Japanese vs English cards: why the same card has different prices
Japanese, English and other language printings of the same card are separate cards with separate prices. How to tell them apart and why they differ.
A different language is a different card
Many games print the same card in several languages, often in different sets with different collector numbers and release dates. Collectors and stores treat each language as its own card, and the prices can differ by a factor of ten in either direction.
That is why CardFrame shows a separate page and price for each language, and lists the other languages a card was printed in.
Why prices differ
Print runs differ: some rarities exist only in one language, and promotional cards are often regional. Demand differs too: English cards trade worldwide, Japanese cards have a strong domestic market and a following abroad for their print quality and exclusive artwork.
How to tell which one you have
Look at the card text first, then the set code and collector number printed on the card: language editions often use their own set codes or a language marker in the number. The CardFrame scanner reads the print language for you, which is the quickest way to be sure.
