The Woman Behind Bulbasaur: Tara Sands Talks Voicing Iconic Pokémon Characters at The London Card Show

London, 25th November, 2024 – Fans of Pokémon, trading cards, and collectibles were treated to an unforgettable experience at the 14th edition of the London Card Show earlier this month. Held at Sandown Park Racecourse, this sold-out event brought together over 6,000 attendees, featuring iconic collectables, celebrity appearances, and a shared passion that continues to transcend generations. Among the highlights was the participation of legendary voice actress Tara Sands, best known for voicing the beloved Pokémon character Bulbasaur in the original English series. Sands offered fans a rare glimpse into her journey with the Pokémon franchise and the challenges of bringing its beloved characters to life.

As the Pokémon craze continues to thrive across generations, Sands reflected on the franchise’s enduring appeal: “It all comes back to the original artwork. These characters and their designs have resonated with people of all ages since the very beginning.”

Sands, who also voiced Richie, Oddish, and other fan favourites in the original English Pokémon series, shared a heartwarming story about her unexpected debut as Bulbasaur.

“On my first day on Pokémon, I was only supposed to play a small character named Melanie in Episode 10. We finished early, and they played me the Japanese voice of Bulbasaur. They asked me to match the vocal quality but say ‘Bulbasaur’ instead. I did it, confused but happy to have a job. I had no idea I’d be talking about this so many years later!”

Her portrayal of Bulbasaur has since become an iconic part of the Pokémon legacy. Sands expressed gratitude for the deep connection fans share with the character: “I feel so lucky to be part of something that has meant so much, to so many. I’m a small cog in the Pokémon universe, but hearing fans share their stories about the show is amazing.”

Sands also shed light on the lesser-known challenges of dubbing anime, especially for a show as dynamic as Pokémon. She said “Matching the lip flaps was always the toughest part. Since the show is translated from Japanese, we spent lots of time trying to match the mouth movements as closely as possible. Often, rewrites were done in the booth as we went along. It could be incredibly frustrating when your character had a lot to convey but only a few seconds of mouth flap to say it!”

When asked about other dream projects, Sands made a surprising revelation that she had aspired to work on South Park. However, her love for Pokémon, and the community it has created was at the forefront of the discussion. Reflecting on events like the London Card Show, she highlighted their unique power to unite fans across generations: “Kids who grew up watching Pokémon now have kids of their own, and they share their passion for the franchise. Events like this keep growing as more generations try to ‘catch ’em all.’ It’s so inspiring to see this kind of multigenerational connection.”

Sands’ participation added a layer of nostalgia and insight for fans of Pokémon, giving them a deeper appreciation for the artistry and effort behind the show that shaped their childhoods.

Inside the London Card Show

The excitement at the show extended far beyond Pokémon. Collectors got the opportunity to witness some of the rarest trading cards in existence at the show, including the 1/1 Superfractor Wolverine 50th Anniversary card from Topps’ Chrome collection that’s received attention from collectors all over the world including DJ Steve Aoki. It’s currently valued at over £100,000! 

The event’s energy was amplified by the presence of several renowned content creators and celebrities from the worlds of entertainment, sports and gaming - including the likes of former England and Arsenal football legend Paul Merson, world famous gaming influencer and trading card enthusiast, elrubiusOMG, who has more than 40 million subscribers on YouTube, West Ham presenter and podcaster jaackmaate, and popular standup comedian and actor Guz Khan.

Other highlights included a live Whatnot stream zone, Topps collection box breaks, and box breaks by well-known Pokémon influencers Poki Chloe and Poke Dean. Fans also had the opportunity to participate in the Pokémon Trainer Challenge, attend the popular “Risk It or Leave It” session, and explore the Retro Gaming Zone, where nostalgic classics like Pacman and Street Fighter transported attendees back to their childhoods.

The Kids Zone, a family favourite, was buzzing with activities ranging from custom card creation workshops to interactive box breaks. Notable Lorcana artist, Milica Celikovic, hosted an art workshop and delighted young fans with conversation about her work on Hearthstone and Minion Masters as well as signing autographs.

The London Card Show has grown into a significant hub for collectors and fans worldwide, offering a platform to connect over shared interests. Harry Reynolds, Founder and CEO, emphasised the event’s sense of community and said “Seeing more than 6,000 people come together because of their love of cards proves how vibrant this community is. Each event gets bigger and better, and we’re proud to create a space where generations can connect and celebrate their hobbies.”

With its largest turnout to date and a growing international reputation, the London Card Show is already gearing up for its next edition, set for 8th & 9th February, 2025. 

For Pokémon, Marvel, Disney and sports enthusiasts and anyone drawn to the world of trading cards, it’s clear that the London Card Show is more than an event—it’s a celebration of passion that brings people together.

For tickets and information, visit www.londoncardshow.co.uk. For interviews and more information contact gazal@plus1comms.com.

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Editors notes

About London Card Show

Founded in 2021, the London Card Show was set up with a singular mission: to bring card collectors of all types under one roof. What initially began as a gathering of 10 tables and 40 attendees has since blossomed into a spectacular weekend-long event, attracting over 6,000 enthusiasts from across the globe. Their journey has been ignited by the passion of fans, having recently been crowned the UK’s Card Show of the Year!

About Harry Reynolds, Founder & CEO of the London Card Show

Harry Reynolds, a natural-born entrepreneur, embarked on his journey at a young age, continually seeking innovative ways to seize opportunities and bridge market gaps. His passion for trading cards began during university, where he turned a £10 investment into an impressive £10,000 after discovering the value of cards. Harry's YouTube live streams and TikTok presence catapulted him into the UK card community, where he gained recognition for his unique trading card mystery box breaks. With unwavering determination, he pioneered the London Card Show, and saw it evolve from a small gathering to Europe's largest card event. Harry's dedication has led to global recognition, and he remains committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive card community for enthusiasts of all backgrounds.

About Katie Hughes, Chief Operating Officer at the London Card Show

Katie Hughes, driven by a passion for creativity ignited during her school years, found her true calling in the world of marketing. After a marketing degree at university and six rewarding years within Hard Rock Cafe's marketing department, she embarked on a remarkable journey with the London Card Show. Initially unsure of what to expect from the card industry, she quickly fell in love with it. Her marketing strategy thrived on ingenuity, emphasising community engagement over traditional methods and achieving an exceptional 7% engagement rate, far surpassing industry standards. Her dedication and vision were instrumental in propelling the London Card Show to unprecedented success, doubling attendance and vendor tables within a year. Her dedication to her role, her family's support, and her commitment to the event's success have made her an indispensable asset to the London Card Show's remarkable transformation.