Konami: trading cards for collectors
Konami is the Japanese entertainment company that publishes the Yu-Gi-Oh! card game.
Most-collected ranges
Key facts
| Founded | 21 March 1969, Toyonaka, Osaka, Japan |
|---|---|
| Founders | Kagemasa Kōzuki, Yoshinobu Nakama and Tatsuo Miyasako |
| Headquarters | Ginza, Chūō, Tokyo |
| Yu-Gi-Oh! OCG launched | 4 February 1999 (Vol.1, Japan) |
| English TCG launched | 2002, with Legend of Blue Eyes White Dragon |
| Took over TCG from Upper Deck | December 2008 |
| Guinness World Record | Best-selling trading card game, over 22 billion cards sold by 2009 |
About Konami
It was founded in March 1969 in Toyonaka, Osaka, by Kagemasa Kōzuki and two partners, initially as a jukebox rental and repair business, before becoming one of Japan's best-known video game makers. The group is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and is now headquartered in Ginza, Tokyo, with Kōzuki still serving as chairman.
Konami launched the Yu-Gi-Oh! Official Card Game in Japan with its first booster, Vol.1, on 4 February 1999, building on the popularity of Kazuki Takahashi's manga. The English Trading Card Game followed in 2002, beginning with Legend of Blue Eyes White Dragon. For its first years, Upper Deck Entertainment handled marketing and distribution in North America and later Europe under licence from Konami.
In December 2008 Konami took the TCG back under its own control, ending the Upper Deck arrangement and leading to legal disputes between the two companies. Guinness World Records has recognised Yu-Gi-Oh! as the best-selling trading card game, with more than 22 billion cards sold as of 2009. Today the TCG is printed in six languages, with cards produced by Cartamundi, and Konami runs organised play from local events to championships.
For collectors, Konami's choices shape the market in much the same way as any publisher's. Its rarity system, from Ultra and Secret Rares to Starlight and the 25th anniversary Quarter Century Secret Rares, defines what is scarce. Reprint sets such as Legendary Collection and the 25th Anniversary Edition can bring classic cards back into circulation, while the ban list affects demand for competitive staples.
Sources
- Konami - Wikipedia
- Yugipedia: Yu-Gi-Oh! Official Card Game
- Yugipedia: Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game
- Yugipedia: Quarter Century Secret Rare
- Yugipedia: Legend of Blue Eyes White Dragon
Questions people ask
Who makes Yu-Gi-Oh cards?
Yu-Gi-Oh! cards are published by Konami, the Japanese entertainment company. The physical TCG cards are printed by Cartamundi.
When did the Yu-Gi-Oh card game start?
Konami released the first Japanese booster, Vol.1, on 4 February 1999. The English Trading Card Game began in 2002 with Legend of Blue Eyes White Dragon.
Did Upper Deck make Yu-Gi-Oh cards?
Upper Deck marketed and distributed the English TCG under licence from Konami during its early years. Konami took control back in December 2008, and Upper Deck has had no connection to the game since.
Is Yu-Gi-Oh the best-selling card game?
Guinness World Records recognised Yu-Gi-Oh! as the best-selling trading card game, with over 22 billion cards sold as of 2009.
What is the difference between the Yu-Gi-Oh OCG and TCG?
The OCG is the Asian version of the game, covering Japan and other Asian regions, while the TCG is sold everywhere else. They have separate card pools, release schedules and ban lists.
Pully Markets is for adult collectors (18+). It's an independent guide — not affiliated with any publisher named here — and nothing on it is financial advice. Card values can fall as well as rise.
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