Ruler of the Black Flame (SV3): Japanese Equivalent of Obsidian Flames (2026)
By Dexhaul Team · October 9, 2026 · 6 min read
Japanese Ruler of the Black Flame (SV3) released on July 28, 2023. English Obsidian Flames (SV3) followed just 14 days later, on August 11, 2023.
That 14-day gap is the shortest JP-to-EN turnaround of any Scarlet & Violet base set. The first SV set took roughly 70 days to cross from Japanese to English. Obsidian Flames landed in stores so quickly that many JP collectors had barely cracked a box before English copies were on shelves.
Both sets carry the same headline card: Charizard ex as a Darkness type. This was the first time Charizard had ever appeared as a non-Fire-type card in the TCG's then-30-year history. The black crystal Tera mechanic from the Paldea games converted Charizard's typing to Darkness, and it lands at #125 in both the JP and EN numbering sequences.
The sets share the same core card pool but differ in total count, pack structure, and rarity-tier naming.
On this page 5 sections
At a glance
| JP: Ruler of the Black Flame | EN: Obsidian Flames | |
|---|---|---|
| Set code | SV3 | SV3 / OBF |
| JP release | July 28, 2023 | N/A |
| EN release | N/A | August 11, 2023 |
| Total cards | 141 | 230 (197 + 33 Secret) |
| Pack size | 5 cards | 10 cards |
| Packs per booster box | 30 | 36 |
| Cards per booster box | 150 | 360 |
| Tournament legal (EN events) | No | Yes |
What's different in the box
JP SV3 has 108 standard-numbered cards and 33 premium treatment cards above the set number, for 141 total. EN Obsidian Flames has 197 standard cards and 33 Secret Rares, for 230 total.
Both JP and EN pack premium treatments into the same booster box pull pool. JP cards 109–141 are the Art Rare (AR) and Special Art Rare (SAR) variants. EN cards 198–230 are the Illustration Rare (IR), Special Illustration Rare (SIR), and Hyper Rare tiers.
The rarity tiers correspond directly but use different names. Japan's "Special Art Rare" (two gold stars) equals EN's "Special Illustration Rare." Japan's "Art Rare" (one gold star) equals EN's "Illustration Rare." The physical treatment is equivalent; only the label changes.
| Feature | JP Ruler of the Black Flame | EN Obsidian Flames |
|---|---|---|
| Base numbered cards | 108 (001–108) | 197 (001–197) |
| Premium treatment cards | 33 (109–141): AR, SAR | 33 (198–230): IR, SIR, Hyper Rare |
| JP "Art Rare" name | AR (one gold star) | Illustration Rare (one gold star) |
| JP "Special Art Rare" name | SAR (two gold stars) | Special Illustration Rare (two gold stars) |
| Box language | Japanese | English |
The 89-card gap (141 JP vs 230 EN) reflects how the SV era handles card counts in each market. English sets consolidate additional variant and holo slots beyond the JP base count, expanding the pool collectors pull from without changing the core card list.
Card-number crosswalk: top cards
Most card numbers do not align between JP SV3 and EN Obsidian Flames. Charizard ex is a notable exception: it is card #125 in both the JP numbered set (#125/141) and the EN base set (#125/197). That match is coincidence, not a deliberate alignment.
| Card | JP number (SV3) | EN number (OBF) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charizard ex (Double Rare) | 125/141 | 125/197 | Darkness type in both; same number by coincidence |
| Charizard ex (Special Art Rare / SIR) | 134/141 (SAR) | 228/197 (SIR) | Same artwork, different card frame (JP vertical portrait; EN landscape) |
| Tyranitar ex (Double Rare) | 081/108 | 130/197 | Rock/Dark type; fan favorite chase card alongside Charizard |
| Pidgeot ex (Double Rare) | 085/108 | 137/197 | Colorless; competitively relevant for draw support |
| Revavroom ex (Double Rare) | 099/108 | 163/197 | Metal type |
Card numbers for Tyranitar ex, Pidgeot ex, and Revavroom ex are approximations from set-order position via Limitless TCG; verify before grading or tournament use.
The JP Charizard ex SAR (#134/141) uses a vertical portrait card frame common to Japanese premium cards. The EN SIR uses the same illustration reformatted to a horizontal landscape frame. Collectors who want the original vertical crop must source the JP card; the EN version does not use it.
Japanese or English?
Price per pack
JP SV3 packs were observed at $5.99–$7.00 USD per pack from multiple sellers in October 2026. EN Obsidian Flames packs were observed at $11.00–$13.00 per pack across the same storefronts.
On a per-pack basis, JP is cheaper by roughly half. Per-card the gap narrows: JP packs yield 5 cards, EN packs yield 10.
A JP box (30 packs at $5.99–$7.00 each) costs around $180–$210 for 150 cards. An EN booster box (36 packs at $11–$13 each) runs roughly $396–$468 for 360 cards. Total box cost is lower for JP, but so is card yield.
Play legality
Only English-language cards are legal in official Pokémon TCG tournaments held in English-speaking regions. JP SV3 cards cannot be used in a standard-format or expanded-format event unless you have an English equivalent visible underneath. For casual play and the digital platform, there is no language restriction.
Language and collecting
Japanese card text uses hiragana, katakana, and kanji. Charizard is リザードン (Rizadon) in katakana.
For display or grading, language is personal preference. Many collectors keep both the JP SAR and EN SIR to show the two different card frames side by side.
Grading
PSA and BGS accept and grade both languages with no separate tier for language. JP SAR populations in PSA's database are typically lower because fewer JP singles move through Western grading services. Market demand, not PSA grade level, drives any price difference between JP and EN versions.
For the full contents breakdown of the EN Obsidian Flames Elite Trainer Box or the Obsidian Flames Booster Box, see their dedicated pages. The Japanese Pokémon Sets and Their English Equivalents (2023–2026) hub covers the full SV-era mapping.
FAQ
Is Ruler of the Black Flame the same set as Obsidian Flames?
They are the Japanese and English versions of the same SV3 set, sharing the same Charizard ex centerpiece, but with different card counts, pack structures, and rarity-tier names.
Does JP Ruler of the Black Flame have Charizard ex?
Yes. Black Tera Charizard ex appears as a Double Rare (#125/141) and a Special Art Rare (#134/141). The artwork matches the EN version; the card frame and language differ.
Which version has more cards?
English Obsidian Flames has 230 cards vs 141 in JP Ruler of the Black Flame. The EN set adds 89 cards, mostly extra holographic and rare variant treatments above the numbered base.
Can I play JP Ruler of the Black Flame cards in English tournaments?
No. English-language cards are required at sanctioned events in English-speaking regions. JP SV3 cards are fine for casual play and the digital platform.
Where can I buy Ruler of the Black Flame packs?
Single JP packs were observed at $5.99–$7.00 USD in October 2026; booster boxes at $115–$175 depending on seller. See the link below to browse current listings from independent shops.
Browse Japanese imports and English Obsidian Flames sealed product from independent sellers at DexHaul's Japanese cards collection. DexHaul is independent and unofficial, not affiliated with The Pokémon Company.
Catch 'em all
More Ruler of the Black Flame and Obsidian Flames sealed product from independent shops.