The Pokémon Company International made a significant announcement at the 2024 Pokémon World Championships: the nostalgic return of Trainer's Pokémon cards to the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) in 2025. This exciting reveal, accompanied by a teaser trailer, also hinted at a possible resurgence of Team Rocket-themed cards.
Nostalgia Returns to the Pokémon TCG: Trainer's Pokémon and Team Rocket
Release Date Still Under Wraps
The trailer showcased beloved trainers like Marnie, Lillie, and N, along with their signature Pokémon: Lillie’s Clefairy ex, Marnie’s Grimmsnarl ex, N’s Zoroark ex, and N’s Reshiram. These cards, a hallmark of the early TCG, featured unique artwork and abilities, setting them apart from standard Pokémon cards.
Adding to the excitement, the teaser subtly featured Mewtwo alongside the iconic Team Rocket symbol, fueling speculation about a dedicated Team Rocket card set. The return of Dark Pokémon, another popular early mechanic associated with Team Rocket and featuring darker, more aggressive versions of familiar Pokémon, is also a strong possibility. Rumors of a Team Rocket set have circulated, with reports of a Japanese retailer listing and a trademark filing ("The Glory of Team Rocket") by The Pokémon Company adding weight to these speculations.
Paradise Dragona Set Debuts
Beyond the nostalgic returns, the World Championships also offered a sneak peek at the upcoming Paradise Dragona set. According to PokeBeach, initial reveals included Latias, Latios, Exeggcute, and Alolan Exeggutor ex. This Japanese subset, focused 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, boasting 99 cards (64 main cards and 35 secret rare cards), as detailed on the official Pokémon TCG blog. While official details regarding the Trainer's Pokémon and Team Rocket cards remain scarce, 2025 promises a thrilling wave of nostalgia and new content for Pokémon TCG players.
