Pokémon

What should you know before buying a Japanese Pokémon booster box?

Published · By the Cards from Japan editors

Summary

Identify the box by the official Japanese product name and set code, because that is what tells you which pack is inside. Pack types differ a lot: a standard expansion pack holds 5 cards at ¥180, while a high-class pack holds 10 cards at ¥550. Products labeled "BOX" also range from a plain box of packs to sets that bundle packs with extras.

Official products, codes, and pack contents

English words in parentheses translate the Japanese titles. English-language sets are separate releases even when a name looks the same.

Official Japanese product (code)Release datePer pack (MSRP incl. tax)
VMAXクライマックス, VMAX Climax high-class pack (s8b)Dec. 3, 202111 cards, ¥550
シャイニートレジャーex, Shiny Treasure ex high-class pack (SV4a)Dec. 1, 202310 cards, ¥550
ステラミラクル, Stellar Miracle expansion (SV7)Jul. 19, 20245 cards, ¥180
バトルパートナーズ, Battle Partners expansion (SV9)Jan. 24, 20255 cards, ¥180
ロケット団の栄光, Glory of Team Rocket expansion (SV10)Apr. 18, 20255 cards, ¥180
ブラックボルト / ホワイトフレア, Black Bolt / White Flare expansions (SV11)Jun. 6, 20257 cards, ¥290
メガブレイブ / メガシンフォニア, Mega Brave / Mega Symphonia expansions (M1)Aug. 1, 20255 cards, ¥180
インフェルノX, Inferno X expansion (M2)Sep. 26, 20255 cards, ¥180
MEGAドリームex, MEGA Dream ex high-class pack (M2a)Nov. 28, 202510 cards, ¥550

These are launch MSRPs, not today's selling prices. High-class packs also carry guaranteed slots. Every VMAX Climax pack includes one holo basic Energy and guarantees a V, VMAX, V-UNION, or SR.

What "box" can mean

The official Battle Partners page defines a box as 30 packs in the terms of a purchase promotion. The same page lists a Deck Build BOX at ¥4,200 that holds 10 packs plus 171 deck-building cards, so two products called "box" contain very different things.

Many sets add accessory bundles on top. Glory of Team Rocket had an attaché case set with 30 packs at ¥14,900, and the MEGA Premium Trainer Box at ¥6,350 packed 10 Mega Brave and 10 Mega Symphonia packs. Black Bolt and White Flare each also had a deluxe expansion pack at ¥1,450 with 35 cards and one guaranteed AR (art rare). Which of these a listing means by "box" decides both the pack count and the price.

Sources

  1. VMAX Climax (s8b, Japanese)
  2. Shiny Treasure ex (SV4a, Japanese)
  3. Stellar Miracle (SV7, Japanese)
  4. Battle Partners (SV9, Japanese)
  5. Glory of Team Rocket (SV10, Japanese)
  6. Black Bolt / White Flare (SV11, Japanese)
  7. Mega Brave / Mega Symphonia (M1, Japanese)
  8. Inferno X (M2, Japanese)
  9. MEGA Dream ex (M2a, Japanese)

Details are as published on these pages on the date above and can change. Check the official page before you buy or submit.

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