← The Codex
Format Guide · Menko · 1997 to 2005

What are Pokemon menko?

Menko is a floor game older than the hobby by centuries. Pokemon joined it in two shapes, from four makers, and only one of those lines has a checklist here yet.

Front and back of one menko. The number reads twice, once on the front tag and once in flat type on the reverse.
A Part 3 Mewtwo. Gold and embossing are on every menko in this line, so a gold face is not by itself a rarity.
A printed Kai checklist. Nothing equivalent has ever been photographed for base Parts 1 and 2.
Part 4 pack art. Parts 3 and 4 are the five-per-pack products.

Menko is a schoolyard game much older than any trading card. A piece lies face up on a hard floor, the challenger throws their own down beside it, and if the target flips they take it, until one player holds the pile. [1] Pokemon carried the game into the late 1990s and 2000s with new faces and, on most sets, a printed stat battle, so a menko is a game piece that happens to be collectable rather than a thick card, and anyone who lists it as a card is translating. [1] [2]

Two shapes ran side by side as a brand choice, not an era: kakumen is the rectangular format Amada slotted into albums, and maru menko are the round discs of its Hyper Menko line. [4] Amada’s Kakumen Retsuden is the only line here with per-menko checklists, across roughly 2003 to 2005, in base Parts 1 to 4 plus a revised Kai line of two Parts. [6] Four more lines are catalogued with no checklist yet, because none has been read off a photograph: Amada Maru and Kaku Menko from 1998, Nagatanien Curry Big Menko from 1999, and Banpresto Spin Menko from 1997 to 1998. [8]

To identify a loose menko, read the reverse first: it prints its own number beside a Poke Ball in large flat type, giving a number and never a name. [17] The frame gives the class, full colour for Normal, silver foil for Rare, gold or holographic for Special, recorded as a finish rather than a rarity on its own. [18] [19] Never read a number as a Part or a species: base Parts 1 and 2 interleave across 001 to 201, so only a Part badge in the same photograph attributes a card, and the 2005 Kai line renumbers to the Pokedex outright. [21] [23]

The printed checklist for base Parts 1 and 2 has never been seen, so Part 1 publishes 22 of 100 identities and Part 2 publishes 25 of 101, the rest left unresolved rather than guessed from the numbering. [15] [24] [25] If you own a piece, photograph the reverse as well as the front, flat and legible, and if you hold a printed in-pack checklist slip for base Part 1 or Part 2, that one piece of paper closes half a family. Credit stays with you. [29]

Questions this article answers

What is kaku menko?

Kakumen means rectangular menko. It is the squared format Amada used so a menko would slot into an album beside trading cards, and it is the shape of the Kakumen Retsuden line. Amada also made a separate square Generation 1 line in 1998 that the archive lists as Kaku Menko.

What is maru menko?

Maru menko are the round discs, the older traditional shape. Amada kept it alive with the 1998 Hyper Menko line, which is larger and thicker than rival products and was sold roughly seven to a pack. Round and square coexisted; the shape does not date a menko.

Are Pokemon Patchin menko?

No. In this archive Patchin is a separate line of small coin-shaped collectibles from 2003 to 2005, printed with an element, a point value from minus three to five and a bonus value, for a flick and battle game. The archive calls it the coin cousin of the older menko discs and gives it its own index of fourteen sets.

Are Pokemon menko cards?

They are discs of thick printed card made for a floor game, and sellers and graders usually list them as cards. The archive files them as menko, because the printed rules, the stat blocks and the silhouette on the reverse are all there to be played with rather than collected.

How do you identify a Pokemon menko?

Read the reverse, where the number is printed in large flat type beside a Poke Ball device. Then read the frame for class: colour frame Normal, silver halftone foil Rare, all gold or holographic Special. Then read the layout, because the 2003 Advanced Generation menko print a type device and no height or weight while the 2005 Kai menko print a species line, an evolution box and a printed height and weight. Never read a number range as a Part, because Parts 1 and 2 interleave across 001 to 201.

Sources

  1. Menko (メンコ) is a Japanese schoolyard game centuries older than any modern trading card. The basic idea has not changed since the Edo period ... thick printed paper discs are slammed onto a hard floor, and the impact and gust of air try to flip an opponent’s piece.in-repo published page: src/components/pages/pokemon-kakumen-retsuden.astro:150 (and the same paragraph at menko-sets-index.astro:234, which is hidden by a display:none rule on that page)
  2. Most Pokemon menko printed battle stats, an Attack value, a Defense, sometimes HP ... If a type symbol along the edge matches the opponent’s weakness, your damage counts double. Ties are broken by a printed Level or Rarity marker, depending on the line.in-repo published page: src/components/pages/pokemon-kakumen-retsuden.astro:177-185
  3. Each player draws 5 menko into their hand and begins with 10 points ... A guessing game that uses the shadow printed on the reverse of each menko, no flipping needed.in-repo published page: src/components/pages/menko-sets-index.astro:196-227
  4. Kakumen (角メン), literally rectangular menko. Amada’s squared format slotted neatly into albums alongside trading cards. Maru menko (丸メンコ), round discs, the older traditional shape kept alive by the Hyper Menko line. Both shared the play rules; the format choice was mostly storage and feel.in-repo published page: src/components/pages/pokemon-kakumen-retsuden.astro:199-206 (also menko-sets-index.astro:283-291)
  5. Each Patchin is printed with an element, point values and a bonus stat for a flick-and-battle game, a coin cousin of the older menko discs ... each coin shows an element (one of eight: Green, Red, Blue, Yellow, Purple, Brown, White or Dark), a point value (minus 3 through 5), and a bonus value (0 to 4).in-repo published page: src/components/pages/pokemon-patchin-coins-index.astro:46 and :51
  6. Amada’s Pokemon menko series from the Advanced Generation era (~2003 to 2005) ... Kai (改, revised), the upgraded Kakumen Retsuden line, with new red-and-green 3D foil processing on every menko.in-repo published page: src/components/pages/pokemon-kakumen-retsuden.astro:144 and :245-246
  7. 100 menko, 70 normal, 25 rare, 5 special ... 101 menko, 70 normal, 25 rare, 6 special ... 130 menko, 98 normal, 27 rare, 5 special ... 134 menko, 98 normal, 30 rare, 6 special.in-repo published page: src/components/pages/pokemon-kakumen-retsuden.astro:220-258 (tile notes) with the per-set badges at pokemon-kakumen-retsuden-part-1.astro:416, -part-2.astro:437, -part-3.astro:431, -part-4.astro:428, -kai-1.astro:431, -kai-2.astro:411
  8. Round Gen-1 menko discs, larger and thicker than rival products. Sold roughly 7 per pack ... Square / rectangular Gen-1 menko, a separate Amada product type from the round Maru Menko ... Promotional menko packed inside Pokemon Curry boxes; smaller versions came with Pokemon Hotcake Mix. Standard and kira-gloss versions exist ... Small spinning menko chips of arcade-prize origin; a Mini Spin Menko variant followed in 1998.in-repo published page: src/components/pages/menko-sets-index.astro:318-341 and src/components/pages/pokemon-menko-archive-lines.astro:104-107
  9. The board face prints the pack contents. Seven printed copies across both parts read メンコ1枚入り, one menko per pack, beside 連続当 30付＋3＋1 and 30円売.in-repo published page: src/components/pages/pokemon-kakumen-retsuden-part-1.astro:437 and -part-2.astro:462
  10. Pack: 5 menko per pack ... The Japanese product catalog records 5 menko per pack and 75 types.in-repo published page: src/components/pages/pokemon-kakumen-retsuden-part-3.astro:430 and :441; -part-4.astro:427
  11. Pack size is not one figure across the line: Parts 1 and 2 were sold one menko per pack and Parts 3 and 4 five ... This page said five for the whole series until 2026-09-12.in-repo published page and release record: src/components/pages/pokemon-kakumen-retsuden.astro:144 and :192; FABLE_QUEUE_2026-09-08.md:769 and :787
  12. A different SKU: 1パック5枚入り / 150円 packs, not the 30円 くじ board. Same Part.1 全100種類 70/25/5 legend ... Confirms the two SKUs share one 100-card checklist.in-repo research draft: data/research/draft-kakumen-recrops-2026-09-10.json, lots[8].yield and corroborations[7].note
  13. Part.1 発売日 2003年6月中旬, 価格150円, 天田印刷加工, 1パック5枚入り, 全100種.in-repo research draft quoting an external catalogue: data/research/draft-kakumen-checklist-hunt-2026-09-10.json, partitionReverification; the catalogue itself is cited on the set pages as https://dream-hobby.hatenablog.com/entry/2023/12/27/154622
  14. Each board fixes one sleeved sample menko to its face directly beneath a printed Part.1 badge, so a single photograph carries the printed number, the printed name and the release at once.in-repo published page: src/components/pages/pokemon-kakumen-retsuden-part-1.astro:433
  15. it prints Part.1 全100種類 above a boxed table reading 70 Normal, 25 Rare and 5 Special, with JAN 4970381030643 and the 2003 Amada imprint ... There is no member list, no number list and no character list on either face, so the printed checklist for this release has still never been observed.in-repo published page: src/components/pages/pokemon-kakumen-retsuden-part-1.astro:435 and -part-2.astro:458
  16. The board header reads 全メンコゴールド&立体加工!!, every menko in the line carries gold and embossing, so ’has gold on it’ is never a rarity signal by itself ... That is a board-level promotion and is NOT a rarity signal for any individual card.in-repo research draft: data/research/draft-kakumen-recrops-2026-09-10.json, structuralFindings.rarityFinishRefined.boardHeader; caution in draft-kakumen-corocoro-resume-2026-09-12.json, structuralFactsRecovered S-5
  17. Every menko reverse prints its own number beside a Poke Ball device, in large flat type that reads at resolutions the front number tag does not. Five cards were read that way, numbers 063, 065, 070, 160 and 180 ... A reverse gives a number and never a name, so it is used to corroborate a front read and never to replace one.in-repo published page: src/components/pages/pokemon-kakumen-retsuden-part-1.astro:440
  18. a full colour frame for a Normal, a silver halftone foil stamped frame for a Rare, and an all gold or holographic card for a Special. That mapping is recorded here as an observation about finishes, and no row on this page takes its rarity from the mapping alone.in-repo published page: src/components/pages/pokemon-kakumen-retsuden-part-1.astro:439
  19. A collector-supplied in-pack printed checklist confirms all 76 names and uses a circle for Rare Menko and a star for Special Menko.in-repo published page: src/components/pages/pokemon-kakumen-retsuden-part-4.astro:453
  20. agKakumen_2003: Number tag (three digits in a rounded pill) plus name plate ... plus a circular TYPE device top right. Halftone-dot frame. NO species category, NO height or weight ... kai_2005: National-dex number in a square box at lower left ... species category line top right, an 進化 evolution-chain box, たかさ and おもさ printed, and a description paragraph.in-repo research draft: data/research/draft-kakumen-siblings-2026-09-10.json, cardFormatDiscriminator
  21. Part 1 and Part 2 interleave across the whole 001 to 201 range and are not two contiguous blocks. Four counterpart pairs are now printed one in each release ... A number range therefore never attributes a card to a part.in-repo published page: src/components/pages/pokemon-kakumen-retsuden-part-1.astro:442 (also -part-2.astro:459)
  22. In Part 4 the serial equals the Pokedex number plus 201, so serial #202 is Bulbasaur (Dex #001), #208 is Squirtle (Dex #007), and #352 is Mew (Dex #151).in-repo published page: src/components/pages/pokemon-kakumen-retsuden-part-4.astro:453
  23. 改 prints コモルー (Shelgon) at 372, which is Shelgon’s national dex number. AG Part.2 prints コモルー at 188. Two products, two numbers, one species.in-repo research draft: data/research/draft-kakumen-siblings-2026-09-10.json, hardBoundaryProof.clincher
  24. NOT FOUND. No complete or partial printed checklist for base Part 1 or base Part 2 was located in any lane worked this pass.in-repo research draft: data/research/draft-kakumen-checklist-hunt-2026-09-10.json, verdict
  25. The remaining 78 identities stay unresolved until a readable checklist or source photograph verifies them ... The remaining 76 identities stay unresolved.in-repo published page: src/components/pages/pokemon-kakumen-retsuden-part-1.astro:427 and :451; -part-2.astro:450
  26. Groudon #199 structurally unreadable from ANY board (art covers the tag by design) - needs a loose flat menko.in-repo acceptance record: FABLE_QUEUE_2026-09-08.md:523
  27. Specials will not come from board photographs at all. They need a loose Special photographed flat under diffuse light, or a scan.in-repo research draft: data/research/draft-kakumen-recrops-2026-09-10.json, structuralFindings.goldSpecialIsStillOpaque.consequence
  28. No located artefact prints the statement that the two parts are disjoint, nor that together they cover #001-#201 with no gap ... high on totals, medium-high on disjointness.in-repo research draft: data/research/draft-kakumen-checklist-hunt-2026-09-10.json, partitionReverification.whatIsStillNotPrintedAnywhere and confidence
  29. Chris’s collector-supplied in-pack Part 4 checklist ... A collector-supplied in-pack printed checklist confirms all 76 names.in-repo published page: src/components/pages/pokemon-kakumen-retsuden-part-3.astro:442 and -part-4.astro:453
  30. Japanese product catalog (release dates, price, pack contents and per-Part totals).external primary source already cited on the set pages: cited at src/components/pages/pokemon-kakumen-retsuden-part-1.astro:443 and -part-3.astro:441
  31. Number source for Kai Part 1; the Kai Part 2 number source is the sibling page a01d-ensky/kmrk-pokemonag.html.external primary source already cited on the set pages: cited at src/components/pages/pokemon-kakumen-retsuden-kai-1.astro:456 and -kai-2.astro:433
  32. The board reverse prints the maker’s own address and URL: 販売元 天田印刷加工株式会社 and http://www.amada-printing.co.jp/external primary source printed on the artefact: transcribed in data/research/draft-kakumen-archive-sweep-2026-09-10.json, leafletFinding.boardReverseContents

Hidden Temple Codex, 13 September 2026. The pack-size figure on this page was corrected across the menko catalogue on 12 September 2026 and the correction is disclosed on the set pages themselves. Photographs remain the property of the collectors credited on them.