Alter Genesis (SM12): Japanese Equivalent of Cosmic Eclipse (2019)
By Dexhaul Team · October 15, 2026 · 5 min read
Japanese SM12 Alter Genesis (September 6, 2019) is the primary source for English Cosmic Eclipse (November 1, 2019), the final and largest main-series Sun & Moon set. The 56-day release gap let JP collectors open Arceus & Dialga & Palkia-GX packs almost two months before the English release.
The mapping is not one-to-one. English Cosmic Eclipse drew from multiple Japanese sources released around the same window, which is why it contains 236 cards while the JP SM12 base set has 95. For collectors deciding whether to import JP or buy EN, the key difference is not just language: it is set size, price per pack, and which specific cards you can pull.
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On this page 6 sections
Set mapping at a glance
| Set | Code | Released | Cards (base + SR) | MSRP per pack at launch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alter Genesis (JP) | SM12 | September 6, 2019 | 95 + 22 SR | 165 yen (5 cards) |
| Dream League (JP) | SM11b | September 6, 2019 | 54 + 28 SR | 165 yen (5 cards) |
| Cosmic Eclipse (EN) | SM12 (EN) | November 1, 2019 | 236 + 36 SR | $3.99 USD (10 cards) |
Two Japanese sets launched on the exact same day: SM12 Alter Genesis and SM11b Dream League. The English release combined both 56 days later into Cosmic Eclipse.
This is the reason the EN set carries anime trainer supporter cards (Misty's Determination, Lt. Surge's Strategy, Brock's Grit) from Dream League alongside the space-themed cards from Alter Genesis. JP collectors who bought only SM12 packs did not pull those trainer supporters.
For the complete card-number crosswalk between JP and EN, Limitless TCG's SM12 index maps every Alter Genesis card to its English Cosmic Eclipse equivalent.
What is different in the box
| Feature | JP SM12 Alter Genesis | EN Cosmic Eclipse |
|---|---|---|
| Cards per pack | 5 | 10 |
| Packs per booster box | 30 | 36 |
| Cards per booster box | 150 | 360 |
| Unique cards in base set | 95 | 236 |
| Anime trainer supporters | No (these are in SM11b Dream League) | Yes (Misty's Determination, Lt. Surge's Strategy, Brock's Grit) |
| ADP-GX (Arceus & Dialga & Palkia-GX) | Yes, card 065/095 | Yes, card 156/236 |
| Legal for EN Standard play | No | Yes |
One JP booster box gives 150 cards across 30 packs. One EN booster box gives 360 cards across 36 packs. The EN box has more than twice the cards, but secondary market prices for JP boxes currently run lower than their EN counterparts at this age.
Key card crosswalk
Arceus & Dialga & Palkia-GX is the most notable pull from Alter Genesis. Its name gives the set's theme: Arceus reshaping reality, Dialga commanding time, Palkia commanding space.
This triple TAG TEAM GX became one of the defining competitive cards of the 2019–2020 Standard format. JP collectors pulled it as 065/095; EN collectors pulled it as 156/236.
| Card | JP set / number | EN set / number | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arceus & Dialga & Palkia-GX | SM12 065/095 | Cosmic Eclipse 156/236 | Limitless TCG |
| Naganadel & Guzzlord-GX | SM12 059/095 | Cosmic Eclipse 158/236 | Limitless TCG |
| Cynthia & Caitlin (SR) | SM12 106/095 | Cosmic Eclipse 228/236 (Full Art) | Serebii |
| Misty's Determination | SM11b (Dream League) 056/049 | Cosmic Eclipse 209/236 | Serebii |
| Lt. Surge's Strategy | SM11b (Dream League) 060/049 | Cosmic Eclipse 231/236 (Full Art) | Serebii |
The trainer supporter cards from Dream League landed as sought-after full-art secret rares in English. Collectors targeting those specific cards from Japanese Dream League boxes pulled them in a smaller, cheaper 54-card set rather than from the much larger Alter Genesis print run. The complete card map for both JP sources is documented on Serebii's Cosmic Eclipse index.
For comparison articles covering earlier Sun & Moon import decisions, see the Double Blaze (SM10) guide and the Japanese sets English equivalents reference.
Japanese or English?
Pokémon Card Game Sun & Moon Expansion Pack Alter Genesis BOX
$541.00 USD observed October 2026
Price per pack
JP Alter Genesis booster packs are currently listed around $29.00 USD individually at independent retailers. EN Cosmic Eclipse booster packs list higher.
JP boxes contain 30 packs of 5 cards each; EN boxes contain 36 packs of 10 cards each. If your goal is pulling ADP-GX from a pack, the JP route is cheaper per pull in the current secondary market, but you receive 5 cards instead of 10 per pack opened.
Language and play legality
All text on SM12 Alter Genesis cards is Japanese only. Japanese cards are not legal for sanctioned English Standard or Expanded events.
If you plan to play the cards competitively, English Cosmic Eclipse is the only option. For display collectors and graded card enthusiasts, either language is equally valid.
Grading JP vs EN
PSA and CGC grade both Japanese and English cards using the same scale. Japanese SM12 packs were released before the modern "1st Edition" stamp became standard for this era, so condition grading is the primary consideration. Neither JP nor EN Alter Genesis or Cosmic Eclipse cards carry an official first-edition marker; print run differences are not reflected in graded labels.
Cosmic Eclipse EN booster options
Pokemon - Sun & Moon: Cosmic Eclipse - Booster Pack
$115.00 USD observed October 2026
English Cosmic Eclipse booster packs and boxes are available from multiple independent retailers. Single packs are the most accessible entry point for chasing specific pulls. Full booster boxes deliver the complete EN set experience, including both the Alter Genesis and Dream League card pools in one product.
Frequently asked questions
Is Alter Genesis the Japanese version of Cosmic Eclipse?
Alter Genesis (SM12) is the primary JP source set. English Cosmic Eclipse also drew cards from SM11b Dream League, which released the same day as Alter Genesis in Japan (September 6, 2019). The English set combined both.
How many cards are in Alter Genesis?
The JP SM12 Alter Genesis base set contains 95 cards, plus 22 secret rares. English Cosmic Eclipse expanded the combined JP card pool to 236 base cards, plus 36 secret rares.
Is Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX in Alter Genesis?
Yes. ADP-GX is card 065/095 in the Japanese Alter Genesis set.
In English Cosmic Eclipse it is card 156/236. Both versions are graded equally by PSA and CGC.
Can Japanese Alter Genesis cards be used in English tournaments?
No. Japanese-language cards are not legal in sanctioned English Standard or Expanded events. English Cosmic Eclipse cards are required for competitive English play.
Why does English Cosmic Eclipse have so many more cards than Alter Genesis?
The English set combined SM12 Alter Genesis and SM11b Dream League, two JP sets released on the same day. It also used 10 cards per pack versus 5 in Japan, and translated both source sets into a single 236-card main set.
Browse current Alter Genesis and Cosmic Eclipse listings from independent shops at the DexHaul Japanese cards collection. New listings appear as shops update their stock, so check back regularly for the best available prices.
Catch 'em all
More Alter Genesis and Cosmic Eclipse finds from independent shops.