Best of by 
JAPANESE POKÉMON CARD COLLECTOR'S GUIDE
THE ORIGINAL 1996 BASE SET STARTERS
Media Factory published the original Pocket Monster card game in Japan on October 20, 1996, in partnership with Nintendo, Creatures, and Game Freak — just over two years before Pokémon cards existed anywhere else. The base set's most-collected cards are its Kanto starters and its mascot: Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, and Pikachu — the four cards every new collector of vintage Japanese Pokémon cards learns first. They predate the English-language TCG, which launched January 9, 1999, and carry no rarity symbol in the corner, a detail added only in later print runs. Below are the four to know, and where to look for them. Original 1996 Japanese Pokémon Base Set ↗
ORIGINAL 1996 JAPANESE POKÉMON CARD CHECKLIST
Quick Answers
When did the original Japanese Pokémon cards come out?
The original Japanese Pocket Monster card game launched on October 20, 1996, published by Media Factory in partnership with Nintendo, Creatures, and Game Freak — just over two years before the English-language Pokémon TCG debuted on January 9, 1999.
Why are Pikachu, Charmander, Bulbasaur, and Squirtle the cards to know first?
Pikachu is the franchise mascot, and Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle are the three Kanto starter Pokémon — all four appeared in the original 1996 base set and are usually the first cards new collectors look for.
How can you tell an original Japanese Pokémon card from a reprint?
Original 1996 base set cards carry Japanese-language text throughout and no rarity symbol in the bottom corner — a feature added only in later print runs. Card stock and print details also differ from modern reprints, so it's worth confirming condition with a seller before buying.