Darkness That Consumes Light (SM3H): Japanese Equivalent of Burning Shadows (2017)
By Dexhaul Team · October 15, 2026 · 7 min read
Japanese Darkness That Consumes Light (SM3H, April 7, 2017) and Facing a New Trial (SM2+, July 28, 2017) are the two Japanese sets that became English Burning Shadows (August 4, 2017).
The primary set is SM3H. It delivers Gardevoir GX, Marshadow GX, and Necrozma GX alongside trainer Secret Rares with no direct English equivalent: the same characters appear in Burning Shadows, but with different artwork and numbering. SM2+ added the Trial Captains: Sophocles SR and Olivia appear in English Burning Shadows but originate in that second Japanese set.
This guide maps both Japanese sets to their English counterpart, shows where the card numbers diverge, and explains when the Japanese version is worth seeking out.
The two Japanese sets behind Burning Shadows
English Burning Shadows draws from two distinct Japanese releases. SM3H "Darkness That Consumes Light" (暗闇を喰らう光) is the larger contributor. SM2+ "Facing a New Trial" (新たなる試練たち) provides a second block of trainer supporters and character cards. Together they cover the full 169-card English set, with some EN-only Secret Rares added during localization.
One naming note: SM3H and SM3N refer to the same set. Limitless TCG uses the SM3H designation; many dealers label their singles as SM3N. Both codes point to Darkness That Consumes Light (51 standard cards, released April 7, 2017).
| Japanese Set | Code | JP Release | EN Equivalent | EN Release | JP Base Cards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darkness That Consumes Light | SM3H / SM3N | April 7, 2017 | Burning Shadows | August 4, 2017 | 51 + SRs |
| Facing a New Trial | SM2+ | July 28, 2017 | Burning Shadows (partial) | August 4, 2017 | 49 + SRs |
The seven-day gap between SM2+ (July 28) and English Burning Shadows (August 4) is one of the tightest JP-to-EN turnarounds in the Sun and Moon era.
On this page 6 sections
What's different in the box
The Japanese and English sets are not the same size. SM3H contains 51 standard cards plus eleven above-set Secret Rares (052/051 through 062/051). English Burning Shadows runs to 169 total cards. The gap comes from EN-exclusive Secret Rares and cards drawn from SM2+ that expanded the English set.
The most collector-relevant difference is the trainer Secret Rares.
In Japanese SM3H, Wicke (057/051 SR) and Guzma appear alongside the Pokémon GX pulls. The Japanese SR treatment of this era uses a distinctive foil pattern applied to full-card artwork, physically different from the Rainbow Rare finish used in English SM-era Secret Rares. The result: the Japanese Wicke SR commands $102-$218 observed in October 2026 and occupies a different visual category from the English Full Art (127/147) or Hyper Rare (147/147) versions of the same character.
| Feature | Japanese SM3H | English Burning Shadows |
|---|---|---|
| Set size (standard) | 51 cards | 147 cards |
| Secret Rares | 11 above-set SRs (052–062) | 22 Secret Rares (148–169) |
| Trainer SR style | JP foil SR (full-card art, metallic overlay) | Rainbow Rare and Hyper Rare formats |
| Language | Japanese only | English |
| Tournament legal | Japan regionals only | All English-region Play! events |
Card-number crosswalk: SM3H to Burning Shadows
Japanese set numbers do not carry over to English. The table below lists the primary SM3H GX pulls and their English equivalents in Burning Shadows, per Bulbapedia's Burning Shadows set list.
| Card | JP Number (SM3H) | JP Rarity | EN Number (Burning Shadows) | EN Rarity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gardevoir GX | 055/051 | SR | 93/147, 140/147 (FA), 141/147 (Rainbow Rare) | Holo GX, Full Art, Secret Rare |
| Marshadow GX | 033/051 | RR | 80/147, 158/147 (FA), 159/147 (Rainbow Rare) | Holo GX, Full Art, Secret Rare |
| Necrozma GX | 026/051 | RR | 63/147 | Holo GX |
| Guzma | 049/051 | U | 115/147, 143/147 (FA) | Uncommon, Full Art |
| Wicke | 057/051 | SR | 127/147 (FA), 147/147 (Hyper Rare) | Full Art, Secret Rare |
| Scoop Up (UR) | 062/051 | UR | JP-only in this form | Ultra Rare (JP exclusive) |
The Scoop Up Ultra Rare (062/051) deserves a note. It appears above the Secret Rare block and has no direct EN equivalent numbered in Burning Shadows. Collector demand for it sits in the $25-$30 range, driven by its JP-exclusive status.
Japanese or English: which to buy?
The answer depends on why you are collecting.
Price per pack
Sealed SM3H booster boxes are extreme vintage territory, listed at $2,500 (observed October 2026). Individual Japanese singles are a more practical entry: Marshadow GX sits at $2.16, Guzma at $3.15, and Gardevoir GX SR at $66. By contrast, the English Burning Shadows ETB is $339-$480 on the secondary market, and a single EN Gardevoir GX Rainbow Rare 141/147 commands $70 or more. For collectors targeting the Gardevoir GX, the JP SR at $66 is currently cheaper than the EN Rainbow Rare and occupies a different visual tier.
Play legality
Japanese cards are legal only in Japanese-market Play! Pokémon organized events, including Japan regionals. They are not legal in English-region tournaments, including North American, European, or Oceania Championship Series events. If you need a Guzma for a legal EN deck, buy the English version.
The Japanese SR foil difference
Japanese trainer Secret Rares from the SM era carry a full-card foil treatment applied at the printing stage. It differs visibly from the Rainbow Rare shimmer on EN Secret Rares: the JP version uses a metallic overlay extending edge to edge with no border texture, while EN Rainbow Rares use a prismatic color-shift across the entire card. Neither is "better" in play terms. The distinction is purely visual and matters for grading, display, and preference.
Grading
PSA and BGS grade Japanese cards on the same scale as English cards. For Wicke SR and Gardevoir GX SR in PSA 9 or PSA 10, the Japanese versions have a smaller pop (fewer graded copies) than their EN equivalents, because the sets were sold primarily in Japan and fewer entered the Western grading pipeline. Thinner population generally supports pricing at the top end of the range. If graded collectibility is your goal, the JP SR versions of those two cards warrant the premium.
For buyers who want to browse Japanese TCG imports alongside English vintage, our Guardians Rising SM2 Japanese equivalent guide covers the set directly before SM3H. The GX Ultra Shiny (SM8a) guide covers the major SM-era Japanese-exclusive set that never received a direct EN counterpart.
Q4 gift note: Japanese Pokémon TCG imports
Japanese singles from SM3H land in the $2-$218 range, making them workable stocking stuffers or targeted collector gifts. Marshadow GX and Necrozma GX are under $5. Gardevoir GX SR and Wicke SR are the statement picks. All are available from independent importers and ship internationally. Browse the full Japanese card range at DexHaul's Japanese TCG collection for current listings across multiple sellers.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the Japanese version of Burning Shadows called?
- The primary Japanese source is Darkness That Consumes Light (SM3H / SM3N), released April 7, 2017. A second set, Facing a New Trial (SM2+), released July 28, 2017, contributed trainer cards including Sophocles SR and Olivia. The English Burning Shadows release followed August 4, 2017.
- Is the Gardevoir GX SR different in Japanese?
- Yes. The Japanese Gardevoir GX SR 055/051 uses the SM-era Japanese SR foil treatment: full-card metallic overlay with edge-to-edge coverage. The English equivalents are 140/147 (Full Art) and 141/147 (Rainbow Rare), which use different foil styles. All three are distinct collector items, and the JP SR at $66 (observed October 2026) is currently priced below the EN Rainbow Rare.
- Are SM3H cards legal in English tournaments?
- No. Japanese-language cards are legal only at Japanese Play! Pokémon events. For English-region TCG play, including North American, European, and Oceania tournaments, you need the English Burning Shadows version.
- What is SM3N Is it different from SM3H?
- SM3N and SM3H are the same set. Limitless TCG and Bulbapedia index it as SM3H; many individual sellers label their singles as SM3N. Both refer to Darkness That Consumes Light (暗闇を喰らう光), released April 7, 2017, with 51 base cards and 11 Secret Rares.
- Does Facing a New Trial (SM2+) have its own Secret Rares?
- Yes. SM2+ includes Sophocles SR (057/049) and Olivia (049/049) as above-set pulls. Sophocles SR has been observed at $73 (October 2026). In English Burning Shadows, these characters appear as Full Art trainers rather than in the SM3H-style SR treatment.
Find Japanese Pokémon TCG imports from independent sellers at DexHaul's Japanese TCG collection. It searches across independent shops for SM3H singles, booster packs, and related Sun and Moon Japanese sets. DexHaul is independent and unofficial, not affiliated with The Pokémon Company or Nintendo.
Catch 'em all
More Japanese Burning Shadows imports from independent shops.