Market Overview
Mega Evolution — Phantasmal Flames (Inferno X in Japan) released on 14 November 2025. Pricing data here is from PriceCharting as of 4 June 2026 — roughly 6.5 months post-launch. At this stage prices have settled and graded cards have returned from submission services. USD converted to PHP at ~₱61.62/USD.
Four things make Phantasmal Flames notable from a JP/EN pricing standpoint:
- Mega Charizard X ex SIR at ₱53,609 EN — the set's defining card, with EN commanding a 2.22× premium over JP
- Dawn runs against the grain — both the SIR and Full Art trainer are more expensive in JP than EN, driven by strong JP collector demand for the Dawn artwork
- Oricorio ex SIR is JP-exclusive — unavailable in English; Philippine collectors must import from Japan
- EN-only Meowth foil at ₱1,587 — the most valuable EN-exclusive in the set
The Chase Card: Mega Charizard X ex in All Four Forms
Mega Charizard X ex appears across every rarity tier. Here is where prices stand at the 6-month mark:
| Version | JP (USD / PHP) | EN (USD / PHP) | EN/JP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base #13 | $3.62 / ₱223 | $5.61 / ₱346 | 1.55× |
| Full Art #94/#109 | $17.76 / ₱1,094 | $36.74 / ₱2,264 | 2.07× |
| SIR #110/#125 | $392.13 / ₱24,163 | $870.00 / ₱53,609 | 2.22× |
| Mega Hyper Rare #116/#130 | $256.91 / ₱15,831 | $336.50 / ₱20,735 | 1.31× |
The SIR is the headliner. At ₱53,609 EN versus ₱24,163 JP, EN collectors are paying a ₱29,446 premium for the same artwork. The Mega Hyper Rare follows the normal direction — EN (₱20,735) is 1.31× JP (₱15,831), unlike Chaos Rising where JP commanded a large MHR premium.
Foil Variants (#81–92 JP / #95–107 EN)
EN foils carry a 1.7–3.1× premium over JP at the 6-month mark. These gaps appear to have settled at stable levels:
| Card | JP (USD / PHP) | EN (USD / PHP) | EN/JP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Piplup | $5.98 / ₱368 | $18.36 / ₱1,131 | 3.07× |
| Wigglytuff | $2.45 / ₱151 | $6.51 / ₱401 | 2.66× |
| Flygon | $2.00 / ₱123 | $4.50 / ₱277 | 2.25× |
| Zacian | $1.99 / ₱123 | $4.13 / ₱254 | 2.08× |
| Dewgong | $2.62 / ₱161 | $5.36 / ₱330 | 2.05× |
| Togedemaru | $1.49 / ₱92 | $2.54 / ₱157 | 1.70× |
Piplup foil stands out at 3.07× — strong EN collector demand for the Piplup line. Toxtricity and Ambipom are exceptions where JP is actually pricier (0.81× and 0.73× respectively). The EN-only Meowth foil (#106) at ₱1,587 is the most valuable EN-exclusive.
Special Illustration Rares (SIR)
SIR EN premiums range from 0.72× to 3.68×. The wide spread is driven by the Dawn inversion and the Mega Lopunny ex outlier:
| Card | JP (USD / PHP) | EN (USD / PHP) | EN/JP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mega Lopunny ex | $4.64 / ₱286 | $17.09 / ₱1,053 | 3.68× |
| Mega Sharpedo ex | $10.13 / ₱624 | $25.00 / ₱1,541 | 2.47× |
| Mega Charizard X ex | $392.13 / ₱24,163 | $870.00 / ₱53,609 | 2.22× |
| Rotom ex | $9.45 / ₱582 | $19.99 / ₱1,232 | 2.12× |
| Dawn | $40.52 / ₱2,497 | $29.00 / ₱1,787 | 0.72× (JP pricier) |
| Oricorio ex | $17.88 / ₱1,102 | JP-only — no English equivalent | |
Mega Lopunny ex at 3.68× has the widest EN/JP gap of any SIR — at ₱1,053 EN vs ₱286 JP. Dawn SIR is the anomaly: JP (₱2,497) is 39% more expensive than EN (₱1,787), matching the Dawn Full Art Trainer pattern where JP also commands a premium (₱1,109 JP vs ₱445 EN).
Base Pokémon Tier
- Typical JP: $1.50–$2.00 / ₱92–₱123
- Typical EN: $0.10–$0.60 / ₱6.16–₱37
Notable exception: Mega Charizard X ex #13 (EN ₱346 vs JP ₱223, 1.55×). EN also has 16 exclusive base Pokémon not in JP, including Mega Gengar ex (₱213) and Mega Diancie ex (₱78).
Regional Exclusives
| Card | Region | Price (USD / PHP) | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charcadet foil #83 | JP only | $2.99 / ₱184 | — |
| Oricorio ex SIR #111 | JP only | $17.88 / ₱1,102 | Only SIR locked to JP |
| Meowth foil #106 | EN only | $25.75 / ₱1,587 | Highest-value EN exclusive |
| Mega Gengar ex #56 | EN only | $3.45 / ₱213 | — |
| Paldean Wooper foil #102 | EN only | $3.41 / ₱210 | — |
The Oricorio ex SIR is the only SIR in Phantasmal Flames unavailable in English. Any Philippine collector building a full SIR run must import this one from Japan.
Market Outlook
- Dawn premium persistence — The JP premium on Dawn SIR and Full Art has held for months. Monitor whether JP collector demand keeps it elevated or it normalises.
- Mega Charizard X ex SIR trajectory — At ₱53,609 EN, this is the defining card of the set. SIRs for iconic fan-favourite Pokémon tend to hold long-term value.
- Oricorio ex SIR import demand — EN collectors wanting this card must source from Japan. Growing awareness could push the JP price up.
- Mega Lopunny ex SIR (3.68× gap) — At ₱1,053 EN vs ₱286 JP, this has one of the widest EN/JP SIR gaps in the Mega Evolution series.
Where to buy in the Philippines: Shopee PH, Facebook Marketplace, Card Affinity PH, and local card shops.
All prices in USD from PriceCharting as of 4 June 2026. PHP conversions at ~₱61.62/USD. Always verify current prices before purchasing. tcgTalk does not provide financial advice.