After spending years away from Pokémon TCG, I returned around late 2024 (before the hype blew prices out of the water) and quickly found myself amassing a strong collection. However, like everyone else, I’m struggling to get my hands on most English sets. As a consequence, I’ve found myself relying on Japanese Pokémon cards instead – and here’s why you should too.
As new Pokémon sets come and go, there’s (typically) a Japanese counterpart for every expansion. Sometimes more than one – as in the case of November 2024’s Surging Sparks, which was composed of cards from Japanese sets Super Electric Breaker and Paradise Dragona.
Buying these sets is, in my opinion, the best way to collect the best trading card game. But let’s cover off the drawbacks up top: first, of course, if you’re looking to build decks and play with your cards, and can’t read Japanese, that’s a deal breaker. And – while collecting all cards in a single expansion is a lot easier in Japanese – it also means you’ll probably end up spending more money on more separate sets, which some people will find off-putting. But honestly, that’s it; for collectors, the benefits far outweigh the cons.
Ultimately, with Japanese product, you’ll still be getting the best Pokémon cards around, but at cheaper prices (which kind of offsets the fact that you’ll be buying more overall). Recently, the price difference between English and Japanese sets has been fairly close, but before the hype? Well, you could get booster boxes full of packs for around the $50 mark.
That’s more chances to get your hands on all those expensive rare Pokémon cards (like Paldean Fates’ beloved Bubble Mew) at a better price. As I noted in my Terastal Festival feature, pull rates are a lot better in Japanese Pokémon packs, and after my experience with Prismatic Evolutions, I’ll be focusing on Japanese from now on – even if Journey Together had me much more hopeful for the TCG’s future.
Better pull rates and cheaper boxes alone are already great reasons to chase the cutest Pokémon cards in Japanese over English, but there’s another major reason if you’re a big collector: print quality. English cards are notably more random when it comes to print quality. You could finally pull that Umbreon SIR from Prismatic, only to have it in rough condition with poor centering or damage on the sides, while Japanese cards have notably better conditions. Sure, sometimes problems can arise, but it’s rarer in Japanese sets.
There’s also the fact that, until recently, Pokémon cards just looked better in Japanese. The texture for Illustration Rares and Special Illustration Rares was better in Japan, and while that has since changed for the better in English sets, going back to older sets means you’ll have even better-looking cards when you buy Japanese boxes.
Of course, demand right now means that you’ll likely be paying around the same for a Japanese or English booster box. However, if you’re going to choose between better pull rates and quality or having cards in English, which one would you rather go for? Personally, I’m going for the former, and even when the hype slows down, I’ll still go for Japanese sets instead. If you’re looking to buy some, I’d suggest going to Zatu Games or Magic Madhouse to get your hands on some booster boxes.
Am I right about Japanese Pokémon cards being the GOAT? Am I utterly wrong and in need of a good Double Slap? Come join the Pokémon TCG discussion on the Wargamer Discord and tell me so! Don’t do so in Japanese though, as I can’t read it.
Whether you’re sticking with English or jumping ship to get some Japanese cards, buying the newest Pokémon set always makes for an exciting time. Before Destined Rivals arrives, catch up on the legendary Pokémon you can find within the TCG.
Source: Wargamer
