Last updated: 6 October 2026. Product details are taken from the official Japanese Pokémon Card Game site and published set lists.
In short: Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration launched in Japan and in English on the same day, 16 September 2026. The Japanese version (set code M6a) has 103 main cards, six foil cards per ¥360 pack and 20-pack boxes; the English version has 128 main cards and a different numbering. Both include the new Futuristic Rare (FUR) Mewtwo ex and Mew ex, but the Japanese set was sold mainly by lottery and some Japanese products have no English equivalent.
What is 30th Celebration?
30th Celebration is the special expansion marking 30 years of the Pokémon Trading Card Game. In Japan it is sold as the MEGA expansion pack "30th CELEBRATION" (set code M6a). It was released on Wednesday 16 September 2026, simultaneously in Japan and in English.
According to the official Japanese product page, the set includes:
- A new rarity, FUR (Futuristic Rare), used for Mewtwo ex and Mew ex.
- 30 foil Pikachu cards, each drawn by a different illustrator. Every pack contains one of them.
- 30 classic cards from the game's history, reprinted in a special finish. In Japan these reprints cannot be used in the current Standard format.
- One Basic Energy card in every pack.
Japanese vs English at a glance
| Japanese (M6a) | English | |
|---|---|---|
| Release date | 16 September 2026 | 16 September 2026 |
| Main set numbering | 001/103 to 103/103 | 1/128 to 128/128 |
| Mewtwo ex FUR | 134/103 | 157/128 |
| Mew ex FUR | 135/103 | 158/128 |
| Pack | 6 foil cards, ¥360 (tax incl.) | Foil cards plus a foil Basic Energy and a Pokémon TCG Live code card |
| Booster box | 20 packs, ¥7,200 (tax incl.) | Sold in English product formats such as the Elite Trainer Box |
| How it was sold | Mostly by lottery | Regular retail (availability varies) |
The English main set is larger because it brings together cards that Japan released across more than one product. That is why the same card often has a different number in each language. When you search for a specific card, always include the language and the full number.
The cards collectors are chasing
Mewtwo ex FUR and Mew ex FUR. These are the first cards printed in the new Futuristic Rare style and sit at the top of the numbered set in both languages.
The RGB Mew cards. Three secret Mew cards, marked R/RGB, G/RGB and B/RGB, are numbered outside the main set. They refer to the original Pokémon Red, Green and Blue games. Copies have appeared in both Japanese and English. No official pull rate has been published, so treat any "1 in X boxes" figure you see online as an estimate.
The 30 Pikachu cards. With one Pikachu guaranteed per pack, completing all 30 artists is a popular goal. Because they are common individually, condition matters more than rarity for most of them.
Prices for new sets move quickly in the first weeks after release. Many figures quoted online are asking prices or shop buy prices, not completed sales. If you are comparing, look for sold listings with a date.
Japan-only 30th Celebration products
Alongside the booster packs, Japan released products that are not sold in the same form in English:
- Premium Deck Set Espeon & Umbreon – ¥6,200 (tax incl.)
- FUTURISTIC BOX – ¥27,500 (tax incl.), a premium box that includes FUR-style Pikachu ex promo cards
- 30th Celebration Card Set – a further bundle scheduled for 16 October 2026
For collectors who want the "complete" Japanese release, these are often the hardest pieces to find, because they were sold through the same lotteries as the booster boxes.
Why the Japanese version is hard to buy from overseas
In Japan, popular Pokémon card products are rarely sold first-come, first-served any more. For 30th Celebration, major retailers used lotteries:
- Pokémon Center Online ran an entry lottery for the booster box and Premium Deck Set before release. It delivers only to Japanese addresses.
- Amazon Japan used an invitation-request system.
- Other online retailers, electronics chains and card shops ran their own lotteries or limited sales.
Most of these require a Japanese address, a Japanese phone number or a store membership. For buyers outside Japan, that means the sealed Japanese product usually reaches them through resellers, at a premium over the ¥7,200 retail price.
Tips for buying Japanese 30th Celebration safely
- Check the shrink wrap. Japanese booster boxes are shipped shrink-wrapped. In Japan, sealed boxes with intact shrink are valued noticeably higher than boxes without it, so ask for clear photos of all sides.
- Match the number to the language. A "134" Mewtwo ex is the Japanese FUR; the English FUR is 157/128. Listings that mix these up are a warning sign.
- Separate sold prices from asking prices. Early listings for RGB Mew and FUR cards have shown very high asking prices, but asking is not the same as selling.
- Ask about handling before grading. If you plan to grade a card, ask how it was handled and stored after it was pulled, because small scratches and dents show up clearly on foil cards.
Frequently asked questions
Was 30th Celebration released at the same time in Japan and English?
Yes. Both versions came out on 16 September 2026. The official Japanese site describes it as a simultaneous worldwide release.
Are Japanese and English 30th Celebration cards the same?
The artwork for the key cards is shared, but the set structure is different. The Japanese main set is numbered to 103 and the English main set to 128, so card numbers do not match between languages.
How many cards are in a Japanese 30th Celebration pack?
Six, and all six are foil. Each pack costs ¥360 including tax, and a booster box holds 20 packs.
How can I get Japanese 30th Celebration cards outside Japan?
Single cards and sealed product mostly move through Japanese shops and resellers after the lotteries. You can browse cards we already hold in Ready to Order, or ask us to look for a specific card or sealed box through Private Sourcing. If you want a card graded before it ships, see Buy & Grade, or contact us with what you are looking for.
Prices mentioned are Japanese retail prices (tax included) at release and are shown for reference only. Market prices for new sets change quickly and can fall. Tokyo Card Concierge is operated by Spacial Ltd., Tokyo, Japan.