Almost every set ships in both English and Japanese. The Japanese box of the equivalent set trades well below the English one. Here is the gap across the modern era, widest first.
+242.5%
The median English box costs about that much more than its Japanese counterpart. A pair below the line is where Japanese holds value relatively well, or English looks comparatively cheap.
| Set | English | Japanese | EN premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmic Eclipse JP: Alter Genesis | $3,935.50 | $400.00 | +883.9% |
| Team Up JP: Tag Bolt | $11,333.47 | $1,169.00 | +869.5% |
| Chilling Reign JP: Silver Lance | $499.95 | $89.46 | +458.9% |
| Unified Minds JP: Miracle Twin | $2,923.73 | $539.88 | +441.6% |
| Paldea Evolved JP: Snow Hazard | $494.24 | $96.88 | +410.2% |
| Unbroken Bonds JP: Double Blaze | $2,509.28 | $517.50 | +384.9% |
| Chilling Reign JP: Jet-Black Spirit | $499.95 | $103.56 | +382.8% |
| Paldea Evolved JP: Clay Burst | $494.24 | $111.87 | +341.8% |
| Destined Rivals JP: Heat Wave Arena | $541.00 | $125.84 | +329.9% |
| Brilliant Stars JP: Star Birth | $631.89 | $152.48 | +314.4% |
| Lost Thunder | $1,496.33 | $375.00 | +299.0% |
| Fusion Strike JP: Fusion Arts | $985.77 | $265.77 | +270.9% |
| Silver Tempest JP: Paradigm Trigger | $532.21 | $144.08 | +269.4% |
| Twilight Masquerade | $362.05 | $99.59 | +263.5% |
| Paradox Rift JP: Future Flash | $292.74 | $80.93 | +261.7% |
| Temporal Forces JP: Cyber Judge | $315.45 | $87.52 | +260.4% |
| Stellar Crown JP: Stellar Miracle | $339.37 | $96.35 | +252.2% |
| Astral Radiance JP: Space Juggler | $420.70 | $119.51 | +252.0% |
| Sword & Shield Base Set JP: Sword | $688.58 | $199.99 | +244.3% |
| Mega Evolution JP: Mega Symphonia | $322.37 | $94.62 | +240.7% |
| Scarlet & Violet JP: Violet ex | $311.77 | $91.71 | +240.0% |
| Destined Rivals | $541.00 | $159.31 | +239.6% |
| Evolving Skies JP: Eevee Heroes | $2,519.80 | $760.72 | +231.2% |
| Paradox Rift JP: Ancient Roar | $292.74 | $90.69 | +222.8% |
| Journey Together JP: Battle Partners | $297.26 | $92.64 | +220.9% |
| Scarlet & Violet JP: Scarlet ex | $311.77 | $98.78 | +215.6% |
| Astral Radiance JP: Time Gazer | $420.70 | $140.23 | +200.0% |
| Temporal Forces JP: Wild Force | $315.45 | $105.80 | +198.2% |
| Darkness Ablaze JP: Infinity Zone | $369.71 | $124.98 | +195.8% |
| Mega Evolution JP: Mega Brave | $322.37 | $110.52 | +191.7% |
| Obsidian Flames | $383.10 | $149.90 | +155.6% |
| Evolving Skies JP: Blue Sky Stream | $2,519.80 | $1,063.14 | +137.0% |
| Lost Origin JP: Lost Abyss | $733.31 | $319.92 | +129.2% |
| Rebel Clash JP: Rebellion Crash | $495.76 | $219.99 | +125.4% |
| Vivid Voltage | $338.19 | $156.61 | +115.9% |
| Surging Sparks | $300.45 | $144.82 | +107.5% |
| Battle Styles | $289.78 | $158.42 | +82.9% |
| Battle Styles | $289.78 | $167.88 | +72.6% |
It is relative value, not free money. A Japanese box holds 30 packs to English's 36, pulls from a different card pool, and carries no English text. Importing adds shipping and customs.
Japanese sets also release roughly half a year ahead of their English counterpart, so the Japanese side often moves first. A premium that is narrowing or widening over time says more than the level alone.
Pairs are matched by hand across the Sun & Moon through Mega eras. Booster boxes only. Prices are the latest recorded for each box.