidates seeking Official Certification include many parents. Some played the game with their children for years, but as their children grew older and began playing on their own, the parents found themselves with advanced skills and nowhere to use them. These parents often decide to seek Official Certification in order to teach other children in their local communities, much like little league baseball coaches.

Other applicants live in areas that lack nearby events and seek Official Certification out of a desire to build up a local playing community from scratch.

Whether they are teaching children, overseeing local tournaments, or building a new gaming community, Event Organizers today are supporting steady expansion in the number of places where players can enjoy the game.

3. Supporting the Competitive Scene

Official Judges make sure that everything goes smoothly at official tournaments and events. Their duties range from clarifying rules during competitions and resolving disputes to providing guidance and support to the players, and more.

The venues where Official Judges assist are quite diverse, from competitions on a small scale to national championships. At City League tournaments, a team of four or five judges collaborates to manage the event. In 2024, more than 2,000 such events took place across Japan, with upwards of 10,000 judges participating in their official capacity.

At Champions League events – competitions typically held five times every year, bringing together over 7,000 players each time – we staff more than 200 Official Certified Judges at each event to maintain high standards.

Competitive Pokémon TCG, where players strive for national and global titles, requires fair and impartial management. Official Judges provide the support that allows all players to take part safely and confidently. In fact, we often see former competitors transition into these roles because they want to support the game from a new perspective.

4. Expanding the Community

Many judges who earn these certifications are fans who already love the game. They choose to pursue official certification because they want to be more than just players; they want to support and sustain the Pokémon TCG community.

A team member notes the high expectations we have for the judges: “We expect our certificate holders to be role models to Pokémon TCG players everywhere. Even in their official capacity, we hope they remain the kind of players that others truly admire.”

Through the Official Certification System, Pokémon TCG players themselves are taking steps to spread the  appeal of the game to others. This creates a cycle of growth and connection that we expect to continue expanding well into the future.