Why Japanese Pokemon Cards?

You don't speak Japanese, you didn't know they name buildings not streets, or that they have the highest concentration on vending machines per capita in the world.

It is also the home of the finest crafted Pokemon cards in world.

Midday, bustling city street

I get it. You do not speak Japanese, neither do I.

However Pokemon cards at their base are picture cards. You know which Pokemon is on each card without having to read it.

The vast majority of people who love Pokemon, love it for the art and the Pokemon themselves and are not using them to play the game.

Below are the best reasons to give Japanese Pokemon their due.

#1 - Higher Hit Rates

Why do we rip packs? For the hits, of course.

Or maybe we're looking for to complete a set, or need a card for your deck.

Life has enough disappointment, no one wants to pay for the privilege to experience that again.

For that reason alone Japanese Pokemon have more to look forward to than their english counterparts. Here's why:

1. Smaller Print Runs prevent over production of common cards lowering the odds of hits

2. Guaranteed* hits per box (1 Secret Rare, 1 Alternative Arts, etc.)

   
   

3. Possibility of getting "God Packs." (The very rare chance where the majority of the cards are hits)

   
   

*Not technically guaranteed, however based on the past reported pull rates of previous sets.

#2 - Released more often

Since it is a Japanese company it stands to reason that they would introduce each set there first. Japanese Pokemon sets tend to release smaller sets more frequently. Usually to themes around certain cards. The smaller Japanese sets then are combined to make one larger english set. This results in Japanese sets being released every month in half or so. Whereas english set are released typically every 3 months.

More Pokemon, More Often!

#3 - More Exclusive cards and sets

One thing I do not believe the Pokemon company gets enough credit for, is their marketing prowess. Even though Pokemon prints money, the company still strives for exposure and ways to keep the brand fresh.

One of the ways they have used since the beginning is promo cards and exclusive sets.

In doing so there are countless innovations and creative ideas explored with these sets and promos.

From vending machines promos, magazines inserts, sometimes tied to events and movies. Some ideas have been so successful that they were eventually reproduced in english.

I mean, if you don't like Mario Pikachu, I can't help you.

Mario Pikachu

#4 - Actually available

What's that, you don't want to wait overnight at the local Gamestop with the dregs of society to secure perhaps a couple of packs for your loved ones or yourself?

Tsk Tsk. Maybe you want to pay for membership at Sam's or Costco for the privilege of arguing with a scalper grabbing a pallet of boxes? Sounds fun!

#5 - Significantly higher Gem Rate

As mentioned above, the Japanese Pokemon cards are printed at a much smaller scale. It is estimated that at least 50% of the over 11 Billion Pokemon cards produced in the last year are in english. So when producing at such a rate it is not likely that they would be able to maintain adequate quality control. So what that results in, is cards that have frayed edges, indents, poor centering, and surface issues.

As you can see in the charts below the percentage of PSA 10's or GEM Rates are starkly different.

These charts below highlight the dramatic difference.

From the highly popular Prismatic Evolutions the ENTIRE english set has a PSA 10 GEM rate of 32%.

The chase card is the Umbreon ex Special Art Rare, nicknamed "Sunbreon."

English "Sunbreon"

However in the matching Japanese set Terastal Festival, the Japanese version of the SAME card GEMs with PSA 10's at a astounding rate of 88%!

Japanese "Sunbreon"

GEM Rates for English PRISMATIC EVOLUTIONS

88% Gem Rate for Umbreon SAR "Sunbreon"

The value of Japanese Pokemon will only increase

As we have seen the Pokemon mania grab hold of the populous, we have all witnessed the viral clips of people making fools of themselves.

Like you, financiers and high end investors have also seen these viral clips. When they research and see Pokemon values outperforming mutual funds, the S & P 500 and cryptocurrency they are going to take notice.

While researching investments they are going to be looking for market inefficiencies. One of those inefficiencies is Japanese Pokemon cards. We are already seeing the market correct itself with the increasing prices for chase Japanese cards, raw and graded.

When they start pumping money into Japanese Pokemon cards the values will pump up as well.

Jump the line and visit our store Poke Drip.

We make Pokemon EASY. If you are interested in Authentic sealed Pokémon boxes, packs and related gifts.

With over 25 different Pokemon packs, descriptions of each set, featured Pokemon, and pictures of each chase card. Cheers!