Is Pokemon getting into NFTs? If we believe a recent job listing by The Pokemon Company, it’s looking into the possibility.
The said job listing details the company’s need for a “Corporate Development Principal” who will play an “instrumental role” in the company’s President & Corporate Development Office. Effectively, this means that the hired individual will be close to the ears of the company’s president, Tsunekazu Ishihara.
The role’s duties and responsibilities include the following:
- Lead the identification, assessment, and execution of investments, strategic projects, and partnerships to support TPCi’s long-term growth strategy.
- Source, research, and recommend potential strategic partners to the President and executive leadership team.
- Bring in a group of advisers for the President, executive leadership team, and relevant business leaders to understand the trends and implications for the future of Pokémon businesses.
But, while the duties listed are pretty standard, the heading “what you’ll bring” is where most fans are taking issue. To be more specific, the listing requires the preferred candidate to have “deep knowledge and understanding of Web 3, including blockchain technologies and NFT, and/or metaverse.” Finally, the company would prefer if the hired individual be “deeply connected to a network of investors and entrepreneurs in the technology sectors above (Web3 and metaverse).”
Several Japanese companies have launched NFT projects in the past, particularly, Square Enix. But, in recent years, market opinion on blockchain technology has soured. Square Enix is now set to bid their former CEO farewell after it spearheaded several NFT-based projects.
With that said, you can’t blame the public for worrying about the future of Pokemon.
The franchise has gone through a lot of changes over the decades to keep up with the times. Most recently, fans got their first open-world Pokemon game with Ash finally becoming the best trainer in the world, after which he’ll officially exit the series.
But, while these changes have mostly gotten positive feedback, Pokemon NFTs or a Pokemon game based on the blockchain is where plenty of long-time fans appear to be drawing the line.
If it’s any consolation, The Pokemon Company doesn’t specifically state that the listing is for an expert in NFT, Web 3, and the Metaverse. So, while the company requires applications to possess a lot of experience in that space, this doesn’t mean that the Pokemon brand will go into it. At least, not anytime soon. The Pokemon Company plans its moves many years into the future and it’s normal for a company to look into things that may use to its advantage.
So, while we probably won’t be seeing six-digit officially licensed Pokemon NFTs anytime soon, it might happen in the future.
