TCG Trainers' Pokémon Expected for 2025 Return

The Pokémon Company made a splash at the 2024 Pokémon World Championships, announcing the highly anticipated return of classic Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) mechanics in 2025.

Nostalgia Strikes: Trainer's Pokémon and Team Rocket Cards Return to the TCG

Official Release Date Still Under Wraps

The announcement confirmed the comeback of "Trainer’s Pokémon" cards, a beloved feature from the TCG's early days. These cards, representing Pokémon belonging to specific trainers, boast unique abilities and artwork. The teaser showcased Lillie’s Clefairy ex, Marnie’s Grimmsnarl ex, N’s Zoroark ex, and N’s Reshiram.

Adding to the excitement, the teaser hinted at the potential return of Team Rocket, featuring Mewtwo alongside their iconic symbol. This fuels speculation about a dedicated Team Rocket set or even the comeback of Dark Pokémon, another popular early-game mechanic associated with Team Rocket and their darker, more powerful Pokémon variants. Rumors, including a Japanese retailer listing and a trademark filing ("The Glory of Team Rocket"), further support this possibility.

Paradise Dragona Set Debuts at World Championships

The World Championships also unveiled the first glimpse of the upcoming Paradise Dragona set. PokeBeach reported showcasing Latias, Latios, Exeggcute, and Alolan Exeggutor ex. This Japanese Dragon-type focused subset is slated for an English release as part of the Surging Sparks set in November 2024.

Meanwhile, the current TCG wave is nearing its end. The Kitikami chapter concludes with the release of the Shrouded Fable expansion this month, featuring a total of 99 cards (64 main cards and 35 secret rare cards), according to the official Pokémon TCG blog. The anticipation for these upcoming releases is building!