ThePokemon TCGis a fluid market where card values fluctuate daily according to various factors, such as rarity and hype surrounding certain Pokemon. However, the English market is only a piece of the overall picture, with Japan boasting the second-largest segment in the hobby.
While English and Japanese cards aren’t the only languages available, they’re undoubtedly the two most popular to collect. Japanese cards feature noticeably different textures and print quality. Despite a clear textural difference that makes Japanese cards stand out, the values don’t usually match their English counterparts, though two cards on this list break this trend.
Cards are ordered according to theirTCGPlayerMarket Price,which is what you might pay for a copy of the cards below.
Given the age and rarity of certain cards,onlythose with anestablished market price on TCGplayerare included.
7Charizard – Expansion Pack (Holo Rare) – $249.99
A Counterpart To The GOAT
If you’re familiar with Charizard’s most valuable cards,this artwork probably triggers some serious nostalgia in your brain. The"Expansion Pack" set is the Japanese equivalent of English’s famed “Base Set,“and boasts a gorgeous rendition of arguably the most famous Pokemon card of all time.
The Expansion Pack also doesn’t have both unlimited and first edition versions, with only a single iteration.
This Charizard offers the first example of the stark difference between English and Japanese printings, as this version features more prominent holographic sparkles in the background. This card commands significant value, starting at $85 for heavily played(HP)copies, with moderately played(MP)surging to about $175, followed by lightly played(LP)at about $200. The cleanest near-mint(NM)copies cap things off with sales as high as $250.
6Leafeon VMAX – Eevee Heroes (Hyper Rare) – $258.49
On A Roll In All Languages
English and Japanese cards rarely command equivalent values, but that’s exactly whatthis valuable Leafeon cardmanages to achieve, with both the Eevee Heroes (JP) and Evolving Skies (ENG) receiving nearly identical price tags. While there’s no guarantee that they’ll remain on par, it’s worth noting thatthere are exceptions to English’s usual price superiorityin the resale market.
Unfortunately, sinceJapanese cards are still relatively new additions to the TCGPlayer database,there isn’t a long history of sales data to point to for these cards, but thus far, this Leafeon continues to rise in price, after debuting at close to $200, and soaring to its current market price in short order.
5Umbreon ex – Terastal Festival ex (Special Art Rare) – $296.31
A New Moonbreon Rises
Speaking offantastic cards from Evolving Skies,you might be familiar with the Umbreon VMAX alt art, affectionately dubbed “Moonbreon”. However, if you haven’t kept a close eye on the Pokemon market, you might have missed thedebut of yet another valuable Umbreon in Terastal Festival ex.
Despite an impressive start to this new Moonbreon’s TCG career, it quickly lost value, dropping out of the $300 range after starting above $350. However, this dip is expected, especially as heads turn toward the English version in Prismatic Evolutions. Keep an eye on this card when the English version soars in price, asthe Japanese version will quickly soar in demanddue to its more affordable price.
4Marnie – Shield (Super Rare) – $300.00
Finding Greatness
While theWestern market is starting to show more love for Trainer cards,Japan’s notable obsession with certain characters typically sets their prices far above their English counterparts. Marnie is a perfect example of a trainer who is largely disregarded in the West, but soars to unprecedented heights in Japan.
As a direct point of comparison, this exact Marnie card appears in English’s Sword & Shield Base Set, but only commands a fraction of her Japanese value, settling at around $30.Japan’s Super Rare Marnie boasts a value roughly ten times higher,illustrating the significant gulfs that develop between English and Japanese based on popularity.
3Umbreon – Terastal Festival ex (Master Ball Foil) – $345.29
Master Ball Magnificence
Umbreon stands tall with another appearance, claiming two spots among themost valuable cards in Japan’s Terastal Festival ex.However, this Master Ball Foil eclipses the Special Art Rare, surpassing the new Moonbreon for the time being.
The regular,non-foil image is used here,but the Master Ball Foil boasts a large Master Ball hologram in the center of the card.
Master Ball Foils are incredibly rare and gained prominence as part of a Japanese-exclusive set feature from Scarlet & Violet: 151. This card’s value is likely to shift along with the Special Art Rare, as the set’s English counterpart, Prismatic Evolutions, brings Master Ball Foils to English cards for the first time.
2Giratina V – Lost Abyss (Super Rare) – $430.99
Gorgeous In Any Language
This Giratina boasts similar value to the English version, which tops the charts asthe most expensive card in Lost Origin.Illustrator Shinji Kanda has made a name for himself as one of the most impressive and desirable artists to collect, with this Giratina V card serving as his magnum opus.
Given this card’s incredible design, it might not be as surprising to see that Giratina shares a similar value with its English version, as Giratina V stands as one of thebest cards from the entire Sword & Shield era.
1Sightseer – Tag Team GX: Tag All Stars (Super Rare) – $475.00
Looking For A Challenger
Sightseer takes the top spot as the most valuable Japanese Pokemon card thus far, illustrating Japan’s love for Trainer cards that can surpass even the most stunning Pokemon depictions.
As TCGPlayer continues to fill its database with rarer Japanese cards, expect this trainer to see heavy competition from select vintage Pokemon cards.
While data on TCGPlayer remains scarce for Japanese cards, Sightseer’s value is no fluke, though her stranglehold on the throne will likely slip over time. Despite the changes to come, Sightseer sees impressive value in Japanese, as this character has yet to receive an equivalent English version.
