Some notes and images on Amada/Ensky Pokemon Kakumen Restuden Menko (the rectangular ones). Images from Yahoo Auctions/Mercari.
The types of the menko are fixed; i.e. each Pokemon will always be the same rarity - for example, a Deoxys will always be a Special Menko (Holo).
Examples of individual menko are either checked with the setlist, taken from online listings that show opened packaging that shows the correct part, taken from this blog (トレジャーハンティン部、部長のブログ) which shows the correct part, or selecting using images of the packaging (i.e. a picture of the menko is on the packaging or included in the package).
Advanced Generation Kakumen Retsuden
There are types of menko for this set:
- Normal Menko - ノーマルメンコ
- Rare Menko (Foil Stamp) - レアメンコ (箔押し)
– The name of the Pokemon has been stamped in foil. - Special Menko (Holo) - スペシャルメンコ (ホロ)
– These names do not seem to be stamped in foil.
Part 1 & 2 have gold foil backs, while Part 3 & 4 have red/green foil backs.
It seems that the foil distribution is random: Pokemon can either have a red foil or a green foil back.
Additionally, the background and layout is subtly different between Part 1/2 vs. Part 3/4.
2003 Amada - Pokemon Advanced Generation Kakumen Retsuden Part 1
2003年 アマダ ポケモン アドバンスジェネレーション カクメン 列伝 第1弾
The packaging lists:
- 100 Menko Total
- 70 Normal Menko
- 25 Rare Menko
- 5 Special Menko
The magazine Pokemon Scoop did a promotion with Make-A-Wish, releasing a Jirachi promo for this set.
Advertisement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnN4sq8uCOk
References: ポケットモンスター アドバンスジェネレーション カクメン烈伝 Part1 駄菓子屋 面子 メンコ めんこ : トレジャーハンティン部、部長のブログ
2004 Amada - Pokemon Advanced Generation Kakumen Retsuden Part 2
2004年 アマダ ポケモン アドバンスジェネレーション カクメン 列伝 第2弾
The packaging lists:
- 101 Menko Total
- 70 Normal Menko
- 25 Rare Menko
- 6 Special Menko
2004 Amada - Pokemon Advanced Generation Kakumen Retsuden Part 3
2004年 アマダ ポケモン アドバンスジェネレーション カクメン 列伝 第3弾
The packaging lists:
- 75 Menko Total
- 56 Normal Menko
- 14 Rare Menko
- 5 Special Menko
References: アマダ ポケモン カクメン烈伝3 面子 ポケットモンスターアドバンスジェネレーション : トレジャーハンティン部、部長のブログ
2004 Amada - Pokemon Advanced Generation Kakumen Retsuden Part 4
2004年 アマダ ポケモン アドバンスジェネレーション カクメン 列伝 第4弾
The packaging lists:
- 76 Menko Total
- 56 Normal Menko
- 14 Rare Menko
- 6 Special Menko
Advertisement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ax_fhpB6eA
References: アマダ ポケモン カクメン烈伝4 面子 ポケットモンスターアドバンスジェネレーション 駄菓子屋 面子 メンコ めんこ : トレジャーハンティン部、部長のブログ
Advanced Generation Kakumen Retsuden Kai
There are three types of menko for this set:
- Normal Menko - ノーマルメンコ
- Rare Menko (Shining Foil Stamp) - レアメンコ (箔押しキラ)
– The name of the Pokemon has been stamped in foil.
– These seem to have a “cracked ice holo” effect. - Special Menko (Holo) - スペシャルメンコ (ホロ)
– These seem to sometimes have the name of the Pokemon stamped in foil. More research needed.
The only difference is the text for “rare menko” is slightly different.
The numbers on the menko line up with the Pokedex number.
2005 Amada - Pokemon Advanced Generation Kakumen Retsuden Kai Part 1
2005年 アマダ ポケモン アドバンスジェネレーション カクメン 列伝改 第1弾
The packaging lists:
- 130 Menko Total
- 98 Normal Menko
- 27 Rare Menko
- 5 Special Menko
2005 Ensky - Pokemon Advanced Generation Kakumen Retsuden Kai Part 2
2005年 アマダ/エンスカイ ポケモン アドバンスジェネレーション カクメン 列伝改 第2弾
The packaging lists:
- 134 Menko Total
- 98 Normal Menko
- 30 Rare Menko
- 6 Special Menko
Interestingly, it states Ensky on the back of the packaging/pack, but in katakana, without a URL for Ensky.
2005 Ensky - Pokemon Advanced Generation Kakumen Retsuden Kai Part 3
2005年 エンスカイ ポケモン アドバンスジェネレーション カクメン 列伝改 第3弾
The packaging lists:
- 130 Menko Total
- 98 Normal Menko
- 27 Rare Menko
- 5 Special Menko
(Could not find Normal/Rare Menko confirmed to be from this set).
Diamond and Pearl Kakumen Retsuden
There are three types of menko for this set:
- Normal Menko - ノーマルメンコ
- Rare Menko (Shining Foil Stamp) - レアメンコ (箔押しキラ)
– The name of the Pokemon has been stamped in foil.
– These seem to have a “cracked ice holo” effect. - Special Menko (Holo Foil Stamp) - スペシャルメンコ (箔押しホロ)
The only difference is the text for “special menko” is slightly different.
The numbers on the Menko do not line up with the Pokedex number of the Pokemon. A number beginning with “R” indicates rare, and “S” indicates special.
Here, Pokemon can have both holo and non-holo variants, but the holos are fixed, i.e. only Pokemon that have a number beginning with R or S will have those versions.
2005 Ensky - Pokemon Diamond and Pearl Kakumen Retsuden Part 1
2005年 エンスカイ ポケモン DP カクメン 列伝DP 第1弾
The packaging lists:
- 78 Menko Total
- 58 Normal Menko
- 15 Rare Menko
- 5 Special Menko
2005 Ensky - Pokemon Diamond and Pearl Kakumen Retsuden Part 2
2005年 エンスカイ ポケモン DP カクメン 列伝DP 第2弾
The packaging lists:
- 78 Menko Total
- 58 Normal Menko
- 15 Rare Menko
- 5 Special Menko
Other Notes
CGC grades these, but does not differentiate between parts, and sometimes does not differentiate between rarity.
Advanced Generation Kakumen Retsuden Part 1 & 2: https://www.cgccards.com/population-report/non-sports/other-pokémon-cards/50/all/155/kakumen-retsuden-advance-blue-w-gold-foil-back/1454/
Advanced Generation Kakumen Retsuden Part 3 & 4: https://www.cgccards.com/population-report/non-sports/other-pokémon-cards/50/all/155/kakumen-retsuden-advance-blue-w-r-g-foil-back/6974/
Advanced Generation Kakumen Retsuden Kai: https://www.cgccards.com/population-report/other-pokémon-cards/50/all/155/kakumen-retsuden-kai-2005-ensky/3818/?populationID=1754037
Diamond and Pearl Kakumen Retsuden: https://www.cgccards.com/population-report/non-sports/other-pokémon-cards/50/all/155/kakumen-retsuden-dp-2007-ensky/3807/