Japanese vs English One Piece cards: which should you buy?

The One Piece Card Game by Bandai is printed in several languages, and the two you see most in Europe are Japanese and English. They use the same rules and the same card numbers, but there are real differences in timing, exclusives and where you can play with them.

The short answer

Japanese sets come out first

Bandai releases every main set in Japan before the English version. If you want to open a new set as soon as possible, or you collect the newest alt arts before everyone else, Japanese is the way to get them early. On our release calendar you can see which language each upcoming product is.

Can you play with Japanese cards?

At home and at casual game nights, yes. The effects are the same, and every card has a number like OP09-118, so you can find the English text in seconds. For official English-language tournaments you need English cards, so competitive players usually build their main deck in English.

Which is better for collecting?

Many collectors like Japanese cards for the print quality and because some products only exist in Japan, like Jump promos and special collections. Others collect English because it is the language they read and play in. There is no wrong choice. Pick the language you will enjoy opening and keeping.

Our advice

• You play in tournaments: buy English for your deck.
• You want new sets first: buy Japanese.
• You collect: follow your taste, and look at the Japanese exclusives.

Browse our Japanese editions or all One Piece products.