Japanese Pokémon Sets and English Equivalents (2023-2026)
By Dexhaul Team · October 7, 2026 · 6 min read
Every Japanese Pokémon TCG set released since 2023 has an English counterpart, but the mapping is rarely one to one.
Two JP sets can merge into one EN product. Three JP sets can feed one EN expansion. Knowing which JP sets your EN box draws from changes the price-per-pack math and play legality.
Scarlet & Violet era: JP sets and their English equivalents (2023-2025)
The Scarlet & Violet series ran January 2023 through mid-2025, covering sets SV1 through SV9a. JP set codes and EN counterparts are verified on Limitless TCG.
| JP Set | JP Code(s) | JP Release | EN Set | EN Release | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scarlet ex + Violet ex | SV1S / SV1V | Jan 20, 2023 | Scarlet & Violet (SVI) | Mar 31, 2023 | Two JP sets merged into one EN release |
| Triplet Beat | SV1a | Mar 10, 2023 | Paldea Evolved (PAL) | Jun 9, 2023 | 1:1 mapping |
| Pokémon 151 | SV2a | Jun 16, 2023 | Pokémon 151 (MEW) | Sep 22, 2023 | Near 1:1; EN has extra promo-numbered cards |
| Ruler of the Black Flame | SV3 | Jul 28, 2023 | Obsidian Flames (OBF) | Aug 11, 2023 | 14-day gap; 1:1 mapping |
| Raging Surf + Ancient Roar + Future Flash | SV3a / SV4K / SV4M | Sep 22 – Oct 27, 2023 | Paradox Rift (PAR) | Nov 3, 2023 | Three JP sets combined; ~78% of SV3a in PAR |
| Shiny Treasure ex | SV4a | Dec 1, 2023 | Paldean Fates (PAF) | Jan 26, 2024 | High class pack (10×10); ~90% of JP cards in PAF |
| Crimson Haze + Mask of Change | SV5a / SV6 | Mar 22 – Apr 26, 2024 | Twilight Masquerade (TWM) | May 24, 2024 | Two JP sets merged |
| Night Wanderer | SV6a | Jun 7, 2024 | Shrouded Fable (SFA) | Aug 2, 2024 | 1:1 mapping |
| Stellar Miracle | SV7 | Jul 19, 2024 | Stellar Crown (SCR) | Sep 13, 2024 | 1:1 mapping |
| Paradise Dragona | SV7a | Sep 13, 2024 | Surging Sparks (SSP) | Nov 8, 2024 | ~90 of 94 JP cards in SSP |
| Battle Partners | SV9 | Jan 24, 2025 | Journey Together (JTG) | Mar 28, 2025 | 1:1 mapping |
| Heat Wave Arena | SV9a | Mar 14, 2025 | Destined Rivals (DRI) | May 30, 2025 | ~86 of 92 JP cards in DRI |
On this page 6 sections
Mega Evolution series: JP sets and their English equivalents (2025-2026)
The Mega Evolution series launched August 2025 on a compressed JP-to-EN schedule. The key structural difference from SV: M1L and M1S are separate JP products but ship as one combined EN set, ME01.
| JP Set | JP Code(s) | JP Release | EN Set | EN Release | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mega Brave + Mega Symphonia | M1L / M1S | Aug 1, 2025 | ME01 | Sep 26, 2025 | Two JP sets with separate card pools merged into one EN set |
| Inferno X | M2 | Sep 26, 2025 | Phantasmal Flames (ME02) | Nov 14, 2025 | Also includes MEGA Starter Sets (Gengar ex, Diancie ex) |
| Mega Dream ex | M2a | Nov 28, 2025 | Ascended Heroes | Jan 30, 2026 | High class pack (10×10); ~75% of JP cards in ASC |
| Ninja Spinner | M4 | Mar 13, 2026 | Chaos Rising (ME04) | May 22, 2026 | 1:1 mapping confirmed |
| Abyss Eye | M5 | May 22, 2026 | Pitch Black (ME05) | Jul 17, 2026 | 1:1 mapping confirmed |
M3 (Nihil Zero, released January 23, 2026) does not yet have a confirmed English release as of October 2026.
What's different in the box
JP and EN pack structures differ significantly.
| Product type | JP: packs per box | JP: cards per pack | EN: packs per box | EN: cards per pack |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard booster box | 30 | 5 | 36 | 10 |
| High class pack (SV4a, M2a) | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Split set (M1L + M1S separately) | 30 each | 5 each | 36 (combined ME01) | 10 |
High class packs are directly comparable. Standard JP sets are trickier: a 30-pack box yields 150 cards from one JP set, while the EN equivalent yields 360 cards from a potentially larger merged pool.
Card-number crosswalk: why JP and EN numbers differ
When JP sets merge into one EN release, card numbering restarts. A card numbered #045 in JP SV3a (Raging Surf) will have a different number in EN Paradox Rift, which absorbed SV3a alongside Ancient Roar (SV4K) and Future Flash (SV4M).
The same logic applies in the ME era. Mega Brave (M1L) and Mega Symphonia (M1S) each had their own JP card sequences.
In EN ME01, both pools share one numbering run from #001. See the Mega Brave vs Mega Symphonia import guide for the full breakdown.
The clearest exception is Pokémon 151 (SV2a). JP SV2a and EN Pokémon 151 (MEW) use nearly the same Kanto-dex order from #001 to #165.
The EN set extends the promo block further, so Special Illustration Rares land at higher numbers. For the full crosswalk, Limitless TCG's JP set pages list every card with its EN equivalent number.
Japanese or English How to decide
Price per pack
JP standard boxes hold 30 packs of 5 cards each. EN standard boxes hold 36 packs of 10 cards each.
A lower JP sticker price does not mean lower cost per card. High class packs (SV4a, M2a) are the exception: both JP and EN ship as 10-pack, 10-card-per-pack boxes.
Play legality
JP-language cards are legal in official play once the English version of that card exists. A JP card not yet released in English cannot be used in sanctioned EN-format events.
For recent sets, JP releases several weeks ahead of EN, creating a brief window where the JP card is unplayable in EN tournaments. Once the EN set drops, the JP version becomes legal.
Language and exclusive content
Some JP high class packs carry alternate-art variants and slightly different shiny rates not present in their EN counterpart. Collectors building a complete JP run need the JP product specifically.
Frequently asked questions
What is the English equivalent of Shiny Treasure ex?
Shiny Treasure ex (JP SV4a, December 1, 2023) became English Paldean Fates (PAF), released January 26, 2024. Both are 10-pack, 10-cards-per-pack high class products.
Why does Paradox Rift contain cards from three JP sets?
Raging Surf (SV3a), Ancient Roar (SV4K), and Future Flash (SV4M) all fed into one EN Paradox Rift release on November 3, 2023. The Pokémon Company grouped the Paradox-themed JP content into one EN window.
Can I use JP cards in English Pokémon TCG tournaments?
Yes, once the card's EN counterpart has been released. JP cards not yet out in English cannot be used in sanctioned EN-format events.
What is the English equivalent of Mega Brave and Mega Symphonia?
Both (M1L and M1S, August 1, 2025) merged into English ME01, released September 26, 2025. See the Mega Brave vs Mega Symphonia guide for the full card-pool breakdown.
Are there Japanese sets with no English equivalent?
The 30th Celebration M6A booster box has no announced English equivalent as of October 2026. Check the Limitless TCG JP set index to confirm whether an EN release has been logged for any given set.
Browse every in-stock Japanese booster box, high class pack, and Mega Evolution import from independent shops at the DexHaul Japanese Cards collection. DexHaul is independent and unofficial, not affiliated with The Pokémon Company.
Catch 'em all
More Japanese Pokémon TCG boxes and imports from independent shops.