No.1 Trainer (Pokémon Card Game Official Tournament promo)

Trainer Item

No.1 Trainer Ｎｏ.１トレーナー No.1 Trainer Team Plasma

Neo Spring Road print Illus. Ken Sugimori Rarity Japanese expansion Unnumbered Promotional cards Rarity Japanese expansion Unnumbered Promotional cards Rarity Japanese expansion Unnumbered Promotional cards Rarity Japanese expansion Unnumbered Promotional cards Rarity Japanese expansion Unnumbered Promotional cards Rarity Japanese expansion Unnumbered Promotional cards Rarity Japanese expansion Unnumbered Promotional cards Rarity Japanese expansion Unnumbered Promotional cards Rarity Japanese expansion Unnumbered Promotional cards Rarity Japanese expansion Unnumbered Promotional cards Japanese expansion Unnumbered Promotional cards Japanese expansion Unnumbered Promotional cards Expansion Miscellaneous Promotional cards Expansion Miscellaneous Promotional cards Expansion Miscellaneous Promotional cards Expansion Miscellaneous Promotional cards Expansion Miscellaneous Promotional cards Expansion Miscellaneous Promotional cards Expansion Miscellaneous Promotional cards Expansion Miscellaneous Promotional cards Expansion Miscellaneous Promotional cards

No.1 Trainer (Japanese: Ｎｏ.１トレーナー No.1 Trainer) is an Item card. It was first released in Japan as a Trainer card through several tournaments before becoming the first place prize in the Pokémon World Championships.

Card text

Pokémon Card Game Official Tournament print

You can't have more than 1 ACE SPEC card in your deck.

{{{ruletext}}}

The Pokémon Card Game Official Tournament's champion is recognized here, and this honor is praised. By presenting this card, you may gain preferential entry into the Pokémon Card Game Official Tournament.

Do Nothing   At the beginning of your turn, flip a coin. If heads, you can do nothing during your turn. If tails, your opponent can do nothing during his or her next turn.

Lizardon Mega Battle print

You can't have more than 1 ACE SPEC card in your deck.

{{{ruletext}}}

The Pokémon Card Game Official Tournament's champion is recognized here, and this honor is praised. This proves that the person who possesses this card participated in the First Pokémon Card Game Best in Japan Deciding Match.

Do Nothing   At the beginning of your turn, flip a coin. If heads, you can do nothing during your turn. If tails, your opponent can do nothing during his or her next turn.

Kamex Mega Battle print

You can't have more than 1 ACE SPEC card in your deck.

{{{ruletext}}}

The Pokémon Card Game Official Tournament's champion is recognized here, and this honor is praised. This proves that the person who possesses this card participated in the Second Pokémon Card Game Best in Japan Deciding Match.

Do Nothing   At the beginning of your turn, flip a coin. If heads, you can do nothing during your turn. If tails, your opponent can do nothing during his or her next turn.

Tropical Mega Battle print

You can't have more than 1 ACE SPEC card in your deck.

{{{ruletext}}}

The Pokémon Card Game Official Tournament's champion is recognized here, and this honor is praised. This proves that the person who possesses this card participated in the Tropical Mega Battle Best in Japan Deciding Match.

Do Nothing   At the beginning of your turn, flip a coin. If heads, you can do nothing during your turn. If tails, your opponent can do nothing during his or her next turn.

Secret Super Battle print

You can't have more than 1 ACE SPEC card in your deck.

{{{ruletext}}}

The Pokémon Card Game Official Tournament's champion is recognized here, and this honor is praised. This proves that the person who possesses this card participated in the Secret Super Battle Best in Japan Deciding Match.

Do Nothing   At the beginning of your turn, flip a coin. If heads, you can do nothing during your turn. If tails, your opponent can do nothing during his or her next turn.

World Challenge Secret Super Battle print

You can't have more than 1 ACE SPEC card in your deck.

{{{ruletext}}}

The Pokémon Card Game Official Tournament "World Challenge Secret Super Battle" champion is recognized here, and this honor is praised.

Do Nothing   At the beginning of your turn, flip a coin. If heads, you can do nothing during your turn. If tails, your opponent can do nothing during his or her next turn.

Neo Spring Road print

You can't have more than 1 ACE SPEC card in your deck.

{{{ruletext}}}

The Pokémon Card Game Official Tournament "Battle★Neo Spring Road" champion is recognized here, and this honor is praised.

Do Nothing   At the beginning of your turn, flip a coin. If heads, you can do nothing during your turn. If tails, your opponent can do nothing during his or her next turn.

Neo Spring Road Best in Japan Deciding Match print

You can't have more than 1 ACE SPEC card in your deck.

{{{ruletext}}}

The Pokémon Card Game Official Tournament "Battle★Neo Spring Road Senior Tournament" Best in Japan Deciding Match champion is recognized here, and this honor is praised.

Do Nothing   At the beginning of your turn, flip a coin. If heads, you can do nothing during your turn. If tails, your opponent can do nothing during his or her next turn.

Neo Summer Road print

You can't have more than 1 ACE SPEC card in your deck.

{{{ruletext}}}

The Pokémon Card Game Official Tournament "Battle★Neo Summer Road" champion is recognized here, and this honor is praised.

Do Nothing   At the beginning of your turn, flip a coin. If heads, you can do nothing during your turn. If tails, your opponent can do nothing during his or her next turn.

Neo Summer Road Best in Japan Deciding Match print

You can't have more than 1 ACE SPEC card in your deck.

{{{ruletext}}}

The Pokémon Card Game Official Tournament "Battle★Neo Summer Road Senior Tournament" Best in Japan Deciding Match champion is recognized here, and this honor is praised.

Do Nothing   At the beginning of your turn, flip a coin. If heads, you can do nothing during your turn. If tails, your opponent can do nothing during his or her next turn.

Battle Road Spring 2002 print

You can't have more than 1 ACE SPEC card in your deck.

{{{ruletext}}}

The Pokémon Card Game Official Tournament "Battle Road Spring 2002" champion is recognized here, and this honor is praised.

Do Nothing   At the beginning of your turn, flip a coin. If heads, you can do nothing during your turn. If tails, your opponent can do nothing during his or her next turn.

Battle Road Summer 2002 print

You can't have more than 1 ACE SPEC card in your deck.

{{{ruletext}}}

The Pokémon Card Game Official Tournament "Battle Road Summer 2002" champion is recognized here, and this honor is praised.

Do Nothing   At the beginning of your turn, flip a coin. If heads, you can do nothing during your turn. If tails, your opponent can do nothing during his or her next turn.

World Championships 2004 print

You can't have more than 1 ACE SPEC card in your deck.

{{{ruletext}}}

If you won this card at the 2004 Pokémon Trading Card Game World Championships, you may return to battle the best in 2005. CONGRATULATIONS!

Do Nothing   At the beginning of your turn, flip a coin. If heads, you can do nothing during your turn. If tails, your opponent can do nothing during his or her next turn.

World Championships 2005 print

You can't have more than 1 ACE SPEC card in your deck.

{{{ruletext}}}

If you won this card at the 2005 Pokémon Trading Card Game World Championships, you may return to battle the best in 2006. CONGRATULATIONS!

Do Nothing   At the beginning of your turn, flip a coin. If heads, you can do nothing during your turn. If tails, your opponent can do nothing during his or her next turn.

World Championships 2006 print

You can't have more than 1 ACE SPEC card in your deck.

{{{ruletext}}}

If you won this card at the 2006 Pokémon Trading Card Game World Championships, you may return to battle the best in 2007. CONGRATULATIONS!

Do Nothing   At the beginning of your turn, flip a coin. If heads, you can do nothing during your turn. If tails, your opponent can do nothing during his or her next turn.

World Championships 2007 print

You can't have more than 1 ACE SPEC card in your deck.

{{{ruletext}}}

If you won this card at the 2007 Pokémon Trading Card Game World Championships, you may return to battle the best in 2008. CONGRATULATIONS!

Do Nothing   At the beginning of your turn, flip a coin. If heads, you can do nothing during your turn. If tails, your opponent can do nothing during his or her next turn.

World Championships 2008 print

You can't have more than 1 ACE SPEC card in your deck.

{{{ruletext}}}

If you won this card at the 2008 Pokémon Trading Card Game World Championships, you may return to battle the best in 2008. CONGRATULATIONS!

Do Nothing   At the beginning of your turn, flip a coin. If heads, you can do nothing during your turn. If tails, your opponent can do nothing during his or her next turn.

World Championships 2009 print

You can't have more than 1 ACE SPEC card in your deck.

{{{ruletext}}}

If you won this card at the 2009 Pokémon Trading Card Game World Championships, you may return to battle the best in 2010. CONGRATULATIONS!

Do Nothing   At the beginning of your turn, flip a coin. If heads, you can do nothing during your turn. If tails, your opponent can do nothing during his or her next turn.

World Championships 2010 print

You can't have more than 1 ACE SPEC card in your deck.

{{{ruletext}}}

If you won this card at the 2010 Pokémon Trading Card Game World Championships, you may return to battle the best in 2011. CONGRATULATIONS!

Do Nothing   At the beginning of your turn, flip a coin. If heads, you can do nothing during your turn. If tails, your opponent can do nothing during his or her next turn.

World Championships 2011 print

You can't have more than 1 ACE SPEC card in your deck.

{{{ruletext}}}

If you won this card at the 2011 Pokémon Trading Card Game World Championships, you may return to battle the best in 2012. CONGRATULATIONS!

Do Nothing   At the beginning of your turn, flip a coin. If heads, you can do nothing during your turn. If tails, your opponent can do nothing during his or her next turn.

Play only one No.1 Trainer card per year.

World Championships 2012 print

You can't have more than 1 ACE SPEC card in your deck.

{{{ruletext}}}

If you won this card at the 2012 Pokémon Trading Card Game World Championships, you may return to battle the best in 2013. CONGRATULATIONS!

Do Nothing   At the beginning of your turn, flip a coin. If heads, you can do nothing during your turn. If tails, your opponent can do nothing during his or her next turn.

Play only one No.1 Trainer card per year.

Release information

This card was first awarded to the champions of the qualifying rounds of the Japanese Pokémon Card Game Official Tournament which was held on the first day of the two day event held at Makuhari Messe convention center in Chiba prefecture between June 14-15, 1997. This card was reprinted later in the year and awarded to the champions from both age divisions of each regional Lizardon Mega Battle conference, held between November 1997 and February 1998. It was also reprinted and distributed in the same manner to the champions of each regional Kamex Mega Battle conference held between July and August 1998.

The card was reprinted again and awarded to the champions of each regional Challenge Road '99 SUMMER event held between July and August 1999. Participants in elementary school were eligible for entry into Tropical Mega Battle tournaments, whereas those in elementary school third grade (third grade) through to high school second grade (eleventh grade) were eligible for entry into Secret Super Battle tournaments. Participants eligible for both could only compete in one tournament. Champions of the Tropical Mega Battle qualifiers were awarded the print featuring Exeggutor and the event logo with artwork by Ken Sugimori and Hiromi Ito, whereas the Secret Super Battle champions were awarded the print featuring a Mewtwo silhouette and the event logo with artwork by Hideki Kazama.

The next major iteration featured new artwork by Ken Sugimori and was first awarded to the champions of each regional Japanese World Challenge Summer event held between July and August 2000, which like the Challenge Road '99 SUMMER campaign was split into the Tropical Mega Battle and Secret Super Battle events. The winners of each tournament were awarded this card and granted entry into the finals held later in August. Unlike previously awarded trophy cards, these cards were personalised with the name and regional conference of the winner. It is unknown if there was a card awarded for those competing in the Tropical Mega Battle tournaments.

This card was reprinted in 2001 and awarded to the champions from both age divisions of each regional Neo Spring Road tournament, held between February and March 2001, and each Neo Summer Road tournament, held between July and August 2001. The top ranking players from both age divisions and each regional Neo Spring Road and Neo Summer Road tournament were eligible for entry into the "Best in Japan Deciding Match", held on March 31, 2001 and August 25, 2001 respectively. The senior champions of these tournaments were also awarded a No.1 Trainer card, but were made more unique by having their photographs printed on the card illustration. It is unknown if the junior champions were also awarded these cards.

This card was reprinted again in 2002 on e-Card stock and awarded to the champions of each regional Battle Road Spring 2002 tournament, held between March and April 2002, and each Battle Road Summer 2002 tournament, held between July and August 2002. The Battle Road 2002 series was also the first to introduce the Master age division (for those 18 and over) in addition to the Junior and Senior divisions, which has remained the standard in all official events. A new illustration by Ken Sugimori was also used for this print featuring a female Trainer, making the distribution method of this trophy card unique based on the gender of the winner. The ratio of male to female variants for this card is unknown. Much like the Neo Spring/Summer Road series, the Battle Road Summer 2002 tournaments culminated in a "Best in Japan" final, but a new card was printed for the top ranking players.

The latest iteration of this card was awarded to those who came first in each age division in the World Championships. It was first awarded in 2004 when Pokémon Organized Play hosted the first Pokémon TCG World Championships under Pokémon USA, and has been awarded at every Worlds tournament since. In 2007 this card was printed on DP stock, lacking the circle pattern prior prints featured. In 2010 this card was printed on HGSS stock, adopting the blue Trainer color scheme and gold illustration window. In 2011 this card was printed as an Item card on BW stock as per all previously classed Trainer cards.

Details of each tournament this card was awarded at are below.

Pokémon Card Game Official Tournament

• Makuhari Messe, Chiba between June 14-15, 1997.

Lizardon Mega Battle

• Masala Cup: Kobe International Exhibition Hall, Kobe on November 8, 1997.
• Tokiwa Cup: Fukuoka Yahoo! Japan Dome, Fukuoka on December 7, 1997.
• Nibi Cup: Makuhari Messe, Chiba between January 10-11, 1998.
• Hanada Cup: Kyocera Dome Osaka, Osaka on February 1, 1998.
• Sion Cup: Sapporo Community Dome, Sapporo on February 8, 1998.
• Kuchiba Cup: Nagoya Dome, Nagoya on February 15, 1998.
• Finals: Makuhari Messe, Chiba on April 26, 1998.

Kamex Mega Battle

• Kantō conference: Pacifico Yokohama, Yokohama between July 19-20, 1998.
• Chūbu conference: Port Messe Nagoya, Nagoya on July 26, 1998.
• Kyūshū conference: Fukuoka Kokusai Center, Fukuoka on August 1, 1998.
• Hokkaidō conference: AXES Sapporo, Sapporo on August 16, 1998.
• Kansai conference: Kyoto International Conference Center, Kyoto between August 22-23, 1998.
• Finals: TV Tokyo, Tokyo on September 3, 1998.

Challenge Road '99 SUMMER

• Kansai conference: Asia & Pacific Trade Center (ATC), Osaka between July 10-11, 1999.
• Kyūshū conference: West Japan General Exhibition Center, Fukuoka on July 18, 1999.
• Chūgoku conference: Hiroshima Sun Plaza, Hiroshima on July 23, 1999.
• Tōhoku conference: Sunfesta, Sendai on July 26, 1999.
• Chūbu conference: Nagoya Trade & Industry Center, Nagoya on July 30, 1999.
• Kantō conference: Tokyo International Exhibition Center, Tokyo between August 3-4, 1999.
• Hokkaidō conference: AXES Sapporo, Sapporo on August 10, 1999.
• Finals:
  • Secret Super Battle: Secret location in Tokyo on August 22, 1999.
  • Tropical Mega Battle: Hilton Hawaiian Village in Honolulu, Hawaii between August 24-27, 1999.

World Challenge Summer

• Kantō conference: Pacifico Yokohama, Yokohama between July 1-2, 2000.
• Kansai conference: Asia & Pacific Trade Center (ATC), Osaka between July 8-9, 2000.
• Hokkaidō conference: Tsukisamu Green Dome, Sapporo on July 16, 2000.
• Chūbu conference: Nagoya Trade & Industry Center, Nagoya on July 22, 2000.
• Hokushin'etsu conference: Niigata City Industrial Promotion Center, Niigata on July 26, 2000.
• Kyūshū conference: West Japan General Exhibition Center, Fukuoka on July 30, 2000.
• Chūgoku/Shikoku conference: Hiroshima Sun Plaza, Hiroshima on August 2, 2000.
• Tōhoku conference: Sendai Wasse, Sendai on August 6, 2000.
• Finals:
  • Secret Super Battle: Pokémon Center Tokyo, Tokyo on August 19, 2000.
  • Tropical Mega Battle in Japan: Pokémon Center Tokyo, Tokyo on August 26, 2000.
  • Tropical Mega Battle in Hawaii: Hilton Hawaiian Village, Honolulu between August 26-27, 2000.

Neo Spring Road

• Kansai conference: Kyoto International Conference Center, Kyoto between February 11-12, 2001.
• Chūbu conference: Nagoya Congress Center, Nagoya on February 18, 2001.
• Kantō conference: Makuhari Messe, Chiba between February 24-25, 2001.
• Kyūshū conference: Marine Messe Fukuoka, Fukuoka on March 4, 2001.
• Tōhoku conference: Sendai Wasse, Sendai on March 11, 2001.
• Hokkaidō conference: Hokusho Kurotech Tsukisamu Dome, Sapporo on March 20, 2001.
• Chūgoku/Shikoku conference: Hiroshima Sun Plaza, Hiroshima on March 25, 2001.
• Finals: Pokémon Center Tokyo, Tokyo on March 31, 2001.

Neo Summer Road

• Hokkaidō conference: Sapporo Community Dome, Sapporo on July 20, 2001.
• Chūgoku/Shikoku conference: Hiroshima Sun Plaza, Hiroshima on July 24, 2001.
• Tōhoku conference: Sendai Wasse, Sendai on July 29, 2001.
• Kansai conference: Intex Osaka, Osaka on August 1, 2001.
• Kantō conference: Tokyo International Exhibition Center, Tokyo on August 5, 2001.
• Chūbu conference: Nagoya Trade & Industry Center, Nagoya on August 8, 2001.
• Kyūshū conference: Marine Messe Fukuoka, Fukuoka on August 12, 2001.
• Finals: Makuhari Messe, Chiba on August 25, 2001.

Battle Road Spring 2002

• Kantō conference: Hamamatsuchō House, Tokyo between March 9-10, 2002.
• Tōhoku conference: Sendai Wasse, Sendai on March 17, 2002.
• Kyūshū conference: Nishitetsu Hall, Fukuoka on March 26, 2002.
• Chūgoku/Shikoku conference: Hiroshima General Exhibition Center, Hiroshima on March 28, 2002.
• Kansai conference: Asia & Pacific Trade Center (ATC), Osaka between March 30-31, 2002.
• Chūbu conference: Nagoya Congress Center, Nagoya on April 2, 2002.
• Hokkaidō conference: Sapporo Factory, Sapporo on April 7, 2002.

Battle Road Summer 2002

• Hokkaidō conference: Sapporo Community Dome, Sapporo on July 20, 2002.
• Tōhoku conference: Sendai Wasse, Sendai on July 24, 2002.
• Kantō conference: Tokyo International Exhibition Center, Tokyo between July 27-28, 2002.
• Chūbu conference: Port Messe Nagoya, Nagoya on July 31, 2002.
• Kansai conference: Intex Osaka, Osaka between August 3-4, 2002.
• Chūgoku/Shikoku conference: Hiroshima Sun Plaza, Hiroshima on August 9, 2002.
• Kyūshū conference: West Japan General Exhibition Center, Fukuoka on August 11, 2002.
• Finals: Unknown location in Tokyo on August 17, 2002.

Gallery

Pokémon Card Game Official Tournament print Illus. Mitsuhiro Arita	Tropical Mega Battle print Illus. Ken Sugimori/Logo. Hiromi Ito	Secret Super Battle print Illus. Hideki Kazama
Neo Spring Road print Illus. Ken Sugimori	World Championships 2005 print Illus. Nakaoka	Diamond & Pearl print Illus. Ken Sugimori
Diamond & Pearl print Illus. Ken Sugimori	Diamond & Pearl print Illus. Ken Sugimori	Diamond & Pearl print Illus. Ken Sugimori
Diamond & Pearl print Illus. Ken Sugimori	Diamond & Pearl print Illus. Ken Sugimori	Diamond & Pearl print Illus. Ken Sugimori
Diamond & Pearl print Illus. Ken Sugimori	Diamond & Pearl print Illus. Ken Sugimori	Diamond & Pearl print Illus. Ken Sugimori

Trivia

• The prints awarded between 1997 and 1998 were well publicized during the Pokémon phenomenon at the turn of the century, and are popularly known collectively as the Pikachu Trophy No.1 card in reference to the illustration. There are misconceptions regarding the distribution of these particular cards, one of which is that the latter two prints were awarded in 1998 and 1999, whereas both were awarded across two tournament series in 1998. Similarly, the Tropical Mega Battle print was only awarded during the 1999 event. The other misconception is that they were awarded to the overall winners of the tournament finals, where in fact they were awarded to the qualifying event winners. The same also applies to the Tropical Mega Battle and Super Secret Battle prints.
• The prints awarded between 2000 and 2002 were the only cards to feature printed personalization until the release of _____'s Snivy, _____'s Tepig, and _____'s Oshawott from a Lawson's campaign in 2011. It is debated that despite the larger quantity of cards in existence, these cards are rarer than the original trophy cards released between 1997 and 1998 as each one is unique.
• For the non-"Best in Japan" cards, the number of Pokémon present in the illustration increases as the rank increases; No.3 Trainer features two Pokémon; No.2 Trainer features four; No.1 Trainer features six.
• The cards awarded to the "Best in Japan" top ranking players have a photograph of the winner in the illustration superimposed on the logo of the tournament they competed in; the Neo Spring Road features Lugia, while the Neo Summer Road features Ho-Oh. These cards, as well as the Elite Four Trainer cards awarded in the Battle Road Summer 2002 finals are the only official cards to feature images of real life people.
• The 2000 and 2001 prints have "No.1 Trainer" instead of "Trainer" at the top of the card. On the 2002 print this is present on the top right of the card, making it a unique Trainer card subclass. The double star rarity was also no longer used with the 2002 print.
• The 2007-2009 prints do not have "Trainer" in the top right corner of the card as per all Trainer cards released during the DP era. The 2011 print also features a ruling as per all Item cards, but is unique to the No.1 Trainer.
• The number of the early Japanese prints in existence is a popular topic of discussion. Amongst the collector community, the general consensus is that there were two copies of the Pokémon Official Tournament print awarded; however, the numbers of the 1998-1999 prints are disputed. Based on the regional events at which the cards were awarded, there are likely a minimum of six of the Lizardon Mega Battle print, with a maximum of twelve, and a minimum of five of the Kamex Mega Battle print, with a maximum of ten. Based on how the age divisions were split and the regional events for the Challenge Road '99 SUMMER, there were an estimated seven of each of the Tropical Mega Battle and Super Secret Battle prints awarded. Not taking personalized elements into account, there were an estimated eight of the 2000 print awarded, 14 of the Neo Spring Road print, one of the Neo Spring Road "Best in Japan" print, 14 of the Neo Summer Road print, one of the Neo Summer Road "Best in Japan" print, 21 of the Battle Road Spring 2002 print, and 21 of the Battle Road Summer 2002 print. As stated above, the ratio of male to female variants for the Battle Road 2002 series prints are unknown. The cards awarded via the World Championships are only printed in English, making it one of the rarest English cards in existence. There are only three copies of each annual version produced.
• Value-wise, collectors can expect to pay significant sums of money for any of these cards; however, recent history has shown that the more recent releases do not command as much as the original trophy cards awarded between 1997 and 1999, which were well publicized during the Pokémon phenomenon at the turn of the century. Due to their limited numbers, these cards are often considered amongst the rarest in the world.

Origin

This article is part of Project TCG, a Bulbapedia project that aims to report on every aspect of the Pokémon Trading Card Game.