The Pokémon Company and Warner Brothers released the Pokémon Detective Pikachu movie in theaters in North America officially on May 10th, 2019. As part of the promotion for the movie, a 2 card booster pack was being distributed with tickets which included a Pikachu SM190 promo card and a random card. Unfortunately, due to low supply and people hording, many fans are reporting that they have not been able to get the Pikachu promo card.


Many theaters are reporting they receive a small supply of promo cards that couldn't even cover the first showing on the first day. A box of 200 booster packs was sent to many theaters. This is extremely unfortunate for Pokémon fans and TCG collectors that are looking to obtain this special promo card, only distributed at this theater showing. Warner Brothers nor The Pokémon Company have responded to this promotion dilemma. Reports from all over North America on social media are indicating that this isn't a localized issue.

News Article Writers Note: I personally attended a showing on Tuesday morning in Ontario, Canada at a Cineplex theater and wasn't able to get a promo pack. Talking to multiple staff members, they all indicated the packs were gone the first day, first showing. There was no indication anywhere that this promo was first showing only. Just a warning to those fans that haven't attended the movie yet, it is unlikely you will be able to get this promo card now.


Cineplex responded to our inquiry as to the limited distribution and they indicated that the cards were distributed to select theaters in Canada on Thursday, May 9th, 2019 and Friday, May 10th, 2019. Due note that May 9th, 2019 is not the official release date of the movie.


Sources: /r/PokemonTCG and Go Nintendo

The official Pokémon website has announced that on May 18th, 2019 from 11am to 4pm, participating Walmart locations in the United States will be distribution a Bulbasaur Promo card and a Detective Pikachu movie poster.

Get a Pokémon TCG: Detective Pikachu Promo Card at Walmart

Visit participating Walmart stores on May 18 to get a card featuring Bulbasaur and a POKÉMON Detective Pikachu movie poster.

Celebrate the release of the POKÉMON Detective Pikachu movie during a special event at Walmart! Stop into a participating Walmart on May 18, 2019, from 11 A.M. to 4 P.M. in your local time zone to receive a pair of special giveaways—a Pokémon TCG promo card featuring the big-screen version of Bulbasaur, plus a POKÉMON Detective Pikachu movie poster. These great giveaways are only available while supplies last, so don't miss out!

See the rest of the cards based on the POKÉMON Detective Pikachu movie and get more details on the Pokémon TCG: Detective Pikachu expansion at the official site.

Sources: https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/get-a-pokemon-tcg-detective-pikachu-promo-card-at-walmart/ and https://www.pokemontcg.com/en-us/detective-pikachu/

Scans of the June 2019 Corocoro issue have been released. Translations follow:


The forbidden form has been identified!!!
The strongest Pokémon of all, created by humans, appears?!

An incredible creature appears in this summer's Pokémon movie! We can see that the skin beyond its black armament is white... N-No way, could this be THAT Pokémon?!

Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution premieres all across Japan Friday July 12th!!

The Mewtwo form that can only be seen in the movie: Its name is Armored Mewtwo!!!

Mewtwo is wearing a majestic armor. Even though this manmade armament suppresses what people call the ultimate power, Mewtwo still overwhelms all other Pokémon!!

Armored Mewtwo: Mewtwo's form while it's wearing armor developed by the Rocket Gang.

It appears early in the manga booklet!
Check the manga to get a preview of Armored Mewtwo's gallant figure!!
Hurry straight to the manga in the supplimentary booklet!

The Ancient Mew card is included with the movie pamphlet!!
Decipher the ancient letters!!
It's been confirmed that this Mew card that has its text written in ancient letters will be included with the movie's pamphlet as a free gift.
Once you decipher the ancient letters on the card, you'll realize you incredibly powerful it is!
Try comparing it with normal Pokémon Cards.

The way to decipher the letters on the card is scheduled to be presented on the Trainers' Website, the official Pokémon Card Homepage (http://www.pokemon-card.com/), Friday May 24th!

Toys R Us Canada has announced they will be having a Pokémon Detective Pikachu Event on Saturday, May 18th, 2019 at participating locations. Visitors can receive a free Psyduck and Bulbasaur promo cards.

POKÉMON Detective Pikachu™ Event

Saturday, May 18th
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Just like Detective Pikachu chasing clues through the streets, participants can search the store for hidden clues to solve a mystery and receive FREE Psyduck and Bulbasaur promo cards!

PLUS: Trade & Play Station! Pokémon collector? New to Pokémon? Bring your card collection to trade and play with "Us" at your local store. Trade with other Pokémon collectors OR get your collection started TODAY! Min. 150 per store. All giveaways are available while they last and distributed to participants only.

Source: http://www.toysrus.ca/shop/index.jsp?categoryId=3373022&ab=TRU_Footer_REvents_110917

The Pokémon Company has announced a new app for Android and Apple iOS called Pokémon Pass which is free and links to your Pokémon Trainer Club account to get rewards. The iOS version requires iOS 11.0 or later with an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. The Android version requires Android 5.1 and up.

Pokémon Pass

Pokémon Pass connects you with great Pokémon reward activities when you visit participating retailers in your area. Sign in with your free Pokémon Trainer Club account, then get notified of upcoming events at a store near you. When you visit the store, use your phone’s camera to scan a code to unlock a gift—such as in-game items for Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! or Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! or Pokémon photo stickers for your camera.

To use the app, you’ll need to enable location services and grant permission for the app to use your phone’s camera. You’ll also need a free Pokémon Trainer Club account, which you can create on Pokemon.com.

Add a little Pokémon fun to your next trip to the store with Pokémon Pass!

Get Shiny Pikachu and Shiny Eevee at Target

Use the Pokémon Pass app to add one of these Shiny Pokémon to your Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! or Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! game.

Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee! players can add a uniquely colored Pokémon to their game by visiting a US Target store between May 11 and June 23, 2019. Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! players can get a Shiny Eevee, while those playing Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee! can get a Shiny Pikachu.

To receive one of these Pokémon, you'll need to download the new Pokémon Pass app for select iOS and Android devices. Pokémon Pass is available to download from the App Store and Google Play at no cost. You'll even get a bonus Detective Pikachu photo sticker when you download the app, too!

This app delivers exclusive digital rewards to Pokémon Trainer Club account owners when they're at designated retail locations. If you're an account owner and enter a participating Target store, Pokémon Pass will use geolocation to automatically notify you of nearby reward offerings. The app will then guide you through several prompts, including one to scan a special QR Code found in-store, so you can claim your Shiny Pikachu or Shiny Eevee.

Shiny Pikachu
Game: Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee!
Level: 10
Moves: Thunderbolt, Double Kick, Double Team, Thunder

Shiny Eevee
Game: Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu!
Level: 10
Moves: Double-Edge, Iron Tail, Helping Hand, Facade

Additionally, if you visit Target on May 11, 2019, between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. in your local time zone, you can celebrate the release of the POKÉMON Detective Pikachu movie with a special giveaway. Fans can receive a new Psyduck promo card for the Pokémon Trading Card Game and a movie poster. Supplies are limited, though, so don't wait!

Source: https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/get-shiny-pikachu-and-shiny-eevee-at-target/

YouTube Clip - Get Shiny Pikachu and Shiny Eevee at Target!

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAkzonHmTTI

The 2019 Pokémon Europe International Championships took place from April 26th, 2019 until April 28th, 2019 at the Estrel Berlin, Germany. The official results were announced by The Pokémon Company. Official high quality press release images have been added to an Imageboard thread.

Winners Crowned at the Pokémon Europe International Championships

From April 26 to 28, Pokémon players and fans from around the globe gathered at the Estrel Berlin, Germany, for the 2019 Pokémon Europe International Championships. The premier event on the European calendar saw three days of competitive play in the Pokémon Trading Card Game, the Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon video games, and the Pokkén Tournament DX video game across a number of categories.

European champions, alongside other successful attendees from around the world, boosted their Championship Points with the aim of securing a place at this year’s Pokémon World Championships, taking place in Washington, DC, from August 16 to 18.

The final list of winners from the weekend is as follows:

Video Game Junior Division Top 4:
Champion: Teddy French [UK]
Finalist: Justin Miranda-Radbord [CA]
Semifinalist: Felipe Reyes Castro [CL]
Semifinalist: Pietro Nihal Kaludura Silva [IT]


Video Game Senior Division Top 4:
Champion: Alfredo Chang-Gonzalez [AU]
Finalist: Luca Paz [US]
Semifinalist: Artur Hoffmann [PL]
Semifinalist: Quentin Colon [US]

Video Game Masters Division Top 4:
Champion: Flavio Del Pidio [IT]
Finalist: Davide Carrer [IT]
Semifinalist: Melvin Keh [SG]
Semifinalist: Wolfe Glick [US]

Trading Card Game Junior Division Top 4:
Champion: Šimon Belanyi [SK]
Finalist: Daniel Magda [CZ]
Semifinalist: Noah Donen [CA]
Semifinalist: Roan Godfrey-Robbins [US]

Trading Card Game Senior Division Top 4:
Champion: Tanner Hurley [US]
Finalist: Lewis Mason [UK]
Semifinalist: Julius Mo Krag [DK]
Semifinalist: Kaya Lichtleitner [DE]

Trading Card Game Masters Division Top 4:
Champion: Gustavo Wada [BR]
Finalist: Philipp Leciejewski [DE]
Semifinalist: Alex Silva [BR]
Semifinalist: Ondrej Skubal [CZ]

Pokkén Tournament DX Senior Division Top 4:
Champion: Mantas Mickevicius – YvelX [LT]
Finalist: Emma Cox – Kitty [US]
3rd Place: Indigo Staples – Indigomega [UK]
4th Place: Reuben Staples – FruitPrime [UK]

Pokkén Tournament DX Masters Division Top 4:
Champion: Niklas Franz Laerbusch – DefenderOfEU (Wingtide) [DE]
Finalist: Masami Sato – Potetin [JP]
3rd Place: Kota Arakaki – TARUTARO [JP]
4th Place: Fabian Zahn -Fabilous [DE]

The official Pokémon website has announced the 2020 Season Pokémon TCG Format Rotation. Find out which cards will be permitted in the 2020 Pokémon TCG Championship Series season.

2020 Season Pokémon TCG Format Rotation

At the beginning of every Championship Series season, Pokémon Organized Play removes older expansions from competition in the Standard format, with the goal of maintaining a healthy competitive environment. This rotation challenges existing players to create new strategies and enables new players to get involved in Play! Pokémon events using the most recent releases.

The 2020 season starts July 1, 2019, so players can get an early start on working toward the 2020 Pokémon World Championships. However, the rotation will not occur until August 15, 2019. Importantly, this means that the 2019 Pokémon World Championships, which take place August 16–18, will be the first major event to use the 2020 format and rules as currently listed. For other competitions taking place this summer, be sure to check the event's rules and regulations before attending.

The Standard format for the 2020 season will consist of the following expansions:

• Sun & Moon—Ultra Prism and any expansions released afterward
• Black Star Promo cards numbered SM94 and up
• Cards from the following products are also legal:
  • Dragon Majesty
  • Pokémon TCG: Detective Pikachu

Starting with the 2020 season, cards from McDonald's Collections will be legal in the Standard format if they're functionally identical to a card that is currently legal in the Standard format. For example, Magnemite (McDonald's Collection 2018, 8/12) is functionally the samecard as Magnemite from Sun & Moon—Ultra Prism, so it can still be used in the Standard format.

New expansions become legal for tournament play on the third Friday of the month they are released.

The Expanded Format for 2020

The Expanded format will remain unchanged for the 2020 season. Players should double-check what format is being used before choosing a deck to bring to their local events.

The Expanded format for the 2020 season will consist of the following expansions:

• Black & White and any expansions released afterward
• Black Star Promo cards numbered BW01 and up, XY01 and up, and SM01 and up
• Cards from the following products are also legal:
  • Generations
  • Double Crisis
  • Dragon Vault
  • Shining Legends
  • Dragon Majesty
  • Pokémon TCG: DetectivePikachu
  • Black & White Trainer Kit and any Trainer Kits released afterward
  • McDonald's Collection 2011 and later

New expansions become legal for tournament play on the third Friday of the month they are released.

Please note that several cards are currently banned from the Expanded format. You can find the list of banned cards here.

Source: https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/2020-season-pokemon-tcg-format-rotation/

Ryan Reynolds has posted a casting audition room trailer on his YouTube channel. The trailer showcases multiple Pokémon that will make appearances in the movie which will be released on May 10th 2019 in North America. Also confirmed in the trailer was that a Detective Pikachu promo card will be distributed to those that purchase a movie ticket.

YouTube Clip - Casting Detective Pikachu

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=198gzllaumo

The Pokémon Card Game - Champions League 2019 Kyoto (ポケモンカードゲーム チャンピオンズリーグ2019 京都) will take place on Sunday, April 14th, 2019 at Kyoto Pulse Plaza. To promote the upcoming movie Detective Pikachu in May 2019, a photo booth will be setup for visitors to take pictures with Detective Pikachu.


Source: https://www.pokemon-card.com/info/2019/20190308_001703.html

The Pokémon Company International announced the Pokémon Trading Card Game: Sun and Moon Unbroken Bonds set on March 7th, 2019 and it was released worldwide on May 3rd, 2019. High resolution images of the revealed cards from the press release have been added to an Imageboard thread.

New TAG TEAM Pokémon-GX Introduced in the Pokémon Trading Card Game: Sun & Moon—Unbroken Bonds Expansion, Arriving May 3

More Pokémon battle teams await in the upcoming new expansion for the Pokémon Trading Card Game, Sun & Moon—Unbroken Bonds, releasing globally on May 3.

Showcasing the power of teamwork, Sun & Moon—Unbroken Bonds features seven brand-new pairings of powered-up Pokémon, including Reshiram & Charizard-GX, Marshadow & Machamp-GX, Gardevoir & Sylveon-GX, Greninja & Zoroark-GX, Muk & Alolan Muk-GX, and the Ultra Beasts Pheromosa & Buzzwole-GX. In addition, Lucario will partner with the recently discovered Melmetal.

Key highlights of the expansion include:

• Over 210 cards
• Seven new TAG TEAM Pokémon GX
• Seven more Pokémon GX
• More than 25 Trainer cards and a new Special Energy card

At launch, Sun & Moon—Unbroken Bonds will be supported in the Pokémon TCG Card Dex app, which offers an easy way to browse and discover cards from the Pokémon TCG: Sun & Moon Series.

Fans will also have the opportunity to try out Sun & Moon—Unbroken Bonds before it’s available by participating in one of the many Prerelease tournaments taking place April 20–28.

Be the First to Get Sun & Moon—Unbroken Bonds at Prerelease Tournaments

Pokémon TCG Prerelease tournaments let players be the first to get their hands on the newest expansion and try out the latest cards in action. Pokémon TCG: Sun & Moon—Unbroken Bonds Prerelease tournaments will be held April 20–28, 2019, shortly before the expansion launches on May 3. Check with your local game store to see when they’re hosting one of these events!

When you sit down to play at a Prerelease tournament, you’ll receive a Build & Battle Box containing a 23-card Evolution pack, which includes an exclusive foil promo card and is designed to give you a strong foundation for building a new deck. Each box also includes four 10-card booster packs from Sun & Moon—Unbroken Bonds. You’ll use these cards, plus basic Energy provided by the Tournament Organizer, to construct your own 40-card deck. You’ll get to keep all the cards from your Build & Battle Box, whether you use them in your deck or not. If you’re really lucky, you might even open one of the shining stars of this expansion: a TAG TEAM Pokémon-GX!

The promo card you’ll receive is a cool collector’s item, with a shiny foil stamp marking it as a Prerelease promo. It can also be used in your deck, and you’re likely to wind up with plenty of cards that match its type. Take a look at the four promo cards available at Sun & Moon—Unbroken Bonds Prerelease tournaments, and get some tips to make the most of the one you receive.

Source: https://www.pokemon.com/us/strategy/be-the-first-to-get-sun-moon-unbroken-bonds-at-prerelease-tournaments

Pokémon TCG: Sun & Moon Unbroken Bonds Elite Trainer Box

The Pokémon TCG: Sun & Moon Unbroken Bonds Elite Trainer Box was available to purchase at the Pokémon Center and where Pokémon TCG products are sold on May 3rd, 2019.

Get a solid hold on your Pokémon TCG game with the Pokémon TCG: Sun & Moon—Unbroken Bonds Elite Trainer Box! The collection is packed with everything a Trainer needs to compete, including card sleeves, high-quality dice and damage counters, and much more. It also includes eight Pokémon TCG: Sun & Moon—Unbroken Bonds booster packs to help put you on the path to victory. And everything fits in the collector’s box, making it easy for you to compete with friends or head to your next big tournament. Victory is within your grasp with the Pokémon TCG: Sun & Moon—Unbroken Bonds Elite Trainer Box!

The Pokémon TCG: Sun & Moon Unbroken Bonds Elite Trainer Box includes:

• 8 Pokémon TCG: Sun & Moon—Unbroken Bonds booster packs
• 65 card sleeves featuring Reshiram & Charizard
• 45 Pokémon TCG Energy cards
• A player’s guide to the Sun & Moon—Unbroken Bonds expansion
• 6 damage-counter dice
• 1 competition-legal coin-flip die
• 2 acrylic condition markers and 1 acrylic TAG TEAM GX marker
• A collector’s box to hold everything, with 4 dividers to keep it organized
• A code card for the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online

Source: https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-tcg/product-gallery/sun-moon-unbroken-bonds-elite-trainer-box