Forbidden Light (SM6): Japanese Set and English Equivalent (2018)
By Dexhaul Team · October 15, 2026 · 6 min read
Japanese Forbidden Light (SM6) launched on March 2, 2018, and its English counterpart followed 62 days later on May 4, 2018. The two sets share their name but differ in one significant way: the English version is considerably larger, absorbing an entire companion Japanese release that most buyers never realize existed.
If you are deciding between Japanese SM6 packs and English FLI packs, or trying to track down specific cards from either release, this guide covers the mapping, the key differences, and what to expect from each format.
On this page 6 sections
Set mapping at a glance
| Version | Set name | Set code | Release date | Card count | Packs per box |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | Forbidden Light (禁断の光) | SM6 | March 2, 2018 | 96 cards | 30 |
| Japanese companion | Dragon Storm (ドラゴンストーム) | SM6a | March 2, 2018 | 52 cards | Separate product |
| English | Forbidden Light | FLI / SUM6 | May 4, 2018 | 131 cards + 20 secret rares | 36 |
The JP-to-EN gap is 62 days, shorter than many Sun and Moon era releases. Limitless TCG's SM6 database lists all 96 Japanese cards; the Bulbapedia FLI page covers the full 151-card English release.
What's different between the two versions
The English Forbidden Light is 35 base cards larger than JP SM6 because it folded in cards from SM6a Dragon Storm, a 52-card Japanese booster set released on the same day as SM6 but sold as a separate product in Japan.
In Japan, a collector buying SM6 packs would only pull cards from the 96-card Forbidden Light set. Dragon-type cards like Turtonator-GX and Noivern-GX were in entirely separate SM6a Dragon Storm packs. In the English release, those cards were merged into one unified FLI set, so every English booster pack draws from the combined pool.
| Feature | JP SM6 (Forbidden Light) | JP SM6a (Dragon Storm) | EN FLI (Forbidden Light) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary theme | Ultra Beasts, Zygarde, Necrozma | Dragon-type Pokémon | Both combined |
| Prism Star cards | Yes (Beast Energy, Diancie) | No | Yes (from SM6 portion) |
| Key GX cards | Zygarde-GX, Ultra Necrozma-GX, Pheromosa-GX | Turtonator-GX, Noivern-GX | All of the above |
| Pack art | Zygarde 100% Forme | Salamence | Zygarde 100% Forme |
This means collectors building the Japanese SM6 set never had to hunt Dragon Storm cards. English collectors completing FLI, by contrast, are chasing cards that came from two different Japanese releases under one set number.
Key cards: JP and EN card numbers
Prism Star cards were introduced in Forbidden Light, making this set a landmark for the Sun and Moon era. Prism Star cards carry a ◇ symbol and are limited to one copy per deck: if one is knocked out, it goes to the Lost Zone rather than the discard pile. That ruling made them both powerful and risky.
| Card | EN card number (FLI) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Zygarde-GX | 73/131 | Ultra Rare; the set's headline GX |
| Zygarde-GX (Full Art) | 123/131 | Full Art Ultra Rare |
| Zygarde-GX (Rainbow) | 144/131 | Secret Rare Rainbow |
| Ultra Necrozma-GX | 95/131 | Ultra Rare; Dragon/Psychic type |
| Diancie Prism Star | 74/131 | First Prism Star Pokémon in a main set |
| Beast Energy Prism Star | 117/131 | Special Energy; restricted to 1 per deck |
| Beast Ring | 102/131 | Key Trainer; attaches 2 Energy from the deck to an Ultra Beast |
| Beast Ring (Secret Rare) | 141/131 | Gold Secret Rare Holofoil |
Japanese or English: which to buy?
Price per pack
Japanese SM6 packs are available as singles from import sellers. The Japanese booster pack is currently observed at $19.99 USD (CardsHQ, observed October 15, 2026).
English FLI single packs are observed at $47.99 USD or higher from secondary market sellers. The original 2018 MSRP was ¥165 (JP) and $3.99 USD (EN), so both are now well above MSRP.
Play legality
Neither SM6 nor FLI is legal in current Pokémon TCG Standard. Both are playable in Expanded format, where Beast Ring was a key card in Ultra Beast decks from 2018 through 2020.
Language does not affect legality. Japanese-language cards are official and tournament-legal under Pokémon Organized Play rules, provided the card is genuine.
Language and card text
Japanese cards carry no English text, which means you need to reference the card's English oracle text or a translation site during gameplay. For collectors displaying graded cards or sealed product, the Japanese pack art and JP-exclusive booster box design are distinct from the English release. The JP SM6 booster box uses a Zygarde 100% Forme front-and-center design not used on any English product.
Grading
PSA and CGC both grade Japanese-language Pokémon cards. PSA's grading standards apply equally to JP and EN cards.
The Japanese Zygarde-GX carries a different card number than its EN counterpart. When searching graded copies, use "SM6" for the Japanese version and "FLI" or "SM - Forbidden Light" for the English one.
A note on sealed product availability
Forbidden Light booster boxes are not reprinted. Any sealed EN booster box you find today is original 2018 stock, with prices observed at $552.71 and above from secondary market sellers.
Set-completion collectors tend to prefer the English version for its larger card pool. Japanese set purists prefer SM6 for the focused Zygarde and Beast theme, separate from Dragon Storm.
For context on how other Japanese sets from this era map to English releases, the Japanese Pokémon sets and English equivalents guide covers the SM and SV eras together. For card storage and display after your pulls, the Pokémon TCG binders guide covers every size and pocket count available right now.
Frequently asked questions
What is the English equivalent of Japanese Forbidden Light SM6?
The English equivalent is Forbidden Light (set code FLI / SUM6), released May 4, 2018. It is 62 days after the Japanese SM6 release. The EN set is larger: 131 cards plus 20 secret rares, compared to 96 cards in the Japanese SM6 set, because the English version absorbed cards from the companion Japanese set SM6a Dragon Storm.
Is Forbidden Light still worth buying in 2026?
For specific cards like Zygarde-GX (73/131 and 123/131 Full Art), Beast Ring secret rare (141/131), and Beast Energy Prism Star, buying singles is far more efficient than buying packs at secondary market prices. Sealed booster packs are observed at $47.99 or higher per pack, well above the original MSRP, so set-completion buyers should factor that cost against the single-card prices.
What Prism Star cards are in Forbidden Light?
Forbidden Light introduced the Prism Star mechanic to the main set. The Prism Star cards in FLI are: Diancie Prism Star (74/131), Beast Energy Prism Star (117/131), Lusamine Prism Star (153/131 Secret Rare), and Gladion (95/131 is a non-Prism version). Prism Stars are limited to one copy per deck and go to the Lost Zone when knocked out, not the discard pile.
Can I use Japanese SM6 cards in official tournaments?
Japanese-language cards are legal in official Pokémon Organized Play events, provided the card is genuine and you have a reference translation for your opponent. Neither SM6 nor FLI is legal in current Standard.
Check the current Play! Pokémon format rules at pokemon.com for the latest rotation dates.
How do I tell a Japanese SM6 card from a counterfeit?
Genuine Japanese SM6 cards have a Japanese copyright line on the back, the correct card-back design, and textured card feel. Light tests (holding the card up to a bright light: genuine cards show an even dot pattern in the card stock) and the authentic card weight and flex are the most reliable quick checks. Our guide to spotting fake Pokémon products covers the full checklist for sealed and single cards.
Browse Japanese-language Pokémon TCG products from independent sellers at DexHaul's Japanese Cards collection, where you can compare sealed product and singles from multiple shops in one place. DexHaul is independent and unofficial, not affiliated with The Pokémon Company or Nintendo.
Catch 'em all
More Forbidden Light booster packs, singles, and sealed product from independent shops.