Guide to Magic: The Gathering Japanese Print Runs

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• What does "Japanese Print Run" mean?
• Why does it matter?
• How do I tell the difference?
• Main Identifiers
• Additional Variations
• Impacts on Authenticity Tests

Introduction

What does "Japanese Print Run" mean?

This refers to cards that have been printed in Japan. You may have also heard of "European," “United States,” and/or "Belgium" print run cards, as they are known locations where Wizards of the Coast prints their cards. In this article, we will use the abbreviations NA to refer to printings in North America, EU to refer to cards printed anywhere in Europe, and JP to refer to printings in Japan.

Like any product manufactured in different locations, JP printings are subject to different printing materials, standards, production process, etc., that can create differences in the look and feel of the card. Starting around the release of Theros: Beyond Death in January of 2020, cards printed in Japan began to have a look and feel that made them distinguishable from cards printed in other regions. As recently as summer of 2023, these JP prints continue to change and have new distinctions, ‘quirks,’ defects, etc., that are exclusive to JP print runs.

Why does it matter?

Wizards of the Coast has increased how much product is printed in Japan; currently, all first print runs of mainline/’tentpole’ sets are printed in Japan, with a few exceptions such as Collector Boosters being produced in the United States. This means a large majority of new products consumers see are from JP print runs. Despite this, information about these differences is not widely known, leading to cards being mislabeled as defects, misprints or even counterfeit.

Some of the distinctions of JP printed cards overlap with the hallmarks of counterfeit cards. As well, JP prints may appear to ‘fail’ authenticity tests that are popular within the community, such as the “light” test or weighing the card, because these tests are based on NA/EU prints.

This document will go through the most notable differences and variations in JP prints from NA/EU prints, as well as detailing some of the ways common authentication tests are inadequate for JP prints.

How do I tell the difference?

The photos below are of the same card from two different print runs; an NA/EU print, and a JP print. Use these as points of reference when reading through the “Main Identifiers” section of this document.

(Left: NA/EU print. Right: JP print, both on a light backdrop)

(Left: NA/EU print. Right: JP print, both on a dark backdrop)

Main Identifiers

1. Colors/Brightness

This is most noticeable in the text boxes, where the JP prints’ boxes can appear brighter and less saturated in color, almost sun-bleached compared to the normal print. By contrast, the NA/EU prints appear darker and much more vivid. As well, JP prints are more cool-toned, while NA/EU prints are much warmer in tone.

On the backs, the blue colors of the JP prints are significantly brighter and more saturated, most noticeable in the Magic: The Gathering logo and the Deckmaster box. Additionally, the warmer tone of the normal prints make the blue ring lean more purple or indigo in tint, while the JP print leans heavier towards a true blue. Just like the front, the color on the back of JP prints looks lighter overall. View the images in the "How Do I Tell The Difference?" section above for examples.

2. Gloss

JP prints are very smooth compared to normal prints, and can even seem as though they lack any texture at all. The ‘excessive’ glossiness of JP prints is especially noticeable on the back of the card.

3. Cutting Process

This is arguably the hardest to tell depending on the card, and is not 100% consistent, but is consistent enough to be a tell. Due to the differences in the cutting process, the backs of JP prints almost always have a thin white border around the black border. This is most noticeable against a dark backdrop, and is not readily apparent from the front.

As well, the corners of JP prints tend to be more rounded—albeit very subtly—and not nearly to the degree of an Alpha Edition card, for example.

4. Matte Foiling

(Left: ‘Normal’ US/EU print. Right: JP print)

The foiling of JP prints have distinctly “Matte” foiling, meaning they are smoother and softer in appearance than NA/EU foils, with the rainbow foil shift being much more subdued. This defect can also make the colors of the card appear darker or more muted. From what we know of the printing process, it is likely this is due to how (or how much of) the gloss layer is applied. As a result, it can at times be difficult to distinguish matte foils from non-foil cards.

A good way to check is to inspect the credits on the bottom of the card; the dot between the card number and language code will always be a star if the card is foil. The white credits text is also noticeably foiled regardless of print run.

5. It says ‘Made in Japan’ on the Booster Box or Pack

This speaks for itself, but nevertheless, if you’re handling a box or pack, the phrase “Made in Japan” will be printed somewhere on the packaging.

Additional Variations

1. Abnormal Foil Textures

Starting around September 2021 with the release of Innistrad: Midnight Hunt, some foils have a rough, coarse texture, and some have a wavy, leathery texture/visual pattern. This is only apparent on the front face of the card.

(Left: JP print with ‘leathery’ foil texture. Right: JP print with ‘rough’ foil texture.)

2. Gloss Error

(Examples of levels of severity from none to major, left to right)

This defect is believed to be a gloss layer error that gives the front of the card a scaly appearance and grainy texture. This defect has varying levels of severity, ranging from barely noticeable to distinctly graying the card [see photos]. The earliest observation of this defect was in June of 2023 with the release of “The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle Earth” set. You can find more information on how this print defect affects the condition of a card.

3. Enmeshed Black Ink Layer

(Left: JP print Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty card. Right: JP print LOTR: Tales of Middle-Earth card. Both images were captured through a jewelers’ loupe)

A suspected change in the manufacturing process caused a shift in the appearance of the signature rosette pattern of Magic: The Gathering cards on the front faces of JP prints, as well as the clarity of the black ink borders, symbols, and text. The earliest observation of this defect was in June of 2023 with the release of “The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle Earth” set, and has appeared in JP prints since. Due to its consistency, it would be more accurate to consider it a new standard of JP print cards than a defect.

Historically, the black ink layer was the last ink layer applied to a card. This order appears to have changed, causing the rosette pattern to appear blurry or cross-hatched as other colors are layered above it. This is most noticeable in the mana symbols of a card—previously, the rosette pattern was visible and consistent across the background of the mana symbol, with the black symbol itself layered overtop. Now, the rosette pattern appears much more like distinct dots and overlaps black symbols and text (see the consistent black coloring of the mana symbol in the left image, vs. the flecks of color in the mana symbol of the right image).

Impacts on Authenticity Tests

1. Light Test

Magic: The Gathering cards have a colored core layer. Historically, NA/EU cores have been blue. The cores of JP print cards, however, are purple, and are likely of a different composition. This difference, in combination with JP prints other variations, make it appear differently under intense light and thus make the test ineffective for authentication.

2. Weight of the Card

Similar to the Light Test, the different materials and composition of JP print cards make them weigh differently than NA/EU cards and feel different when held. As a result, the weight of the card is not effective for authenticating JP prints.