# Is texture truly the make or break for JPN collecting? **URL:** \ **Category:** General\ **Tags:** japanese, modern\ **Created:** [February 18, 2023, 2:07am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/is-texture-truly-the-make-or-break-for-jpn-collecting/39757 "2023-02-18T02:07:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![enkaycards](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/enkaycards/32/33849_2.png) [@enkaycards](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/enkaycards)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2023, 8:02am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/is-texture-truly-the-make-or-break-for-jpn-collecting/39757/21 "2023-02-18T08:02:38Z")
I mainly collect cards from the adv / pcg era and find the silver edges more suitable (overall I have somehow developed an aversion to the yellow edges). I also think that the font more visually appealing. The argument with the better quality I could no longer confirm regarding newer sets, but maybe I just had bad luck with the batches. ---
**Author:** ![bk2021](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/bk2021/32/244_2.png) [@bk2021](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/bk2021)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2023, 8:09am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/is-texture-truly-the-make-or-break-for-jpn-collecting/39757/22 "2023-02-18T08:09:32Z")
Ah, OK you meant from SM to SWSH. I thought the texture change was intentional due to the next era. I have cards from both eras. I think the most dramatic are the VMAX alts - potentially all rainbows, but I only own 2 of those. I didn’t realise until I saw the Eevee Heroes VMAXes up close and the amount of detail and layering being lost. I’ve seen pictures of JP rainbows and full arts that also have details that seem lost in English. For JP vs ENG alts which I do own a couple, there seems to be less of a difference in the sense that the texture is just finer but not as mind-blowing as the others. ---
**Author:** ![beggles](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/beggles/32/2173_2.png) [@beggles](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/beggles)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2023, 9:10am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/is-texture-truly-the-make-or-break-for-jpn-collecting/39757/23 "2023-02-18T09:10:12Z")
Excluding the texture and quality which are big reasons, it’s also the original and compared to other Japanese-language media, in terms of collecting and enjoying it’s a low barrier to entry. It’s not like a game or manga where you need a grasp of the language to get any real enjoyment out of it. ---
**Author:** ![muk](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/muk/32/934_2.png) [@muk](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/muk)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2023, 10:44am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/is-texture-truly-the-make-or-break-for-jpn-collecting/39757/24 "2023-02-18T10:44:03Z")
I have actually never heard someone say even once that texture is their main reason for choosing Japanese. I guess this is only thing for modern collectors with those textured full arts? To me, Japanese just feels more “pure” now personally, even though initially I also chose to go Japanese because of the significantly lower price point (in 2018). Honestly, collect what you like, just don’t be a snob about it. ---
**Author:** ![caughtatpoint](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/caughtatpoint/32/186754_2.png) [@caughtatpoint](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/caughtatpoint)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2023, 2:47pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/is-texture-truly-the-make-or-break-for-jpn-collecting/39757/25 "2023-02-18T14:47:04Z")
I think I only realised this recently, but a big reason why I got into Japanese was that it felt like I could get a ‘deal’ more often than English. That’s not necessarily the same as just Japanese being cheaper (though that is also part), but when buying from Japan wasn’t so competitive it was easy to buy the card for cheaper than you’d find on ebay. While the card itself clearly is the most important factor, that feeling was definitely positive reinforcement. Almost like you’re exploring an unknown versus buying from a shelf. Nowadays that’s not really the case, but it set me on the path. ---
**Author:** ![mathonsunday](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/mathonsunday/32/49653_2.png) [@mathonsunday](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/mathonsunday)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2023, 2:51pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/is-texture-truly-the-make-or-break-for-jpn-collecting/39757/26 "2023-02-18T14:51:25Z")
Love it! At the very least it might lead me to pick up more modern English single cards. I personally find English cards more nostalgic and like collecting English versions of cards where the text is significant. For ex. Light and Dark Pokemon. ---
**Author:** ![needszeebs](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/needszeebs/32/1811_2.png) [@needszeebs](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/needszeebs)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2023, 9:23pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/is-texture-truly-the-make-or-break-for-jpn-collecting/39757/27 "2023-02-18T21:23:05Z")
I collect Japanese for pretty much the same reason everyone else has already said lol. The texturing is way better imo, but it wasn’t my main motivation. Overall, I found English modern card quality was getting poorer and poorer over the past few years. The products are more expensive, the pull-rates are worse, QC is worse; I like the JP card stock better, the cards look better, they smell better, they feel better, set composition is better, releases are more thoughtful and exciting. I enjoy both English and Japanese vintage, though JP has way better value imo. The vast majority of JP vintage holos PSA 9 are in and around $100, with many being closer to \<=$50. ---
**Author:** ![expedition](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/expedition/32/115787_2.png) [@expedition](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/expedition)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2023, 10:07pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/is-texture-truly-the-make-or-break-for-jpn-collecting/39757/28 "2023-02-18T22:07:11Z")
I think most reasons are already mentioned, but I’ll add to the list. - Japanese booster boxes come with a guaranteed hit SR/UR. I got burned on English booster boxes one too many times, and opening packs wasn’t fun anymore, it got rather stressful. - Older boxes were and are still relatively affordable. Specifically, Tag Team era boxes used to be affordable for a long time after their English counterparts had jumped. - If you’re like me, and a part of your collection is always churned/flipped to fund most of your collection goals, it’s quite easy to make a decent margin on Japanese cards. - Better packaging (at least for modern products). I have some sealed items that I just like sealed because the artwork is nice. Everything also feels more organised/tighter, and less wasteful compared to English packaging. I’m not the kind of person to display sealed items, but I do appreciate the care that is put into the presentation. ---
**Author:** ![wooltchi](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/wooltchi/32/2438_2.png) [@wooltchi](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/wooltchi)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2023, 10:44pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/is-texture-truly-the-make-or-break-for-jpn-collecting/39757/29 "2023-02-18T22:44:04Z")
Texture was my main reason for choosing japanese over english modern ---
**Author:** ![qwachansey](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/qwachansey/32/47483_2.png) [@qwachansey](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/qwachansey)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2023, 10:53pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/is-texture-truly-the-make-or-break-for-jpn-collecting/39757/30 "2023-02-18T22:53:42Z")
[For some cards it is night and day.](https://www.instagram.com/p/CfcOM-rFopg/) ---
**Author:** ![bk2021](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/bk2021/32/244_2.png) [@bk2021](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/bk2021)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2023, 3:06am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/is-texture-truly-the-make-or-break-for-jpn-collecting/39757/31 "2023-02-19T03:06:11Z")
lol wtf is that English Meowth. Embarrassing ---
**Author:** ![odnihs](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/odnihs/32/1859_2.png) [@odnihs](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/odnihs)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2023, 3:39am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/is-texture-truly-the-make-or-break-for-jpn-collecting/39757/32 "2023-02-19T03:39:55Z")
Texturing is absolutely a reason to pick Japanese over English, and it really is night and day particularly in the BW era, even through a case. ![latias eng](https://www.elitefourum.com/uploads/default/original/3X/b/3/b366f0487f991c607666a77ee76907f4fcde0bf2.jpeg) ![latias jp](https://www.elitefourum.com/uploads/default/original/3X/1/1/113a75727bfb8bf097c13b8f2c965437a72674f2.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![bk2021](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/bk2021/32/244_2.png) [@bk2021](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/bk2021)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2023, 9:49am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/is-texture-truly-the-make-or-break-for-jpn-collecting/39757/33 "2023-02-19T09:49:02Z")
Is there a YouTube or IG account that shows the differences between ENG and JP for many cards? ---
**Author:** ![ShinPorygon](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/shinporygon/32/75807_2.png) [@ShinPorygon](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/ShinPorygon)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2023, 10:10am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/is-texture-truly-the-make-or-break-for-jpn-collecting/39757/34 "2023-02-19T10:10:47Z")
English can’t compare at all. IMO Japanese for modern, and english for vintage. ---
**Author:** ![mrtonyz](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/mrtonyz/32/154105_2.png) [@mrtonyz](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/mrtonyz)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2023, 3:53pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/is-texture-truly-the-make-or-break-for-jpn-collecting/39757/35 "2023-02-19T15:53:23Z")
Even if texture was the same across the board, id still be interested in japanese for some cards. Similar to the JDM vs USDM automobile debate, theres a pleasure in having a foreign, “authentic”, harder to find (sometimes), unique and different car. ---
**Author:** ![gengarbrigade](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/gengarbrigade/32/271700_2.png) [@gengarbrigade](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/gengarbrigade)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2023, 4:29pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/is-texture-truly-the-make-or-break-for-jpn-collecting/39757/36 "2023-02-19T16:29:37Z")
Q 👏 U 👏 A 👏 L 👏 I 👏 T 👏 Y ---
**Author:** ![odnihs](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/odnihs/32/1859_2.png) [@odnihs](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/odnihs)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2023, 5:17pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/is-texture-truly-the-make-or-break-for-jpn-collecting/39757/37 "2023-02-19T17:17:48Z")
No idea, but it’d be a neat idea! These were just two cards from my own collection. ---
**Author:** ![zork](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/zork/32/106976_2.png) [@zork](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/zork)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2023, 5:36pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/is-texture-truly-the-make-or-break-for-jpn-collecting/39757/38 "2023-02-19T17:36:12Z")
> [@expedition](#): > > Better packaging It’s unreal how boring English packaging is in comparison to Japanese. It feels like since the beginning of English Pokemon, every English booster pack art has been: POKEMON TRADING CARD GAME _insert single pokemon_ _set name_ X ADDITIONAL GAME CARDS Add some overly stylized background effects and baby, you’ve got a very bland stew goin! It’s actually kind of amazing how they’ve looked like this for two decades: ![155880](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/6/e/6e471891af8646a78c5ea3d0d10bbbfa68c9dc4e.jpeg) ![1109945](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/5/3/537b932025ba2017ed7c0dddb16a8aa81b042d06.jpeg) ![Sword-Shield-Silver-Tempest-Booster-Lugia_EN-559x1024_1200x1200_0684ea98-edbc-4680-a2b7-9d81d7311400](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/7/a/7aeb3716a35817f0d640edb265a3f77fb7404087.jpeg) ![61LSeghNCDL.AC_UF894,1000_QL80](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/a/3/a3139a40968187c5d179e873666d2d8853318a68.jpeg) ![1047451](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/f/7/f7b8d8ab989e88ac9df0183de360edeeb5e585ae.jpeg) ![81zfJHYTmiL.AC_UF1000,1000_QL80](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/f/6/f6cc2a99dbf1ed02d3f42a2b7d3205326ef19ab3.jpeg) ![pokemon-diamond-pearl-majestic-dawn-booster-pack-4](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/3/8/38b08673cef1a779064aaf3a6daab1ac2e77f21e.png) ![f64cb4be2f9abf11e22cf8e9813e1057](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/9/2/927c72eecdc8ab1a6f677df2744b39eb8b1a2f6d.jpeg) (upload://4HE3SJ4nnJVEBbg4Zs6jAuxdRmS.jpeg) ![s-l1600](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/7/c/7c3960d7df8db557a66a5088b066f72c218f5ac5.jpeg) ![138151](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/e/7/e740e4ed1e3c79b4123fd99a7951e906621e4e00.jpeg) Bonus points if you kind of obscure the text a little I guess? ---
**Author:** ![LM23](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/lm23/32/64943_2.png) [@LM23](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/LM23)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2023, 8:38pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/is-texture-truly-the-make-or-break-for-jpn-collecting/39757/39 "2023-02-19T20:38:57Z")
Do people actually care what the packaging looks like ? ---
**Author:** ![mrtonyz](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/mrtonyz/32/154105_2.png) [@mrtonyz](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/mrtonyz)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2023, 9:12pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/is-texture-truly-the-make-or-break-for-jpn-collecting/39757/40 "2023-02-19T21:12:37Z")
100% yes. The difference is apparent in boxes too, another great display option. If were talking just packs, the upgraded PSA pack mold makes the answer even more yes. [Previous page](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/is-texture-truly-the-make-or-break-for-jpn-collecting/39757.md?page=1) [Next page](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/is-texture-truly-the-make-or-break-for-jpn-collecting/39757.md?page=3)