Welcome to the World of Trading Card Games
Trading Card Games (TCGs) are a very multifaceted form of entertainment. These games are more than just fun; they are also a means of socializing with friends and family. In this article, we explore all aspects of TCGs and aim to share their pleasures with all readers, from beginners to experienced players.
History and Evolution of Trading Card Games
Trading cards have a long history, dating back to their origins in Italy in the mid-1700s, where they were used by fortune tellers, but generally gained popularity in the 20th century as a sports theme, like baseball cards.
The trading card game (TCG) format emerged in the early 1990s. These games established a new style of collecting and playing cards against each other and gained many fans around the world. The first commercially successful TCG, Magic: The Gathering, was released in 1993 and quickly became popular worldwide. Subsequently, the TCG market expanded rapidly with the introduction of numerous other titles, including Pokémon cards and the Yu-Gi-Oh TCG/OCG.
The world’s most popular trading card games
Pokémon Cards
Pokémon Cards are based on the Pokémon series, which is loved around the world, and the characters and worldview of this series are reflected in the card games. It is also characterized by the relative simplicity of its rules, which allows even beginners to quickly enjoy the game. It is also suitable for casual play with family and friends, and is accepted by people of all ages. Furthermore, starting decks are available for beginners, making it easy for them to begin playing the game simply by purchasing the cards.
As a result, Pokémon cards have a wide fan base, from children to adults. The generation that became familiar with Pokémon as children continues to find the game appealing even as adults, and conversely, there are many people who have started playing as adults.
In addition, the fact that many celebrities play the Pokémon card game has also become a topic of conversation, attracting the interest of the general public. For example, actor Takeru Sato, a Japanese actor, is known as a “gachi player (enthusiast)” and has appeared in commercials.
Magic: The Gathering (MTG)
Magic: The Gathering takes place in the multiverse of Dominia. Players take on the role of planeswalkers, powerful wizards who use mana, the energy of magic, to explore and fight various threats as they travel through the multiverse.
The game has been certified by Guinness World Records as the most played TCG in the world, with approximately 6 million players worldwide, and has been translated into 9 languages and sold in 64 countries.
The high price of cards has been in the news, with the 1993 “Black Lotus” selling for $3 million (approx. 460 million yen).
Yu-Gi-Oh TCG/OCG
Yu-Gi-Oh was originally based on the manga “Yu-Gi-Oh!” The story and characters depicted in the anime and manga are reflected in the card game, and the main attraction for fans is that they can experience these worlds through the cards.
Yu-Gi-Oh has a history of more than 20 years since its release in 1999, and more than 10,000 types of cards have been issued. Yu-Gi-Oh is a unique card game as it has two rulesets, the OCG, for Asia and the TCG for international players. This rich card pool is attractive in that it offers players a variety of deck-building possibilities and allows them to constantly experiment with new strategies.
Duel Masters (DUEMA)
A trading card game (TCG) developed by Wizards of the Coast, the American company that developed Magic: The Gathering, and published in Japan by Takara Tomy. A manga series by Shigenobu Matsumoto has also been serialized since 1999, attracting many fans with its various creatures and spells, profound worldview, and strategic thinking.
Cards issued in Japan are not compatible and cannot be used in other countries. The rules of the game are also slightly different.
Card games that have recently begun to gain popularity
One Piece Card Game, Flesh and Blood, Union Arena, Dragon Ball Heroes, Digimon Card Game, Battle Spirits, Shadowverse Evolve, Weiβ Schwarz Blau, Force of Will, King of Wrestling, Z/X – Zillions of enemy X-, Love Live! School Idol Collection, and numerous other titles.
Idol Trading Cards
These are mainly card-shaped pictures of K-Pop idols and are the idol version of baseball cards. In English, they are called Photocards, but in Japan they are called “trading cards”. It is not a trading card game (TCG) as there are no game elements, but we introduce it as an aside.
Why are they so popular?
The reason why TCGs are so popular seems to be a combination of several factors.
First, trading cards can be enjoyed as a game, and because different types and rarities of cards have different values, strategy is required when building decks and competing against each other. This competitive nature makes the game more appealing as a game, as it encourages players to play against each other.
Furthermore, regarding collectability, since only a limited number of trading cards exist, many of them are rare and valuable, and collecting them is a great pleasure in itself. In particular, collecting cards that follow a particular series or theme provides a sense of accomplishment in completing a collection.
And trading cards are also attracting attention as investment targets. Market values can rise, and in the past there have been instances where the value of cards has skyrocketed. This makes trading cards an attractive item for those who invest in anticipation of future price increases. All of these factors combine to make trading cards an attractive hobby for many people.
How to Collect and Enjoy Trading Cards
To get started collecting trading cards, you should, at any rate, buy your own cards. Below are some of the main places you can buy cards
- Specialty stores: Yellow Submarine, Hobby Station, CardLab, and other specialty stores offer a wide selection and expert staff to assist you.
- Online stores: Amazon, Rakuten, and TCGs online shopping sites (such as Magi) make it easy to purchase cards. Many cards can also be found on flea market sites such as Rakuma and Mercari.
- Events: At events such as Comic Market and Jump Festa, you can not only obtain limited-edition cards, but also interact with other fans.
Cautions for Purchasing
- Beware of scams: When purchasing online, it is important to buy from a reputable seller. Check reviews and choose a store with a good reputation. Also, it is recommended to check the seller’s past transaction history on flea market sites and ask them to send you images to verify their credibility.
- Check the quality: It is very important to check the condition of the card. Especially when purchasing used cards, check the condition of the card with photos and read the description carefully. Pay attention to scratches, stains, uneven coloring, mis-centering, etc., and choose a card that is in satisfactory condition.
- Compare prices: The same card may have different selling prices. Compare prices at several stores and be sure to purchase at a price you are comfortable with.
See also the previous blog post about TCG scams
We hope that this article has inspired you to become interested in the world of TCGs and to actually start your very own collection. It’s time to carry on learning and spread the joy of TCGs.
See also the previous blog post about TCGs
