Super-Burst Impact (SM8): Japanese Set and English Equivalent Lost Thunder (2018)
By Dexhaul Team · October 19, 2026 · 7 min read
Japanese Super-Burst Impact (超爆インパクト, SM8) released on October 5, 2018 and became the foundation of English Sun & Moon: Lost Thunder, which released on November 2, 2018. Lost Thunder is one of the largest English TCG expansions ever printed, at 214 cards, versus the Japanese base set of 95 cards.
The key cards in this set: Zeraora-GX (the Mythical Pokémon making its TCG debut), Lugia-GX, Tyranitar-GX, Blacephalon-GX, Celebi Prism Star, and Ditto Prism Star. The Lost Thunder name comes directly from the Lost Zone mechanic: Prism Star cards go to the Lost Zone instead of the discard pile when removed from play, and you can only run one copy of each Prism Star in a deck.
Here is what you need to know about both editions.
JP to EN Set Mapping: Super-Burst Impact and Lost Thunder
This is the core mapping. The English set expanded significantly beyond the Japanese release, incorporating reprints and additional variants that were not part of the original JP booster box.
| Japanese Set | Set Code | JP Release | English Set | EN Release | Card Count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Super-Burst Impact (超爆インパクト) | SM8 | October 5, 2018 | Sun & Moon: Lost Thunder | November 2, 2018 | JP: 95 base + secret rares · EN: 214 cards |
| Fairy Rise (妖精の叫び) | SM7b | August 31, 2018 | Contributed cards to Lost Thunder | November 2, 2018 | JP: 44 base cards · partially absorbed into EN |
The 28-day gap between JP SM8 (Oct 5) and EN Lost Thunder (Nov 2, 2018) is one of the tightest in the Sun & Moon era. JP boxes run 30 packs of 5 cards; EN packs hold 10 cards each and are sold in ETBs, booster boxes, and blisters.
For the full history of Japanese sets and their English counterparts, our complete JP-to-EN mapping guide covers every era from Base Set through Scarlet & Violet.
On this page 5 sections
What's Different in the Box: Japanese vs English
The product format is the biggest practical difference. Japanese sets come in booster boxes of 30 packs at 5 cards each (150 total cards per box). English booster boxes pack 36 packs at 10 cards each (360 total).
| Item | JP Super-Burst Impact (SM8) | EN Lost Thunder |
|---|---|---|
| Set size (base) | 95 cards | 214 cards |
| Secret rares | Numbered above 095 (SR, HR) | Numbered above 214 (Hyper Rare, Rainbow Rare) |
| Booster box format | 30 packs × 5 cards | 36 packs × 10 cards |
| Elite Trainer Box | Not released for this set | Yes (8 packs, promo, accessories) |
| Card language | Japanese only | English only |
| Play legality | Not legal in English-language tournaments | Legal in sanctioned EN play when current |
| GX Pokémon in set | Zeraora-GX, Lugia-GX, Tyranitar-GX, Blacephalon-GX, Stakataka-GX | All JP GX plus additional GX from reprints |
| Prism Star cards | Celebi Prism Star, Ditto Prism Star | Celebi Prism Star, Ditto Prism Star plus additional Prism Stars |
The EN set's significantly larger card count is the critical difference for collectors. English releases routinely combine multiple smaller Japanese sets and add reprints, resulting in a broader card pool from a single booster box purchase. This set's 214-card count made it notably large even by EN standards at the time.
Card Number Crosswalk: Super-Burst Impact vs Lost Thunder
Card numbers shift because the EN set is nearly twice the size. The same Pokémon appears at a different position, and some JP secret rares map to different rarity categories in English.
| Pokémon / Card | JP Number (SM8) | EN Number (Lost Thunder) | Rarity | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tyranitar-GX | 059/095 | 121/214 | GX Rare (both) | Limitless TCG |
| Whitney (Supporter) | 101/095 (Secret Rare) | 193/214 (Full Art) | SR in JP · Full Art SR in EN | Limitless TCG |
| Zeraora-GX | SM8 base set | 086/214 | GX Rare (both) | Limitless TCG |
| Lugia-GX | SM8 base set | 100/214 | GX Rare (both) | Limitless TCG |
| Celebi Prism Star | 004/095 | 004/214 | Prism Star (both) | Limitless TCG |
| Ditto Prism Star | SM8 base set | 053/214 | Prism Star (both) | Limitless TCG |
Whitney's card is the best example of the JP/EN rarity split. In Japanese, she is numbered 101/095: a secret rare above the base set total. In English, she appears as 193/214, a Full Art Supporter.
The artwork differs between versions, and so does the grading treatment. JP secret rare Supporters use distinct holo foil patterns, so any PSA or CGC label will specify which version it is.
For a complete card-by-card list, the Limitless TCG SM8 database is the most reliable free resource for exact JP-to-EN mapping.
Japanese or English: Which Version to Buy?
Both editions are sealed vintage product now, meaning neither is "cheap." The choice comes down to why you are collecting and what you plan to do with the cards.
Price per pack
Japanese SM8 booster boxes (30 packs of 5 cards) have fewer cards per box than the English equivalent. At current storefront prices observed October 2026, JP boxes list around $900 USD from import sellers. English Lost Thunder ETBs run $149.99–$800 USD depending on condition and seller.
English booster boxes (36 packs of 10 cards) list at $625–$1,500 USD. The EN box gives more total card pulls per dollar, but the JP box is the only route to JP-exclusive holo patterns and SR rarity treatments.
Play legality
Japanese cards are not legal in English-language Pokémon TCG tournaments. If you are buying for competitive play, the EN edition is the only valid option. Lost Thunder is no longer in any standard or expanded legal format as of 2026, so legality is primarily relevant to older-format events or local house rules.
Language and grading
PSA and CGC both grade Japanese and English cards, but they grade them separately and label them clearly. A JP "Whitney 101/095 SM8 Super-Burst Impact" grades distinctly from an EN "Whitney 193/214 Lost Thunder." Neither version is categorically more valuable than the other: grade, centering, and condition drive price on both. The collector angle that is genuinely different is the artwork treatment: JP secret rares in this era use a different foil type than EN Full Arts, making them visually distinct as display pieces.
Single-pack buying is available for EN Lost Thunder at around $58.00 USD per pack (observed October 2026). That is significantly above MSRP, which was $3.99 per pack at 2018 retail. Japanese single packs from SM8 are rarer to find standalone and typically listed at premium prices from import specialists.
If you are new to Japanese imports, the guide to Japanese sets and their English equivalents explains how to read JP set codes, compare card pools, and find import sellers. The Forbidden Light (SM6) guide covers the earlier Sun & Moon Japanese set from the same year, if you are collecting across the 2018 era.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Japanese name for Lost Thunder?
The Japanese equivalent is Super-Burst Impact (超爆インパクト), set code SM8, released October 5, 2018. English Lost Thunder released November 2, 2018, approximately four weeks later.
How many cards are in the Japanese Super-Burst Impact set?
The base Japanese set contains 95 cards, plus secret rares numbered above that total (SR and HR rarities, going to 101/095 and beyond). English Lost Thunder expanded the same set to 214 cards by incorporating additional reprints and variants.
Is Lost Thunder worth buying now?
As sealed vintage product, Lost Thunder ETBs and booster boxes are priced significantly above their 2018 MSRP. The set is out of rotation for all current competitive formats.
It appeals to collectors chasing Zeraora-GX, Lugia-GX, or Whitney Full Art, and to Sun & Moon era set completionists. Buy for the collection angle, not for play.
Are Japanese SM8 cards the same as English Lost Thunder cards?
The core GX Pokémon, Prism Stars, and Trainer cards are the same characters, but the English set is twice the size, card numbers differ between versions, and secret rare presentation differs (JP uses distinct foil types). They are from the same set era but not interchangeable for tournament play.
What is a Prism Star card?
Prism Star cards (marked with a star on the card name) have a deck limit of one copy and go to the Lost Zone instead of the discard pile when removed from play. This rule made them strategically significant: once your Celebi Prism Star or Ditto Prism Star leaves the field, it is gone for the rest of the game.
Browse current listings for both editions, including Japanese SM8 import boxes and English Lost Thunder sealed product, at DexHaul's Japanese Cards collection. DexHaul is independent and not affiliated with The Pokémon Company; all products come from independent third-party shops.
Catch 'em all
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