Ojisan Trading Card Game Takes Japan by Storm

The Ojisan Trading Card Game is winning over kids and adults in Kawara, Fukuoka Prefecture. While giants like Pokémon and Yu-Gi-Oh! dominate the trading card market, this new game stands out by featuring real-life characters: middle-aged men from the local community.

Ojisan Trading Card Game Takes Japan by Storm

Like traditional trading card games, players use abilities, elemental powers, and special skills to defeat their opponents. The twist? Instead of monsters or wizards, each card features real people from Kawara, such as farmers and soba noodle chefs.

The idea came from the Saido Community Council, led by Eri Miyahara, to strengthen local pride and connections. Characters include Firewall, based on 74-year-old retired fire chief Honda-san, and Soba Master, inspired by 81-year-old noodle master Takeshita-san. The game has turned these everyday citizens into local legends.

Community Impact and Growing Popularity

Since the Ojisan Trading Card Game launched, the community center has seen a surge in kids participating in volunteer projects. Many are eager to work alongside the figures they admire in the game. One elementary school student proudly showed off her autographed All Arounder card, signed by 68-year-old retired police officer Fujii-san, now a dedicated local volunteer.

Currently, the complete set consists of about 40 different cards, all hand-cut by Saido Community Center staff. Packs of three cards sell for 100 yen (around $0.70), while six-card packs, which include a special prism-finish card, cost 500 yen ($3.50).

The game proves that in Japan, heroes don’t always wear capes—sometimes, they just serve great soba noodles or keep the town safe!

via Soranews