Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon (SM5S/SM5M, 2017): English Equivalent Ultra Prism
By Dexhaul Team · October 23, 2026 · 7 min read
Japanese Ultra Sun (SM5S) and Ultra Moon (SM5M) both released December 8, 2017, and together became English Ultra Prism on February 2, 2018. Buying both Japanese boxes gives you the same card pool as the English set, plus a mechanic difference that matters for competitive play: the number of secret rare cards.
The two sets split the Sinnoh legendaries down their version lines. Ultra Sun carries Dusk Mane Necrozma GX and Dialga GX; Ultra Moon carries Dawn Wings Necrozma GX and Palkia GX. The Eeveelutions follow the same split, with Leafeon GX in the Sun set and Glaceon GX in the Moon set.
Ultra Prism introduced Prism Star cards to the TCG. These appear in both Japanese sets and the English release, but their exact distribution across SM5S and SM5M is worth knowing before you choose one box over the other.
At a glance
| Japanese set | Code | JP release | English set | EN release | Card count (normal + secret) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ultra Sun | SM5S | December 8, 2017 | Ultra Prism | February 2, 2018 | 78 (66 + 12) |
| Ultra Moon | SM5M | December 8, 2017 | 78 (66 + 12) | ||
| Combined JP total | 156 | ||||
| English Ultra Prism | 173 (156 + 17) | ||||
Each Japanese box contains 78 cards. English Ultra Prism contains 173 cards: the 156 corresponding to the combined Japanese pool, plus 17 secret rares that appear only in the English release. Those 17 are exclusively full-art Supporter cards, discussed below.
Set codes for Japanese Pokémon TCG imports matter when cross-referencing Limitless or Bulbapedia: SM5S for Ultra Sun and SM5M for Ultra Moon, not "SM5" alone, which some older sources use loosely.
On this page 8 sections
What each Japanese set covers
Ultra Sun (SM5S): Solgaleo, Dialga, and Leafeon
The Sun set centres on Dusk Mane Necrozma, the fusion form of Necrozma that absorbs Solgaleo. SM5S is where Dusk Mane Necrozma GX, Dialga GX, Leafeon GX, Silvally GX, and the Solgaleo Prism Star live. The Prism Star Trainers Cyrus and Darkrai also sit in this half.
Ultra Moon (SM5M): Lunala, Palkia, and Glaceon
The Moon set mirrors the theme with Dawn Wings Necrozma GX (the Lunala fusion form), Palkia GX, and Glaceon GX as its headline cards. SM5M holds the Lunala Prism Star, Giratina Prism Star, and the Super Boost Energy Prism Star, the only Special Energy Prism Star in either set.
Prism Star cards: the mechanic Ultra Prism introduced
Prism Star cards debuted in SM5S and SM5M. Each is marked with a diamond symbol (◇) and comes with a strict deck-building rule: only one copy of each named Prism Star card per deck. That rule applies in both Japanese and English formats.
The mechanic covers Pokémon, Supporter, and Special Energy types. SM5S holds Solgaleo ◇, Darkrai ◇, and Cyrus ◇ (the Supporter). SM5M holds Lunala ◇, Giratina ◇, and Super Boost Energy ◇. Cyrus ◇ was one of the most heavily played control Supporters in the SWSH competitive era, making SM5S a slightly higher-demand box for competitive players.
A practical consequence for importers: if you buy only Ultra Moon, you miss the Cyrus ◇ and Solgaleo ◇ entirely. If you buy only Ultra Sun, you miss Super Boost Energy ◇. The full Prism Star picture requires both boxes or the English set.
Key card crosswalk: Japanese origin to English number
| Card | JP set | EN number (Ultra Prism) | Rarity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leafeon GX | SM5S Ultra Sun | 13/156 | Ultra Rare |
| Glaceon GX | SM5M Ultra Moon | 39/156 | Ultra Rare |
| Dawn Wings Necrozma GX | SM5M Ultra Moon | 63/156 | Ultra Rare |
| Dialga GX | SM5S Ultra Sun | 100/156 | Ultra Rare |
| Palkia GX | SM5M Ultra Moon | 101/156 | Ultra Rare |
| Dusk Mane Necrozma GX (Full Art) | SM5S Ultra Sun | 145/156 | Ultra Rare |
Dialga GX (100/156) and Palkia GX (101/156) sit adjacent in the English numbering, which mirrors their pairing in the video game lore. Both carry Dragon typing in the TCG, so they function differently from their Psychic-type Necrozma counterparts.
The Eeveelution split is worth noting: Leafeon GX lands in the Sun set and Glaceon GX in the Moon set. For collectors building a themed Eeveelution folder, both Japanese boxes are needed to complete the pair from this era.
What's in English Ultra Prism but not the Japanese boxes
English Ultra Prism contains 17 secret rare cards above the 156-card base. Every one of them is a full-art Supporter: Cynthia (148/156), Gardenia, Volkner, Lusamine, Lana, Lillie, Looker, and Mars are among the cards in this tier. None of these full-art versions appears in SM5S or SM5M.
Cynthia 148/156 became one of the most played Supporter cards through the SWSH era and her full-art version is the most sought-after single from this set. Buying the English booster box gives you a shot at those 17 secret rares; buying only the Japanese boxes does not.
For competitive collectors chasing those full-art Supporters, the English box is the only sealed route. For Japanese import collectors focused on the Prism Star and GX card pool itself, either pair of Japanese boxes delivers equivalent content at broadly similar prices on the secondary market.
Japanese or English? Four questions to decide
Price per pack
Japanese Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon single packs run around £16.99 GBP each as of October 23, 2026, with five cards per pack. English Ultra Prism single packs are now secondary-market only, typically $15 USD or more for a loose pack. On a per-card basis, the Japanese pack is the better rate; on a per-pull basis, the English pack delivers ten cards instead of five.
Play legality
Neither format is Standard-legal in the current 2026 season. English Ultra Prism cards are Expanded-legal. Japanese cards are not legal in English-language official tournaments regardless of format. Language-agnostic events and local leagues vary by organiser, so check before bringing Japanese cards to competitive play.
Language and collector preference
Japanese cards carry kanji and hiragana text, thinner card stock, and a distinct foil pattern that differs from the English pressing. Many collectors pursue Japanese cards specifically for the foil quality on the special art rares. If your goal is a display folder, both languages produce striking cards; if your goal is playing in English events, the English printing is the only viable option.
Grading
PSA and CGC accept both Japanese and English Ultra Prism cards. Japanese packs are typically shipped sealed and single-card packaging is more protective, which can contribute to higher raw grades at submission. Graded Dusk Mane Necrozma GX and Leafeon GX full-art cards from both languages are actively traded on secondary markets. See the buyer safety guide if you are purchasing raw singles to grade.
Buying Ultra Prism as a Q4 gift
Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon boxes make a strong Q4 gift for a Sinnoh-era collector. The Dialga/Palkia GX split means a single sealed box holds a clear narrative angle (Team Sun or Team Moon), which is easy to explain on a gift card.
At a lower price point, individual sealed Japanese single packs at under £20 GBP give a collector the tactile pack-opening experience without committing to a full box. For a more complete gift, pairing both SM5S and SM5M delivers the full Prism Star set, both Necrozma GX forms, and the Eeveelution pair.
Browse the full range of Japanese TCG sets at DexHaul's Japanese cards collection. See the Space Juggler (S10P) import guide for how a more recent split-set pair works by comparison.
FAQ
Are Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon the same as Ultra Prism?
Together, yes. Japanese Ultra Sun (SM5S) and Ultra Moon (SM5M) form the source pool for English Ultra Prism. Neither set alone covers the full English release. The two Japanese sets contain 156 cards combined; the English set adds 17 secret rare full-art Supporters to reach 173.
What set codes are Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon?
Ultra Sun is SM5S and Ultra Moon is SM5M on Limitless TCG and Bulbapedia. Some older sources abbreviate Ultra Sun as "SM5," but the correct individual codes are SM5S and SM5M.
Which Japanese box should I buy if I can only get one?
Ultra Sun (SM5S) for Dusk Mane Necrozma GX, Dialga GX, Leafeon GX, Cyrus Prism Star, and Solgaleo Prism Star. Ultra Moon (SM5M) for Dawn Wings Necrozma GX, Palkia GX, Glaceon GX, Lunala Prism Star, Giratina Prism Star, and Super Boost Energy Prism Star.
Is Cynthia in the Japanese Ultra Prism sets?
Cynthia appears in both SM5S and SM5M as a standard holo rare. Her full-art version (148/156 in the English numbering) is an English-exclusive secret rare not present in either Japanese box. To pull the full-art Cynthia, you need the English Ultra Prism booster packs.
Are the Prism Star cards legal in current competitive play?
Ultra Prism is not Standard-legal in the 2026 season. English Prism Star cards are Expanded-legal. Japanese printings are not legal in official English-language tournaments. Confirm with your local event organiser before playing Japanese cards competitively.
Browse in-stock Japanese Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon singles, packs, and sealed boxes alongside every other Japanese Pokémon TCG set at DexHaul's Japanese cards collection. Dexhaul is an independent search engine and is not affiliated with The Pokémon Company, Nintendo, or any of their subsidiaries.