The Pikachu and Van Gogh merch collab event in Amsterdam descended into chaos as fans tried to get their hands on the range of high-demand products.
Pokémon announced the unlikely collaboration earlier this month, as part of an exhibition at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam that launched yesterday (28 September).
The venue says on its website: “To celebrate the museum's 50th anniversary, Pokémon and the Van Gogh Museum have launched this collaboration. Together, they developed various educational activities based on the shared link with Japanese art and culture: Pokémon is a Japanese pop culture icon and Japanese prints were a significant source of inspiration for Vincent van Gogh."
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As merch, the exhibit launched a Pikachu with Grey Felt Hat card, which depicts the beloved in the style of Van Gogh's ‘Self-Portrait with Grey Felt Hat’.
This proved to be something fans were desperate to get their hands on, with social media footage showing crowds of people clawing to get in on the action.
The card has already appeared on eBay, where it is being resold for hundreds, with one even spotted going for $1,732.
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"The videos online of the scalpers was disgusting," journalist Austin John Plays wrote, sharing a screenshot of the listings online, adding: "Almost as disgusting as this."
The official Pokémon X account later shared a statement addressing the ‘overwhelming demand’, apologizing to those who missed out.
It said: “We apologize to all the fans eagerly awaiting our Pokémon Center x Van Gogh Museum release today. Due to overwhelming demand, all our products from this collection have sold out.
“We understand this is disappointing to many who were looking to our official email and social media channels for guidance on how and when to purchase.
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“We are actively working on ways to provide more ‘Pikachu with Grey Felt Hat’ promo cards for fans shopping at Pokémon Center in the future. Details will be released at a later date. Thank you for your understanding and continued support.”
The exhibition will be on display at the Van Gogh Museum until the beginning of next year.
The website continues: "Pokémon's Pikachu, Eevee, Snorlax and many others are at the Van Gogh Museum until 7 January 2024!
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“Join the Pokémon Adventure and get a special promo card to add to your collection, see Pokémon paintings inspired by famous Van Gogh masterpieces, or get creative and draw Pikachu. Don't miss out and book your museum tickets now.”
It says Pokémon x Van Gogh Museum is 'coming soon' to the online shop, adding: "Sign up to our Museum shop newsletter so you can be the first to know when it arrives."
Topics: World News, Pokemon
Jess Hardiman