Trainers' Pokémon Make EPIC Comeback in 2025!

The Pokémon Company made several exciting announcements at the 2024 Pokémon World Championships, including the highly anticipated return of classic Pokémon TCG mechanics in 2025.

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

Official Release Date Pending

The comeback of "Trainer's Pokémon" cards was a major highlight. These cards, a beloved feature of the early TCG, depict Pokémon owned by specific trainers like Marnie, Lillie, and N. The teaser trailer showcased Lillie’s Clefairy ex, Marnie’s Grimmsnarl ex, N’s Zoroark ex, and N’s Reshiram, hinting at unique abilities and artwork.

The trailer also teased a potential return of Team Rocket, featuring Mewtwo alongside the iconic Team Rocket symbol. This fuels speculation about a dedicated Team Rocket set or the revival of Dark Pokémon, another popular early-game mechanic associated with Team Rocket and featuring darker, more aggressive Pokémon designs. Rumors of a Japanese retailer listing and a trademark filing for "The Glory of Team Rocket" further support this possibility.

Paradise Dragona Set Unveiled

The World Championships also offered a sneak peek at the Paradise Dragona set, a Japanese subset focused on Dragon-type Pokémon. PokeBeach reported showcasing Latias, Latios, Exeggcute, and Alolan Exeggutor ex cards. These cards are anticipated to be released in English as part of the Surging Sparks set in November 2024.

Upcoming Releases

The Pokémon TCG is currently concluding its Kitikami chapter with the release of the Shrouded Fable set this month, comprising 99 cards (64 main cards and 35 secret rare cards), as detailed on the official Pokémon TCG blog. While specific dates for the Trainer's Pokémon and potential Team Rocket sets remain unconfirmed, the announcements have generated considerable excitement among collectors and players.