Japanese cards

Japanese or English Pokémon cards: differences and which to collect

Updated on 15/10/2026

Expansions come out in Japan first; the international version follows a few months later, often merging several Japanese sets.

The differences in a table

	Japanese	English / international
Release	First	A few months later
Sets	Smaller, each with its own ARs	Bigger, merging several Japanese sets
Printing	Very careful	Variable
AR/SAR prices	Often lower	Often higher
Official tournaments outside Japan	No	Yes

They come out first

Expansions come out first in Japan and a few months later in the rest of the world, often merging two or more Japanese sets. Ninja Spinner is the Japanese version of Chaos Rising, Abyss Eye of Pitch Black. Collecting in Japanese means seeing the new cards first.

Smaller sets, easier to complete

Bulbasaur, Ivysaur and Venusaur ex from Japanese Pokemon Card 151 — From the Japanese set 151: Bulbasaur and Ivysaur AR and Venusaur ex SAR, three cards that continue the same story.

Every Japanese set has its own ARs and SARs: completing the Art Rares of a Japanese expansion is an achievable goal. That's why we also sell complete AR sets.

Print quality and grading

Many collectors prefer Japanese cards for their print quality and centring, which is one of the reasons they're so popular for grading.

Frequently asked questions

Are Japanese cards smaller?+

No, they're the same size as international cards (63×88 mm).

Are Japanese cards worth more?+

Not in general: they often cost less, but some Japanese exclusives are more sought after.

Can they be used in tournaments?+

Not in official tournaments outside Japan: you need the languages permitted by the international rules.