What was the name of the Pokémon TCG’s first Japanese card set, released in 1996?

The Pokémon TCG’s first Japanese card set was the 1st Starter & Expansion Pack, released on October 20, 1996.

The set was the original core release of the Pokémon Trading Card Game. It contained cards depicting the original Pokémon species and established the card types and battle concepts that players still associate with the game, including Pokémon, Energy, and Trainer cards. The Japanese release was published by Media Factory.

In English-language markets, the same foundational release is generally known as Base Set. The English Base Set launched in the United States on January 9, 1999, so Base Set is a correct regional name but not the precise original Japanese title.

The Pokémon TCG was influenced by collectible card games such as Magic: The Gathering, but its designers adapted the idea around Pokémon battles, evolution, Energy attachments, and deck construction. The card game therefore expanded the franchise beyond video games before the anime became a global phenomenon.