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Asian English and other regional editions
The same card is printed for several markets, and the editions are not interchangeable. An Asian English edition has English text but is printed for the Asian market, often in a different volume and sometimes with a mark that sets it apart from the Western one. The price follows the supply in the market the card was printed for, not the one you are in.
Quick facts
| Asian English | English text, printed for Asian markets |
|---|---|
| Western English | The edition sold in Europe and North America |
| Playable | Depends on the game's own rules on language and edition |
| Same price | No. Supply differs by market |
| How to tell them apart | Fine print on the card's edge and the packaging's labelling |
The regions you will come across
| Japanese edition | Japanese text. Its own pricing and its own exclusive versions. |
|---|---|
| Asian English | English text for Asian markets. Same format as the other editions. |
| Western English | English text for Europe and North America. |
| Korean edition | Korean text, its own market and its own pricing. |
| Other languages | German, French, Spanish and Italian are printed in smaller volumes. |
How to tell which edition you have
- Read the fine print along the bottom edge of the card. It names the rights holder, and the wording can differ slightly between regions.
- Look at the packaging. The region is shown by the labelling and the barcode.
- Don't rely on size. Japanese and English Pokémon cards have the same dimensions, so size doesn't tell them apart.
- Check the set code. Regional editions can have their own codes for the same set.
- Compare with a known edition if you are unsure.
What it means for the price
An edition printed in a small volume for one market can be rare there and common somewhere else, or the other way around. That is why a price comparison has to be about the same edition and not just the same card. If you compare an Asian English card with a Western one, you are comparing two different supplies.
Common mistakes
- Assuming that English text means a Western edition.
- Comparing prices between regions without checking which edition the listing is for.
- Choosing sleeves by region. The size follows the game.
- Mixing regional editions in the same deck without checking the tournament rules.
- Believing that a regional edition is a counterfeit. It is a different official print run.
Frequently asked questions
- Are Asian English cards genuine? Yes, they are official print runs for a different market.
- What size are they? The same as Western ones.
- Can I play with them? Check the game's own rules on editions and languages.
- Why is the price different? Supply differs by market.
- How do I tell them from counterfeits? The same method as for any card. See the authenticity guide.
Why there are several editions at all
- The markets differ. Different regions have different demand and different distributors.
- The language has to match the market the card is sold in.
- Volumes are set per region based on what the distributors have ordered.
- Release dates differ, and Japanese editions often come first.
- Some versions are made for one market only and never reach the others.
Buying across regional borders
A regional edition that is cheap where it was printed can become expensive once shipping, VAT and customs are added. Always work out the full cost before you compare with the price in a shop within the EU. The method is in the guide to import, VAT and customs.
Also keep in mind that the resale value follows the buyer base in your own market. An edition few buyers there recognise is harder to resell, even if it is rare in its own market.
Regional editions in practice
| Want to play in tournaments in Europe | Western English, or the edition in your own language where the game's rules allow it |
|---|---|
| Collect the artwork | Japanese editions often have versions that don't exist in the West |
| Want the best cut | Japanese editions have a reputation for the most consistent quality |
| Buying to resell | Choose the edition most buyers in your market recognise |
| Hunting a specific card | Check which edition the listing is for before you compare prices |
Sleeves by region
The size follows the game, not the language or the region. Pokémon and One Piece are standard size, 63 × 88 mm, in all editions, so Japanese, Korean and Asian English cards fit the same sleeves as Western ones. Yu-Gi-Oh! is Japanese size, 59 × 86 mm, regardless of language. It is a common and costly mix-up, since a card in the wrong size moves around and rubs at the edge. The measurements are in the sleeve guide.
Common misconceptions
- That English text means the card was printed for Europe.
- That a regional edition is an inferior print run. It is a different official print run.
- That Japanese editions need smaller sleeves. The size follows the game.
- That the price should be the same in every region.
Read more about English or Japanese cards, how to recognise genuine cards and import, VAT and customs.
Shop: Japanese Pokémon and trading cards at Bangerpack.
Written by those of us who run Bangerpack. Range and prices change continuously. What applies when you read this is shown in the category.
