Sword & Shield (Sword & Shield base set) released in English on February 7, 2020 with 202 cards plus 14 secret rares. In Japan those cards came out earlier as Sword, Shield, VMAX Rising — set codes S1W, S1H, S1a. This page maps the English set to its Japanese source sets, links the complete Japanese card lists (all 214 catalogued entries), and shows current sealed-box pricing from our Tokyo stock.
- Sword & Shield = Sword, Shield, VMAX Rising in Japan (S1W, S1H, S1a).
- English release February 7, 2020; Japanese releases December 6, 2019 (S1W, S1H); February 7, 2020 (S1a).
- 214 Japanese entries catalogued across the source sets vs 202 cards plus 14 secret rares in English.
- Sealed S1W box currently listed at ¥43,050 (update: currently sold out — restock requests via Quick Order) (August 28, 2026).
The Japanese Sets Behind Sword & Shield
The English Sword & Shield base set is built from Japan’s twin launch expansions Sword (S1W) and Shield (S1H) together with the Enhanced Expansion Pack VMAX Rising (S1a). (Composition as reported by PokeBeach.) Entry counts below come from the Limitless TCG Japanese catalogue, which lists every numbered card including secret rares.
| Code | Japanese set | Type | JP release | Catalogued entries | Secret Rares | Full JP card list | Sealed box |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1W | Sword | Expansion Pack | December 6, 2019 | 68 | 8 | S1W card list | ¥43,050 (~$271) (update: currently sold out — restock requests via Quick Order) |
| S1H | Shield | Expansion Pack | December 6, 2019 | 68 | 8 | S1H card list | ¥65,100 (~$409) |
| S1a | VMAX Rising | Enhanced Expansion Pack | February 7, 2020 | 78 | 8 | S1a card list | ¥105,000 (~$660) |
Japanese Set-by-Set Breakdown
S1W Sword — Expansion Pack, JP release December 6, 2019
Limitless TCG catalogues 68 entries for S1W: 8 Secret Rare, 6 Double Rare, 7 Rare, 19 Uncommon, 26 Common, plus 2 entries listed without a rarity label. The Secret Rare run goes from Dhelmise-V (S1W 61) to Bede (S1W 68). Browse every card by number and rarity on our S1W Sword card list.
S1H Shield — Expansion Pack, JP release December 6, 2019
Limitless TCG catalogues 68 entries for S1H: 8 Secret Rare, 6 Double Rare, 7 Rare, 19 Uncommon, 26 Common, plus 2 entries listed without a rarity label. The Secret Rare run goes from Torkoal-V (S1H 61) to Marnie (S1H 68). Browse every card by number and rarity on our S1H Shield card list.
S1a VMAX Rising — Enhanced Expansion Pack, JP release February 7, 2020
Limitless TCG catalogues 78 entries for S1a: 8 Secret Rare, 6 Double Rare, 8 Rare, 23 Uncommon, 30 Common, plus 3 entries listed without a rarity label. The Secret Rare run goes from Rillaboom-V (S1a 71) to Milo (S1a 78). Browse every card by number and rarity on our S1a VMAX Rising card list.
Top-Rarity Japanese Cards in Pictures
Where to Buy the Japanese Sword & Shield Sets from Tokyo
Want the Japanese cards behind Sword & Shield? Sealed Japanese boxes for the source sets are listed above; browse the full range in our Japanese Pokémon booster box collection. For singles or graded copies of a specific card, request a quote via Quick Order with the Japanese set code and number.
Sword & Shield Japanese Card List FAQ
What Japanese set is Sword & Shield in?
The English Sword & Shield base set is built from Japan’s twin launch expansions Sword (S1W) and Shield (S1H) together with the Enhanced Expansion Pack VMAX Rising (S1a). Set codes: S1W, S1H, S1a.
When did Sword & Shield release in English and in Japan?
English: February 7, 2020. Japanese source sets: Sword (S1W) on December 6, 2019; Shield (S1H) on December 6, 2019; VMAX Rising (S1a) on February 7, 2020.
How many cards are in Sword & Shield compared with the Japanese sets?
The English set lists 202 cards plus 14 secret rares. The Japanese catalogue lists 214 entries across 3 source sets, counted from Limitless TCG’s Japanese database (secret rares included).
Can I buy the Japanese Sword & Shield sets from Japan?
Yes — sealed Japanese boxes for Sword, Shield, VMAX Rising ship from Tokyo with tracking when listed; prices in this guide are our listings as of August 28, 2026. Singles and graded copies can be requested via Quick Order.
Are Japanese Sword & Shield cards the same as the English ones?
They share Pokémon and artwork for the cards that were carried over, but the Japanese prints use their own set codes (S1W, S1H, S1a) and numbering, and some Japanese cards were not included in the English release.
Trick or treat: open three chests, save up to 4%
SEE HOW IT WORKSMembers only · Each paid order opens the next chest · Ends Oct 31, 23:59 JST · Import duties, taxes and customs charges are not included in the price and are collected on delivery, except for destinations we ship duty-paid.
Picked for this article
📩 Get member-only sale alerts & coupons
Sale alerts, coupons and restock notices by email — straight from Tokyo.
