Will probably add links in later, for now this is just a guide as to how many sets have been released since the TCG's Japanese release in 1996.

Consider this an extended timeline: all sets are ordered by their release dates. Some were Japan-exclusive, others USA/Europe-exclusive.

Legend: Japanese release | US release | # = how many cards are in that set
→ = themed deck (color notes region; black is world release)

| #/
xxxxx→ , , ,

Original releases:
Base Set / 拡張パック Expansion Pack - October 20, 1996 | January 9, 1999 | #102
xxxxx→ Overgrowth, Zap!, Brushfire, Blackout, 2 Player Starter Set, Starter Deck
Fun fact: Japan's starter deck was actually a random smattering of cards... a larger booster pack, if you will.



Jungle / ポケモンジャングル Pokémon Jungle - March 5, 1997 | June 16, 1999 | #48/64
xxxxx→ Water Blast, Power Reserve
Fun fact: Jungle originally contained 48 cards in Japan; however, the English version was expanded to 64 cards since Wizards of the Coast
decided to add non-holographic versions of the cards that were originally only holographic.



Fossil / 化石の秘密 The Mystery of the Fossils - June 21, 1997 | October 10, 1999 #48/62
xxxxx→ LockDown, BodyGuard
Fun fact: The Japanese Fossil set included Mew. thus completing their 151 set.
The rest of us didn't see Mew until it was a Black Star Promo release given away at movie theaters.



Base Set 2 - N/A | February 24, 2000 #130
xxxxx→ Grass Chopper, Hot Water, Lightning Bug, Psych Out, 2 Player CD-ROM Starter Set
Fun fact: A combination reprint of the Base/Jungle sets; was never released in Japan.



Team Rocket / ロケット団 Rocket Gang - November 21, 1997 | April 24, 2000 #65/83
xxxxx→ Devastation, Trouble
Fun fact: Wizards created Dark Raichu especially for this set. Japan didn't see the card until Neo Discovery.



Gym Series:
Gym Heroes / ジム拡張第1弾 リーダーズスタジアム Gym Booster 1: Leaders' Stadium - October 24, 1998 | August 14, 2000 #96/132
xxxxx→ Brock, Misty, Lt. Surge, Erika, Nivi City Gym, Hanada City Gym, Kuchiba City Gym, Tamamushi City Gym
Fun fact: Gym Series was the first expansion in Japan to feature pre-constructed Theme Decks.



Gym Challenge / ジム拡張第2弾 闇からの挑戦 Gym Booster 2: Challenge from the Darkness - June 25, 1999 | October 16, 2000 #98/132
xxxxx→ Sabrina, Koga, Blaine, Giovanni, Yamabuki City Gym, Guren Town Gym
Fun fact: Japan didn't get theme decks for Koga or Giovanni. Also, in the Japanese Misty's Tears, Misty was drawn nude.



Neo series:
Neo Genesis / 金、銀、新世界へ... Gold, Silver, to a New World... - December 10, 1999 | December 16, 2000 #96/111
xxxxx→ Hot Foot, Cold Fusion
Fun fact: Being the first 'Johto' expansion, this set introduced the Darkness and Metal types, as well as Baby Pokemon
and Pokemon Tools (new type of trainer that could be attached to Pokemon in play).



Neo Discovery / 遺跡をこえて... Crossing the Ruins... - July 7, 2000 | June 1, 2001 #56/75
xxxxx→ BrainWave, Wallop
Fun fact: As 'payback' (okay... not really) for keeping Dark Raichu from them for so long, a reverse holographic Charizard
from this set was never released in any English expansion.



Neo Revelation / めざめる伝説 Awakening Legends - January, 2001 | September 21, 2001 #57/66
xxxxx→ none (this was the first and only int'l set so far to not have themed decks)
Fun fact: This was the first expansion to feature 'Shining' Pokemon. In Japan, the odds of finding one of these elusive
cards in a Booster Pack were stated to be 300:1. Meep!



Neo Destiny / 闇、そして光へ... Darkness, and to Light... - March 9, 2001 | February 28, 2002 #113
xxxxx→ Light, Dark
Fun fact: This was the first expansion to feature 'Light' Pokemon. It also contained Shining and Dark. The theme of
this expansion was that a Pokemon's destiny is determined by how they are treated by their Trainer.



Pokemon VS:
Pokemon VS / ポケモンカード★VS Pokémon Card VS - August 19, 2001 | N/A #151
xxxxx→ none
Fun fact: This Japan-only set had some big changes that stuck with the TCG as a whole: Poke-Bodies, Burn as
a special condition, and Technical Machine (TM) cards. It was also the Johto Gym Leader expansion, which is still
Japanese-only to this day. sad



Pokemon Web:
Pokemon Web / ポケモンカード★web Pokémon Card★web - October 20, 2001 | N/A #48
xxxxx→ none
Fun fact: Visitors to Japan's Pokemon Center store were able to buy these cards in 'packs' of 10, and have them
sent to them, presumably by e-mail. This set was a reprint of Base Set, Jungle, Fossil, and Team Rocket, with
Dark Ivysaur and Dark Venusaur as exclusives which were not made int'l until 2002-2003. It was designed to take
advantage of the new e-card system.



Legendary Collection:
Legendary Collection - N/A | May 24, 2002 #110
xxxxx→ Turmoil, Lava
Fun fact: This was an English/European-only language reprint, and contained cards from the four original sets.
A Mewtwo Black Star Promo also found its way into this set.



e-Card series:


Wizards of the Coast unreleased sets:

Fun Fact: This was the final series released by Wizards. From EX onwards, Nintendo took over production.


EX series:


Diamond & Pearl series:


Platinum series:


HeartGold & SoulSilver series:


Call of Legends series:


Black & White series:


Other sets: