Pokemon TCG collecting is growing in popularity, and with new collectors come new questions. One of the main concerns is whether or not trading cards from Japan are worth more than those from the USA. So, are Japanese Pokemon cards worth more than English versions? Here’s the need-to-know on which region has the most collectible Pokemon Trading Card Game sets.
Are Pokemon cards from Japan worth more?
Regardless of whether or not they can read them, many collectors are looking to secure the most valuable Pokemon trading cards for their collections. In some cases, this can mean importing collectibles from other regions in order to get the most desirable variant. Everything from artwork to build quality can differ between regions, which can make certain versions more desirable than others.
Japanese Pokemon cards can be worth more money than their English counterparts. Pokemon trading cards from Japan are of higher build quality and, where relevant, still come with first edition markings. Since Japanese Pokemon cards launch well in advance of the American versions, there are also some controversial designs that The Pokemon Company later chose to change. These banned Japanese Pokemon cards are especially rare and more valuable to collectors.
The better build quality of Pokemon trading cards from Japan also means that they’re less likely to be damaged. Condition is king when it comes to deciding the worth of collectibles, and Pokemon cards from any region are no different. While a Japanese card is harder to damage, an English card in better condition is usually worth more money.
For more on the Pokemon Trading Card Game, find out if cards should go up in value over time. As a general guide, here are the details on the value of a Squirtle card in 2021.
Finally, check out why the original Pokemon TCG base set is so expensive.
