Simplified Chinese Pokemon Cards
In 20+ years, the Pokemon (TCG) has been translated into a total of 11 different languages from all around the world. You can find cards printed in Japanese, English, Italian, German, Spanish, French, Dutch, Chinese, Portuguese, Korean, and Polish. But, they’re not done yet!
In 2022, mainland China welcomed the latest language printing of the Pokemon TCG, which was eagerly anticipated by fans and collectors alike. This new printing brought the world of Pokemon to Chinese audiences in a more accessible and localized format.
But, hold on a minute…Don’t we already have Chinese Pokemon cards?
Well, yes. Technically, we do. The older Chinese language cards are referred to as Traditional Chinese, while the new language is known as Simplified Chinese. (Simplified Chinese, a.k.a. [S] Chinese, or S-Chinese)
Interesting New Ideas
S-Chinese Pokemon cards are off to a great start by releasing unique, region-exclusive sets and cards, and they started off back in the Sun & Moon Era too. Here is a quick list:
- Anti-counterfeit stamps.
- The first S-Chinese sets are ones back in the Sun & Moon Era.
- S-Chinese sets include tons of cards so they can catch up with current modern sets.
- The exclusive S-Chinese Gift Boxes.
A Unique Way to Fight Counterfeit Cards
Pokemon logo - lower left corner
Pokeball logo - lower right corner
Stunning Print Quality
If you’ve ever opened a pack of English and Japanese Pokemon cards, them you know the clear difference they have in Print quality. Japanese cards are hands down better color, gloss, centering ect.
S-Chinese cards are printed in Japan, so when compared to other cards the quality alone stands out.
Starting With Sun & Moon
S-Chinese cards started with cards back in the Sun & Moon era. This is great, it give fans and collectors another chance to get some of the most popular card mechanics of the past few sets. S-Chinese will get there chance to print amazing cards from popular sets, such as, Shining Legends, Hidden Fates, Cosmic Eclipse, and Evolving Skies. These sets are expected to be very large and contain a mixture of cards from various sets as they attempt to catch up to modern English set.
Exclusive Gift Boxes
The new exclusive Gift Boxes coming out of Mainland China are some of the best sealed products I’ve seen in a long time.
These special products are usually centered around a highly popular character or Pokemon. Here are a few of the Gift Boxes already relased:
Each of the above Gift Boxes comes with exclusive cards, a variety of different booster packs, high quality playmats, deck boxes, ect. These gift boxes are best sealed products coming from the Pokemon TCG in any language. These items are highly sought after and a must have for any collector. Get them while you can!
Can't Read Simplified Chinese?
I was having trouble understanding alot of S-Chinese cards when they first came out. With so many sets being release in a short time, and each set having around 150 card it can get confusing. This next section was a game changer for me. Maybe this will help some of you out there who can’t read Simplified Chinese.
Reading Set Codes
It’s a little tricky to identify what cards are apart of which set. I had a lot of trouble at first, but then I came across Moxie’s Card Shop. The People here really know how to break it down and explain the concept in the clearest way I’ve ever seen. Click the link above to see the actual page.
Sources:
- https://moxiecardshop.com/pages/simplified-chinese-pokemon-faq
- https://twitter.com/E_S_Collectible/status/1722216440491880914
- Nintendo/Creatures Inc./GAME FREAK Inc.
- Pokewayen.com
- Ask.ai