Japanese or English Pokémon cards: what is different
Japanese cards come out first, in smaller sets, with a different back and a finer print finish. English cards are the ones you can play with in the US. Neither is rarer by nature, and prices differ card by card.
What do you want the cards for?
To play
English.
- Official events accept English cards.
- Japanese cards are not legal in play outside Japan.
For the art
Either. Compare prices.
- The art is the same on both.
- Many Japanese art cards cost less than their English twins.
- Some cost far more. Look each card up.
To grade
Japanese cards grade well.
- Collectors report cleaner cuts and better centering on Japanese prints.
- The graded price still depends on demand for that card.
To keep sealed
Know what is in the box.
- A Japanese box is 30 packs of five cards.
- Compare the price for each card, not for each box.
- Japanese sets come out weeks or months before the English set built from them.
- A Japanese booster box holds 30 packs of five cards. An English box holds 36 packs of ten.
- Japanese cards cannot be used in official events outside Japan.
- Prices differ card by card. Check both before you buy.
- Our card pages cover 13 languages, each with its own price.
The differences at a glance
The same card in each language, from our own scans.
| What | Japanese | English |
|---|---|---|
| Card back | A design of its own, used since 2001. | The blue back used since 1999. |
| Pack | Five cards in most sets. | Ten cards in most sets. |
| Booster box | 30 packs. | 36 packs. |
| Sets | Smaller sets, released more often. | Larger sets that combine several Japanese ones. |
| Release | First. | Weeks or months later. |
| Official play | Japan only. | Britain, Europe, the Americas and more. |
Print quality
Collectors widely report that Japanese cards are cut and printed more evenly.
- Centering is tighter on most Japanese cards.
- Their holo patterns and textures differ from the English versions.
- English print quality varies more from one print run to the next.
These are reports from collectors and graders, not figures from Pokémon.
Matching a Japanese card to its English one
- The set names differ. The Japanese set Pokémon Card 151 became the English set 151.
- Card numbers differ too, because the sets are different sizes.
- The artwork is the surest match. Search our card pages by the Pokémon's name and pick the Japanese printing.
Buying from Japan
- Add shipping to the price before you compare.
- Parcels from abroad can be charged import duty.
- Japanese boxes sold in the US already include those costs.
In stock today below its usual price
Sealed products on sale right now, ranked by how far each sits under its usual price. Tap one for its price history.
Common questions
Are Japanese Pokémon cards worth more than English?
Some are and some are not. Old Japanese promos and some modern art cards sell for more. Most modern Japanese cards sell for less than the English version.
Are Japanese Pokémon cards real?
Yes. They are the original version of the game, made by the same company. Their backs look different from English cards, which is normal.
Can you use Japanese Pokémon cards in tournaments?
Not in official events outside Japan. Play in the US needs cards in English.
Why are Japanese booster boxes cheaper?
They hold fewer cards. A Japanese box is 30 packs of five cards, against 36 packs of ten in an English box. Compare the price for each card.
Why does my Japanese card have a different back?
Japanese cards have had their own back design since 2001. Older Japanese cards have an earlier design. All of them are genuine.
More guides
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