Japanese to English
The translation of Pokemon cards from Japanese to English was one of the earliest localization efforts for the Pokemon trading card game. The process of translating allowed fans outside of Japan to enjoy and collect the cards, further popularizing the franchise worldwide. The fist English Pokemon set, Base Set, was printed in 1998, by Wizards of the Coast.
Japanese vs English Cards
While both Japanese and English Pokemon card back designs share similarities in terms of branding and core elements, there are noticeable differences in color schemes, text placement, copyright information presentation, symbols/icons used, and overall design aesthetics that cater to their respective target markets. Notice the different name on the Japanese card. It was originally called ” The Pocket Monsters Card Game”
1st Edition
The introduction of the “1st Edition” stamp on English Pokemon cards marked a significant milestone in the world of collectors. The first print run of English cards included a special symbol on every card to denote its status as a 1st Edition card.
1st edition Pokemon cards hold immense value and allure among collectors due to their scarcity. These cards are particularly sought after when they feature iconic Pokemon like Charizard, from early sets. The rarity of 1st edition cards is underscored by their limited print runs and desirability among collectors seeking pristine examples for their collections.
Overall, understanding how to identify and differentiate a 1st edition Pokemon cards is essential for collectors looking to assess their value accurately and appreciating the historical significance attached to these coveted collectibles.
Base Set has 3 different card types.
- Pokemon cards
- Trainer cards
- Energy cards
The location of the 1st edition symbol changes depending on the card type. (see above images)
Pokemon Card
Left side of the card, directly under the art box.
Trainer Card
Bottom left corner, below the card text.
Energy Card
Top right corner.
3 Different Versions
Shadowless Pokémon cards refer to the earliest print runs of the original Base Set released in 1999 by Wizards of the Coast under license from Nintendo. These cards are characterized by the absence of a shadow texture underneath the illustration box on each card, specifically to the right of the Pokémon image. There are many different print runs of English Base Set. (see picture below)
There are 3 different versions of English Base Set. (In order of most to least valuable.)
- 1st Edition Shadowless – Refer to the earliest print runs of the original Base Set. These cards are characterized by the 1st edition stamp, and the absence of a shadow feature underneath the illustration box, specifically to the right of the Pokemon image. If you have a 1st edition stamp, the card is also shadowless.
- Shadowless – The second print run of English Base Set. These cards will look exactly the same as 1st Edition Shadowless just with out the 1st edition stamp.
- Unlimited – The most common of the 3 versions. Wizards of the Coast decided to give the Pokemon card design a slight upgrade to make the cards look better. The Shadow effect was added to the art box, and the 120 HP is now bold.
Print Quality
It is also important to discuss the difference in print quality from Japanese and English cards.
Japanese cards have an overall higher quality when it comes to their cards. Along with the lower print quality, English cards have a giant list of cards that were misprinted. There were many cards that have typos, missing symbols, missing text, images printed on the wrong cards, ect.
I just wanted to mention it now, but this is a topic that will have to discuss at a later time.
Sources used:
- GamesRadar+
- Twitter (TAHK0)
- Pokemon TCG Collectors Guide
- CGC Trading Cards
- Collectorscache.com
- Wizards of the Coast
- Gamerevolution.com
- Youtube (nppkmn)