English or Japanese cards: a comparison

English cards can be used in official Pokémon and One Piece tournaments across Europe. Some other European languages are allowed too, such as German for Pokémon. Japanese editions have fewer cards per pack, often a lower price per pack and a reputation for more consistent print quality, but they cannot be used in these tournaments and have their own secondary market. If you are buying to play, choose English or another language that is allowed where you play. If you are buying to collect or grade, Japanese may be the better choice.

The comparison in numbers

English	What the English edition looks like
Cards per pack, Pokémon	10
Packs per display	36
Pokémon tournaments in Europe	Yes
Secondary market in Europe	Players and collectors
Availability in European shops	Varies by country
Release order	After Japan

Japanese	What the Japanese edition looks like
Cards per pack, Pokémon	5
Packs per display	30
Pokémon tournaments in Europe	No
Secondary market in Europe	Collectors rather than tournament players
Availability in European shops	Often requires import
Release order	First

Why Japanese cards have a reputation for higher quality

• More consistent cutting and centring. Japanese editions have a reputation for tighter print quality, with less variation in how the card is cut and the artwork positioned, which is decisive when grading.
• The result. Japanese cards are reported to reach top grades clearly more often than English ones, which has made them popular with collectors aiming high.

The range differs

They are not the same sets in two languages. Japan has its own product types that do not exist in English, and the English sets are often put together from parts of several Japanese ones. A card can therefore be available in Japanese months before it can be bought in English, and not all cards can be matched one to one.

High Class Pack	Japanese yearly summary with many sought-after cards.
Shiny series	Japanese special sets built around shiny variants.
Display size	Japanese displays are often 30 packs versus 36 for English.
Promo cards	Their own campaigns and distribution channels in Japan.

Which should you choose

You play tournaments	English or another language that is allowed in Europe. Japanese Pokémon and One Piece cards are not.
You collect artwork	Choose the one you think looks best. The illustrations sometimes differ.
You are aiming for high grades	Japanese, for the quality reasons above.
You want to resell in Europe	English, which players across Europe can use in tournaments.
You are buying a gift for a child	English, since the cards can be read and played with.
You want to open a lot cheaply	Japanese packs often cost less, but contain fewer cards.

The price per card is not the whole story

1. A Japanese pack has five cards, an English one has ten.
2. Always work out the price per card, not per pack, when comparing.
3. Factor in that Japanese sets often have a higher share of sought-after cards per pack.
4. Compare resale prices for both editions where you plan to sell, since they are priced separately.

Other languages

Cards are also available in German, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Korean and Chinese. Official Pokémon tournaments in Europe accept German, French, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish cards as well as English. One Piece tournaments in Europe accept English and French. The word english in a product name from a German wholesaler refers to the cards, not the packaging text.

EN	English
DE	German
FR	French
IT	Italian
ES or SP	Spanish
PT	Portuguese
JP	Japanese
KOR	Korean
CN	Chinese

Frequently asked questions

• Are Japanese cards genuine Pokémon cards? Yes, they are published by the same company and are the original edition.
• Can I mix languages in a deck? In tournaments only with languages allowed in the region, and Japanese Pokémon and One Piece cards are not allowed in Europe. At home it is fine.
• Are Japanese cards the same size? Yes. Japanese Pokémon and One Piece cards have the same dimensions as the English ones. Yu-Gi-Oh! is smaller, but in all languages.
• Why do Japanese sets come first? Publishing starts in Japan and is then adapted for other markets.
• Are Japanese cards a good investment? They have their own market. We give no advice on value development.
• Why are Japanese cards often in better condition? A widespread reputation for tighter cutting and print control, something that also shows in grading statistics.
• Do my regular sleeves fit? Yes, for Pokémon and One Piece. Japanese size is only needed for Yu-Gi-Oh!, and there regardless of language.
• Are Japanese cards worth less? They have their own pricing. Some Japanese cards are more expensive than their English counterparts.

Buying Japanese products in Europe

1. Check that it is a Japanese edition and not an Asian English one. They are different.
2. Expect fewer cards per pack, usually five versus ten for English.
3. Keep your sleeves. Japanese Pokémon and One Piece cards are standard size.
4. Recalculate the price per card, not per pack, when comparing.
5. Expect Japanese sets to often be released before the English ones.

Practical differences in everyday use

Reading the cards	Japanese requires you to know the cards by heart or look them up
Reselling	English can be sold to tournament players as well as collectors
Playing at home	Both work if everyone knows what the cards do
Buying	Japanese more often requires import and longer delivery times
Accessories	The same sleeves for both languages, in all games

Read more about pack types, sleeves and rarity levels.

Shop: Japanese Pokémon and Japanese One Piece 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.