Pokémon Company issues recall for Poké Ball Mobile Battery Chargers following spontaneous fires

Pokémon has been hot stuff all throughout this COVID pandemic. For some fans however, that's been a bit more literal.

Many fans have been making heavy use of Pokémon GO in particular as they seek to shed some of the weight they've put on in lockdown. One essential item for many of these players is a portable battery charger, to help them keep playing long after their device would've normally run out of charge. One such device previously sold by The Pokémon Company in Japan, a Poké Ball shaped charger made by Anker in 2017, has now been recalled following two incidents where the device apparently spontaneously caught fire. While investigations by a third-party specialist firm were unable to identify a specific cause or indeed any flaws in the product itself, The Pokémon Company has apparently decided to play things safe, and is giving out full refunds to everyone who purchased the device.

Given that only 8653 units had been sold in the first place, it's safe to say this voluntary recall would be costing The Pokémon Company far less than any lawsuit might had they not taken action. Still, it's nice to see The Pokémon Company being this proactive in taking steps to protect their customers.

お客様各位

平素より格別のご愛顧を賜り、厚く御礼申し上げます。
ポケモンセンター、ポケモンストア、ポケモンセンターオンラインおよびAmazon.co.jp「ポケモンストア」にて販売いたしました弊社商品「モンスターボールモバイルバッテリーAnker 10000mAh」におきまして、焼損する事案がこれまでに2件発生しております。
当該2件の事案について、専門の第三者機関にて調査を実施した結果、原因特定には至らず、製品設計における瑕疵は認められませんでした。しかしながら、弊社では本事案を真摯に受け止め、再発防止の観点から、下記のとおり当該商品を自主回収のうえご購入代金を返金させていただきます。
つきましては、本商品をお持ちのお客様は、誠に恐れ入りますが、本商品の使用を中止していただきますとともに、お電話またはインターネットの専用フォームより、回収をお申し込みくださいますよう、お願い申し上げます。

お客様には、多大なご迷惑、ご心配をお掛けいたしますことを、深くお詫び申し上げます。
なにとぞ、ご理解を賜りますよう、お願い申し上げます。

2021年7月2日
株式会社ポケモン

To all of our customers

We would like to extend our deep gratitude for your continuing to give us your patronage.

There have been two incidents involving our product, the "Monster Ball Mobile Battery Anker 10000mAh", sold at Pokémon Center, Pokémon Store, Pokémon Center Online and the Amazon.co.jp "Pokémon Store", where the product has caught fire.
An investigation of these two incidents by a third-party specialist organisation has not been able to identify a specific cause, and has found no flaws in the product design. Neverless, our company is taking these incidents seriously, and as a preventative measure are issuing a voluntarily recall along with providing full refunds of the purchase price.
We apologise for the inconveience to our customers, but we humbly ask that you please discontinue use of this product, and contact us either by telephone or the dedicated online form to arrange for collection.

We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience and concern that this may cause to our customers.
We hope you will please grant us your understanding.

2 July, 2021
Pokemon Co., Ltd.