December 15, 2025
The Pokemon TCG is entering one of its busiest stretches in recent memory. Between TCG Pocket’s next expansion dropping in two days, Japan’s largest-ever single product releasing this week, and fresh trademarks revealing the 2026 roadmap, collectors have plenty to digest. Here’s what matters for your wallet.
Crimson Blaze Hits TCG Pocket December 17
The mobile game’s next expansion launches December 17 at 10:00 PM PST, bringing Mega Evolutions to TCG Pocket for the first time. Mega Charizard Y ex headlines with 220 HP and a brutal 250-damage attack. Mega Venusaur ex and Mega Blastoise ex round out the Kanto starter trio in their first TCG Pocket ex appearances.
Collectors should note that Mega Charizard X is conspicuously absent. That’s almost certainly intentional—expect it to anchor a future expansion, which means Crimson Blaze won’t be the last Mega Charizard chase card. The set also introduces Kalos-themed trainer cards featuring Clemont and Serena, with exclusive Mega Charizard Y accessories hitting the Premium Shop in January.
30th Anniversary “Celebration Collection” Trademark Filed
This is the big one for long-term collectors. Nintendo, Creatures Inc., and Game Freak filed a “Celebration Collection” trademark on November 25, signaling a major 2026 anniversary release.
The naming mirrors 2021’s Celebrations set, which became one of the most sought-after modern products thanks to its Base Set reprints with anniversary stamps. If history repeats, expect a summer or fall 2026 release featuring classic card reprints—exactly the kind of nostalgia-driven product that holds value.
The first official 30th anniversary merchandise arrives January 30 with the Pokemon Day 2026 Collection at $14.99. It includes a stamped Pikachu promo and commemorative metallic coin. Consider this an early entry point into what could become a collector-heavy anniversary year.
Japan’s 742-Card Start Deck 100 Battle Collection
Japan gets something unprecedented on December 19: a single product containing 100 different 60-card theme decks and a pool of 742 cards. At roughly $6, the value proposition is obvious—but the fine print matters.
Only 57 cards feature new artwork or are genuinely new. The rest are reprints. Key new additions include Mega Charizard Y ex with a 280-damage bench snipe, Mega Feraligatr ex with 370 HP, and new Trainer’s Pokemon cards like Erika’s Vileplume ex.
At least 22 secret rares exist, including a Pikachu ex numbered beyond the main set. The full secret rare list won’t surface until Japanese retailers crack boxes on release day. For importers, this product offers quantity but questionable exclusivity given the heavy reprint count.
2026 Roadmap Takes Shape
Trademark filings have essentially spoiled Pokemon’s Japanese release calendar for next year. Here’s what the names suggest:
| Trademark | Expected Theme | Likely Release |
|---|---|---|
| Munikis Zero | Mega Zygarde ex | January 2026 |
| Ninja Spinner | Mega Greninja ex | March 2026 |
| Storm Emeralda | Mega Rayquaza ex | TBD 2026 |
| Abyss Eye | Mega Darkrai (speculated) | Early 2026 |
| Celebration Collection | 30th Anniversary | Mid-2026 |
The “Munikis Zero” name derives from Japanese meaning “return to nothing,” likely referencing Mega Zygarde’s new signature move from Pokemon Legends: Z-A. Storm Emeralda connects directly to Pokemon Emerald and Rayquaza lore.
For buyers, this confirms Mega Evolutions will dominate 2026. Planning purchases around these chase cards makes sense.
Ascended Heroes Boxes Coming April 2026
Three collection boxes launch April 24, 2026 at $21.99 each featuring Mega Meganium ex, Mega Emboar ex, and Mega Feraligatr ex. The interesting detail: these include “lenticular cards with dynamic artwork”—language Pokemon has never used before.
This suggests a new premium card treatment beyond traditional illustration rares. If lenticular cards become the next chase rarity, these $22 boxes could offer solid entry points before the market figures out what they’re worth.
Ascended Heroes itself drops January 30, 2026 as the largest English expansion ever with 290+ cards and 13 Mega Evolution Pokemon ex.
TCG Pocket Events Through Early 2026
Dataminers have pulled the event calendar for the mobile game:
- December 24 – January 7: Holiday Campaign with mission rewards
- December 26 – January 1: Electric Mass Outbreak featuring Zapdos ex
- December 25 – January 1: 7-day login event with 36 hourglass packs
- January 1-15: Solo Battle Event with Blastoise promo
The holiday login rewards include four free Mega Rising boosters—worth claiming even if you’re not actively playing.
The Bottom Line
The next six months offer several distinct buying opportunities. Crimson Blaze provides immediate Mega Evolution access in TCG Pocket. The 30th anniversary trademark suggests patient collectors should budget for a Celebrations-style product in 2026. And the Ascended Heroes lenticular cards represent an unknown variable worth watching.
Japan’s Start Deck 100 offers volume but limited exclusivity. The real action comes with the trademarked 2026 sets featuring Mega Zygarde, Greninja, and Rayquaza—cards tied directly to Pokemon Legends: Z-A that will likely carry premium demand at launch.
