If you never tried collecting Japanese Pokemon cards before, it’s easy to assume that you can apply the usual authentication methods to make sure that you’re buying the genuine ones.
While there’s nothing wrong with ensuring that you’re getting the original cards, you need to know that Japanese Pokemon cards are quite different from the English ones, not only in terms of the language, but the overall appearance as well.
So, in case you’re unsure of the signs that a Japanese Pokemon card is real, you’ve come to the right place! We’ll show you an easy way to identify the real deal.
More from PokeCardHQ:
- How to Get Japanese Cards in Pokemon TCG Pocket
- How to Open a Pokemon Card Pack Properly
- What Pokemon Cards Are Worth Money?
- Are Metal Pokemon Cards Real?
The Best Way to Identify Real Japanese Pokemon Cards
Have you heard of the rip test? If yes, you should know that it also works with Japanese Pokemon cards, but there’s a bit of difference compared to when you try it with English Pokemon cards.
You see, with English Pokemon cards, all you need to do is take any kind of disposable card from a Pokemon TCG product, rip it in half, and look at any of the ripped parts of the cards.
Real English Pokemon cards all have a silver layer that can only be seen upon ripping them. Fake versions of these cards don’t have the silver layer, since they are made from cheap cardboard.
When applying the rip test to Japanese Pokemon cards, you should check if the ripped part of the cards has a light blue layer. This is because Japanese Pokemon cards are manufactured differently from their western counterparts, and they use a different type of cardboard.
The difference in materials used is also one of the factors why Japanese Pokemon cards are much more affordable compared to the English ones.
Now, we understand that it somehow feels weird ripping a Pokemon card in half, even if it’s just a Common card, but if you want to erase your doubts about a Pokemon TCG product you’ve bought, this is the way to go.
But if you really don’t have the guts to destroy even one of those cute cards you have, there are other ways that you might try, although they’re arguably less effective than the rip test.
Other Signs a Japanese Pokemon Card is Real
Here are some other ways to know the authenticity of your Japanese Pokemon cards:
1. Set Identifier on the Sealed Box or Booster Pack
Take a look at your card’s booster pack or sealed box. Fake Pokemon TCG products won’t make the extra effort of informing their buyers what set or era they belong to. Check for the set identifier, or basically the symbol that you can see that a card belongs to a specific set.
You simply google the set of the products you have and try to take specific information to see if those sets are legit and if the set’s symbol or identifier matches with what’s printed on the box or pack.
2. Proper Artwork at the Card’s Back
Look at the image below. The card on the left is what the back part of a Japanese Pokemon card looks like.
If you get a Japanese card with a back that’s exactly the same as the English Pokemon card, it’s a fake one.
3. Appropriate Text and Information on the Card
This method might be the trickiest one, but just like English Pokemon cards, you also need to consider checking Google for any websites that feature a complete list of cards from all Pokemon TCG Japanese sets.
Even if the card is written in Japanese and you don’t speak the language, you should still identify what Pokemon is being depicted in each card and see if they really belong to that set. Once you confirm that your card is a part of the set that you purchased, check some minor information on that card, such as the name, moves, abilities, and HP, and compare them with what is listed on that set.
4. Sealed Booster Box
If you bought a booster box, the box should be tightly sealed with plastic. An unsealed Pokemon TCG product that arrives at your doorstep is definitely a red flag.
Final Thoughts and How to Keep Buying the Legit Ones
Japanese Pokemon cards are arguably cooler and look more natural than the English version, considering that the franchise did originate in the land of the rising sun.
Fortunately, the low prices of Japanese Pokemon cards discourage many counterfeiters from producing fake Japanese cards. However, it can still be difficult to tell real cards from fake ones without performing a rip test, especially since fake cards are also sold cheaply.
To prevent yourself from wasting money on fake Japanese Pokemon cards, make sure that you’re only buying from reputable sellers; check the shop’s reviews if you’re buying online. And, once you’ve finally proven that a shop only sells authentic cards, be a loyal customer and stick to them if you want to buy more products in the future.
For more tips and any questions about Pokemon TCG, check out more of our articles here at PokeCardHQ.
