Digimon Card Game Rarity Guide | Full Rarity List and How to Identify Them
The Digimon Card Game is a Japanese trading card game rebooted by Bandai in 2020. Based on a franchise that has fans all over the world since the birth of Digimon in 1997, it is currently developed in four languages: Japanese, English, Korean, and Chinese.
The feature of the game lies in the strategic nature of reducing the opponent’s security zone while “Digivolving” (evolving) Digimon, and it is attracting attention not only for its popularity as a match but also in the collection market for rare cards. Because the recorded titles and release timing differ between the Japanese version and the English version, the number of overseas collectors who want to obtain them from the primary market in Japan is rapidly increasing.
Quick guide to card set types
Let’s organize the abbreviations that frequently appear when purchasing from overseas first.
| Abbreviation | Official Name | Features |
| BT | Booster | Main booster. Continuing from BT-01 to BT-20 and beyond |
| EX | Extra Booster | Theme-specific additional booster (EX-01 to EX-08) |
| ST | Starter Deck | Pre-constructed deck (ST-01 to ST-19+) |
| LM | Limited (Limited Pack) | High-value packs with small production (LM-01 to LM-04) |
| RB | Resurgence Booster | Old wave reprint pack |
| P | Promo | Distribution for tournaments, purchase benefits, and store events |
Pack/Box Configuration (Based on 2025)
- Based on the latest wave BT19-20 Special Booster Ver.2.5
- Unit: Content
- 1 pack: 12 cards
- 1 box: 24 packs (288 cards)
- Box enclosure expected value
- SR about 7 cards, SEC about 1 card (non-guaranteed), AA several cards
※Configuration may differ depending on the set. EX and LM series have their own unique configurations.
How to Read Rarity Symbols
The rarity of the Digimon Card Game is described on the right side of the card number.
Example: “BT1-001 C” → “C” is the rarity symbol Example: “BT1-010 SR” → “SR” indicates Super Rare
By checking the set number (BT, EX, RB, etc.) together with the card number, you can also determine which card of which set it is.
Rarity List and Symbols
※Important premise: “P (Promo)” and “Parallel Arts” are different concepts. The P symbol is dedicated to Promo, and Parallel Arts do not have an independent symbol (mentioned later).
The official rarity of the Digimon Card Game is 6 types. It can be identified by the symbol displayed on the right side of the card number.
C (Common)
- Symbol: “C” on the right side of the card number
- Foil processing: None (Non-Foil)
- Enclosure rate: About 67%
- Market price guide: 30 yen or less
There are cases where a Parallel Art version (textured foil processing) exists even for common cards.
U (Uncommon)
- Symbol: “U”
- Foil processing: None (almost identical in appearance to common)
- Enclosure rate: About 17%
- Market price guide: 30 to 120 yen
R (Rare)
- Symbol: “R”
- Foil processing: BT-01 to BT-05 is Border Foil (gold rim outline), BT-06 onwards is changed to Silver Foil
- Enclosure rate: About 14%
- Market price guide: 80 to 200 yen
At least one R is guaranteed in each pack. The processing was unified to Silver Foil from BT-06 (Double Diamond).
SR (Super Rare)
- Symbol: “SR”
- Foil processing: Silver Foil (full silver gloss)
- Enclosure rate: About 2% / Average of about 7 cards per 1 box (differs by set)
- Market price guide: 400 to 1,500 yen
This is the highest guaranteed rarity in a box opening.
SEC (Secret Rare)
- Symbol: “SEC”
- Foil processing: Textured Foil (with an uneven feel when touched) + Card level letters are gold + Special gold pattern on the card frame
- Enclosure rate: About 0.2% / Enclosure per 1 box is non-guaranteed and fluctuates by set
- Market price guide: 2,000 to 5,000 yen
The Parallel Art version SEC is even more scarce (about 0.12%).
P (Promo)
- Symbol: “P”
- Acquisition method: Distribution for tournaments, events, purchase benefits, and store tournaments
- Market price: Fluctuates greatly depending on the popularity and scarcity of the card (several hundred yen to several tens of thousand yen)
※”P” is a dedicated symbol for Promo. It is a different concept from “Parallel Arts,” and Parallel Arts do not have an independent symbol (see next section).
What is Parallel Art (Parallel Arts)?
Parallel Art is an alternate art (different illustration) version of a specific card. It shares the same rarity symbol as an existing card, but it is always foil-processed and is enclosed in a smaller distribution volume than the normal version.
| Features | Details |
| Symbol | Same as the base card (Example: A parallel of R remains “R” notation) |
| How to identify | Always some kind of foil processing exists |
| Enclosure rate | Both non-SEC parallels and SEC parallels differ depending on the set (Refer to each product page) |
| Market price | Standard guide is about 2 times or more of the normal version |
Parallel Art exists in all rarities from C to SEC, and in most cases, the Parallel Art version SEC becomes the card with practically the highest value.
Foil (Processing) Type List
Foil type is important knowledge for both judging collection value and authenticating.
| Type | How to identify | Main use | Remarks |
| Non-Foil | No gloss | C / U | Standard printing |
| Silver Foil | White frame + full rainbow gloss | SR (standard), R (BT-06 onwards) | Most common foil |
| Gold Foil | Gold rim + rainbow gloss | AA (BT-01 to BT-05) | Abolished after BT-06 |
| Border Foil | Gold outline only (no rainbow gloss) | R (BT-01 to BT-05) | Abolished ※Unofficial name |
| Textured Foil | Uneven feel when touched + full gloss | SEC・AA (BT-06 onwards), ST SR | Introduced in BT-06 ※Unofficial name |
| Holographic | Color changes depending on the angle | Special promo limited | English version: specific promos only |
| Stamped | Stamp/logo printing exists | Tournament prizes・event distribution | Can be combined with other foils |
| Trophy | Enclosed in plastic case・special tone | Tournament top prize only | Cannot be used in matches |
📌 Important changes after BT-06 (Double Diamond)
- Processing of R: Unified from Border Foil → Silver Foil
- Processing of AA: Changed from Gold Foil → Textured Foil
Collector Value Ranking
- SEC Parallel AA (Textured Foil・Most scarce)
↓ - SEC (Normal Textured Foil)
↓ - SR Parallel AA
↓ - SR (Normal Silver Foil)
↓ - P (Promo) ※May become SR or higher depending on scarcity and popularity
↓ - R Parallel AA
↓ - R (Normal)
↓ - U / C
Japanese Version vs English Version Differences
| Comparison Item | Japanese Version | English Version |
| Release Timing | Leading (Lead: about 3 to 6 months) | Delayed |
| Recorded Titles | All sets supported | Some unsupported |
| AA・Promo | Many Japan-exclusives | Some English-exclusives |
| Card Prices | Domestic standard | Can be 1.5 to 2 times higher due to import premium |
Notably, some LM (Limited) series and Japan-exclusive Promos are never released in the English version.
Rarity Summary Table
| Rarity | Symbol | Foil | Expected Box Enclosure | Price Guide |
| Common | C | None | Many | ~30 yen |
| Uncommon | U | None | Many | 30 to 120 yen |
| Rare | R | Silver (BT-06 onwards) | Many | 80 to 200 yen |
| Super Rare | SR | Silver Foil | About 7 cards/BOX | 400 to 1,500 yen |
| Secret Rare | SEC | Textured Foil | About 1 card/BOX (non-guaranteed) | 2,000 to 5,000 yen |
| Promo | P | Various | Outside packs (benefits・tournaments) | Fluctuates greatly |
| Parallel Art | (No symbol) | Always foiled | About 0.1 to 0.35% (differs by set) | About 2 times the normal version |
Fake Detection & Condition Checklist
- Foil Texture: Textured Foil must have a bumpy feel to the touch.
- Print Quality: No color unevenness or blurring.
- Card Thickness/Hardness: Authentic cards have a certain hardness and thickness.
- Card Number and Symbol: Match the position and font with official ones.
- High-Resolution Photo: Always request before purchasing.
- Official DB Cross-check: Search the card number at world.digimoncard.com.
From Japan to Overseas — How to Purchase via Neokyo
Accessing the Japanese Digimon Card Game market has three hurdles: language barrier, payment methods, and international shipping. Neokyo is a proxy purchase service that handles all of these for you.
Reasons why Neokyo is chosen
- Covers the Entire Japanese Market: Supports Yahoo! Auctions, Mercari, Surugaya, and specialized card shops.
- Language Support: We handle searching Japanese sites, negotiations, and packaging instructions.
- Safe Packaging and International Shipping: Shipped worldwide with careful packaging supporting sleeves and top-loaders.
- Proxy Bidding: We can bid on Yahoo! Auctions on your behalf.
Purchase Flow
- Search on Neokyo: Enter keywords like “Digimon SEC” or “BT-19 Parallel.”
- Add Products: Add desired items to your cart (supports multiple shops).
- Proxy Purchase & Inspection: Neokyo staff purchase and verify the condition.
- Packaging & Shipping: International shipping with card-specific packaging.
- Receive & Confirm: Verify the condition once it arrives at your door.
