Japanese vs English booster boxes

Japanese releases first

For Pokémon TCG, sets release in Japan first, and English expansions are built later from the cards of one or more Japanese sets, so the two languages do not line up set for set.

For the Bandai games, the One Piece Card Game, the Gundam Card Game and the Dragon Ball Super Card Game Fusion World, the Japanese edition comes out before the English one or on the same schedule. It never comes later, which is why a Japanese box is often the first chance to open a new set.

What is inside the box

An English Pokémon booster box holds 36 packs; a Japanese box for a standard expansion holds 30 smaller packs, and Japanese special sets often come in smaller boxes still.

In the Bandai games, an English pack generally holds more cards than its Japanese counterpart: in the One Piece Card Game an English pack has 12 cards and a Japanese pack 6, with 24 packs in the box in both languages. Compare the price per card, not only the price per box.

Playing and tournaments

Official events set their own language rules, and English cards are what players in most English-speaking regions need for local tournaments. If your customers play, stock the language their events accept; check with the organiser if you are unsure.

Collecting

Many collectors buy Japanese product for its earlier release, its print and finish, and card art that sometimes differs between languages. English product is what most players and collectors in English-speaking markets look for first.

Which should a shop stock?

Match the language to the people who buy from you:

• Players at English-language events: English
• Collectors, and customers who want a set as soon as it exists: Japanese
• A mix of both: Japanese at launch, English when it follows

Buying either language from Nexus TCG

We supply English and Japanese sealed product for all four games. See the wholesale page for the current list, or ask us about a set that is not listed.