Pokémon in Japan · The 1990s Story
Before the binders, the booster packs and the playground trades, there was a small adventure on a Game Boy. Japan’s Pokémon story grew quickly — and the cards became a way to hold a piece of that world.
1996 · The beginning
Pokémon Red and Green launched in Japan in February. The Japanese Trading Card Game followed in October. For collectors, these two beginnings connect the screen and the binder.
1997 · A world with a voice
The television anime began in Japan in April. The same characters could now be discovered through games, cards and a weekly adventure.
1998 · Beyond the playground
Pokémon Center Tokyo opened in April. July brought Mewtwo Strikes Back and Pikachu’s Vacation to Japanese cinemas. Pokémon was becoming a world to visit, watch and collect.
1999 · A new horizon
Gold and Silver arrived in Japan in November, opening the door to Johto. The Japanese Neo card expansions followed in 2000; they belong to the next chapter of vintage collecting.
Timeline sources: The Pokémon Company’s official history and Japanese expansion chronology.
Collect a moment, not just a card
The first-partner page
Choose Bulbasaur, Charmander or Squirtle. Build an evolution page around your favourite artwork rather than trying to buy everything at once.
The place you remember
A Gym Leader, a forest, a cave or the sea can become a collecting theme. Look at the background as carefully as the Pokémon itself.
The everyday favourites
Commons, trainers and energy cards can bring a binder to life. A personal collection should make you want to turn the next page.
The original object
A magazine, a box insert or a small figure can give a card context. Record where each piece came from and what is included with it.