Ancient Roar and Future Flash (SV4K/SV4M): English Equivalent Paradox Rift (2026)
By Dexhaul Team · October 13, 2026 · 7 min read
Two Japanese sets released on the same day became one English set seven days later. Ancient Roar (SV4K) and Future Flash (SV4M), both released October 27, 2023, are the primary Japanese source sets for English Paradox Rift (SV04/PAR), released November 3, 2023.
They are not the only source, which is the first thing to know about how this mapping works.
JP-to-EN Set Mapping
Paradox Rift draws from three Japanese sets. The full picture, including the earlier Raging Surf (SV3a) that also fed the English set, is covered in the Raging Surf SV3a guide.
This page covers the two primary sets, SV4K and SV4M, and how both map to the complete English release. For the SV-era overview, see the Japanese Pokémon Sets and English Equivalents hub.
| Detail | JP: Ancient Roar | JP: Future Flash | EN: Paradox Rift |
|---|---|---|---|
| Set code | SV4K | SV4M | PAR / SV04 |
| Release date | October 27, 2023 | October 27, 2023 | November 3, 2023 |
| JP-to-EN gap | 7 days (SV4K and SV4M to Paradox Rift) | ||
| Cards per pack | 5 | 5 | 10 |
| Packs per box | 30 | 30 | 36 |
| Cards per box | 150 | 150 | 360 |
| Theme | Ancient Paradox Pokémon | Future Paradox Pokémon | Both Ancient and Future |
| Cover card | Roaring Moon ex | Iron Valiant ex | Both (two ETB variants) |
| Additional JP source | Raging Surf (SV3a, Sep 22, 2023) also contributed ~78 cards to Paradox Rift | ||
On this page 7 sections
Three Japanese Sets, One English Set
Paradox Rift is one of the few SV-era English sets with three Japanese source sets. Most EN releases in the Scarlet and Violet series map from a single JP set, occasionally two. Paradox Rift drew from Raging Surf (SV3a, released September 22, 2023), Ancient Roar (SV4K), and Future Flash (SV4M), with the latter two releasing on the same day.
About 78 of the 92 Raging Surf cards appear in Paradox Rift. That means Walking Wake ex and Iron Leaves ex, which are in the English set, originate from SV3a, not from SV4K or SV4M. Anyone searching for "Ancient Roar English equivalent" or "Future Flash English equivalent" gets Paradox Rift as the answer, but the full EN set is broader than either JP set alone.
The practical implication: if you pull Walking Wake ex from an English Paradox Rift pack, you are pulling a card whose JP origin is Raging Surf. If you want the Japanese version of that card, the box to buy is SV3a, not SV4K or SV4M.
What Each JP Set Contains
Ancient Roar (SV4K) is the Ancient-theme half. It features Paradox Pokémon with ancient origins: Roaring Moon ex is the cover card, Flutter Mane ex is the other high-demand pull, and the set leans into the Dark and Psychic/Fairy types that those two chase cards represent. Japanese buyers who wanted the full Roaring Moon or Flutter Mane ex experience went here.
Future Flash (SV4M) is the Future-theme half. Iron Valiant ex is the cover card: a Psychic/Fairy-type Future Pokémon with strong competitive applications in the SV Standard format. Future Flash carried the Miraidon and Iron-type ex lineup for the set, making it the mechanical and Future-Pokémon counterpart to Ancient Roar's prehistoric aesthetic.
Both boxes use the same physical structure: 30 packs of 5 cards each. Future Flash trades lower because the Koraidon character premium inflates Ancient Roar demand, not a difference in pull rates or set composition.
| Feature | JP Ancient Roar (SV4K) | JP Future Flash (SV4M) |
|---|---|---|
| Theme | Ancient Paradox Pokémon | Future Paradox Pokémon |
| Cover card | Roaring Moon ex | Iron Valiant ex |
| Other chase cards | Flutter Mane ex | Iron Jugulis ex, Iron Thorns ex |
| Packs per box | 30 | 30 |
| Cards per pack | 5 | 5 |
| Official JP MSRP per pack | ¥550 JPY | ¥550 JPY |
| Secondary market box (Oct 2026) | ~$99-102 USD | ~$88-94 USD |
Key Card Origins: JP Source by Card
The EN Paradox Rift set blends cards from all three JP source sets. Knowing which JP set a card originates from matters if you are buying Japanese to target a specific pull or complete the Japanese print of a particular card.
| Card | JP Source Set | JP Set Code | In EN Paradox Rift? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roaring Moon ex | Ancient Roar | SV4K | Yes (base set + SIR) |
| Flutter Mane ex | Ancient Roar | SV4K | Yes (base set + SIR) |
| Iron Valiant ex | Future Flash | SV4M | Yes (base set + SIR) |
| Walking Wake ex | Raging Surf | SV3a | Yes (base set) |
| Iron Leaves ex | Raging Surf | SV3a | Yes (base set) |
Above-set Special Illustration Rares in English use higher card numbers than the JP base set. Verify exact numbers against the Limitless TCG card lists before buying individual cards.
English Paradox Rift: Available Formats
The EN release introduced two named ETB variants that directly reflect the JP thematic split.
The Roaring Moon ETB and Iron Valiant ETB each contain 9 booster packs, a foil promo card, 65 sleeves, dice, and a coin. The choice is cosmetic: both include the same PAR booster packs with identical pull rates. The ETB split preserved the Ancient/Future divide that JP collectors experienced at the box level.
Japanese or English?
The core card artwork is the same across JP and EN. The decision comes down to which format serves your goal better.
Price per pack
At observed October 2026 prices, Ancient Roar runs roughly $3.30-$3.40 per pack and Future Flash roughly $2.93-$3.13 per pack (30 packs, 5 cards each). An EN Paradox Rift booster box at $280 USD works out to roughly $7.78 per pack for 10-card packs. JP packs win on per-pack cost; the per-card gap narrows but JP still tends to come out ahead.
Play legality
Japanese-text cards are not legal in official English-language Pokémon TCG events. Roaring Moon ex or Iron Valiant ex from a JP box cannot be sleeved into an English Standard or Expanded deck for sanctioned play. English Paradox Rift cards are required for English tournament use.
Grading and collecting
PSA and CGC grade both versions. JP copies are logged in separate population reports from their English counterparts, so a JP Roaring Moon ex does not count against the EN Paradox Rift population. Collectors who want a lower-population print often choose the JP box for this reason.
The comparison guide for JP buyers
If you are choosing between Ancient Roar and Future Flash as a JP import purchase, the breakdown of where each set wins is covered in the Ancient Roar vs Future Flash comparison guide. The short version: Future Flash is cheaper at current prices; Ancient Roar carries a character premium due to Koraidon demand.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ancient Roar (SV4K)?
Ancient Roar is the fourth Scarlet and Violet expansion released in Japan, covering the Ancient-type Paradox Pokémon. It released October 27, 2023, in Japan and became part of English Paradox Rift (SV04/PAR) on November 3, 2023. Roaring Moon ex and Flutter Mane ex are its primary chase cards.
What is the English equivalent of SV4K and SV4M?
Both Ancient Roar (SV4K) and Future Flash (SV4M) map to English Paradox Rift (SV04/PAR). EN Paradox Rift also incorporates about 78 cards from the earlier Raging Surf (SV3a), making it a three-source set that includes Walking Wake ex and Iron Leaves ex not found in either SV4K or SV4M.
Why does Paradox Rift have three Japanese source sets?
The design reflects the broader thematic expansion of the Paradox Pokémon concept: Raging Surf introduced Walking Wake ex and Iron Leaves ex as special research Paradox Pokémon, while SV4K and SV4M introduced the full Ancient and Future rosters. Combining all three into one EN set gave English players the complete narrative in a single release.
Can I use Japanese Ancient Roar cards in English Pokémon events?
No. Japanese-text cards are not legal in English-language official Pokémon TCG events. You need the English Paradox Rift version for Standard or Expanded tournament play.
Is Ancient Roar or Future Flash cheaper right now?
Future Flash (SV4M) trades lower on the secondary market, running about $88-94 USD per box versus $99-102 USD for Ancient Roar (SV4K) at observed October 2026 prices. Both boxes have the same pack structure and pull rates; the price gap tracks Koraidon's character demand premium, not a difference in contents.
Browse Japanese import Paradox Rift sets alongside the full range of English Scarlet and Violet formats at DexHaul's Japanese cards collection, where independent sellers list live inventory across both languages. DexHaul is independent and unofficial, not affiliated with The Pokémon Company.
Catch 'em all
More Ancient Roar, Future Flash, and Paradox Rift finds from independent shops.