Fake Japanese Pokémon Cards: Is it Possible? - And How to Spot It
Collecting Pokémon cards is an exciting and rewarding hobby, and Japanese Pokémon cards are particularly prized for their unique artwork and limited-edition releases. Especially with 151 Sets that include Reverse Holo Masterball that will not be released in the English version one. Although fake Japanese version rarely spotted because English popularity, increasing popularity and value, counterfeiters have become more sophisticated, making it crucial for collectors to know how to spot fake Japanese Pokémon cards.
Why Authenticity Matters
Authenticity is vital in the world of Pokémon card collecting for several reasons. Genuine cards hold value, both monetarily and sentimentally, and they contribute to the integrity of the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG). Authentic cards ensure fair play in the TCG and provide collectors with potential investment for the future.
#1 Analyzing Printing Quality and Colors
When comparing genuine Japanese Pokémon cards to counterfeit ones, one of the most noticeable differences is the quality of the printing and colors. Authentic Japanese Pokémon cards feature sharp, clear printing with vibrant, consistent colors across the card.
In contrast, counterfeit cards often have blurry or pixelated printing, and the colors may appear faded or inconsistent. Additionally, fake cards tend to feel flimsier compared to genuine ones.
#2 Rarity Symbols and Set Numbers: Are They Accurate?
Japanese Pokémon cards use distinct rarity symbols compared to their English counterparts, and counterfeiters often exploit this difference to pass off fake cards as genuine. However, the rarity symbols for Japanese cards are consistent across various releases, so it's essential to familiarize yourself with these symbols to verify their authenticity.
Comparing our Switch (Japanese) card with Switch (English)
#3 Don't confuse it with Chinese Version
To the people that just get started or not familliar with hiragana and katakana, this can be hard to spot.
Some Japanese Pokémon cards feature smaller printed words above certain characters in their names, known as furigana. Furigana aids in reading the words phonetically, typically accompanying more complex characters called Kanji.
Chinese cards, on the other hand, consist entirely of Kanji without any furigana. It's worth noting that Kanji was originally derived from the Chinese language. Chinese Pokémon cards come in two variants: Traditional and Simplified Chinese. Simplified Chinese uses fewer strokes and is a more concise version compared to Traditional Chinese.
#4 It don't have a black layer
It's not recommended to do the Rip Test and tear your card just to check this. But it should be noted that Japanese version are not manufactured like western cards are and have no black layer, instead they have thin blue-ish layer in between.
#4 Buy From Trusted Seller
At RetroSniper, we pride ourselves on offering only authentic Pokémon cards that we directly bought the box set from Pokémon Store in Japan, ensuring that every card you purchase is genuine and of the highest quality.
Our worlwide shipping making it easy for collectors from all corners of the globe to enhance and complete their collections. Each card is carefully packaged and shipped in a protective case to guarantee its safety and preservation during transit. 