Battle Partners (SV9) English Equivalent: Journey Together
By Dexhaul Team · October 9, 2026 · 5 min read
Battle Partners (SV9) is the Japanese set that became Journey Together in English. Limitless TCG confirms the Japanese release on January 24, 2025, with 132 cards. The English version, Journey Together (JTG), followed on March 28, 2025, with 196 cards.
Every card in the Japanese set debuts in the English release. The extra 64 cards are English-only additions, including additional Special Illustration Rare variants of the set's key trainer-Pokémon ex cards.
At a glance
Both sets share a single theme: Trainer's Pokémon. Cards feature the specific Pokémon used by named trainers rather than wild regional encounters. Serebii lists the English set's featured trainers as Hop, N, Iono, and Lillie.
For the full Scarlet & Violet JP-to-EN mapping across every set, see the complete JP-to-EN set guide.
| Detail | Japanese: Battle Partners | English: Journey Together |
|---|---|---|
| Set code | SV9 | JTG |
| Release date | January 24, 2025 | March 28, 2025 |
| Total cards | 132 (100 standard, 32 secret) | 196 (159 standard, 37 secret) |
| Cards per pack | 5 | 10 |
| Packs per booster box | 30 | 36 |
| Featured trainers | Trainer's Pokémon theme | Hop, N, Iono, Lillie |
| Series position | 9th Scarlet & Violet set | 9th Scarlet & Violet set |
Sources: Serebii Battle Partners; Serebii Journey Together; Limitless TCG.
On this page 7 sections
What's different in the box
The card counts tell the story first.
Japanese Battle Partners has 132 cards: 100 standard rarity and 32 secret rares. English Journey Together expands to 196 cards: 159 standard and 37 secret rares. That gap is 64 cards, all of them English-exclusive prints added during the localization process.
Pack format also differs. Japanese packs contain 5 cards each; English packs contain 10 cards. A standard Japanese box holds 30 packs; an English box holds 36 packs.
The English Enhanced Booster Display adds a promotional card on top of those 36 packs. That format has no Japanese equivalent.
Trainer card crosswalk: JP to EN
The set's collectible cards are the Trainer-Pokémon pairs. Each features a named trainer's Pokémon as the ex card, with Illustration Rare and Special Illustration Rare variants. Card numbers differ between languages.
| Card | JP # (SV9) | EN # (JTG) | Highest rarity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iono's Bellibolt ex | #125 (IR), #130 (SIR) | #172 (IR), #183 (SIR), #188 (SIR) | SIR |
| N's Zoroark ex | #127 (IR), #131 (SIR) | #175 (IR), #185 (SIR), #189 (SIR) | SIR |
| Hop's Zacian ex | #128 (IR) | #176 (IR), #186 (SIR) | SIR (EN only) |
| Lillie's Clefairy ex | #126 (IR) | #173 (IR), #184 (SIR) | SIR (EN only) |
| Iris's Fighting Spirit | #121 | #180 | Trainer |
| Brock's Scouting | #123 | #179 (SIR) | SIR (EN only) |
| Ruffian | #122 | #181 | Trainer |
Card numbers verified via Limitless TCG SV9 and Limitless TCG JTG. IR = Illustration Rare (one gold star), SIR = Special Illustration Rare (two gold stars), per the Scarlet & Violet rarity system.
Secret rares: the English set gets more variants
This is the one difference that matters most to collectors chasing high-rarity prints.
Journey Together adds SIR variants that don't exist in Battle Partners. Hop's Zacian ex and Lillie's Clefairy ex each have an IR in Japanese but gain a full SIR in the English set.
Brock's Scouting gets an SIR in English with no SIR equivalent in the Japanese release. For cards that already have SIRs in both languages, the English set adds a second: N's Zoroark ex and Iono's Bellibolt ex each have one SIR in Japanese and two in English.
The result: if you want to pull a specific SIR, a Journey Together booster box gives you more chances at more distinct variants.
Japanese or English: which should you buy?
Price per pack
Japanese Battle Partners booster boxes were observed at $78.96–$124.07 at independent shops on October 9, 2026, for 30 five-card packs. English Journey Together booster boxes were observed at $199.99–$285 on the same date for 36 ten-card packs. The yen MSRP for Battle Partners is listed on the official Japanese Pokémon card site.
Play legality
Both languages are legal in Scarlet & Violet Standard format. Language does not affect tournament eligibility for Pokémon TCG. The SV9/JTG set rotation window is the same regardless of whether you play with Japanese or English cards.
Language and art
Japanese cards carry Japanese text and are printed on Japanese card stock, which is marginally thinner than the English production stock used in Scarlet & Violet. The card art is identical between languages.
If you want the original production print, go Japanese. If you want cards you can read at a glance and share with English-speaking players, English is the practical pick.
Grading
PSA, BGS, and CGC all grade Japanese and English cards on the same scale. Japanese cards often receive slightly higher grades on average due to factory quality consistency, though this varies by run. Neither language carries a grading disadvantage at submission.
Related sets in the Scarlet & Violet series
Battle Partners sits alongside SV9a, which covers the Heat Wave Arena (SV9a) to Destined Rivals mapping. Both sets were released in 2025 and share the Scarlet & Violet Standard format window.
For gift and collecting ideas around the Japanese TCG range, the Japanese cards collection on DexHaul covers import booster boxes, single packs, and specialty sets from independent shops.
Frequently asked questions
Is Battle Partners the same as Journey Together?
Yes. Battle Partners (SV9) is the Japanese release; Journey Together (JTG) is the English counterpart. The Japanese set has 132 cards and the English set has 196, with the extra cards being additional English-exclusive prints.
When did Battle Partners release in Japan?
January 24, 2025. The English equivalent, Journey Together, released on March 28, 2025, two months later.
How many cards are in Battle Partners?
132 cards: 100 standard rarity and 32 secret rares. The English Journey Together set has 196 cards.
Are Battle Partners cards tournament-legal?
Yes. Both the Japanese and English versions are legal in Scarlet & Violet Standard format. Language does not affect tournament eligibility.
Which trainers are featured in Battle Partners and Journey Together?
The set's theme is Trainer's Pokémon. The English set features cards themed around Hop (his Zacian ex), N (his Zoroark ex), Iono (her Bellibolt ex), and Lillie (her Clefairy ex), plus trainer cards for Brock and Iris.
DexHaul searches independent shops so you can compare Japanese Battle Partners and English Journey Together products in one place. Browse the full range at Japanese cards on DexHaul, where independent sellers list both import booster boxes and English releases side by side. DexHaul is independent and unofficial, not affiliated with The Pokémon Company.
Catch 'em all
Battle Partners and Journey Together products from independent shops.