This is a list of unique English-language Pokemon cards created in Japan, likely by Media Factory, and distributed through promotional events between the years 1998 and 2003. This timeframe of English and international printing is the Wizards of the Coast (WotC) era, since WotC adapted the Japanese-printed cards to English and other languages. During 2003, Nintendo and the Pokemon TCG International Company began creating and publishing the international language cards. At this time any cross-regional distribution began harder to distinguish due to consolidation of process and materials.

This unique list of cards are distinguishable from the normal print runs outside of Japan.

List of cards

Best Song Pikachu

The Best Song Pikachu is a variation of the English-language Shadowless-print Base Set Pikachu with yellow cheeks. The "Best Song" CD was released in January 1999, and came with a 32-page illustrated lyrics booklet and a selection of Japanese promotional TCG cards, as well as this one Pikachu English-language card.

Both the yellow and red cheeks Pikachu were included in the Shadowless-print, but this variation only exists with yellow cheeks. Note that in the Unlimited edition only the yellow cheeks version of Pikachu was printed.

The card is distinguishable by its lighter inks, most notably a lighter yellow. And the printing from the offset printer extends onto the border completely. When viewed at a normal resolution the printing "dots" can be seen on the border instead of a solid yellow print layer.

Compare the Japan-printed border on the left to English-printed Shadowless card on the right.

Kanzenban Mewtwo

The Kanzenban (complete edition) Mewtwo is a Japan-printed English-language version of the US theater promo was included in the "Kanzenban" (complete edition) VHS released in Japan in Febuary 1999, to coincide with the US theatrical premiere. This was about 1.5 years after the original Japanese movie release.

While identical in design to the American theater promo, it was printed using Japanese card stock and inks. This results in slightly different matte texturing and ink coloration. Most notably, the card stock lacks the black layer found in American cards, making it visibly lighter and distinguishable when backlit.

CoroCoro Grey Star Pikachu and Jigglypuff

The CoroCoro Grey Star Pikachu and the CoroCoro Grey Star Jigglypuff were included as promotional cards in the Japanese CoroCoro magazine in March 1999.

In Japan, Japanese-language versions of the cards were first available on a two-card insert in the November 1996 issue of CoroCoro Comic, released on October 15, 1996. That print uses glossy card stock. The cards were reprinted and included in copies of "Easily Understand How to Play Pokémon Cards", released on November 30, 1996. That print uses regular card stock.

These English-language versions on glossy Japanese card stock were then made available on a two-card insert in the Spring 1999 issue of Hyper CoroCoro, released in March 1999. This print features a distinctive "gray star" symbol with a yellow "PROMO" superimposed on it, similar to the "black Star" promotional cards released outside Japan.

CoroCoro Jumbo Charizard

The CoroCoro Charizard was a promotional Jumbo card included in the Japanese CoroCoro magazine in April 2000. It is a Jumbo variation of the English-language Unlimited edition Base Set Charizard and distintively has pomotional Japanese text on the top and bottom border of the card.

Gotta Magazine Mew

The Gotta Magazine Mew was distributed in the Gotta Mazazine/Comic in May 2000. This variation has no distinguishing print marks but the front has a glossy finish. Auhenticators may include "EN. Glossy" and "Gotta Mag." for this variant.

Note that there are often incorrectly-titled auctions for a "glossy-print Mew #8", almost all of these are the normal promotional version.

JR Stamp Rally Meowth

The Japan Rail (JR) Stamp Rally Meowth was given as a prize for the West Japan Railways during the Summer 2000 event.

The card is very distinctive non-holo variation of the holographic English-printed versions. There is no non-holo English-printed variation so any non-holo comes from the Rally event.

JR Stamp Rally Eevee

The Japan Rail (JR) Stamp Rally Eevee was given as a Gold course prize for the East Japan Railways during the Summer 2000 event.

Like the Rally Meowth, the card is very distinctive non-holo variation of the holographic English-printed versions. There is no non-holo English-printed variation so any non-holo comes from the Rally event.

JR Stamp Rally Mewtwo

The Japan Rail Stamp Rally Mewtwo was given as a Silver course prize for the East Japan Railways during the Summer 2000 event.

The card is different from the English-printed version (included in the Nintendo Power Magazine) because of using lighter inks and because the print layer extends onto yellow border, however both versions are non-holo. This distinction is equivalent to the Best Song Pikachu card shown close-up above.

e-Reader Sample Set

The e-Reader Sample Set includes 10 cards, distributed at the 2002 New York Press Conference. The cards are very distinctive due to a "Sample" text printing on the bottom right of each card. The Sample Set were all variants of the new Expedition Base Set series designed to work with the new e-Reader technology.

• Hoppip

• Koffing

• Pikachu

• Gastly

• Machop

• Machoke

• Chansey

• Rapidash

• Pichu

• Machamp

At the time these were given out the Expedition Base Set was not officially released. The cards also noticibly have alternate English-language translations of the Japanese-language cards and use the Japanese card back. The e-Reader identifiers use an "M-" prefix instead of the "B-" that appeared on finalized English Expedition cards.

e-Reader E3 Test Pichu and Hoppip

The 2002 E3 Convention Test Pichu and Hoppip were not intended to be distributed. They were demonstration cards that exibitors could hold and use on the new e-Reader technology.

These cards feature a Japanese card back, thus very distinctive compared to the glossy and matte international (non-Japanese) back versions used in retail stores (hole-punched version) for customers to try the e-Reader.

Wrap up

I have also created a list on TopVault to view all the cards discussed in this article. Use this list to add the cards to your own goals, bookmark them, or add them to your collection.

And if you know of additional Japan-printed English-language cards, please reach out at teddy@vault.top, or on the TopVault Discord.