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If you're weighing Ninja Spinner vs Chaos Rising, you're really choosing between two boxes built around the same set: the Japanese original and the bigger English release that followed it. Here's what's the same, what's different, what each box and its best cards cost, and how to get the Japanese box if that's the one you want.
What is Chaos Rising, and why does it match Ninja Spinner?
Mega Evolution: Chaos Rising is the English expansion The Pokémon Company released on May 22, 2026. The official announcement lists over 120 cards, led by Mega Greninja ex, with Mega Pyroar ex, Mega Floette ex and Mega Dragalge ex alongside it.
Japan got those cards first. MEGA Expansion Pack "Ninja Spinner" (ニンジャスピナー), set code M4, released on March 13, 2026, with Mega Greninja ex on the box. The English set even keeps the Japanese name in a sense: Mega Greninja ex's attack is called Ninja Spinner in both languages.
If you've read our Storm Emeralda vs Delta Reign comparison or Abyss Eye vs Pitch Black, this is the same pattern a set or two earlier.
Ninja Spinner at a glance
M4Ninja SpinnerニンジャスピナーReleased Mar 13, 2026 · 120 cards¥8,800–¥10,900 PACTCG board, 9 Japan-direct asks · Oct 14, 2026TCGplayer market (US resale) $76.29 · Oct 14, 2026See prices
| Ninja Spinner (Japanese) | Chaos Rising (English) | |
|---|---|---|
| Set code | M4 | ME04 (CRI) |
| Release date | Fri, Mar 13, 2026 | Fri, May 22, 2026 |
| Headliner | Mega Greninja ex | Mega Greninja ex |
| Set size | 83-card main set, secret rares numbered above 083 | Over 120 cards (official) |
| Pack | 5 cards, ¥180 suggested retail (tax included) | Sold in booster packs, Elite Trainer Boxes and collections |
| Sealed box, TCGplayer market price | $75.88 | $186.06 |
Box prices are TCGplayer market prices (US resale, USD), as of Oct 12, 2026. A Japanese Ninja Spinner box holds 30 packs of 5 cards.
Japanese vs English: what's actually different
Release timing
Ninja Spinner came out 70 days before Chaos Rising. That head start is long over now, so today the choice is mostly about price, language and how you use your cards.
Set size
Ninja Spinner's main set is 83 cards. Chaos Rising has over 120, so English packs spread their pulls across more cards. The Japanese box is the more focused set, built around the same headliners.
Card quality and packs
Japanese packs hold 5 cards. Many collectors like Japanese cards for their consistent cutting and centering, which matters if you plan to grade. The rarity labels differ too: Japan's Mega Ultra Rare and Special Art Rare line up with English Mega Hyper Rare and Special Illustration Rare.
Playability
Japanese cards aren't legal in most English-language tournaments. If you play competitively in English, Chaos Rising is your set.
What's guaranteed in a Japanese box (and not in an English one)
Sealed Japanese boxes follow a strong pattern: 1 Super Rare or better, 1 Item, Tool or Stadium Super Rare, 3 Art Rares and 4 or 5 Double Rares. It applies to factory-sealed full boxes only. Loose packs and resealed boxes don't follow it, and it isn't an official promise: The Pokémon Company prints only the box setup and that cards are inserted randomly. A Special Art Rare turns up in about 1 Ninja Spinner box in 3.5. English Chaos Rising boxes have no box guarantee. Every English pack is random, so even a full English box isn't certain to hold a Special Illustration Rare.
Chase cards side by side
Top singles by TCGplayer market price (US resale, USD), as of Oct 12, 2026.
Ninja Spinner (Japanese)
Chaos Rising (English)
| Mega Greninja ex | Mega Greninja ex | Cinccino ex |
| 116/086 · Special Illustration Rare · $130.19 | 122/086 · Mega Hyper Rare · $130.11 | 119/086 · Special Illustration Rare · $41.39 |
The Japanese gold Mega Greninja ex is the single most valuable card across both sets, at more than three times its English gold twin, and the Japanese Special Art Rare Greninja also beats either English Greninja. Outside the top two, Japanese singles drop off quickly, while English Cinccino ex holds up a little better than its Japanese version. Prices move daily, and none of this is a promise of what you'll pull.
What each box costs
The English box costs more than twice as much as the Japanese one on TCGplayer (see the table above). Ninja Spinner is still on our board, priced in yen. The live board below shows what Japanese sellers are asking for it today, next to the TCGplayer price.
Live price board
Ninja Spinner (M4) booster box, Japan-direct
| Seller | JPY ask | ≈ USD | Delivered (US) | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 RyoNo reviews yetBest price | ¥8,800 | $55.53 | $79.68 | Oct 14, 2026 4:20 PM PT |
 TTTCGJAPANNo reviews yet | ¥9,000 | $56.79 | $80.89 | Oct 14, 2026 4:20 PM PT |
 DAISUKE HOSOGI5.0 (7) | ¥9,200 | $58.05 | $83.30 | Oct 14, 2026 4:21 PM PT |
 Tsuyoshi モノウリ5.0 (6) | ¥9,600 | $60.58 | $85.72 | Oct 14, 2026 4:20 PM PT |
 TCGEXNo reviews yet | ¥10,000 | $63.10 | $89.34 | Oct 14, 2026 4:20 PM PT |
- RyoNo reviews yetBest price¥8,800≈ $55.53
- TTTCGJAPANNo reviews yet¥9,000≈ $56.79
- DAISUKE HOSOGI5.0 (7)¥9,200≈ $58.05
- Tsuyoshi モノウリ5.0 (6)¥9,600≈ $60.58
- TCGEXNo reviews yet¥10,000≈ $63.10
Reference, not a sellerTCGplayer market price (US resale): $76.29View on TCGplayer
Board prices are seller asks in yen for the box itself.
You can compare every seller on the Ninja Spinner price board or browse the top Ninja Spinner cards.
Which box should you buy?
Price gap
Ninja Spinner (M4) booster box
Japan-direct, lowest ask
$55.99
≈ ￥8,800
TCGplayer market (US resale)
$76.99
≈ ￥12,100
Market price on TCGplayer, not a seller ask
Save $21.00 · before fees & shipping
Request an orderBuy Ninja Spinner (Japanese) if…
- You want the Mega Greninja ex cards, especially the gold 120/083, the most valuable card across both sets.
- You open boxes for fun or for content and want a cheaper box.
- You collect or grade and like Japanese print quality.
Buy Chaos Rising (English) if…
- You play English-language tournaments.
- You only collect English cards.
- You want the extra cards in the bigger English set.
Plenty of collectors do both: Japanese for the art, English for play.
How to buy the Japanese box
- Compare sellers on the Ninja Spinner price board, with each seller's public reviews.
- Request your order (5-box minimum) on Request Order. It's free, and nothing is charged yet.
- Approval: the seller checks stock and confirms the price.
- Pay with a secure link, then your boxes ship from Japan with tracking.
Looking at newer Japanese sets too? Our 30th CELEBRATION booster box guide and 30th CELEBRATION Card Sets explainer cover what's just come out.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Ninja Spinner the Japanese version of Chaos Rising?
In practice, yes. Both are headlined by Mega Greninja ex and share the same featured Megas, and Chaos Rising cards first appeared in Ninja Spinner. Chaos Rising is bigger (over 120 cards vs Ninja Spinner's 83-card main set), so it adds cards.
When did Ninja Spinner come out in Japan?
Friday, March 13, 2026. Chaos Rising followed in English on May 22, 2026.
How much does Ninja Spinner cost in Japan?
The official suggested retail price is ¥180 per 5-card pack, tax included. See today's yen asks from Japanese sellers on our Ninja Spinner price board.
How much is a Ninja Spinner booster box in USD?
As of Oct 12, 2026, the TCGplayer market price (US resale) was $75.88.
How much is an English Chaos Rising booster box?
As of Oct 12, 2026, the TCGplayer market price was $186.06.
Show all 7 questions
What is the best card in Chaos Rising and Ninja Spinner?
Mega Greninja ex in both. The Japanese Mega Ultra Rare 120/083 was $474.01 and the English Special Illustration Rare 116/086 was $130.19 (TCGplayer market prices, as of Oct 12, 2026).
Can I play Japanese cards in English tournaments?
Generally no. Japanese cards aren't legal in most English-language sanctioned play. They're best for collecting, grading and opening.
All Pokémon images © The Pokémon Company, Nintendo, Creatures and GAME FREAK.
About the author: Bryce Watson is the founder of Pacific Card Exchange (PACTCG), a marketplace for buying sealed Japanese Pokémon booster boxes Japan-direct from Japanese sellers. Read his Osaka supply-chain story.
Pacific Card Exchange is not affiliated with or endorsed by The Pokémon Company, Nintendo, Creatures, or GAME FREAK. Prices are snapshots and change frequently.
Sources
- Official Japanese Pokémon Card Game site: Ninja Spinner (Mar 13, 2026 release, ¥180 per 5-card pack, tax included) (as of 2026-10-12)
- Pokemon.com: Mega Evolution—Chaos Rising (May 22, 2026, over 120 cards) (as of 2026-10-12)
- TCGplayer market prices via tcgcsv.com, M4 Ninja Spinner (Japanese), last updated 2026-10-12 20:05 UTC (as of 2026-10-12)
- TCGplayer market prices via tcgcsv.com, ME04 Chaos Rising (English), last updated 2026-10-12 20:05 UTC (as of 2026-10-12)
- PACTCG M4 seller price board (JPY) (as of 2026-10-12)
Written by
Bryce Watson
Bryce runs Pacific Card Exchange and tracks Japanese sealed Pokémon prices every day for international buyers.
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