Japanese 25th Anniversary Collection vs English Celebrations (2026)
By Dexhaul Team · October 12, 2026 · 6 min read
Both the Japanese 25th Anniversary Collection and English Celebrations celebrate the same milestone, but the two sets are meaningfully different products with different card pools, different pack formats, and different availability.
English Celebrations (SWSH07.5, set code CEL) launched on October 8, 2021, two full weeks before its Japanese counterpart. Japanese S8a, titled 25th Anniversary Collection, followed on October 22, 2021, sold exclusively through domestic Japanese retailers. That reversed release order is the single most important fact for importers: unlike nearly every other modern set, the English version shipped first.
Buy English Celebrations if you want the Classic Collection reprints of original Base Set-era cards: those exist only in the English set. Buy the Japanese S8a if you want special 25th-anniversary V and VMAX cards with gold-foil anniversary treatments not in the English print run, or a standalone booster display box.
On this page 6 sections
At a glance
| Feature | JP 25th Anniversary Collection (S8a) | EN Celebrations (SWSH07.5 / CEL) |
|---|---|---|
| Release date | October 22, 2021 (Japan only) | October 8, 2021 (global) |
| Set code | S8a | CEL / SWSH07.5 |
| Cards per pack | 5 | 4 |
| Standalone booster box | Yes (display box) | No |
| Classic Collection reprints | No | Yes (25 Base Set-era reprints) |
| Anniversary V / VMAX cards | Yes (gold-foil treatments) | Yes (different selection) |
| Language | Japanese only | English (also Chinese, Korean) |
| Play legality | Not legal in English tournaments | Not legal (out of rotation) but was legal at release |
What's different in the box
The two sets share the 25th-anniversary theme but were developed on separate tracks. Their card pools overlap in concept but not in content.
| Content | JP S8a | EN Celebrations |
|---|---|---|
| Main set size | 28 cards | 25 cards |
| Anniversary V cards | Pikachu V, Charizard V, Mew V (gold anniversary art) | Flying Pikachu V, Surfing Pikachu V, and others |
| Special VMAX | Pikachu VMAX (rainbow foil) | Flying Pikachu VMAX, Surfing Pikachu VMAX |
| Classic Collection subset | Not included | 25 classic cards in a dedicated sub-pack within each booster |
| Pack format | 5-card packs, display box with 10 packs | 4-card packs (main set + Classic Collection hybrid) |
| Premium products | Golden Box (event exclusive; high secondary market price) | Ultra Premium Collection, ETB, V-Union Collection, Deluxe Pin Collection |
The English Classic Collection reprints are the sharpest dividing line. Each EN Celebrations pack contains a Classic Collection card alongside the main set card, reproducing the original artwork of cards like the Base Set Charizard.
Those reprints are not in the Japanese set at all. Japan celebrated differently, keeping the product focused on new anniversary V and VMAX artwork.
Key card differences between S8a and Celebrations
Collectors sourcing specific cards need to know which version to buy. The table below covers the most-searched cards across both sets, sourced from Limitless TCG.
| Card | In JP S8a? | In EN Celebrations? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pikachu V (25th anniversary art) | Yes (S8a 001/028) | No | Gold-foil anniversary treatment, JP exclusive |
| Charizard V (25th anniversary art) | Yes (S8a 011/028) | No | JP exclusive gold-foil variant |
| Flying Pikachu VMAX | No | Yes (006/025) | EN exclusive in this set |
| Surfing Pikachu VMAX | No | Yes (009/025) | EN exclusive in this set |
| Lance's Charizard V | No | Yes (Secret Rare) | EN Celebrations only |
| Charizard (Base Set Classic reprint) | No | Yes (Classic Collection) | Reprint with original Ken Sugimori art, EN only |
| Pikachu VMAX (rainbow) | Yes | Yes (Secret Rare) | In both sets, different set numbering |
Japanese or English?
The right answer depends on what you are collecting, where you play, and how you store cards.
Price per pack
The JP S8a display box (10 packs, 5 cards each) is available from import sellers at prices ranging from around $300 to $610 USD as observed in October 2026, which works out to roughly $30–$61 per pack. English Celebrations packs sell individually at $37–$55 USD each. At the lower end of the JP box range, the per-pack cost is comparable; the JP box provides more packs in a single purchase and avoids per-unit shipping costs from Japan.
The EN Celebrations Elite Trainer Box (10 packs plus accessories) runs $380–$475 USD at current secondary-market prices. The Ultra Premium Collection, which includes a larger pack count along with premium accessories and foil cards, sits well above $1,000 USD from most sellers.
Language and readability
Japanese S8a cards are printed in Japanese only. For display, that is often a selling point: the clean Japanese font and the distinct card layout are part of the import appeal. For gameplay in English-language events, Japanese cards are not legal regardless of format status.
English Celebrations uses standard English card text. Both sets are now fully out of the Standard rotation, so neither is legal for tournament play in 2026; legality is no longer a factor in the buying decision.
Grading
PSA, BGS, and CGC all accept Japanese cards. Graded Japanese Pikachu V and Charizard V from S8a hold consistent collector demand because those specific gold-foil anniversary arts exist only in the Japanese version.
English Celebrations cards grade well too, with Flying Pikachu VMAX and the Classic Collection Charizard reprint being the most frequently submitted from this set. Check Serebii's S8a set page for card-by-card details before targeting specific grades.
Which version to buy as a gift
For Q4 gifting, English Celebrations is the lower-friction choice: English text, recognizable packaging, and easier authentication at a glance. The ETB format works well as a standalone gift at the $380–$475 price point. Individual booster packs at $37–$55 can pair well with other Pokémon items to build a set.
The Japanese S8a display box suits the collector who already owns or is familiar with Japanese product. Its distinct gold-foil V cards cannot be found in any English release.
If the recipient collects Japanese imports, a display box from a verified import seller is a standout item. For help checking that a sealed product is genuine, see the DexHaul guide to spotting fake Pokémon products.
Both sets sit well alongside other Celebrations comparisons if you are building a complete 25th-anniversary display. The Eevee Heroes vs Evolving Skies import guide covers a similar JP-to-EN decision for the Eeveelution sets from the same era.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Japanese 25th Anniversary Collection the same as English Celebrations?
No. They share the 25th-anniversary theme but have separate card pools. Japanese S8a has gold-foil anniversary V cards not in the English print run, while English Celebrations has the Classic Collection Base Set reprints not in the Japanese set.
Did the Japanese set come out before or after English Celebrations?
After. English Celebrations released October 8, 2021 globally, and Japanese S8a followed two weeks later on October 22, 2021. The reversed release order makes S8a one of the few Japanese sets to follow rather than precede the English version.
Can I use Japanese S8a cards in English tournaments?
No. Japanese cards are not legal in English-language Official Tournament play. Both sets are also out of Standard rotation as of 2026, so neither is legal for competitive play.
Is there an English version of the Japanese S8a booster box?
No. The S8a display box was sold only in Japan. English Celebrations had no standalone booster box: packs were distributed through special products like the Elite Trainer Box, Mini Tins, and Premium Collections only.
Which set has the Charizard from the original Base Set?
English Celebrations, in the Classic Collection subset. That reprint, featuring the original Ken Sugimori artwork, is not in the Japanese S8a set.
Find both Japanese S8a listings and English Celebrations products from independent shops at DexHaul's Japanese cards collection. DexHaul is independent and not affiliated with The Pokémon Company.
Catch 'em all
More 25th Anniversary Collection and Celebrations finds from independent shops.