Pokémon TCG Sees Trainer's Pokémon Return in 2025

The Pokémon Company made a significant announcement at the 2024 Pokémon World Championships: the return of beloved mechanics from the original Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) in 2025.

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

Official Release Date Pending

The highly anticipated comeback includes "Trainer’s Pokémon" cards, a staple of the early TCG. These cards feature Pokémon owned by specific trainers, boasting unique abilities and artwork. The preview showcased Lillie’s Clefairy ex, Marnie’s Grimmsnarl ex, N’s Zoroark ex, and N’s Reshiram.

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

Paradise Dragona Set Debuts at World Championships

Further TCG news from the World Championships includes the unveiling of the Paradise Dragona set. PokeBeach reported initial reveals of Latias, Latios, Exeggcute, and Alolan Exeggutor ex cards. This Japanese subset, focusing on Dragon-type Pokémon, is slated for an English release as part of the Surging Sparks set in November 2024.

The Pokémon TCG continues its exciting updates, with the Kitikami chapter concluding this month with the release of the Shrouded Fable expansion, containing 99 cards (64 main cards and 35 secret rare cards), according to the official Pokémon TCG blog. Fans eagerly await further details on the 2025 releases.