Pokémon Sleeves - Entei, Raikou & Suicune (64 pcs, Japanese)

64 official Japanese Pokémon sleeves featuring the three legendary beasts Entei, Raikou and Suicune, released by the Pokémon Center for the Japanese set VSTAR Universe.

Specifications

• Count: 64 sleeves
• Artwork: Entei, Raikou and Suicune
• Origin: Pokémon Center Japan, VSTAR Universe period
• Officially licensed Japanese product

Why 64 and not 65

Western sleeve packs contain 65, Japanese ones 64 — a difference that comes purely from habit in the two markets. A deck holds 60 cards either way, so you'll have a few spares left over regardless. Just keep in mind that Japanese sleeves are sized for Japanese cards, which are a fraction smaller than Western ones.

About the three beasts

According to Johto's story, three Pokémon died in the fire at the Burned Tower in Ecruteak City, after which Ho-Oh brought them back to life — and they returned as Entei (fire), Raikou (electric) and Suicune (water). In the games they then roam the whole region: you run into them, they hit you once and flee. Catching them was months of patient work for a generation of players.

What sleeves are for

Sleeves protect your cards from fingerprints, moisture and damaged edges, and they let a deck shuffle more smoothly. At tournaments they're effectively mandatory: every card back in your deck has to look identical, so no one can tell which card you're holding from the back.

Other Japanese designs featuring multiple Pokémon are Eevee Dash! Ver. 2 and Flying Charizard.