Exciting Upcoming Releases in the Japanese TCG: Heat Wave Arena and The Glory of Team Rocket

Attention Pokémon Trading Card Game fans! We have some thrilling news about upcoming releases in the Japanese TCG scene that you won't want to miss. Let's dive into what’s on the horizon.

Heat Wave Arena – Release Date: March 14, 2025

Mark your calendars for March 14th, when Heat Wave Arena will officially launch in Japan! This highly anticipated set features Cynthia’s Garchomp ex, sure to be a favorite among collectors and players alike.

But that’s not all! Those who purchase a box of this set will also receive the three winning promo cards from the 2024 Illustration Contest. It’s a fantastic opportunity to snag some exclusive cards while enhancing your collection.

The Glory of Team Rocket – Release Date: April 18, 2025

Prepare yourselves for the return of Team Rocket with the upcoming set, The Glory of Team Rocket, releasing on April 18th. This set features Rocket’s Mewtwo ex, promising to provide nostalgic vibes for fans of the iconic villains.

Notably, unlike previous sets, The Glory of Team Rocket will not include any Dark Pokémon. Instead, it will focus entirely on Rocket’s Pokémon, giving players the chance to build unique decks around this theme.

Upcoming Japanese TCG Schedule

Here’s a glance at the upcoming releases in the Japanese TCG schedule:

• November 22, 2024: ex Starter Deck Generations – Nine decks featuring 18 Pokémon ex, each showcasing a Legendary Pokémon from one of the nine generations, paired with a Pokémon from its generation.

• December 6, 2024: Terastal Festival – Featuring Eevee and its Evolutions as Tera Pokémon ex. This will be Japan's annual “High Class Pack” set.

• January 24, 2025: Battle Partners – Featuring the return of the Owner’s Pokémon mechanic.

• February 21, 2025: Two decks: Starter Set ex Steven’s Beldum & Metagross ex and Starter Set ex Marnie’s Morpeko & Grimmsnarl ex.

• March 14, 2025: Heat Wave Arena featuring Cynthia’s Garchomp ex.

• April 18, 2025: The Glory of Team Rocket featuring Rocket’s Mewtwo ex.

• May 2025: No sets are planned for release.

• June 2025 (Tentative): Speculated sets Black Bolt and White Flare.

Stay tuned for more updates and insights as we approach these exciting releases in the world of Pokémon TCG!