Pokémon TCG Sees Trainer's Pokémon Return in 2025

Nostalgia Strikes the Pokémon TCG: Trainer's Pokémon and Team Rocket Cards Return in 2025

The Pokémon Company International made a significant announcement at the 2024 Pokémon World Championships: the return of beloved mechanics from the original Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG). Specifically, "Trainer's Pokémon" cards are making a comeback in 2025.

A teaser trailer showcased iconic trainers like Marnie, Lillie, and N, alongside their signature Pokémon, hinting at the return of Trainer's Pokémon cards. These cards, a staple of the early TCG, featured 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.

Further fueling speculation, the trailer included a brief glimpse of Mewtwo alongside the Team Rocket symbol, suggesting a potential Team Rocket-themed expansion or the return of Dark Pokémon, another popular early mechanic associated with Team Rocket and featuring darker, more aggressive Pokémon variants. While unconfirmed, rumors, including a Japanese retailer listing and a trademark filing ("The Glory of Team Rocket"), support this possibility.

Paradise Dragona Set Debuts

Beyond the nostalgic announcements, the 2024 World Championships also unveiled the first cards from the upcoming Paradise Dragona set. According to PokeBeach, Latias, Latios, Exeggcute, and Alolan Exeggutor ex were showcased. This Japanese subset, focusing on Dragon-type Pokémon, is expected 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 Shrouded Fable this month, a 99-card set (64 main cards and 35 secret rare cards) as detailed on the official Pokémon TCG blog. While specific release dates for the Trainer's Pokémon and potential Team Rocket sets remain unannounced, 2025 promises a wave of exciting additions for TCG players.