By Saruwatari Tsuyoshi, Kyoto Shimbun News

March 25, 2013: Kyoto, Japan – The Topps Company recently released the first two official cards of their much-anticipated LRS baseball card set.  In a bow to the 2012 Neo Tokyo Cup matchup, Edo LF Morihiro Nakamura and Neo-Tokyo 3B Nobuhito Hasegawa are featured.

The cards feature vivid artists renditions of the players with an LRS watermark to the left of the player’s portrait.  A Topps spokesperson says that there are some more interesting variations on the designs planned, including a stadiums set.

At a special promotional event in Kyoto and in local hobby stores across Japan, the cards flew off the shelves as fans lined up for hours to obtain a piece of LRS lore.  “We knew the demand would be there but admittedly were surprised at the number of fans we got so early,” said Topps’ spokesperson.  “In Kyoto, they were lined up for hours before sunrise.  It’s a testament to the LRS’ popularity and quality of the games they been putting out there for the fans.  We really shouldn’t have been surprised, in hindsight.  We’re very happy the fans enjoy the cards as much as we do producing them.  They are a passion for us at Topps and we look forward to a continuing relationship with the LRS.”

A steady stream of young, beaming faces is still filing into stores as the sun sets on this most remarkable day.  Topps has said that it will produce cards throughout the year.  We can’t wait to see more of this wonderful set.