All the Pokemon are so cute, I can't choose one (laughs).
Now it's your turn. There are currently about 400 Pokémon to choose from in the Pokémon Design Lab. Do you already have an idea of which Pokémon you would like to choose? By the way, which is your favorite Pokémon?
Fujimoto: I am a Lizardon.
CHiNPAN: I love it. I think I'm Ponyta!
You were both selected from among the 151 Pokemon in "Pokemon Red and Green". Have you been playing Pokemon since the game was first released?
Fujimoto: I was 5 years old when it was released in 1996, but I have been playing since then under the influence of my older brothers and sisters. I have many memories of Pokemon. I remember fighting with my older brother and having my save data erased. ...... (laughs). I hardly play Pokemon anymore, but I still feel as if I grew up playing Pokemon. It was my original experience.
CHiNPAN: I have never played the game, but I used to watch the cartoons when I was little. Besides, recently a couple of us have been really into Pokemon cards!
Fujimoto: Many of my friends are into Pokemon cards, and since the beginning of this year, we have been playing a lot. When we want to compete with the best, we buy a deck and play against each other just as if we were on the same level.
CHiNPAN: This year, you've been doing it since New Year's. Right around that time, my daughter also became interested in Pokemon . . So when we come to the "Pokemon Center Shibuya" as a family, all three of us can have fun.
. If you buy Pokémon cards in this way, you will gradually become more familiar with the latest Pokémon.
CHiNPAN: I often draw animals and insects in my ink drawings, and I am especially fond of imaginary creatures. In that sense, I am very interested in Pokemon in terms of design. The latest Pokémon from the Jade Region are cute, aren't they? Gerdy, for example, has a design that didn't seem to exist until now. I'm so excited! ...... But I'm still very confused.
Fujimoto: You can find it at ......!
I think it was very quick for me to narrow it down to Pokémon that appeared in "Pokémon Red and Green".
CHiNPAN: . anyway, I have memories.
Fujimoto: Looking at them again, I'm getting attached to the Pokémon from that era. Beedle and Goronha are nice too .
CHiNPAN: But I feel like I would prefer a Pokémon that I don't see in merchandise! Like Meowth? It's very famous, but I haven't seen it on printed T's very often. Okay, I've decided on Meowth!
Fujimoto: Wow, that was quick! I still can't get rid of Lizardon. ...... . the "Pokémon + Frame" design pattern is also intriguing to me. It's kind of a cool outdoor brand-like design, and the Lizardon silhouette looks really nice.
CHiNPAN: . KIKI-chan's Eevee was cute, so there's also the option of making it Eevee. I think it would also make KIKI-chan popular.
One of the "Pokemon + Frame" designs. The design makes use of the silhouette of the Pokémon, and the scribbled font is fresh.
One of the "POKÉMON + FRAME" designs. The simple font "POKÉMON" is accompanied by a discreet Pokémon silhouette, giving it a classy look.
After much deliberation and deciding on a Pokémon, both of them immediately decided on a very simple, text-only design. This is Fujimoto's. .
Fujimoto: ...... Hmmm , okay! I'll go with Lizard! Lizardon is hard to throw away, but with CHiNPAN, I dare to choose Lizard, which you don't see as a printed T very often!
. You have settled on an orthodox design, haven't you? . However, each of the Pokémon chosen for the T-shirts is a little fresh, perhaps because they are not often seen in printed designs on T-shirts.
CHiNPAN: We talked about how we wanted to wear simple Pokemon T's, right?
Fujimoto: Yup . Maybe this simple design was chosen because the designers actually intended to wear it outside. As a result, KIKI's design was the sharpest (laughs).
