New Pokémon Trading Card Game: Scarlet & Violet Paldea Evolved Expansion Coming Soon
Scarlet & Violet—Paldea Evolved will introduce more Pokémon ex, which sport high HP as well as powerful attacks and Abilities but give up two Prize cards when Knocked Out. Trainers will also continue to see Tera Pokémon ex in the new expansion, including Slowking, Forretress and Dedenne, displayed in full-art illustrations to capture the unique crystal effects of the characters. Alternate art styles will also be introduced for illustration rare and special illustration rare cards, allowing Trainers to collect unique art cards that spotlight the Pokémon’s personality traits or Evolutions.
Noteworthy cards from the expansion include:
15 Pokémon ex and three Tera Pokémon ex
36 illustration rare Pokémon
18 ultra rare Pokémon ex and eight ultra rare Supporter cards
15 special illustration rare Pokémon and Supporter cards
Nine hyper rare gold etched cards, which can include Pokémon ex, Trainer and Energy cards
Trainers can find Scarlet & Violet—Paldea Evolved in booster packs, Elite Trainer Boxes and special collections at Pokémon Center in the US, Canada and UK, as well as other participating retailers worldwide. In addition, certain products are now available for preorder at Pokémon Center, including the Scarlet & Violet—Paldea Evolved Pokémon Center Elite Trainer Box, which includes two additional booster packs and two copies of an illustration rare style promo card, with one featuring the Pokémon Center logo.
Fans of the iconic Pokémon animated series can now ‘prepare for trouble’ with the launch of an exclusive memorabilia range from Akedo. Launching at 6pm on March 24th, 2023, the fully licensed collection is an ode to the infamous criminal organisation, Team Rocket, who feature in the TV adaptation. High resolution pictures from the press release have been added to an Imageboard thread.
AKEDO LAUNCHES EXCLUSIVE ‘TEAM ROCKET’ COLLECTION
Fans of the iconic Pokémon animated series can now ‘prepare for trouble’ with the launch of an exclusive memorabilia range from Akedo.
Launching this March, the fully licensed collection is an ode to the infamous criminal organisation, Team Rocket, who feature in the TV adaptation.
Inspired by the gang, the range includes t-shirts, hoodies, a duffle bag, Akedo high-top trainers and a reversible bucket hat, as well as a limited-edition collector's box.
The wearable merchandise comes in a solid colour palette of red, black and white with the characters brought to life with fun prints and creative designs. All items are emblazoned with the distinctive trio from Team Rocket; Jessie, James and Meowth, as well as ‘Team Rocket’ in Katakana in each design.
The new and official Pokémon collection will be available exclusively at Zavvi.com, from March 24th 2023.
A new art exhibit called the POKÉMON X KOGEI Playful Encounters of Pokémon and Japanese Craft (ポケモン×工芸展―美とわざの大発見―) is being held at the National Crafts Museum in Kanazawa, Japan from March 21st, 2023 until June 11th, 2023.
About the Exhibition
Put Pokémon and Kogei face to face, and what sorts of chemical reactions will occur? Twenty craft artists, from a Living National Treasure to youngsters, have seriously tackled that question. Works that evoke Pokémon shapes, gestures, touch. Works that reach back into memories of video games—evolution, trade, locations for journey, super-effective moves. Plus invitations to Pokémon to become part of the vessels that adorn our daily lives and even ultra cool attire—kimono and obi clasps. The result is about 70 works—all new creations! What will your encounter with the works lying in wait for you in the exhibition gallery bring? Thrills, rapture, grins, tremors? The power of multiplication rides again! Please enjoy the quantum leaps in beauty and technique it has generated.
Hours & Admissions
Location: National Crafts Museum Date: March 21-June 11,2023 Time: 9:30 - 17:30 ※Last admission is 30 minutes before closing. Closed: Mondays except May 1; and May 14 Ticket: Advance ticket is recommended to avoid lines forming at the entrance.
Online purchase: 【e-tix】
Tickets can be purchased on site at the ticket counters, subject to their availability.
Admission: Adults ¥900 (¥600; ¥800)
College and University students ¥500 (¥350; ¥450)
High school students ¥300 (¥200; ¥250)
* The price in brackets is for the group of 20 persons or more; and for discount coupon holders.
* Admission is free for junior high school students, and those with Disability Certificates and one caregiver accompanying each of them.
* All prices include tax.
Organizer: National Crafts Museum, NHK ENTERPRISES INC. Nagoya Branch Office, The Yomiuri Shimbun Hokuriku Branch Office Special cooperation: The Pokémon Company Produced: NHK Promotions Inc. Supported: Ishikawa Prefecture, Kanazawa City, THE HOKKOKU SHIMBUN, Television Kanazawa Corporation
Available at: National Museum of Arts and Crafts Museum Shop and the Pokémon Center Kanazawa
Notebook Yoshida Taiichiro / Kasumi Ueba - 1,430 yen (tax included)
T-shirt Yuki Tsuboshima - 3,960 yen (tax included)
Masking Tape Keiko Masumoto / Yoshida Taiichiro / Kasumi Ueba - 495 yen (tax included)
Logo Tote Red/Black - 3,740 yen (tax included)
Logo Sacoche - 1,650 yen (tax included)
Free Cup Navy/Red/Green - ¥1,320 (tax included)
Pikachu Plushie Playful Encounters of Pokémon and Japanese Craft - 2,640 yen (tax included)
This plushie commemorates the exhibition Pokémon x Crafts Playful Encounters of Pokémon and Japanese Craft where Pokémon and craftspeople put their skills to the test. Pikachu is dressed in a kimono with the traditional Japanese Kouji-tsunagi pattern.
Official Catalog POKÉMON X KOGEI Playful Encounters of Pokémon and Japanese Craft - 3,300 yen (tax included)
20 craft artists, from a Living National Treasure to youngsters have created artpieces featuring Pokémon using Kogei materials and techniques. The exhibition features approximately 70 works born from their inspiration, hard work and enjoyment. Visitors will be able to enjoy the unexpected expressions of Pokémon, achieved through the rich materials of crafts and the mastery of exceptional craftsmanship. This is the official catalog of the POKÉMON X KOGEI Playful Encounters of Pokémon and Japanese Craft exhibit.
The characters announced today are Amethyo (voiced by Shun Horie) and his partner, the Paldean Pokémon Soublades, as well as Amethyo's fellow members of the organization "Explorers", Zir (voiced by Kohsuke Tanabe) and his partner Pokémon Sidon, and Conia (voiced by Arisa Shida) and her Partner Pokémon Golduck.
In the trailer, Amethyo is seen blocking Liko and Nyahoja's way... What could the Explorers' goal be? The costumed celebrity and online streamer "Gurumin" (voiced by Yoshino Aoyama) was shown as well.
Press Release - March 17th, 2023
A comment from Shun Horie, the voice of Amethyo:
I thought I might just be hallucinating... I was so nervous that when I arrived at the studio they might just ask me what I was doing there... but now that we've actually started recording, it seems that I'm actually seriously going to be in the Pokémon anime! I'm so happy.
I hope I'll be able to give people courage through my acting the same way the Pokémon used to give me courage. The first video game I ever bought with my own money was Pocket Monsters Sapphire; Back then I just bulldozed through using nothing but attack moves, but now I'm able to battle using Growl and Screech most effectively.
That adult me is now playing Amethyo, a character that seems to be charged with a weighty mission despite just being a teenager. Make sure to watch the show to see how he gets involved with Liko and the others.
Information on new characters and cast members of the new series of the popular anime Pocket Monsters (airs on the TV Tokyo Network every Friday at 6:55pm, officially abbreviated "Anipoke"), which will be broadcast starting with a 1 hour special on April 14th, 2023 has been revealed.
The new characters are all members of the "Rising Volt Tacklers" led by Professor Friede: The machinery enthusiast Orio (voiced by Ayane Sakura) with her partner Metagross, the great cook Murdock (voiced by Kenta Miyake) with his partner Iwanko, the medical specialist Molly (voiced by Kei Shindo) with her partner Lucky, as well as Landau (voiced by Ikkyu Juku), who looks like a fisherman. The Rising Volt Tacklers use a blimp as their base when they go out on adventures.
The Pokémon Company International announced that they have partnered with Funko to release the Pokémon Pearlescent Pops! Collection and will be available only at the Pokémon Center with releases throughout 2023.
The Pokémon Company International, Funko Reveal Pokémon Pearlescent Pops! Collection
Pop Games: Pokémon – Pikachu (PRLS) Now Available Only at Pokémon Center, with Additional Figures to Be Released Throughout 2023
London, United Kingdom — March 8, 2023 — Today, The Pokémon Company International and Funko, Inc. (“Funko” or “the Company”) (Nasdaq: FNKO) launched Pop Games: Pokémon – Pikachu (PRLS), the first figure in an all-new collection of Pokémon Pops! featuring a unique pearlescent finish releasing this year only at Pokémon Center.
Each Pop! features a special pearlescent finish and comes packaged in an iridescent box, adding a unique touch to each Trainer’s collection. Pop Games: Pokémon – Pikachu (PRLS) is available now only at Pokémon Center in the US, Canada and UK, while supplies last. Additional Pokémon Pearlescent Pops! will be released throughout the year at Pokémon Center, the premier online destination for official Pokémon merchandise.
“The partnership between Pokémon and Funko is treasured by the dedicated fan communities for both brands,” said Cindy Ruppenthal, senior director of Pokémon Center and ecommerce at The Pokémon Company International. “We’re eager to continue providing fans with unique Pokémon figures, and the pearlescent finish is a wonderful way to introduce Funko’s Pops! to Pokémon’s avid fans.”
The Pokémon Company International announced today that Pokémon celebrated another record-breaking year at retail in 2022, seeing a significant increase in sales across Europe for its Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) and toy ranges. Photos from the press release have been added to an Imageboard thread.
ANOTHER RECORD-BREAKING YEAR FOR THE POKÉMON COMPANY INTERNATIONAL AS SALES SOAR FOR POKÉMON TRADING CARD GAME, TOYS IN EUROPE
This incredible growth was recognized by NPD, who awarded Pokémon three significant awards at Europe’s largest Toy Fair Spielwarenmesse in Germany. The brand won Global Top Toy Property of the Year, Europe’s Top Gaining Property Total Toys and Europe’s Top Gaining Property Games & Puzzles.
Pokémon maintained its position as the No. 1 property in France, Belgium and the Netherlands, and it achieved its highest-ever annual position in the U.K., Germany and Italy, according to figures recorded by NPD Group.
Pokémon was the No. 1 NPD toy property in France once again, with sales almost double that of the No. 2 brand for a second successive year, achieving 14 percent growth year over year. The best-performing top 15 property, Pokémon also had 14 items in the top 50 toys of the year.
In 2022, Pokémon achieved its highest-ever annual position in Germany, the U.K. and Italy. It was No. 4 in Germany (up from No. 9) with 44 percent growth, was the best-performing top 15 property and featured two products in the year’s top 50 toys by revenue. In the U.K., Pokémon was No. 4 (up from No. 7), and also No. 4 in Italy — its first time in the top 15 there, with the strongest growth among top 15 properties at 101 percent year over year.
Pokémon was again No. 1 in both Belgium and the Netherlands, with four products in the top 50 items for the year in the latter country.
The Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet expansion will launch on 31 March, adopting an updated take on the Pokémon ex gameplay mechanic and introducing Tera Pokémon ex featuring unique etched artwork that spotlights their Tera Types.
Pokémon offers a fantastic and varied toy range for fans, including Jazwares’ hugely popular, award-winning toy line — with highlights including Battle Figures, 8-inch plush and the Clip-’N’-Go Belt Set — and Mattel’s MEGA sets.
“We built on the success of our 25th anniversary celebrations with another packed programme of exciting activity and innovative product launches, creating huge demand and buoyant sales,” said Mathieu Galante, licensing director EMEA for The Pokémon Company International. “We are delighted with the superb performance at retail, which demonstrates the brand’s continued iconic cultural relevance, and we continue to work hard to bring more innovation to fans over the coming months.”
“2022 saw another sensational year for the Pokémon TCG,” said Simon Benton, vice president of Pokémon TCG sales for Europe. “We would like to thank our retail partners and distributors for their amazing support, which has continued to raise the profile of our products — and TCG in particular — to consumers. In another record-breaking year, Pokémon is the No. 1 NPD property in three countries and achieved its highest-ever position in other key territories, and we look forward to building on this success further in 2023.”
The global phenomenon of Pokémon was first launched in Japan in 1996 as a role-playing game for Nintendo’s Game Boy system and reached the United States and Europe in 1998–99. Pokémon has since grown into one of the most popular entertainment properties in the world, encompassing video games, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, mobile games and apps, animation and movies, Play! Pokémon competitive events and licensed products.
It is one of the most successful video game franchises of all time with more than 440 million video games sold worldwide. In addition, more than 22 billion Pokémon TCG cards have been shipped to 77 countries and regions in 13 languages, while the mobile game sensation Pokémon GO has received more than 1 billion downloads globally since launch in 2016. More than 1,000 episodes of the animated TV series span 25 seasons, with the series licensed for broadcast in 177 countries and regions in more than 30 languages.
Information on the cast of the new series of the popular anime Pocket Monsters (airs on the TV Tokyo Network every Friday at 6:55pm, officially abbreviated "Anipoke"), which will be broadcast starting with a 1 hour special on April 14th, has been revealed. The old protagonists Satoshi and Pikachu will be replaced with a new set of dual protagonists, where Minori Suzuki will be playing the role of Liko and Yuka Terasaki will be playing the role of Roy, while Taku Yashiro will play the Pokémon Professor Friede. Ikue Ohtani handles the voice of the current protagonist Satoshi's partner Pikachu, but will also be in charge of the new series' new character and Pokémon Professor Friede's partner Captain Pikachu. You can listen to their voices in the new trailer that just got released.
A new promo image shows Liko, the Paldean girl with a mysterious pendant and Roy, the Kantonean boy with a mysterious monster ball, as well as Friede and Captain Pikachu, against a majestic sky, alongside all kinds of Pokémon from various regions, including Nyahoja from the video games "Pocket Monsters Scarlet/Violet".
The image also shows a boy standing next to the "Fire Swordsman Pokémon" Soublades, staring at Liko and Roy, as well as the alternately colored legendary Pokémon "Black Rayquaza", creating excitement for how these elements will play a part in Liko and Roy's adventure.
Suzuki is known as the voice of Hajime Fujiwara in the video game The Idolmaster Cinderella Girls and Freyja Wion in the anime series Macross Δ, Terasaki as the voice of Tenma Matsukaze in Inazuma Eleven GO and Kudelia Aina Bernstein in Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans, and Yashiro as the voice of Tsubasa Kashiwagi in The Idolmaster SideM and Tatsuhisa "Luke" Kamijo in Yu-Gi-Oh Sevens.
I first encountered Liko when I was given reference material for the audition, and I remember being filled with strong emotions the likes of which I had never felt before at that moment. I really wanted to go on an adventure with Liko, to take a step forward! I wanted to play this character so badly that it felt like our meeting here was meant to be. This is why I'm so very happy these people that created Pokémon with love and care entrusted this character to me.
Just like the Pokémon anime, I was born in 1997, so Pokémon has always been there as a natural part of my life. I hope this is how it will be for everyone around the world in the future as well. I will pour all my heart and soul into playing Liko. The Pokémon anime will continue to be the greatest thing ever, so please look forward to the new series!
I really treasure the three years I got to go on adventures with Satoshi and Pikachu when I played Corni in the "Pocket Monsters XY" TV series. It's precisely because of the passion for the show that I picked up from my seniors during those three years that I feel so much pressure and responsibility now that I've been given the role of one of the protagonists of this new series, so I'm going to approach the new series while embracing the love for the show that I saw and felt in my seniors back then.
I hope the children that will start watching the Pokémon anime from here on will think of Liko and Roy as their friends, and I promise to approach both the show and the role with everything I've got, doing my best to make it enjoyable for all so that existing fans will come to love Liko and Roy as well! Please join us as we start a new chapter of history.
I still remember dreaming about going on an adventure with Pokémon back when I was watching the Pocket Monsters anime in grade school, so I was trembling with joy and surprise when I first learned I was getting the chance to be in my beloved show, one that's got so much history and is so loved all around the world now.
I want to play the Friede character with whole-hearted devotion, not just so that children can experience such dreams, but so that adults that grew up together with the franchise can do so as well.
Celebrating Pokémon Day, Netflix and The Pokémon Company give fans a first look at main character Haru and Psyduck from newly announced stop-motion series Pokémon Concierge. The series has been added to our Episode Guide and will be updated when titles and information become available.
YouTube Clip - Pokémon Concierge | Official Teaser | Netflix
Netflix and The Pokémon Company team up for brand new stop-motion series Pokémon Concierge
In celebration of Pokémon Day, Netflix today announced Pokémon Concierge, its first collaborative production with The Pokémon Company and an ambitious stop-motion project produced by critically acclaimed dwarf studios.
Expanding the Pokémon world, the story follows Haru, a concierge at the Pokémon Resort, and her interactions with Pokémon and their owners who visit as guests.
“Netflix is looking forward to delighting fans in Japan and around the world with ‘Pokémon Concierge,’ an entirely new visual and storytelling experience featuring ground-breaking stop-motion animation set in the Pokémon world in close collaboration with The Pokémon Company,” said Minyoung Kim, Vice President of Netflix Content in Asia. “We’re also excited to reveal this new series on Pokémon Day and provide fans with even more things to look forward to on this special holiday celebrating the popular franchise.”
Celebrate Pokémon Day with Zacian in Pokémon UNITE
Bear a behemoth blade with Zacian in Pokémon UNITE! Charge up your attacks with Aeos energy and cut the opposition down to size with Legendary power. This powerful Pokémon from the Galar region makes its debut on Aeos Island this Pokémon Day as part of a special event: Adventure in Zacian’s Weald. In this event, Zacian can be obtained without spending Aeos coins or Aeos gems.
The Adventure in Zacian’s Weald event will be held in Pokémon UNITE until Sunday, March 26, at 4:59 p.m. PDT. Players can obtain dice by logging in (and other means) and then roll them to advance squares on a board. As players advance squares, they can complete missions to earn adventure coins and then exchange those coins for Zacian’s Unite license.
To commemorate Pokémon Day and Zacian’s introduction to Pokémon UNITE, players can use the gift code POKEMONDAY to redeem a gold Zacian Pokémon boost emblem, which has useful effects in battle. This gift code is redeemable until Sunday, March 26, 2023, at 4:59 p.m. PDT. To redeem this gift code, follow these steps:
Launch Pokémon UNITE on mobile or Nintendo Switch.
Select the events icon on the right side of the main menu.
Select the Daily Events tab.
Scroll down and select Gift Exchange.
Select Exchange and then enter the gift code on the page that appears.
Read on to learn more about everything Zacian has to offer in Pokémon UNITE’s latest update and to pick up some tips before battling with this Warrior Pokémon.
Zacian Basics
If Zacian’s basic attacks are performed consecutively within a set time, the effects of the second and subsequent basic attack stages will change. (When Zacian is using a move, this set time is extended.) For stage two, Zacian deals damage to opposing Pokémon and decreases their movement speed. For stage three, Zacian deals damage to opposing Pokémon while restoring its own HP. For stage four, Zacian quickly draws near an opposing Pokémon and deals damage to it. Also for stage four, all of Zacian’s move cooldowns are reduced.
Zacian has the Intrepid Sword Ability. If the goal scoring button is held down, Zacian has its sword charged with Aeos energy, and for a short time, Zacian’s basic attacks become boosted attacks. In addition, during the effect duration, Zacian can use a boosted version of one of its moves once. The longer the goal scoring button is held down, the more Aeos energy is charged into the sword, lengthening the duration of the boost effect on basic attacks and moves. Intrepid Sword goes on cooldown after it’s triggered.
Boosted basic attacks have an increased area of effect and deal additional damage proportional to the opposing Pokémon’s HP. When Zacian knocks out or assists in knocking out a Pokémon on the opposing team, that Pokémon will drop more Aeos energy than it normally would.
Lv. 1 & 3 Moves
Slash - Zacian deals damage to an opposing Pokémon and deals a small amount of damage to nearby opposing Pokémon. When Slash is boosted with Aeos energy, its area of effect is increased, it deals increased damage, and it also decreases opposing Pokémon’s movement speed for a short time.
Quick Attack - Zacian charges in the designated direction, stops in place when it hits an opposing Pokémon, and deals damage to it. When Quick Attack is boosted with Aeos energy, it also leaves opposing Pokémon unable to act for a short time.
Lv. 5 Moves
Metal Claw - Zacian releases a shock wave in the designated direction, dealing damage to opposing Pokémon it hits and decreasing their movement speed. As the shock wave moves forward, it negates projectile attacks from opposing Pokémon it hits. After releasing the shock wave, Zacian also charges and deals damage to opposing Pokémon. If this charge hits an opposing Pokémon, Zacian’s basic attack speed is increased for a short time. When Metal Claw is boosted with Aeos energy, the shock wave’s size and travel distance are increased. Also, the movement speed of opposing Pokémon hit by the shock wave is further decreased. Metal Claw can be upgraded to reduce its cooldown.
Sacred Sword - Zacian slashes around itself as if drawing a circle with the tip of its sword, dealing damage to opposing Pokémon in the area of effect and decreasing their movement speed. Zacian then unleashes a slashing attack inside the circle, dealing damage to opposing Pokémon it hits and leaving them unable to act. After this move hits an opposing Pokémon, Zacian’s Attack is increased for a short time, and damage dealt by Zacian’s moves and basic attacks partially ignores the opposing Pokémon’s Defense. When Sacred Sword is boosted with Aeos energy, its area of effect is increased, and the time until the slashing attack is unleashed is reduced. Sacred Sword can be upgraded to reduce the time until the slashing attack is unleashed.
Lv. 7 Moves
Agility - Any hindrances applied to Zacian are removed, and Zacian’s movement speed is greatly increased. After a short time, the movement speed increase weakens and stays that way for a set amount of time. The effect duration is increased if Zacian is in combat with Pokémon from the opposing team. When Agility is boosted with Aeos energy, Zacian’s movement speed is further increased, and Zacian is also granted a shield. Agility can be upgraded to further increase the movement speed boost.
Play Rough - Zacian leaps in the designated direction, dealing damage to an opposing Pokémon it hits and leaving them unable to act. For a short time after Zacian lands, Zacian takes reduced damage from the opposing Pokémon it dealt damage to. When Play Rough is boosted with Aeos energy, Zacian leaps further and will no longer stop in place when hitting an opposing Pokémon, and all opposing Pokémon hit along the leap’s path will receive damage and be left unable to act. Play Rough can be upgraded to increase the length of time opposing Pokémon are left unable to act.
Zacian’s Unite Move, Sovereign Sword
Zacian readies its giant sword, charges the sword with Aeos energy, and then slashes in front of itself. Zacian becomes immune to hindrances while the Unite Move button is held down and Zacian is in its ready stance. The longer Zacian is in this stance, the more Aeos energy is charged into the sword, and the more damage Sovereign Sword deals. If a set amount of Aeos energy or more is charged into the sword, the Unite Move becomes boosted, and the slash’s area of effect increases. This boosted Unite Move deals increased damage to opposing Pokémon it hits who have been buffed by their own Unite Move.
Metagame Watch
Melee All-Rounders are often powerful Pokémon that deal plenty of sustained damage at the cost of low range, making positioning and mobility-focused moves important. Zacian’s Intrepid Sword Ability and the boosted versions of Play Rough and Agility make it possible for Zacian to keep up with speedy, ranged targets, but Zacian will still require some help from teammates to take down key targets.
Strong Against: Zoroark
Zoroark is a powerful Speedster that can knock out key targets in the blink of an eye, but it can be punished with strong hindrances. Since Zoroark needs to get into melee range to deal its damage, Zacian’s Sacred Sword can quickly ruin Zoroark’s day by leaving it unable to act and giving Zacian an angle to counterattack. In games in which Speedsters like Zoroark are running wild, players using Zacian should use Sacred Sword to shut them down.
Weak Against: Delphox
Zacian can counter powerful ranged Pokémon with Metal Claw’s projectile blocking, but Delphox has plenty of ranged tools to keep it at bay, such as Mystical Fire, Fire Spin, and its Unite Move, Fanciful Fireworks. Players using Zacian will want to keep all of these major cooldowns in mind, since it’s unlikely Zacian will be able to deal with Delphox unless all of Delphox’s cooldowns have been expended. Players using Zacian will also want to make sure they use Agility or Play Rough to close the gap to Delphox when the time is right.