# Chinese 151 or Japanese 151: the differences - Bron / source: https://www.kaikancards.com/en/blogs/news/chinese-of-japanse-pokemon-151 - Shop: Kaikan Cards, https://www.kaikancards.com (AI-home: https://www.kaikancards.com/pages/ai) - Author: Chris de Rooden - Published: 2026-11-10 · updated: 2026-11-10 - Tags: japans, kopen, set:SV2a, vergelijking - Summary: Japanese Pokémon 151 (SV2a) and the Chinese 151 boxes feature the same Kanto Pokémon, but they're different sets. The differences in box contents, special cards and price at a glance. [See which boxes are in stock right now →](/en/collections/op-voorraad) Japanese Pokémon 151 (SV2a) and the Chinese 151 boxes are both about the 151 original Kanto Pokémon, but they're different sets with their own card list, their own box layout and their own special cards. In short: choose Japanese for the Master Ball mirror cards and the best-known version of the set, Chinese for a lower entry price and the exclusive Pikachu Art Rares that only exist in Chinese. ## Two editions, one theme **In short: it's not a translation of the same set, but a Chinese edition in its own right.** The Japanese [Pokémon 151 (SV2a)](/en/products/pokemon-151-sv2a-booster-box) was released on 16 June 2023. It's the set the English Scarlet & Violet 151 is based on. How those two compare is covered in [Scarlet & Violet 151 or Japanese Pokémon 151?](/en/blogs/news/scarlet-violet-151-of-japanse-pokemon-151) The Chinese version is called Collect 151 (收集啦151) and is published in Simplified Chinese. The card list differs from the Japanese and English versions. There are four boxes, each with its own cover: [Journey](/en/products/pokemon-151-vol-1-booster-box) (Vol.1, Pikachu and Mew), [Hope](/en/products/pokemon-151-vol-2-booster-box) (Vol.2, Psyduck, Jigglypuff and Eevee), [Surprise](/en/products/pokemon-151-surprise-gengar-booster-box) (Gengar and Pikachu) and [Gathering](/en/products/pokemon-151-vol-4-booster-box) (Vol.4, a group of Pikachus with Vulpix and Cubone). Each volume has its own exclusive Pikachu Art Rare. More on Chinese sets in general in [Chinese Pokémon cards: what are they worth and which sets are there?](/en/blogs/news/chinese-pokemon-kaarten) ## The differences at a glance **In short: Japanese has more cards per pack and the Master Ball, Chinese has lower box prices and exclusive Pikachus.** Pokémon 151 (Japanese) | Collect 151 (Chinese) | Language | Japanese | Simplified Chinese | Set code / product code | SV2a | 151C | Box | 20 packs of 7 cards (140 cards) | 15 packs of 5 cards (75 cards); Jumbo: 6 packs of 20 cards | Per pack | 7 cards | 4 regular cards and 1 holo; Jumbo: 13 regular and 7 holos | Cards in the set | 210, of which 165 in the main set | Its own card list, differs from Japanese and English | Special cards | Master Ball reverse holo, usually one per box according to collectors (out of 153) | An exclusive Pikachu Art Rare per volume | Rarities | Including SR, SAR, AR and UR | Chance at SR, SAR/SSR, AR and UR | Covers | One box | Four covers: Journey, Hope, Surprise, Gathering | Our price (as of 10 November 2026) | €319.95 per box | €84.95 per box; Surprise Jumbo €119.95 | Tournaments in Europe | Not allowed | Not allowed | ## The Master Ball: only in the Japanese box **In short: the Master Ball mirror is the reason many collectors choose Japanese.** The Master Ball reverse holo isn't an extra card, but a different version of a regular card from the set: the same artwork and the same number, just with a mirrored Master Ball pattern. According to collectors, each Japanese 151 box usually contains one, at random from 153 possibilities; that's not officially guaranteed. The most expensive cards in the Japanese set are Gengar in Master Ball version, Charizard ex SAR and Pikachu in Master Ball version. Based on opening data, the chance of an SAR is around one in six boxes. Everything about this variant is in [Pokémon 151 (SV2a): the Master Ball explained](/en/blogs/news/pokemon-151-sv2a-master-ball-uitgelegd). ## What makes the Chinese 151 special **In short: exclusive cards, lots of holos in the Jumbo box and a lower entry price.** The Chinese edition isn't a cheap copy of the Japanese set, but an official set in its own right. What makes it interesting: - **Exclusive Pikachu Art Rares:** each of the four volumes has one that doesn't exist in any other language. - **Four covers:** collectors who want all four can choose by cover. - **Jumbo format:** the [Surprise Jumbo box](/en/products/pokemon-151-surprise-gengar-jumbo-booster-box) has 6 packs of 20 cards, with 7 holos per pack. - **Less known in Europe:** there's still relatively little supply. A Jumbo box we opened and filmed ourselves gave us, among others, Blastoise ex, Venusaur ex twice, Golem ex and Wigglytuff ex. That's one box: every box is different, and what you pull is down to luck. ## What does a pack cost? **In short: per card Chinese is cheaper, but you're buying a different set.** A quick calculation with our prices (as of 10 November 2026): - **Japanese 151 box:** €319.95 for 20 packs, about €16 per pack of 7 cards. - **Single Japanese 151 pack:** €19.95, if you want to try one pack. You can with the [single Pokémon 151 pack](/en/products/pokemon-151-sv2a-los-boosterpakje). - **Chinese 151 box:** €84.95 for 15 packs, about €5.66 per pack of 5 cards. - **Chinese Surprise Jumbo box:** €119.95 for 6 packs, about €20 per pack of 20 cards. A lower price per pack says nothing about the value of what you pull. The Japanese box is more expensive because it's the most in-demand modern Japanese set, with the Master Ball variant on top. With the Chinese boxes you pay less for a set with a smaller audience. ## Are Chinese Pokémon cards worth anything? **In short: they're real and official, but the market is smaller and less predictable.** Chinese cards aren't necessarily worth less than Japanese ones. Exclusive cards, such as the Pikachu Art Rares from Collect 151, are sought after precisely because they only exist in Chinese. At the same time, the European market for Chinese cards is smaller, so there are fewer comparable sales to base a price on. Japanese Pokémon 151 has a long track record and has been reprinted several times, yet still went up in price. That's a past market movement, not a promise. For both: opening a box isn't an investment with a guaranteed return. Prices of collectibles go up and down, and a reprint can change a lot. Buy what you enjoy opening or keeping. ## Which one should you choose? - **You collect Kanto and want the Master Ball:** Japanese. - **You want the best-known version of the set, with the well-known Charizard ex and Mew ex SARs:** Japanese. - **You want to open for a lower amount:** Chinese, with 15 packs per box. - **You're looking for lots of holos per pack:** the Chinese Jumbo box. - **You want something few people in Europe have yet:** Chinese, for the exclusive Pikachus. All boxes we sell are factory sealed and official Pokémon TCG: the Japanese 151 as a Japanese edition, imported by us, the Chinese boxes as a Chinese edition, imported by us, with the Pokémon authenticity hologram on the side. More on how we handle origin on [authenticity and origin](/en/pages/echtheid-en-herkomst). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is the Chinese 151 the same set as the Japanese 151? No. Both are about the 151 Kanto Pokémon, but the Chinese Collect 151 has its own card list, four volumes with their own cover and an exclusive Pikachu Art Rare per volume. ### Is there a Master Ball card in the Chinese 151? The Master Ball reverse holo is the hallmark of the Japanese SV2a box: usually one per box according to collectors, not officially guaranteed. The Chinese boxes revolve around other special cards, such as the exclusive Pikachu Art Rares. ### How many packs are in a Japanese 151 booster box? 20 packs of 7 cards, 140 cards in total. A regular Chinese 151 box has 15 packs of 5 cards, the Jumbo box 6 packs of 20. ### Can you play Chinese or Japanese 151 cards at tournaments? Not at official tournaments in Europe. Both editions are meant for collecting and opening. Check out the [Japanese Pokémon 151 (SV2a) booster box](/en/products/pokemon-151-sv2a-booster-box) or the [Chinese 151 boxes](/en/collections/chinese-pokemon-151) in the shop. ## This set in the shop (live) - [Pokémon 151 (SV2a) Japanese Booster Pack](https://www.kaikancards.com/en/products/pokemon-151-sv2a-los-boosterpakje) — €19,95 — available to order — md: https://www.kaikancards.com/en/products/pokemon-151-sv2a-los-boosterpakje?view=md - [Pokémon 151 (SV2a) Japanese Booster Box](https://www.kaikancards.com/en/products/pokemon-151-sv2a-booster-box) — €319,95 — available to order — md: https://www.kaikancards.com/en/products/pokemon-151-sv2a-booster-box?view=md --- All articles: https://www.kaikancards.com/blogs/news?view=md · Agent instructions: https://www.kaikancards.com/agents.md