The first cards and Japanese release date information have been revealed for the two upcomingPokémon Trading Card Gamesets. The sets, titledHeat Wave ArenaandThe Glory of Team Rocketwill be arriving in Japan in the Spring of 2025, with an eventual release in the West (potentially under a different name).
The first card confirmed byPokéBeachto beincluded in theHeat Wave Arenaset is Cynthia’s Garchomp ex.Fans who purchase a box set ofHeat Wave Arenawill also receive all three winning cards from the 2024 Illustration Contest.Heat Wave Arenaalso received a release date in Japan of June 09, 2025. The second upcoming set,The Glory of Team Rocket,will be released in Japan on April 18 and willinclude Rocket’s Mewtwo ex,with the rest of the set being made up of all Rocket’sPokémoncards.
Team Rocket Pokémon TCG Set Will Not Include Dark Pokémon
Breaking Tradition From Previous Team Rocket Expansions
The Glory of Team Rocketwill be the third expansion set featuring the titular group of baddies from the originalPokémonshow and games. The first, titled simplyTeam Rocket,came out in 2000 whileTeam Rocket Returnswas released four years later. It’s been 20 years since the team has gotten their time in the spotlight, soThe Glory of Team Rocketis a welcome addition to the trading card game’s roster.
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The first two expansions that featured Team Rocket introduced Dark Pokémon, a type closely associated with the Team. According to PokéBeach, April’s set will not include any Dark versions of Pokémon, only Rocket’s Pokémon. While this may be disappointing for some fans, the upside is that it keeps the price of the original Dark cards steady,some of which fetch over $100 today.
The Pokémon TCG Heat Wave Arena Card Reveal Is Unexpected (But Welcomed)
Cynthia Is A Fan-Favorite Champion
The fact that Team Rocket’s set includes their Pokémon is self-evident, but Cynthia’s Garchomp is a bit more of a surprise. The name of the set it appears in,Heat Wave Arena,implies a connection to thePokémonmove Heat Wave.Because of this, I expected a card like Ash’s Torkoal or Alder’s Volcarona. Cynthia’s Garchomp has no connection to the move, so her reveal as the first card is a bit more out of left field.
However,, the champion’s inclusion is a welcome one, since Cynthia is a fan-favorite, with her Garchomp being a notoriously difficult opponent. Cynthia’s stylish design, wise and calm demeanor, and balanced, powerful team make her a popular character in thePokémonfranchise.
ThePokémon Trading Card Gamehas a full lineup of other sets and cards coming out in the near future. WhileHeat Wave ArenaandThe Glory of Team Rocketare arriving in Japan in Spring of 2025, the sets' release dates and English names have yet to be announced.
