Trainer's Pokémon to Return in Pokémon TCG

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 Pending

The Pokémon World Championships brought exciting news for TCG players: the comeback of "Trainer's Pokémon" cards. A teaser trailer showcased beloved trainers like Marnie, Lillie, and N, alongside their signature Pokémon, hinting at the potential return of Team Rocket cards as well.

The original Trainer's Pokémon cards were a beloved feature of the early TCG. These cards depicted Pokémon owned by specific trainers, boasting unique abilities and artwork. The trailer previewed Lillie’s Clefairy ex, Marnie’s Grimmsnarl ex, N’s Zoroark ex, and N’s Reshiram.

The teaser also included a glimpse of Mewtwo alongside the Team Rocket symbol, fueling speculation about a dedicated Team Rocket expansion or even the revival of Dark Pokémon—another popular early mechanic associated with Team Rocket and featuring darker, more aggressive Pokémon variants.

Rumors of Team Rocket's return have been circulating, with reports of a Japanese retailer listing and a trademark filing by The Pokémon Company, "The Glory of Team Rocket." While unconfirmed, this adds to the anticipation.

Paradise Dragona Set Debuts at World Championships

Further TCG news from the World Championships included a preview of the Paradise Dragona set. PokeBeach reported showcasing cards featuring Latias, Latios, Exeggcute, and Alolan Exeggutor ex. This Japanese subset, focused on Dragon-type Pokémon, is slated for a November 2024 English release as part of the Surging Sparks set.

Meanwhile, the current TCG wave concludes with the upcoming Shrouded Fable set, the final chapter of the Kitikami storyline. The Pokémon TCG blog details Shrouded Fable as a 99-card set (64 main cards and 35 secret rare cards). As fans eagerly await further details on the 2025 releases, the TCG scene remains dynamic and exciting.