How to Read Japanese Pokemon Card Rarities

How to Read Japanese Pokemon Card Rarities (Without Knowing Japanese!)

Opening a pack of Japanese Pokemon cards is thrilling. The crisp silver borders, the premium feel... and then you see a stunning card you can't read! Fear not, collector. You don't need to understand a word of Japanese to know exactly how rare your pull is.

The secret? Learn the symbols.

Your Quick-Guide to Japanese Pokemon Card Rarity Symbols

Japanese cards use a simple system of shapes and stars in the bottom-left or bottom-right corner of the card's illustration. Here’s your cheat sheet.

The Standard Rarities (White Background Symbols)

These are the most common symbols you'll see.

Common (C): ● (A solid black circle)

What it means: The most basic card in the set.

Uncommon (U): ◆ (A solid black diamond)

What it means: Slightly rarer than a Common.

Rare (R): ★ (A solid black star)

What it means: A standard rare card. A great pull!

The High-End Rarities (Silver/Gold Background Symbols)

This is where the excitement begins! These rarities feature a foil "shimmer" background behind the symbol.

Double Rare (RR): ★★ (Two solid black stars)

What it means: A card with two silver stars. Often a Pokemon V or ex.

Illustration Rare (IR): A star with a person icon.

What it means: A card featuring expanded artwork, often focusing on a character or Pokemon in a unique scene. Highly collectible!

Special Art Rare (SAR) / Art Rare (AR): A silver star with "SAR" or "AR" text.

What it means: The crown jewel of many modern sets. These are full-art cards with stunning, often alternate-art illustrations. The most sought-after cards in many collections.

Secret Rare (SR): A rainbow or gold star, with a set number beyond the total (e.g., 067/060).

What it means: The ultimate pull. These are hyper-rare versions of other cards (like a gold-printed Pokemon ex) or unique secret cards.

Pro Tip: The Set Number is Your Best Friend

Always check the bottom-left corner of the card for the set number (e.g., 025/071). If you pull a card with a number that is higher than the total number of cards in the set (e.g., 072/071), you have a Secret Rare! This rule is universal, regardless of language.

Ready to Test Your New Skills?

Now that you're armed with this knowledge, you can confidently sort your pulls and instantly recognize when you've hit a jackpot card.

The best way to learn is by doing!

Explore our wide range of Japanese Pokemon card products here and start practicing your rarity spotting today!