Intro
duction

Wataru Ishida

2025 New Graduate
TCG Marketing team

Expanding TCG to New Audiences

Can you tell us about your job?

I’m part of the Trading Card Game (TCG) sales team. Recently, I am responsible for the coordination of “TCG Strategy Presentation,” where we announce upcoming product launches and new initiatives across the TCG business.

I also cooperate with our official shops and conduct sales activities with certified TCG retailers. My main focus is on data analysis and marketing, supporting the team to develop sales strategy.

What is your team like?

Most of the team members are in their twenties. The atmosphere is lively, open, and energetic. We communicate actively, not just about work but also hobbies or social media trends. We keep up-to-date with TCG trends, quickly picking up new information and turning it into business opportunities. It’s a creative and collaborative environment.

How did it start off?

Everyone who joins the TCG division is trained in the marketing department. It began with visiting numerous TCG shops with senior colleagues to observe product displays and sales performance, study how our games are played, and what makes players excited.

After I was officially assigned to the sales team, my first mission was to visit about 70 stores in the Tohoku region (Northern Japan) for over three weeks. I checked how our products are displayed and sold, as well as monitoring our market share in the secondhand card section.

The most memorable moment was when I had conversations with the store staff. Their information included what customers wanted, which products were getting attention, and how each store promoted sales. This kind of knowledge gave me deeper insights than pure data.

Through these field experiences, I gradually took on more responsibility and transitioned into my current role, focusing on market data analysis.

Learning from User’s Opinions Across Japan

Why did you choose Bushiroad?

The biggest deciding factor for me was that the company has been centered around TCG as its core business since it was founded. I’ve always been passionate about card games and I feel more and more new consumers are getting interested in card games. Card games are no longer what only otaku are into but are also enjoyed by a wide range of people. These days, more women, families, and couples are getting into it, which shows that the card game market still has tremendous potential to grow even further.

I wanted to be part of that growing company, to help spread the appeal of TCGs to new audiences so I chose Bushiroad, a company that has a dream to become the largest trading card game company.

What experiences of your school life have been helpful?

I studied statistics at university and it contributes directly to the work I do now.

I also played volleyball in different teams, which taught me how to communicate and collaborate with people I’m meeting for the first time. This experience built the communication skills I use everyday in sales.

Was there anything that surprised you after joining the company?

There was almost no surprise, in a good way! There are many colleagues who love TCG and entertainment in general. Many of them are working on things they’re genuinely passionate about.

What do you want to accomplish at Bushiroad?

My goal is to increase the number of people who enjoy card games regardless of generation or gender.

While I hold card game events around the country, I run teaching sessions where beginners can learn how to play the game. It is incredibly rewarding when participants say “That was more fun than I expected!” .

However, still a considerable number of people think TCG is too complicated because of the rules and detailed artwork. That’s why I want to provide entryways for card game beginners, ways for anyone to start playing and discovering how enjoyable card games are.

Please share a message for students who are interested in Bushiroad.

Bushiroad is full of people who love entertainment. If you’re enthusiastic about creating entertainment, this is the perfect place for you to be yourself.
Don’t hesitate to express your passion.

My schedule