By Shaifulnizam Abdullah
Nobody hasn’t heard of the iconic show Digimon Adventure. Digimon Adventure is a popular show from our childhood that first aired on March 7, 1999. Digimon, also known as Digital Monster, became popular among children and young people around the year 2000.
Digimon is now well-known for its Card Game, which was reproduced by Bandai in 2020. Digimon cards were released to American and European audiences in 1999, however due to a lack of interest, only six booster sets were ever made before they were discontinued. The English card design is similar to the Japanese version (with minor alterations), but the game has been hugely changed.
Luckily for the latest Digimon Card Game in 2020, there is no repeat of these past mistakes so we may all enjoy the same game regardless of card language and were deemed “not as good as the Japanese version”. And now, many people in Malaysia, particularly in Sarawak, play the Digimon Trading Card Game, regardless of age or culture.
“The card gaming community in Kuching is amazing. Regardless of their age or culture, they all support, teach, and respect one another. This is something I admire about the Card Game community,” said Wahyu Fitri, 21.
He is a member of the community Trading Card Games in Kuching and has been involved in this hobby since 2015. He is also a UNIMAS student.
“Based on what I’ve seen here at UNIMAS, people play various kinds of card games and respect each other’s opinion on their favourite card game and others’ interests. In terms of attitude, I believe the UNIMAS community is among the best,” he said.
Digimon Trading Card Game is one of the most competitive card games, apart from Yu-Gi-Oh! and Cardfight Vanguard, with an international competition or championship.
“Digimon Trading Card Game is a competitive card game that, like the most well-known card game, Yu-Gi-Oh!, has its own big world championship,” said Wahyu.
“Even here in Kuching, there are also small events, such as shop competitions and small competitions hosted by someone in a cosplay or anime event,” he added.
On November 27, 2022, there is an Anime and Motorbike event in Aeroville Kuching, which includes a Digimon card game. Even if it is a small competition, it is worthwhile for others to participate in order to get experience and gain the courage to compete in a larger competition.
The Malaysian Trading Card Game community is bigger than you realise. It’s an interesting idea to turn our favourite monster from the most nostalgic show into a piece of card that can be used to play against each other in real life.
It is not just a character or a hobby, but it can also be a competitive card game in which mind and strategy are used to win. As the new set was released a few weeks ago, there will be a lot of people interested in the Digimon card game because of its great card design, reasonable price compared to other card games, and availability in all locations in Malaysia.
• This article was written by a student from the Strategic Communication Programme at the Faculty of Language and Communication, UNIMAS.
