If you're reading this, you're probably familiar with the broader world of trading card games, and perhaps even with Japanese trading cards specifically. Maybe you've been in the scene for a while and are looking for even rarer cards. Maybe this is all new to you and you've recently taken an interest in scuba diving.Pokémon,Yu-Gi-Oh!,Black-and-white, ÖOne-piece deck of cardsor something even darker. Whoever you are, we have wisdom to share with you.
In addition to learning the basic rules of the game for your chosen trading card game (aka CCG, which stands for trading card game), there is also much to learn about the art of collecting cards yourself.as well as how to acquire them effectively. That's why we wrote this guide to help you.
If you're looking to expand or even complete a collection of cards from any game, there are a few things you need to know about popular TCG secondary markets in order to find the rarest cards. For many trading card games that originated in Japan (and even some that aren't), the best way to boost your collection is possiblyPurchase direct from Japanese sources. Pokémon card prices can be confusing at first, especially when buying in Japan, but we're here to help.
You may also want to learn more about details like card rarities, the value of purchasing sealed goods versus individual cards, and the best ways to track and store your collection. We've covered all of this in detail below. So if you're looking for an opportunity to collect the rarest type of cardboard, now is the perfect time to start.
Which trading cards should you collect?
Trading card games remain popular in the Japanese market.. From the legendary Pokémon trading card game to games from various franchises like Weiss Schwarz, the industry of printing well-loved characters onto card has never been more popular.
Internationally, interest in trading card games in general has seen a huge surge as of 2020, thanks in part to the trend of high profile YouTubers and streamers getting into the game. Additionally, staying at home in the early stages of the pandemic has led to an overall increase in collection-based hobbies, with card games seeing a huge surge in sales. During this time, it was not uncommon in America and Europe for most Pokémon merchandise to sell out store shelves completely.
ÖPokemon trading card gameis more popular than ever, with incredibly regular releases around the world. For each newly released Pokémon TCG, players will receive hundreds more cards based on their favorite Pokémon from the legendary series. If you've already loved the franchise and are looking for a card game to invest in, Pokémon is an incredibly solid choice. Pokemon card design is always amazing, with some amazing designs for the rarer cards. In terms of gameplay, it's accessible but can add a lot of depth at higher levels of the game. In terms of collectability, Pokémon enjoys a variety of hard-to-get rarities, variants, and special cards. Because of this, Pokémon card prices can fluctuate quickly. If you want to collect a deck of cards, there is no better option.
Another of the most popular games in the Japanese market isYu-Gi-Oh!Not unlike Pokémon that Yu-Gi-Oh! The TCG started in the 90's to capitalize on the success of the manga and anime series it is based on and has since become very popular around the world. Yu-Gi-Oh! combines a variety of mythological, fantastic, and sci-fi concepts to create his world, so you'll find many different types of cards transformed into superb works of art.
If you like the fantasy genre and are looking for a card game with lots of original graphics and designs, Yu-Gi-Oh! It's a worthy choice. As a game, it's a bit more complex than Pokémon, with lots of mechanics and rules to remember, but if you take the time to learn it can be a lot of fun. As a collector's game, it certainly has its appeal: Konami regularly releases products aimed at catering to the collector's market. Collectors love the Yu-Gi-Oh!
As with other Japanese card games, you also have a variety of games based on licensed properties. A popular game in this genre is the multi-franchise card game.Black-and-white, which is still popular in Japan but not as well known in the rest of the world. This game borrows characters from other popular series to make up its card pool:Re;Zero, Persona,miSword Art Onlineonly some of the popular series are included. If you're a fan of some of the series it features, this TCG can be equally fun to collect and play as you can build a deck that represents a dream team of your favorite heroes and villains. The cross-franchise nature also gives the game a collector's flair.
There are also many card games based on specific series, including more recent additions such asone piece deck, Digimon card gameor theDragon Ball Super card game. These games tend to appeal very much to the dedicated fans of the series. If there's a Japanese anime or game series that you like, there's always a chance you've already entered the world of TCGs!
How to collect Japanese trading cards
If you're looking to start playing a specific game, you might want to purchase a beginner-oriented product like a starter deck. In almost every popular card game, products like these are very common and usually cater to people who are just beginning their card playing journey.Starter-DecksIt usually includes detailed rules for beginners, as well as new decks of base cards.
Of course, if you're only interested in the collectible, it doesn't matter where you start, and you can start buying Japanese cards too if you'd like! You might want to start making sealed products such asBooster-Packs(usually sealed booster packs containing 5-12 randomly dealt cards) or, if you have money to spend, booster boxes (a box filled with a large number of booster packs). When you're just starting out, it's very tempting to open packs to see what you're getting, but for more experienced collectors, purchasing individual cards may be the best method.
In Japan,The secondary market for single ticket sales is huge. An entire retail industry thrives on this practice, with trading card stores following a player-driven economy that sets limits on the prices of individual valuable cards. Individual card prices can vary widely depending on the perceived value of the cards and how new they are. Common cards can be bought and sold for pennies, while medium rarity cards can cost a few dollars. The highest rarity in any deck can have cards worth hundreds or thousands of dollars! When it comes to Pokemon card prices in particular, some of the rarer cards (like the aforementioned Pikachu Illustrator card) have sold for over $100,000.
If you're interested in rarity, each deck has a different system, but generally the rarest cards look the best, are the hardest to get, and generally have the same value on the secondary market. For example, in the Pokémon TCG, card rarity includes tags'common', 'uncommon', 'rare', 'extremely rare' and even the elusive 'secret rare'(There's also an "Actions" category, which can include rare holographic cards that are only given out at special events - hence the term "Actions".) As you can imagine, in addition to the card's power, these tags are often based on the relative scarcity of the map. Pokémon also have additional tags that communicate the card's function, such as: B. EX, VMAX, VSTAR and more, and as an additional modifier can affect the rarity and value of a card.
Yu-Gi-Oh Cards and Weiss Schwarz offer similar rarity systems. It's quite common for rarer cards to add an additional visual element denoting their rarity. For example, in Weiss Schwarz, the rarer cards add an associated voice actor's signature above the rarer cards, which can be a really cool collectible for hardcore fans of a series.
In addition to the visual variations offered by the rarer cards, nearly all popular TCGs offer "foil" or "holo" cards, shiny versions of the cards. These are generally more valuable than their non-shiny counterparts, but not necessarily rare. The frequency and value of foil cards typically vary from game to game, but rare foil cards can be highly desirable on their own.
An additional way to increase the value of a card is to have its condition assessed by an outside agency.. In most settlement communities, this process of "rating" an actual card is entrusted to thePSA, which evaluate the quality of a card's condition and assign it a numerical value. Sorting and ranking a PSA card in this system adds value and is almost an expected label when selling particularly old cards (such as a Charizard, a Mewtwo, a Blastoise, or the Legendary Pikachu Illustrator card) that have a high Have value. .
It's quite common for people to pay out based on the order in which the cards are thrown. For example, if you want to collect a full set, you need to be careful about which cards you have and which you don't. For Pokémon, the fan-made pagePokeletoris highly recommended while Yu-Gi-Oh! offers a complete officialmap database. You must use such tools if you want to expand your collection.
Once you start your collection, you need to keep your cards safe. Therefore, it's important to get hold of items like playing cards, binders, and card protectors to protect your valuable box. For cards used in the game, you need to make sure they are protected from damage and placed in a deck box. You'll probably want to put your rarer cards in a binder. They can also be useful for organizing your cards in an order.
Where can I find Japanese JCC products?
If you are looking for places to buy Japanese JCC productsFrom single cards to booster boxes, there's a chance we can help hereNeokyo. If you don't want to spend hours searching eBay, we offer a service that allows you to buy items directly from a variety of Japanese retailers and have the goods delivered right to your door.
With our dedicated service for TCG,wizardyou will find individual cards from a variety of decks. In addition, you can also find related products such as deck boxes, binders, card sleeves and game mats. There are many card game related items unique to Japan such as: B. Custom cover sleeves with designs from your favorite media.
Besides Magi, you can also check out our other markets in our Japan shopping service:Amazon, Rakuten, Yahoo Auctionsand more. On the sites that sell second-hand items, you can often use them to find great deals on sealed goods like booster packs, or browse them to find great deals on Pokémon card prizes. If you're looking for Japanese trading cards, we can help!