Pokemon Languages

English Pokémon cards are the most played and collected cards worldwide. These cards are internationally recognized and are used in official tournaments and competitions. TheEnglish setsoften contain the same cards as the Japanese ones, but with a different print style, text and sometimes exclusive promos or variants.

At RareCards.nl you will find a wide range of English Pokémon cards, from the newest sets like Paldean Fates, 151, and Obsidian Flames, to classic releases like Base Set, Jungle and Fossil. Whether you are looking for individual cards, booster packs or Elite Trainer Boxes – we have it all competitively priced and 100% original.

The Pokémon Trading Card Game is officially printed in thirteen languages. The big two are Japanese and English; alongside those there are German, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Korean and Chinese editions, among others. The game has never been released in Dutch.

The most important thing to know is this: the language determines not just the text but also how the sets are divided. Japanese sets do not line up with the English ones — a Japanese set is often split across two English sets, or the other way round. So a card number from an English set usually does not exist in the Japanese version of that same card. If you are hunting a specific card, first work out which language edition you are searching in.

For playing, the language makes little practical difference, as long as you check with a tournament organiser which language editions are allowed. For collecting it makes all the difference: the same Pokémon in another language is a different card, with its own number and its own market.