Bic Camera's Ikebukuro West branch in Tokyo has found an unconventional weapon against resellers: a 15-question Pokémon test that customers must pass before purchasing the Ninja Spinner expansion set.
The Japanese electronics retailer posted the restrictions after the March release of Ninja Spinner, a Japan-exclusive ninja-themed set packed with rare pulls. The expansion features Mega Evolution Pokémon, coveted Special Art Rares, and a notably high ratio of secret rares, making it catnip for both serious collectors and people hunting quick profits.
The quiz itself leans toward the generous side. Questions range from straightforward trivia like "What's the name of the Pokémon on the box?" to broader knowledge about the franchise. One person who passed the test reported that staff created questions "anyone who likes Pokémon could answer" and even offered congratulations upon completion. No phones, no photos, no outside help allowed, however, so prospective buyers cannot cheat their way through.
Even winners face strict limits. Bic Camera caps sales at one box per customer and requires a loyalty account with the chain. The store also unseals the outer packaging before sale, eliminating the appeal of reselling mint-condition sealed boxes.
The strategy appears to have worked. Reports from the storefront suggest scalpers failed the test, unable to navigate even basic Pokémon knowledge. Social media posts from Japanese users praised the approach, with many calling for other retailers to adopt similar measures nationwide.
Bic Camera's other locations have rolled out their own countermeasures. The Sapporo branch, located on Hokkaido, requires buyers to present a Japanese driver's license or My Number tax ID card, effectively locking purchases to Japanese residents. No quiz required there, just proof of local status.
The crackdown reflects a genuine problem. Pokémon card crime has escalated across multiple countries. Last year, a Japanese card shop lost $92,000 in inventory to theft allegedly orchestrated by a rival store owner. Australia saw a string of coordinated store robberies in Melbourne in February 2025. The U.S. has experienced similar waves, with armed holdups in New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, and Boston. One January 2025 incident saw gunmen steal $116,000 from a New York shop during a crowded event, holding 50 people hostage.
Author Emily Chen: "Using a Pokémon knowledge test to block resellers is clever and cheeky, but it works because scalpers care about profit, not passion. The real question is whether retailers everywhere will borrow the idea or stick with blunter tools like ID checks and purchase limits."
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