Like so many in 2021, I rejoined the Hobby of collecting Pokémon Cards after over two decades. Whilst the nostalgia vibe was strong, I wasn’t enamoured by the modern selection of sets. My friend Sam had picked up collecting the ‘Hidden Fates‘ expansion, which I started to collect but quickly felt uninspired. Not wanting to miss the hype, I switched my interest to collecting just one Pokémon – Magikarp!
At first look, it seemed like a relatively simple task. The one card that stood out was the 1st Edition Shining Magikarp, which would set me back ~$400. Other than that, Magikarp appeared to be a good choice. How wrong I was!
Once I started my research, I discovered no less than 12 cards featuring Magikarp. I had to include them in my list.
Then there are the Japanese cards. The Japanese versions are even better than the English sets – I had to include them on my list.
About a year into my collecting, I discovered that five sets had multiples of the same card with different serial numbers – so I had to include them.
Fast-forward to April 2023, I have created what I now consider to be the definitive list of Magikarp Pokémon Cards in English and Japanese. This article will serve as an always up-to-date resource for those on the same journey as me. If I have missed any, please get in contact with me.
I haven’t listed the various Japanese Poker Cards and random other stickers and cards here in full. I do intend to add these at some point. Please let me know if anyone has a list of these to help.
The Numbers
I’ve broken the list into six groups. The number in brackets is my collection count.
- English Magikarp – 92 (possibly as many as 95) (84)
- English Featuring Magikarp – 12 (10)
- English Jumbo Cards – 1 (0)
- Japanese Magikarp – 74 (31)
- Japanese Featuring Magikarp – 11 (1)
- Japanese Jumbo – 1 (0)
Spreadsheet
Please let me know if you would like access to my personal spreadsheet, which outlines what I have in my collection.
Resources
I have taken much of my information from various resources, which I have listed below:
- Steph’s Magikarp Collection
- Complete Neo Revelation Error Holo Set
- Tamamushi University Magikarp Campaign – Pokumon
- Magikarp List & here on Reddit
- 1st Edition Base Set THICK vs THIN Stamps (Video)
- Grey Stamp & Thick Stamp First Edition Base Set Examples (Video)
- List of Pokémon Trading Card Game expansions
- Matchprints – Color-Proofing Test Cards (Video)
The Collection
I have listed all cards in date/set order.
English Magikarp
Base Set (1999)
Release Date: 20th October 1999
- 1st Edition Thick Stamp (35/102)
- 1st Edition Thin Stamp (Still not convinced this card exists)
- 1st Edition Grey Stamp (See video for info on what a Grey Stamp is)
- Shadowless
- Unlimited Edition – 1999
- Unlimited Edition – 1999-2000 (UK 4th Print)
Base Set 2 (2000)
Release Date: 24th February 2000
- Unlimited Edition (50/130)
Team Rocket (2000)
Release Date: 24th April 2000
- 1st Edition (47/82)
- Unlimited Edition
Gym Challenge (2000)
Release Date: 16th October 2000
- Giovanni’s Magikarp – 1st Edition (73/132)
- Giovanni’s Magikarp – Unlimited Edition
- Misty’s Magikarp – 1st Edition (88/132)
- Misty’s Magikarp – Unlimited Edition
Neo Revelation (2001)
Release Date: 21st September 2001
- Shining Magikarp – 1st Edition (Holo) (66/64)
- Shining Magikarp – Unlimited (Holo)
Legendary Collection (2002)
Release Date: 24th May 2002
- 1st Edition (Holo) (52/110)
- Unlimited Edition (Holo)
Expedition (2002)
Release Date: 15th September 2002
There are thought only to be as few as two Matchprint Expedition Magikarps in existence. See this video at the 3:37 mark.
- Non-Holo (118/165)
- Reverse Holo
- Matchprint
Skyridge (2003)
Release Date: 12th May 2003
- Non-Holo (75/144)
- Reverse Holo
EX Dragon (2003)
Release Date: 24th November 2003
- Non-Holo (LNL-RJD-0UU) (60/97)
- Non-Holo (LNL-RJD-5LR)
- Non-Holo (LNL-RJD-B1B)
- Reverse Holo (LNL-RJD-S31)
EX FireRed & LeafGreen (2004)
Release Date: 30th August 2004
- Non-Holo – Common (FTQ-CSZ-23X) (67/112)
- Non-Holo – Common (FTQ-CSZ-60P)
- Non-Holo – Common (FTQ-CSZ-UB5)
- Reverse-Holo – Common (FTQ-CSZ-DQG)
- Non-Holo – Uncommon Misprint (FTQ-CSZ-23X)
- Non-Holo – Uncommon Misprint (FTQ-CSZ-60P)
- Non-Holo – Uncommon Misprint (FTQ-CSZ-UB5)
- Reverse-Holo – Uncommon Misprint (FTQ-CSZ-DQG)
EX Team Rocket Returns (2004)
Release Date: 8th November 2004
- Non-Holo (ZS6-E81-B0P) (65/109)
- Non-Holo (ZS6-E81-FB5)
- Non-Holo (ZS6-E81-GF6)
- Reverse Holo (ZS6-E81-N3X)
EX Deoxys (2005)
Release Date: 14th February 2005)
- Non-Holo (TAJ-CA1-B0P) (64/107)
- Non-Holo (TAJ-CA1-FB5)
- Non-Holo (TAJ-CA1-GF6)
- Reverse Holo (TAJ-CA1-N3X)
EX Holon Phantoms (2006)
Release Date: 3rd May 2006
- Non-Holo (MWP-PYJ-0FN) (69/110)
- Reverse Holo (MWP-PYJ-0FN)
Mysterious Treasures (2007)
Release Date: 22nd August 2007
- Non-Holo (89/123)
- Reverse Holo
Stormfront (2008)
Release Date: 5th November 2008
The Championship Edition has a silver border and different reverse. They also include the printed signature of Mychael Bryan.
- Non-Holo (65/100)
- Reverse Holo
- Championship Edition
Supreme Victors (2009)
Release Date: 19th August 2009
- Non-Holo (110/147)
- Reverse Holo
- Non-Holo – Height Misprint (2.00)
- Reverse Holo – Height Misprint (2.00)
HeartGold & SoulSilver (2010)
Release Date: 10th February 2010
- Non-Holo
- Reverse Holo
Gyarados Half Deck (2010)
Release Date: 12th May 2010
These cards are the same card from the HeartGold & SoulSilver set. They have a Gyarados symbol in the bottom right corner. Both cards are the same, other than their numbering.
- Non-Holo (12/30)
- Non-Holo (19/30)
Call of Legends (2011)
Release Date: 9th February 2011
- Non-Holo
- Reverse Holo
Dragons Exalted (2012)
Release Date: 15th August 2012
- Non-Holo
- Reverse Holo
Legendary Treasures (2013)
Release Date: 6th November 2013
- Non-Holo
- Reverse Holo
Ancient Origins (2015)
Release Date: 12th August 2015
- Non-Holo
- Reverse Holo
- Holo – McDonald’s 2016
Generations (2016)
Release Date: 22nd February 2016
- Non-Holo
- Reverse Holo
- Reverse Holo (Toys R Us)
- Reverse Holo (20th Anniversary – UK) (Release Date: 1st June 2016)
Shiny Mega Gyarados Box (2016)
Release Date: 4th February 2016
- Holo – Promo
Evolutions (2016)
Release Date: 2nd November 2016
- Non-Holo
- Reverse Holo
Burning Shadows (2017)
Release Date: 4th August 2017
- Non-Holo
- Reverse Holo
Crimson Invasion (2017)
Release Date: 3rd November 2017
- Non-Holo
- Reverse Holo
Dragon Majesty (2018)
Release Date: 7th September 2018
- Non-Holo
- Reverse Holo
Towering Splash – GX Box (2019)
Release Date: 4th January 2019
- Magikarp & Wailord – Full Art GX – Promo (SM166)
Team Up (2019)
Release Date: 1st February 2019
- Non-Holo (29/181)
- Reverse Holo (29/181)
- Magikarp & Wailord – Full Art GX (160/181)
- Magikarp & Wailord – Full Art GX (161/181)
- Magikarp & Wailord – Full Art GX – Rainbox Secret Rare (183/181)
Detective Pikachu (2019)
Release Date: 29th March 2019
- Holo (8/18)
Hidden Fates (2019)
Release Date: 23rd August 2019
- Non-Holo (15/68)
- Reverse Holo (15/68)
Rebel Clash (2020)
Release Date: 1st May 2020
This is the first set where the numbering shows three characters.
- Non-Holo (039/192)
- Reverse Holo (039/192)
Celebrations (2021)
Release Date: 8th October 2021
- Shining Magikarp (66/64)
Pokemon Go (2022)
Release Date – 1st July 2022
- Non-Holo (021/078)
- Reverse Holo (021/078)
Scarlet & Violet (2023)
Release Date – 31st March 2023
This is the first set where the front of the card matches the style of the Japanese Cards.
- Non-Holo (044/198)
- Reverse Holo (044/198)
This post will be updated soon to include English cards featuring Magikarp and Japanese cards.
