The Pokémon Company has announced that starting on October 21st, 2023, select retailers will begin selling the Scarlet & Violet Paradox Rift Build & Battle Box head of the launch of the Scarlet & Violet Paradox Rift expansion on November 3rd, 2023.

Get the Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet—Paradox Rift Build & Battle Box Early

Enjoy quick games and powerful Prerelease promos with the Scarlet & Violet—Paradox Rift Build & Battle Box.

The latest Pokémon Trading Card Game expansion, Scarlet & Violet—Paradox Rift, arrives November 3, 2023, but you can visit your local game store to play with it early! Starting October 21, 2023, select retailers will begin selling the Scarlet & Violet—Paradox Rift Build & Battle Box, giving fans a chance to have a Prerelease battle and experience the latest expansion before its official release date.

The Prerelease format allows players to compete using a 40-card deck with four Prize cards set aside at the start of play, as opposed to a 60-card deck with six Prize cards. This format is perfect for introducing new players to the exciting world of the Pokémon TCG with quick, fun games, and it also gives seasoned players a window into all that Scarlet & Violet—Paradox Rift has to offer. Due to a limited card pool and the variance of cards that can be acquired in a Build & Battle Box, Prerelease events are also a great opportunity to flex your creative deck-building skills.

Each Build & Battle Box includes four Scarlet & Violet—Paradox Rift booster packs, a 40-card ready-to-play deck featuring key cards from current and prior sets, as well as one of four unique foil promo cards to boost your Prerelease deck. Depending on which promo card you get, you could add the red-hot Chi-Yu, ice-cold Iron Bundle, tricky Xatu, or the indominable Aegislash. Whichever promo you do end up with, it will certainly shape your Prerelease strategy!

Chi-Yu

Out of the lava and into the…fire? Chi-Yu majestically leaps from a river of lava and is ready to bring the heat with its Flare Bringer attack. This attack doesn’t do damage, but if you’re able to get Fire Energy into the discard pile, it can easily power up your next attacker and set your board up for some Prerelease mayhem. It can be a powerful attacker on its own, too, if one of your Pokémon goes down—its Megafire of Envy attack does 140 total damage if any of your Pokémon were Knocked Out by damage from an attack during your opponent’s last turn.

Iron Bundle

Getting around your opponent’s Active Pokémon is often difficult in Prerelease format due to a limited number of cards like Boss’s Orders and Escape Rope, but Iron Bundle changes all that. Its Hyper Blower Ability allows you to switch out your opponent’s Active Pokémon to the Bench. If you do, though, you’ll have to discard Iron Bundle and all attached cards.

If you’re looking for Iron Bundle to gift some pain, its Refrigerated Steam attack makes it so that if the Defending Pokémon is an Evolution Pokémon, it can’t attack during your opponent’s next turn. Evolution Pokémon are normally much stronger in Prerelease format due to their high HP, so timing this attack can turn around even the most one-sided game. It can even completely stop a Pokémon ex in its tracks!

Xatu

Energy acceleration is a huge advantage in any match of the Pokémon TCG, and Xatu does that and more. This Psychic-type Pokémon has the Clairvoyant Sense Ability, which allows you to attach a Basic Psychic Energy from your hand to one of your Benched Pokémon. And that’s not all—if you attached Energy to a Pokémon in this way, you draw two cards.

Between extra Energy attachments and drawing a couple of extra cards, Xatu is bound to be one of the strongest Pokémon in Scarlet & Violet—Paradox Rift Prerelease events. Its Super Psy Bolt attack would normally be difficult to use, but having multiple Xatu in play can quickly fulfill the Energy cost while also building a huge hand. Attaching multiple Energy cards and growing your hand size is uncommon in Prerelease format so the future is looking bright if you find Xatu in your Build & Battle Box.

Aegislash

If you’ve ever been lucky enough to find a powerful Pokémon V or Pokémon ex in your Build & Battle Box, you know that it can be a huge advantage even if they give up two Prize cards instead of one. This time around, though, there’s a great counter to Pokémon ex in Aegislash—its Mysterious Shield Ability prevents all damage done to it by Pokémon ex and Pokémon V.

This type of Ability is commonly found on defensive Pokémon, but Aegislash can still chip in plenty of offense with its Hard Bashing attack, which does 120 damage for just two Energy and ignores all effects on the opponent’s Active Pokémon. That number is perfect for taking one-hit Knock Outs against the previously showcased Prerelease promo cards, so keep that in mind as you battle.

There are variations among Build & Battle Boxes, so you can add your own creative twist when building your deck. Whether you’re heading to a local game store or just playing with a friend, have some quick and fun battles using cards from the new Scarlet & Violet—Paradox Rift expansion!

Source: https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/get-the-pokemon-tcg-scarlet-violet-paradox-rift-build-battle-box-early

The Pokémon TCG: Collector Chest will be available on November 17th, 2023, at the Pokémon Center and where Pokémon TCG products are sold.

Pokémon TCG: Collector Chest (Fall 2023)

Discover a treasure trove full of Pokémon fun with the Pokémon TCG: Collector Chest. This sturdy metal case embellished with Charizard's dark crystalline appearance is packed with all sorts of delightful Pokémon valuables, including six Pokémon TCG booster packs and a trio of foil cards featuring fully evolved first partner Pokémon Meowscarada, Skeledirge, and Quaquaval. Plus, you'll get a variety of goodies, including some not found anywhere else.

The Pokémon TCG: Collector Chest includes:

• 6 Pokémon TCG booster packs
• 3 foil cards featuring Meowscarada, Skeledirge, and Quaquaval
• A cool Pokémon coin
• 4 colorful sticker sheets
• A mini portfolio to store your favorite cards
• A code card for Pokémon Trading Card Game Live

Source: https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-tcg/product-gallery/collector-chest-fall-2023/

The Pokémon TCG: Roaring Moon ex Box and Iron Valiant ex Box will be available on November 17th, 2023, at the Pokémon Center and where Pokémon TCG products are sold.

Pokémon TCG: Roaring Moon ex Box and Iron Valiant ex Box

Bit by Tachyon Bit—a Calamity Storm is coming! Awakening from a long-gone world is the ferocious Roaring Moon ex—while the resilient Iron Valiant ex beams in from the future! In this box, you get a promo card and an oversize card featuring either Roaring Moon ex or Iron Valiant ex. Roaring Moon ex is joined by Brute Bonnet and an Ancient Booster Energy Capsule, and Iron Valiant ex comes with Iron Moth and a Future Booster Energy Capsule—all things that your past self would want you to have to help you out in the future. Find even more helpful allies in the included Pokémon TCG booster packs! Each Pokémon TCG: Roaring Moon ex Box or Iron Valiant ex Box includes:

• 1 foil promo card featuring Roaring Moon ex or Iron Valiant ex
• 1 oversize foil card featuring Roaring Moon ex or Iron Valiant ex
• 1 foil card featuring Brute Bonnet or Iron Moth
• 1 foil Trainer card featuring Ancient Booster Energy Capsule or Future Booster Energy Capsule
• 4 Pokémon TCG booster packs
• A code card for Pokémon TCG Live

Source: https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-tcg/product-gallery/roaring-moon-ex-box-iron-valiant-ex-box/

The Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet Paradox Rift Build & Battle Stadium will be available on November 17th, 2023, in the Pokémon Center and where Pokémon TCG products are sold.

Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet—Paradox Rift Build & Battle Stadium

Build two decks with a friend—and then play right away! This Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet—Paradox Rift Build & Battle Stadium contains a massive set of cards, including two Build & Battle Boxes. Each Build & Battle Box contains four booster packs and a 40-card deck that includes an exclusive foil card. You can play these decks right out of the box or enhance them with cards from the booster packs. Get ready to face your opponents in the Build & Battle Stadium!

The Build & Battle Stadium includes everything two players need to battle. Inside this box, you'll find:

• 2 individual Build & Battle Boxes, each containing a ready-to-play 40-card deck
• Each deck includes 1 of 4 foil promo cards
• 3 additional Scarlet & Violet—Paradox Rift booster packs, so you get 11 in all
• 121 Basic Energy cards
• 6 damage-counter dice
• 1 competition-legal coin-flip die
• 2 coin condition markers
• A collector's box to hold everything

Source: https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-tcg/product-gallery/scarlet-violet-paradox-rift-build-battle-stadium/

Explore the art of Vincent van Gogh with Pokémon at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam! Discover Pokémon-themed artworks, take part in an art hunt, and shop exclusive merchandise from Pokémon Center and at the museum from September 28th, 2023 through January 7th, 2024! High resolution images from the press release have been added to an Imageboard thread.

The Pokémon Company International Partners With The Van Gogh Museum For Special ‘Pokémon x Van Gogh’ Art Collaboration

AMSTERDAM – Sept. 27, 2023 – See Pikachu, Eevee, Snorlax and many other Pokémon in a whole new way starting Sept. 28 until Jan. 7, 2024 at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. Experience a variety of Pokémon themed activities across the museum and online aimed at introducing and teaching young budding artists about the works of Vincent van Gogh.

To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Van Gogh Museum, Pokémon and the Van Gogh Museum have launched an official collaboration aimed at introducing new audiences to the work of Vincent van Gogh. Both Vincent van Gogh’s work and Pokémon have a special connection with Japanese art and culture. Japanese prints had a profound impact on Vincent’s art and on his world view. Speaking to his brother Theo in a letter in September 1888, Vincent said ‘And we wouldn’t be able to study Japanese art, it seems to me, without becoming much happier and more cheerful, and it makes us return to nature, despite our education and our work in a world of convention.’

Emilie Gordenker, General Director of the Van Gogh Museum commented: ‘This collaboration will allow the next generation to get to know Vincent van Gogh’s art and life story in a refreshing way. The Van Gogh Museum and The Pokémon Company International have drawn on many years of educational expertise to create a special experience for children, their supervisors, and we hope many others at the Van Gogh Museum.’


The Pokémon and Van Gogh Museum collaboration will feature the following activations running from Sept. 28 until Jan. 7, 2024. To participate in the activities, a regular museum admission ticket is required which can only be purchased online.

‘Pokémon at the Van Gogh Museum’ presentation (permanent collection, floor 1)

Several of Vincent van Gogh’s most famous works from the permanent collection of the Van Gogh Museum served as inspiration for six paintings made by artists from The Pokémon Company. Examples include, Pikachu shown in a work that is inspired by Self-portrait with Grey Felt Hat (1887), the Pokémon Sunflora is hidden in a variant of Van Gogh’s famous Sunflowers (1889), and you can find Snorlax and Munchlax relaxing in a work inspired by The Bedroom (1888). You can admire these six specially created paintings on the first floor of the Rietveld building (Rietveldgebouw)

A Pokémon Adventure activity (6 years+, activity leaflets are handed out at the Atrium)

A Pokémon Adventure leaflet will lead visitors along the works by Vincent van Gogh that served as inspiration for the paintings in the six-piece special presentation, Pokémon at the Van Gogh Museum. During the activity, visitors will discover the museum and the stories behind the paintings. Once participants complete the Pokémon Adventure activity, they can hand in their completed leaflet for a special Pikachu x Van Gogh Museum promo card (subject to availability). The Pokémon Adventure leaflet is available in both Dutch and English.

Pokémon x Van Gogh online learning material – Van Gogh at School (Upper primary lower secondary education level)

Vincent greatly admired everything related to Japan, and Japanese prints taught him to look at the world differently. The use of flat planes of strong colors, everyday subjects and attention for detail in nature spoke to him. Using the Pokémon x Van Gogh collaboration as a starting point, pupils will learn about the connection between Van Gogh and Japan, and about how inspiration can work in two directions. The teaching materials are available in both Dutch and English.

‘How to draw Pikachu’ video guide (Restaurant Rietveldgebouw 0)

A guided video activity will be available within the museum which teaches visitors how to draw the fan favorite Pokémon Pikachu and encourages them to try it for themselves.

‘Pokémon Center x Van Gogh Museum’ merchandise

The Pokémon Center online store will feature an exclusive range of ‘Pokémon x Van Gogh Museum’ merchandise featuring the art from the collaboration. Items available include a special Vincent Van Gogh inspired Pikachu Plush, Trading Card Game sleeves, Van Gogh inspired figures of Pikachu and Eevee, Poster Prints, a Jigsaw Puzzle and more. A special promotional ‘Pikachu with Grey Felt Hat’ trading card inspired by Vincent Van Gogh’s ‘Self Portrait with Grey Felt Hat’ will be available as a gift with purchase item with all Pokémon Center x Van Gogh Museum products. Products and promotional trading cards are available whilst stocks last. For the full ranges available please visit www.pokemoncenter.com in the U.S. and www.pokemoncenter.ca in Canada.

The Van Gogh Museum Shop will also feature an exclusive range of Pokémon x Van Gogh Museum merchandise featuring art from the collaboration.

Director of Licensing at The Pokémon Company International, Mathieu Galante commented ‘We are always looking for fantastic partners that we can create unique and joyful experiences with for Pokémon fans, and we have genuinely found that in working with the Van Gogh Museum. There is a strong link between the inspiration behind Pokémon and the inspiration behind some of Vincent Van Gogh’s most famous work. With this collaboration we really hope that we can see children discovering and immersing themselves into the world of art through the incredible works of Van Gogh and Pokémon.’

Pokémon x Van Gogh TCG Promo Card Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get the special Pikachu Pokémon promo card?
1. Book a museum ticket between 28 September 2023 and 7 January 2024.
2. Get yourself a copy of the Pokémon Adventure at the museum's Information Desk in the Atrium.
3. Complete the answers and hand in your copy at the Information Desk. Only then, you will receive a special Pikachu Pokémon promo card.

You can join the Pokémon Adventure until 7 January 2024. Please note: the promo cards are subject to availability.

Can I get the promo card somewhere other than the museum?
The promo cards will only be available in the Netherlands between 28 September 2023 and 7 January 2024, by completing a Pokémon Adventure at the Van Gogh Museum. The promo cards are subject to availability.

Book museum admission tickets in advance at tickets.vangoghmuseum.com

Can I take an extra promo card for people at home?
No, you'll only receive a promo card when you've completed the Pokémon Adventure at the museum. No promo cards will be issued for your friends or family at home.

How many promo cards can I get?
A maximum of one promo card will be issued per person and per completed Pokémon Adventure. The promo cards are subject to availability.

Until when can I join the Pokémon activities at the museum and get a promo card?
You can join the Pokémon activities from 28 September 2023 until 7 January 2024. The promo cards are subject to availability. If the stock at the museum runs out, there is no other way to obtain the promo cards.

Can I buy an admission ticket to the museum at the door?
Admission tickets are only available online and are not sold at the door of the Van Gogh Museum. Check ticket availability at tickets.vangoghmuseum.com.

Can I enter the museum without an admission ticket to purchase Pokémon x Van Gogh Museum items at the museum shop?
No, access to the museum's shop is only possible with a valid museum admission ticket. Book tickets at tickets.vangoghmuseum.com.

However, you can also purchase selected Pokémon x Van Gogh Museum items at the museum's online shop or at the Pokémon Center.

Is the Pokémon Adventure only suitable for children?
The Pokémon Adventure activity is developed for children aged 6 and older, but adults are of course also welcome to join in.

Sources: https://www.vangoghmuseum.nl/en/van-gogh-museum-x-pokemon#frequently-asked-questions and https://press.pokemon.com/en/releases/The-Pokemon-Company-International-Partners-With-The-Van-Gogh-Museum-Fo

Pokémon Center × Van Gogh Museum

The Pokémon Center released a line of products to tie in with this exhibition. Each qualifying product received the promo Pikachu card.

Items:

Item List:

Pokémon Center × Van Gogh Museum: Pokémon Inspired by Paintings from the Van Gogh Museum Collection Posters (6-Pack) - $39.99
Pokémon Center × Van Gogh Museum: Pokémon Inspired by Paintings from the Van Gogh Museum Amsterdam 15 oz. Mug - $14.99
Pokémon Center × Van Gogh Museum: Pokémon Inspired by Paintings from the Van Gogh Museum Amsterdam Pin Box Set (6-Pack) - $49.99
Pokémon Center × Van Gogh Museum: Pokémon Inspired by Paintings from the Van Gogh Museum Playmat - $24.99
Pokémon Center × Van Gogh Museum: Pokémon Inspired by Paintings from the Van Gogh Museum Amsterdam Journal - $19.99
Pokémon Center × Van Gogh Museum: Pokémon Inspired by Paintings from the Van Gogh Museum Amsterdam Postcards (12-Pack) - $14.99
Pokémon Center × Van Gogh Museum: Pokémon Inspired by Paintings from the Van Gogh Museum Amsterdam Double Deck Box - $12.99
Pokémon Center × Van Gogh Museum: Corviknight Inspired by Wheatfield with Crows Playmat - $24.99
Pokémon Center × Van Gogh Museum: Eevee Inspired by Self-Portrait with Straw Hat Figure - $19.99
Pokémon Center × Van Gogh Museum: Pikachu Inspired by Self-Portrait with Grey Felt Hat Figure - $19.99
Pokémon Center × Van Gogh Museum: Eevee Inspired by Self-Portrait with Straw Hat Canvas Wall Art - $49.99
Pokémon Center × Van Gogh Museum: Pikachu Inspired by Self-Portrait with Grey Felt Hat - $49.99
Pokémon Center × Van Gogh Museum: Sunflora Inspired by Sunflowers Canvas Wall Art - $49.99
Pokémon Center × Van Gogh Museum: Pikachu Plush - 7 ¾ In. - $24.99
Pokémon Center × Van Gogh Museum: Pikachu & Eevee Inspired by Vincent's Self-Portraits Playmat - $24.99
Pokémon Center × Van Gogh Museum: Eevee Inspired by Self-Portrait with Straw Hat Canvas Tote Bag - $19.99
Pokémon Center × Van Gogh Museum: Pikachu Inspired by Self-Portrait with Grey Felt Hat Canvas Tote Bag - $19.99
Pokémon Center × Van Gogh Museum: Pikachu Inspired by Self-Portrait with Grey Felt Hat Journal - $19.99
Pokémon Center × Van Gogh Museum: Eevee Inspired by Self-Portrait with Straw Hat Card Sleeves (65 Sleeves) - $7.99
Pokémon Center × Van Gogh Museum: Munchlax & Snorlax Inspired by The Bedroom Puzzle (1,008 Pieces) - $19.99
Pokémon Center × Van Gogh Museum: Sunflora Inspired by Sunflowers Card Sleeves (65 Sleeves) - $7.99
Pokémon Center × Van Gogh Museum: Munchlax & Snorlax Inspired by The Bedroom Journal - $19.99
Pokémon Center × Van Gogh Museum: Pikachu Inspired by Self-Portrait with Grey Felt Hat Card Sleeves (65 Sleeves) - $7.99
Pokémon Center × Van Gogh Museum: Munchlax & Snorlax Inspired by The Bedroom Double Deck Box - $12.99
Pokémon Center × Van Gogh Museum: Corviknight Inspired by Wheatfield with Crows Double Deck Box - $12.99
Pokémon Center × Van Gogh Museum: Smeargle Inspired by Self-Portrait as a Painter Card Sleeves (65 Sleeves) - $7.99
Pokémon Center × Van Gogh Museum: Munchlax & Snorlax Inspired by The Bedroom Card Sleeves (65 Sleeves) - $7.99
Pokémon Center × Van Gogh Museum: Corviknight Inspired by Wheatfield with Crows Card Sleeves (65 Sleeves) - $7.99
Pokémon Center × Van Gogh Museum: Munchlax & Snorlax Inspired by The Bedroom Playmat - $24.99

Source: https://www.pokemoncenter.com/search/van-gogh

The Pokémon Trading Card Game Classic was announced on Pokémon Day 2023 and pre-orders are now open at stores and the Pokémon Center. It will retail for $399.99 USD and will be released on November 17th, 2023. High resolution images from the press release have been added to an Imageboard thread.

Pokémon Trading Card Game Classic Is Coming to Pokémon Center

Enjoy the Pokémon TCG in style by preordering this premium collection of playable decks and accessories.

Earlier this year, Pokémon Trading Card Game Classic was announced as a timeless set of Pokémon TCG decks designed for fans to enjoy friendly battles anytime and anywhere. Now, fans can prepare for these battles when Pokémon Trading Card Game Classic launches at Pokémon Center and local hobby stores on November 17, 2023. Preorders for this premier collectible product are now available at Pokémon Center.

Pokémon Trading Card Game Classic melds older cards with new concepts and features never-before-seen cards: Lugia ex, Ho-Oh ex, Suicune ex, Sun Seed, Scorching Charcoal, and Drops in the Ocean. Fans can also look forward to a Pokémon TCG card featuring Mr. Mime that’s releasing outside of Japan for the first time. The unique cards printed for Pokémon Trading Card Game Classic will also be made available in a separate product coming in February 2024. Stay tuned for more details.

Pokémon Trading Card Game Classic has an MSRP of $399.99. Remember, this high-end collectible is available for preorder now at the Pokémon Center. Prepare for classic battles, Trainers!

Source: https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/pokemon-trading-card-game-classic-is-coming-to-pokemon-center

Press Release - Pokémon Trading Card Game Classic Coming Soon, Offering Trainers an Elevated Pokémon TCG Experience

Sept. 21, 2023 — The Pokémon Company group announced today that Pokémon Trading Card Game Classic, revealed on Pokémon Day 2023, will be available at participating retailers starting Nov. 17, 2023. In addition, Pokémon Trading Card Game Classic is now available for preorder at Pokémon Center, the premier online destination for official Pokémon merchandise in the U.S. and Canada.

Created as a collaboration among The Pokémon Company, Creatures Inc. and design firm nendo, Pokémon Trading Card Game Classic is a premium Pokémon TCG collection designed to be a staple play set for any Pokémon TCG fan. Sporting a reimagined design, Pokémon Trading Card Game Classic contains everything fans need to play and collect the Pokémon TCG, including preconstructed decks and gameplay accessories — all of which have been uniquely designed to be both beautiful and functional to deliver a polished battling experience.

Pokémon Trading Card Game Classic comes with three preconstructed decks headlined by iconic cards from the history of the Pokémon TCG, including recreations of Base Set Venusaur, Charizard and Blastoise. Each deck contains 60 foil cards and features one of the three Kanto first partner Pokémon — Bulbasaur, Charmander or Squirtle. Alongside classic cards, brand-new cards are included to enable players to form new strategies. The new cards feature Lugia ex, Ho-Oh ex, Suicune ex, Sun Seed, Scorching Charcoal, Drops in the Ocean and a Mr. Mime card that was previously released only in Japan.[1]

Pokémon Trading Card Game Classic will also equip Trainers with the following components:

• A high-quality game board featuring card placement zones on a premium fabric surface, plus a compartment that holds up to three decks and a toolbox complete with all the gameplay accessories needed for battling.
• An all-inclusive toolbox containing enough gameplay accessories for two players to battle, including stackable damage counters, three-dimensional Poison and Burn markers and metal orbs that take the place of Pokémon coins.
• Intuitive damage counters and Special Condition markers designed with bright colors and unique conical and ring shapes, allowing players to quickly calculate total damage and identify Special Conditions.
• Elegant card sleeves and deck boxes thoughtfully crafted to maintain visual focus on the card artwork while protecting the three preconstructed decks and allowing for easy storage of sleeved cards when not in use.

[1] Except for Basic Energy cards, cards included in Pokémon Trading Card Game Classic cannot be used for tournament play.

Source: https://press.pokemon.com/en/releases/MEDIA-ALERT-Pokemon-Trading-Card-Game-Classic-Coming-Soon-Offering-Tra

The Pokémon Company International and Creatures Inc announced the Pokémon Trading Card Game Illustration Contest is returning for 2024 and this year it is open to submission from people in UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand in addition to the U.S. and Japan. Details about the previous Illustration Contest 2022 are also available in an archive news article.

YouTube Clip - Announcing the Pokémon Illustration Contest 2024

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64MCUqvs5-Y

Press Release - Returning Pokémon Trading Card Game Illustration Contest Expands to Additional Markets

2024 Contest Available to Trainers in the U.K., Canada, Australia and New Zealand for the First Time

Bellevue, Wash. — Sept. 14, 2023 — Today, The Pokémon Company International and Creatures Inc. announced the Pokémon Trading Card Game Illustration Contest 2024, a fan art contest inviting Trainers to spotlight their artistic talents through the lens of the globally popular Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG).

Following the success of the Pokémon Trading Card Game Illustration Contest 2022, fans are encouraged to submit their creative artwork capturing “Magical Pokémon Moments,” the official contest theme for 2024. With the option to illustrate a standard card or a Pokémon ex card, Trainers can select one of the following Pokémon to feature in their submission: Charizard, Pikachu, Eevee, Feraligatr, Flygon, Absol, Bidoof, Melmetal, Amped Form Toxtricity or Koraidon.

“We were astounded to see the sheer talent and passion of the Pokémon fan community from contest submissions in 2022,” says Barry Sams, vice president of the Pokémon TCG at The Pokémon Company International. “With the contest expanding to additional markets in 2024, we’re eager to see what our dedicated fans have in store for us and how they envision ‘Magical Pokémon Moments’ in their creative minds.”

The Pokémon Trading Card Game Illustration Contest 2024 will be open to applicants in the U.K., Canada, Australia and New Zealand for the first time, in addition to those in the U.S. and Japan. An informational video about the upcoming contest can be viewed here.

Entries for the upcoming contest will be accepted from October 12, 2023, through January 31, 2024, and winners will be announced in September 2024.

For full contest details, including eligibility and prizing, please visit https://www.ptcgic-cr.com/2024/en/.

Message

Since the Pokémon Trading Card Game (developed by Creatures Inc.) debuted as Japan's first full-fledged trading card game, it has continued to be one of the most popular and best-selling trading card games in the world and has been shipped in 14 languages and 89 countries and regions to date. The Pokémon TCG is celebrating 27 years this year, alongside the 27th anniversary of the beloved Pokémon brand.

It all started in Japan in 2019 with the Pokémon Trading Card Game Illustration Grand Prix, which was followed by another one the following year. Then, in 2021, the Pokémon Trading Card Game Illustration Contest 2022 started accepting submissions from both Japan and the United States for the first time. These contests let us see wonderful illustrations brought to life and new talents brought to light. This year's contest has "Magical Pokémon Moments" as its theme, and we are accepting submissions from Japan, US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. We can't wait to see what incredible and exciting artwork you will come up with.

Awards

Grand Prize - One (1) Grand Prize Winner will receive a cash value of $5,000.
Best Standard Card Illustration/Best ex Card Illustration - One (1) Best Standard Card Illustration Winner, and one (1) Best ex Card Illustration Winner will receive a cash value of $3,000.
First Runner-Up - Six (6) First Runners-Up will receive a cash value of $1,000.
Judges’ Award - Fifteen (15) Judges’ Award Winners will receive a cash value of $500.

Judges

Tsunekazu Ishihara - The Pokémon Company, President
Kenji Okubo - The Pokémon Company International, President
Yuji Kitano - Creatures, Inc. President
Atsuko Ujiie - Creatures, Inc. Executive Director, CG Studio - Executive Art Director
Atsushi Nagashima - Creatures, Inc. Executive Director, Pokémon TCG Development Division Executive Creative Director
Satoru Nagaya - Creatures, Inc. Art Director
Haru Saito - Creatures, Inc. Illustration Director
OOYAMA - Illustrator Judges
kantaro - Illustrator Judges
Teeziro - Illustrator Judges
Atsushi Furusawa - Illustrator Judges
Masahiro Karasawa - Special Judges

The McDonald’s Happy Meal in the United States will feature a Pokémon Match Battle TCG pack from September 12th, 2023 until October 16th, 2023. Each toy comes with a Pokémon coin and sticker sheet plus 4 trading cards.


Source: https://www.happymeal.com/

Pokémon TCG: Match Battle Returns to McDonald’s Happy Meals

Collect special Pokémon TCG booster packs and play a fun battle game in the latest Happy Meal.

Be prepared for some friendly Pokémon competition to break out at McDonald’s as the Pokémon Trading Card Game: Match Battle returns to the restaurant’s Happy Meal. Through October 16, 2023, Pokémon fans who purchase a Happy Meal will receive everything they need to take part in a fun and easy-to-play Match Battle. This includes a special 4-card Pokémon TCG booster pack and a game coin featuring either Pikachu or a fan-favorite Pokémon from the Paldea region.

The cards found in the booster packs feature Pokémon including Pikachu, Sprigatito, Quaxly, Fuecoco, Klawf, Cetitan, and more. There are 15 cards to collect, so trade with your friends and see how many you can find!

The Happy Meal also includes a digital activity that’s accessible through a QR code on the Happy Meal box or at happymeal.com that lets you solve puzzles featuring some of the Pokémon you’ll find on the Pokémon TCG: Match Battle cards. Test yourself to see how quickly you can defeat each challenge.

Have fun battling, Trainers!

Source: https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/pokemon-tcg-match-battle-returns-to-mcdonalds-happy-meals

Cards:

The Pokémon TCG: Charizard ex Premium Collection will be available on October 20th, 2023, at the Pokémon Center and where Pokémon TCG products are sold.

Pokémon TCG: Charizard ex Premium Collection

Charizard ex burns up the opposition's lead with the cunning firepower of a Darkness-type Pokémon! Evolve it from Charmander and Charmeleon, then use its strong Ability and attack to make a roaring comeback. A full set of card sleeves helps keep your deck looking great, and after the battle's done, you can put this special Tera Pokémon ex on display in the durable card protector featuring a handy magnetic closure.

The Pokémon TCG: Charizard ex Premium Collection includes:

• 1 etched foil promo card featuring Charizard ex
• 2 foil cards featuring Charmander and Charmeleon
• 6 Pokémon TCG booster packs
• 1 magnetic card protector with display base
• 65 card sleeves featuring Charizard as a Tera Pokémon
• A code card for Pokémon TCG Live

Source: https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-tcg/product-gallery/charizard-ex-premium-collection/

Shell in Singapore is promoting Pokémon dehumidifier plushies for just $18.90 each. Pikachu and Snorlax are available to purchase via Shell GO+ as of September 1st, 2023. Eevee will be available on October 1st and Charizard on November 1st and each plushie comes with a free Pokémon Trading Card Game Fun Pack & Half Playmat.

Special Edition Pokémon Dehumidifier Plushies

Get ready to level up your vehicles with these special edition Pokémon Dehumidifiers! These plushies come with activated carbon that remove bad odours and maintain the humidity level in your car.

• Collect these adorable Pokémon dehumidifiers at just $18.90 each on Shell GO+
• Get Pikachu with min $70 gross spend on Shell V-Power OR min $15 nett spend at Shell Select.
• Get Snorlax with min $70 gross spend on Shell Fuels OR min $15 nett spend at Shell Select.
• Pikachu and Snorlax are available from 1 September 2023. Keep your eyes peeled for the Eevee and Charizard dehumidifier plushies in October and November respectively.

Source: https://www.facebook.com/Pokemon.official.Singapore/