Gone are the days when almost all fans outside Japan preferred English Pokemon cards just because they could read the text and play them.
With so many resources available online, players and collectors no longer need to be overly selective about a card’s language, as they can easily look it up and understand its details.
Since the Pokemon franchise originated all the way from the Land of the Rising Sun, the number of people collecting Japanese Pokemon cards is rising.
Combined with the influence of Japanese popular culture, it’s no surprise that people will start questioning if Japanese Pokemon cards can eventually overtake the English copies.
For this post, we’re going to weigh in on all things concerning Japanese and English Pokemon cards, and give you unbiased advice on which one you should consider collecting at the moment.
Key highlights:
- Japanese and English Pokemon cards differ in a lot of ways other than just the language of the text printed on them.
- If you want affordable and better printed cards, you’ll definitely like Japanese cards.
- For those who prefer gameplay and return of investment, English cards offer the best choices.
Japanese vs. English Pokemon Cards: Ultimate Faceoff
The most noticeable thing that makes a Japanese card different from an English card is the language printed on their cards, as well as the name of the featured Pokemon.
The language of a card doesn’t affect how a particular card is played or how it performs in the meta. However, it could be a different case when it comes to value, as you are about to find out while reading this article.
As mentioned earlier, some Pokemon names change when printed on Japanese cards. For example, Charcadet is known as Carbou in Japan, so the katakana text on its Japanese card will read as Carbou.
To provide a thorough comparison between these cards, we will look at factors such as print quality, value, affordability, pull rates, and release dates.
| Factor | Japanese Cards | English Cards |
|---|---|---|
| Print Quality | Are printed with fewer errors. Much glossier texture. | More prone to errors and misprints.-Can be printed in various designs. |
| Value and Affordability | Are much cheaper than English cards. | Some chase cards can increase in value over time. |
| Pull Rates | A chase card is guaranteed once or twice in a booster box. | Some sets can have abysmal pull rates, where it’s almost impossible to get a $100 card from a single booster box. |
| Release Dates | Sets are released much earlier in Japan. | Collectors must wait at least a month before an English version of a Japanese set becomes available. |
Print Quality
If we’re talking about the quality of printing in terms of having the least number of flaws, you can count on Japanese Pokemon cards. They look much glossier than their English counterparts and are visibly superior when it comes to texture.
However, if you prefer a more diversified look for your Pokemon cards, the English ones definitely top Japanese cards in that area. English Pokemon cards are much more colorful, unique, and natural, making them more ideal for playing.
Also read: Are Miscut Pokemon Cards Worth Anything?
Value and Affordability
Since Pokemon has a much larger fanbase outside Japan, English cards often see higher demand, sometimes outpacing supply. This increased demand can make English cards more valuable than Japanese ones by roughly 60%.
The downside of English cards being more valuable is that products also tend to be more expensive. If you’re just starting out in Pokemon TCG and want a more budget-friendly entry point, Japanese prints are often the better option right now.
Pull Rates
For hardcore collectors willing to risk spending hundreds of dollars chasing rare hits, English Pokemon TCG products still deliver that high-stakes experience. In fact, several past Pokemon TCG sets have become notorious for their poor pull rates, to the point where opening them is often considered a bad gamble for collectors today.
As for Japanese cards, you’ll typically get a guaranteed hit once or twice for every booster box, although each booster contains fewer cards compared to English packs.
Release Dates
Japanese sets are released months ahead of English sets, so Japanese cards are your best choice if you want quick access to the newest collectibles from Pokemon TCG. However, it’s common for English sets to combine two Japanese sets into one release, and some Japanese cards may never receive an English print at all.
Final Verdict: Japanese Cards or English Cards?
Of course, we can’t just force our readers to pick between Japanese and English cards; they are both worthy of collecting in their own ways.
All we can say is that if you are a well-off Pokemon fan willing to spend more and potentially earn more through card resale, English Pokemon cards are the way to go. Cards printed in English are also much easier to play with, so unless you understand Japanese, it’s generally better to build your deck using English cards.
But for true-blooded collectors who prefer keeping their cards for personal display, they can easily grow their card portfolio by picking up more Japanese cards. They are widely available in today’s market and are often released earlier, making them ideal for times when the franchise introduces a new generation of Pokemon species.
We hope this article has helped you decide how to shape your Pokemon card collecting journey. For more collector insights and Pokemon TCG guides, stay tuned for future posts here at PokeCardHQ.
