The official Pokémon website has announced the new changes to the Modified format for Organized Play tournaments. Below is the press release information.

In the interest of maintaining a healthy tournament environment, Pokémon Organized Play removes older sets from the Modified format at the beginning of each new tournament season. Each rotation challenges existing players to create new strategies while enabling new players to get into Organized Play with a minimal investment.

Last year we announced that our goal was to have a Modified format that starts with 9 regular sets at the beginning of the season and ends the season with about 13 regular sets. Now that we have achieved that goal, we will continue to rotate sets each year to ensure that our Organized Play environment remains healthy and vital moving forward. In addition, future Pokémon TCG sets will become legal as they are released, per the Pokémon Organized Play Tournament Rules. The HS Trainer Kit & Black StarBlack Star Promo Cards numbered DP22 and higher and Black Star Promo Cards numbered HGSS01 and higher are also allowed.

The Modified format for the 2010-2011 season will consist of the following sets:

Logo	Set Name
	Diamond & Pearl Majestic Dawn
	Diamond & Pearl Legends Awakened
	Diamond & Pearl Stormfront
	Platinum
	Platinum Rising Rivals
	Platinum Supreme Victors
	Platinum Arceus
	Rumble
	HeartGold & SoulSilver
	HS Unleashed

Source: http://www.pokemon.com/us/news/op_format_2010-2010-06-02/

The latest episode of Pokémon Sunday, Usohachi King and Manene Queen!? / Group Member Yamamoto Catches a 150km/h Ball in Professor Red's 'Future Vision Box' Invention? / Group Member Akiyama's Television Battle Debut! (ウソハチキングとマネネクイーン！？ / レッド博士の発明品「未来ビジョンボックス」で山本隊員が時速150kmのボールをキャッチ？／視聴者バトルに秋山隊員が登場！), aired today in Japan.

Director Golgo walks into the headquarters to see everyone standing around with a bunch of trash on the floor. Angry that the room is a mess he asks them why its so dirty. Suddenly a wind picks up and more trash appears and a newspaper hits Golgo in the face. Realizing the rest of the crew wasn't responsible for the mess he apologizes by making a pun and says "gominasai" (ごみなさい) instead of "gomennasai" (ごめんなさい). 'Gomi' is trash. Shoko then introduces this weeks theme and Red introduces the repeat episode title.

This week featured a continuation of last weeks rerun theme, 'Pikachu and Nyarth's Nice Little Talks', and Usohachi King and Manene Queen!? from Pocket Monsters Advanced Generation was this weeks repeat episode. In this episode, Usohachi, Manane, Nyarth and Pikachu get separated from everyone else after a battle in the massage tent sent them flying into the city. Will they reunite with their friends?! A full summary of this episode is available in the episode guide.

Professor Red walks into the room with his latest invention the RED 057 Future Vision Box (RED 057 未来ビジョンボックス). Red explains that it will show them the future as the 'Back to the Future' theme song which generally plays through episodes actually fit well during this scene. Red pulls out a picture of Yamamoto who is laying on the floor unconscious. Shoko-tan walks in right after with her latest creation a Rice Choco Omelet (オムチョコライス) which she feeds to Yamamoto who is reluctant to eat it. Moments later he falls over on the floor unconscious just as the picture moments earlier showed.

Robert and Lucario then head out of the headquarters with the Future Vision Box. Baba decides to try it out again and flips the switch to reveal a picture of Yamamoto dressed up as a baseball catcher with the caption that he caught a 150km/h fastball. The decide to test Yamamoto to see if he could actually catch a ball going that fast by setting up a pitching machine. On the 3rd pitch, he actually manages to catch it, once again Red's future machine was correct.

Akiyama decides to try the box again and pulls out a picture of Baba this time. On the picture it states that he was able to run 50 metres in 7 seconds. Akiyama and Yamamoto get out a stop watch and get Baba to run as fast as he could but gets a time of 8.57 seconds. They decide to recruit track runners to pull him to increase his speed. With there assistance, Baba was able to run it in 7.44 seconds, once again proving Red's future machine was correct.

The announcer reminded viewers of the currently running Pokémon Card Game Present Campaign to help promote the upcoming 13th Pocket Monsters movie: The Ruler of Illusions Zoroark (幻影の覇者 ゾロアーク). Two sets of cards are available to those people that submit the required information between April 28th, 2010 and June 30th, 2010. The first set is Ho-oh and Lugia and the second set includes Raikou, Suicune and Entei. Only 2000 sets will be available to those that enter the campaign.


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Shoko introduced the Pokémon Sunday audience to the official cover art for the upcoming Pocket Monsters Black and White along with their respective version legendaries Reshiram (レシラム) and Zekrom (ゼクロム). The information was released on the official websites the day before.


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Characters and Pictures from this episode have been added to the episode guide. You can also comment and discuss this episode on the forum. Also be sure to rate this and other episodes in the episode guide.

The latest episode of Pokémon Sunday, Stray Pokémon Hitokage / New Shocking Pokémon Production Announcement / A Card Battle with Sandwichman (はぐれポケモン・ヒトカゲ / ポケモン新作衝撃発表 / サンドウィッチマンとカードバトル), aired today in Japan.

This week featured the continuation of the rerun theme 'New friends! Get Pokémon!' and Stray Pokémon Hitokage (はぐれポケモン・ヒトカゲ) was this weeks repeat episode. Satoshi and friends find a stray and injured Hitokage resting on a rock. They take it to the Pokémon to Nurse Joy to heal it only for it to escape and return back to the rock to wait for its trainer Daisuke.

During the card battle, Date Mikio (伊達みきお) and Tomizawa Takeshi (富澤たけし), who are featured in the latest HeartGold SoulSilver TCG commercials, battle against Robert. The commercial aired during the midway anime break early in today's broadcast and can also be viewed on the official Japanese Pokémon website. The two form a comedy duo called Sandwichman (サンドウィッチマン) and are famous for winning the M-1 Grand Prix comedy event in 2007.


The card battle featured cards from the upcoming expansion set, Lost Link. Baba started off the battle using a new card from the set, Riolu. Dr. Takashima, an employee of the Pokémon Card Game company, was once again on hand to help direct the battle. Through the use of a special Pokémon Sunday Yamirami supporter card, Tomizawa Takeshi were able to get enough energy to use Darkrai & Crecelia LEGEND(ダークライ&クレセリアLEGEND) Lost Crisis attack to put Baba in the Lost Zone. Robert ended up winning the battle and they lifted up the Lost Zone box to find Baba had fallen asleep.

At the end of last weeks episode, Shoko-tan teased the audience that 'The latest Pokémon game series announcement' (ポケットモンスターシリーズ最新作ゲーム 重大発表) would be revealed on this weeks episode. As revealed on the official Japanese website earlier this week, Shoko-tan announced Pokémon Black and White (ポケットモンスター ブラック・ホワイト) for the Nintendo DS. The 5th Generation games will be released later this year.

The latest episode of Pokémon Sunday, Bye Bye Butterfree / Substitution Quiz / What will the children do when Robert changes places with the Kindergarten Teacher!? (バイバイバタフリー / いれかわりクイズ / 幼稚園の先生が突然ロバートに入れかわったら子どもたちはどうする！？), aired today in Japan.

Bye Bye Butterfree (ヤドンがヤドランになると) was this weeks repeat episode. The episode featured the departure of Satoshi's Butterfree as it was released and the two parted ways.

To promote the upcoming 1 hour special of Pocket Monsters Diamond and Pearl that is airing on April 1st, 2010 in Japan, the Pokémon Sunday crew decided to hold a Substitution Quiz in studio. They started off the show by playing the current opening theme for the series, The Greatest・Everyday!(サイコー・エブリディ！) sung by Akiyoshi Fumie (あきよしふみえ). Akiyama, who was sporting a new hair style, seemed to really enjoy the song and danced around a bit as it played. A preview for the upcoming episodes was then shown.


Robert visited a local kindergarten class where they switched places with the teacher. Yamamoto was the first to switch places with the teacher and when the kids opened their eyes they were able to identify him. Baba went next and hid behind a cardboard box. Two new kids were able to also identify Baba. Akiyama was the final member of Robert to switch with the teacher and the two girls ended up running out of the classroom, obviously to the dismay of Akiyama.

During the Pokémon Sunday News segment, Hikozaru reminded viewers of the currently available mission that can be downloaded off of Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. The Protect the Legendary Blue Orb! (でんせつのあおいたまをまもれ！) mission will be available for download until May 17th, 2010.


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For the final segment of the show, the Pokémon Game Arena, the cast played a mock TCG game where Pokémon types would be how they declared the winner as they showcased cards from the preview TCG sets as well as the upcoming TCG expansion Lost Link (ロストリンク). The set will be available starting April 16th, 2010. Below are screenshots of the cards that were revealed on the show.


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Mojanbo (モジャンボ)

Grass - HP110
Illustration: Hideaki Hakozaki
Retreat Cost: 4
Weakness: Fire x2
Resistance: Water -20
Card Number: 4/40

Kongpang (コンパン)

Grass - HP50
Illustration: Hideaki Hakozaki
Weakness: Fire x2
Retreat Cost: 1
Card Number: 1/40

Characters and Pictures from this episode have been added to the episode guide. You can also comment and discuss this episode on the forum. Also be sure to rate this and other episodes in the episode guide.

The official Japanese Pokémon TCG website has revealed 5 cards that will be part of the upcoming Pokémon Card Game - Lost Link expansion (ポケモンカードゲーム ロストリンク). The set will be available starting April 16th, 2010 for 200yen per pack including tax with each pack contains 7 cards from the new 40 card set. Below are pictures of the revealed cards, card information and a link to the official Japanese TCG dex for each card.


Darkrai & Cresselia LEGEND (ダークライ&クレセリアLEGEND)
Dual Type: Darkness / Psychic
Hit Points: HP150
Illustration: Shinji Higuchi (樋口真嗣) & Noriko Takaya (高屋法子)
Card Numbers: 35/40 & 36/40

Mew (ミュウ)
Type: Psychic
Hit Points: HP60
Illustration: Hideaki Hakozaki
Card Number: 18/40

Lucario (ルカリオ)
Type: Fighting
Hit Points: HP90
Illustration: Takashi Yamaguchi
Card Number: 26/40

Lost World (ロストワールド)
Type: Stadium
Illustration: Hideaki Hakozaki
Card Number: 40/40

Source: http://www.pokemon-card.com/products/promotion/lostlink/

The official Pokémon website has revealed the three new Pokémon LEGENDs cards that players can find in the upcoming set HS Unleashed. Each card one is composed of two of the three legendary Pokémon: Raikou, Entei or Suicune. The cards once again have some of the most extraordinary art depicting these Legendary Pokémon! Below are the revealed cards and some information from the official press release.

These new Pokémon LEGENDs continue to demonstrate the same power as Ho-Oh LEGEND and Lugia LEGEND from the HeartGold & SoulSilver expansion. But latest Pokémon LEGENDs have a few twists that make them all the more intriguing: each of them has two types, meaning they can be extra-effective against more than one type of Defending Pokémon. However, they all have two types of Weakness as well! It’s twice the benefit...and twice the risk! Further, these Pokémon LEGEND cards will net your opponent two Prize cards if they get Knocked Out in battle—fortunately, they all have high HP, making them especially tough to take down!


The Pokémon TCG expansion: HS—Unleashed will arrive in stores in the United States on May 12, 2010.

Source: http://www.pokemon.com/us/news/tcg_hgss2_featured_legends-2010-03-22/

The Pokémon TCG: HS Unleashed expansion was released on May 12th, 2010. Press release pictures from this set have been added to an Imageboard thread.

Pokémon TCG: HS Unleashed

Raikou... Entei... Suicune... Alone, each of these Legendary Pokémon is a force to be reckoned with, but let loose in pairs, they become amazing LEGEND cards! In the Pokémon Trading Card Game: HS—Unleashed expansion, you'll find Pokémon Prime bursting at the seams, powerful Pokémon like Jirachi and Shaymin raring to join the battle, and Pokémon LEGENDs joining forces for twice the excitement! Are you a powerful enough Trainer to command what's been Unleashed?

With more than 90 cards, the brand-new Pokémon TCG: HS—Unleashed expansion is available now in stores nationwide.


Features of the new Pokémon TCG: HS—Unleashed expansion:

• Legendary Pokémon—Entei, Raikou, and Suicune—appear in pairs on Pokémon LEGEND cards
• Discover six amazing Pokémon Prime cards, including Tyranitar and Steelix!
• Introduction of Chaos Control and Steel Sentinel theme decks

Twice as Nice
When you play the Pokémon LEGEND cards in the Pokémon TCG: HS—Unleashed expansion, your opponents will find their troubles doubled! Each Pokémon LEGEND pairing features two of Raikou, Entei, and Suicune. In addition, each of the card pairs features two types, two Weaknesses, and incredible attacks and abilities that could turn the tide of battle in your favor! These magnificent cards are completed by stunning artwork, making them even more desirable. So, start collecting them all now!

Prime Suspects
The Pokémon Prime in HS—Unleashed offer great tactical value to any deck. Check out Kingdra Prime and its Spray Splash Poké-Power, capable of damaging your opponent every turn without leaving your Bench! Take an even closer look at Lanturn Prime, a Lightning-type Pokémon that can become a Water Pokémon with its Underwater Dive Poké-Power. And, if offense is what you need, hammer the Defending Pokémon with Steelix Prime's Gaia Crush—a 100-damage attack that also lets you discard any Stadium card in play. With a total of six Pokémon Prime in the expansion, it will be no time at all before you discover just how much they can help your deck!

Seek Some Support
HS—Unleashed contains several fascinating Supporter cards that cycle cards in and out of your hand. Want to shake things up a bit, or throw your opponent's plans into disarray? All rise for the Judge Supporter card, which forces each player to shuffle his or her hand into his or her deck and draw 4 new cards. Or, if your hand needs some tweaking, play Engineer's Adjustments—allowing you to discard an Energy card and then draw 4 new cards from your deck! If it's Energy you're hunting for, pay attention to the Interviewer's Questions. When you play it, you’ll be able to keep any Energy cards you may find among the top 8 cards in your deck before shuffling the rest back in. You’re never without backup HS—Unleashed!

Source: https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-tcg/hs-unleashed

Chaos Control / Steel Sentinel Theme Decks

The chaotic powers that have been unleashed can only be controlled by an amazing Pokémon Trainer. Is it you? In the Chaos Control theme deck, you'll need to balance devastating attacks like Tyranitar's Tail Crush and Lucario's Bulk Up against more strategic approaches like Mismagius's Psychic Pulse. With all of your opponent's Pokémon vulnerable to your battle plans, can you control your forces until victory is yours?

The best offense is a strong defense when you play the Steel Sentinel theme deck! Steelix's Guard Press attack reduces the damage your opponent can do... Cherrim's Sunny Heal Poké-Power heals your Active Pokémon turn after turn...Life Herb can do wonders to help your Pokémon last longer...and even Turtwig's Leech Seed attack heals Turtwig whenever it does damage to your opponent's Pokémon! Can you stand strong against all attackers?

The latest episode of Pokémon Sunday, Nyarth's A-E-I-O-U / Fruit Punch and Robert's Original Card Battle! / Director Shoko-tan Loves the New Pokemon She Raised (ニャースのあいうえお / フルーツポンチとロバートがポケサンオリジナルカードバトル！ / しょこたん部長がかわいがって育てた新しいポケモン登場), aired today in Japan.

The anime rerun episode for this week was the original series episode Nyarth's A-E-I-O-U (ニャースのあいうえお). The episode featured the origins of Nyarth and how he learned to speak a human language.

Shoko-tan started off the live action segment in today's episode by showing off the new cookie baking oven from Takara Tomy. As usual, Shoko-tan decides to mix the food with some interesting ingredients and got the rest of the cast to try her new 'delicacies'. She gave Golgo a cookie sandwich with chocolate and a dried plum (チョコレート+うめぼし). Golgo found it to be quite disgusting at first but then called is 'delicious' (ウマい) and finished eating it.

Shoko-tan then made another treat, this time it was chocolate and natto (fermented soybeans) (チョコレート+なっとう) and Akiyama was the one to try it. He was confused about what he was eating though.

Finally Shoko-tan made her final treat for Yamamoto. It was another cookie with chocolate and assorted sashimi. (チョコレート+さしみのもりあわせ). Sashimi is generally very fresh raw seafood, sliced into thin pieces, something not served with chocolate and cookies. Yamamoto took a bite of it and collapsed on the floor unconscious.

Once again Robert competed in an original Card Battle featuring cards from the expansion Revived Legends (ポケモンカードゲームLEGEND 「よみがえる伝説」). Dr. Takashima (タカシマ先生) of the Pokémon Card Game company in Japan once again returned to provide insightful information about the cards.

For this battle, Robert faced Fruit Punch (フルーツポンチ), a Japaense comedy duo that consists of Kentaro Wataru (亘健太郎) and Takeshi Murakami (村上健志). In the end, Dr. Takashima declared Robert the winners of the card battle.

Just before the ending credits, Director Lucario announced the Valentines Day promotional gift at the Pokémon Centers. Patrons that visit the Pokémon Centers on Valentines Day can receive a Pokémon Sunday stationary folder.



During the new Pokémon Ranger Corner, the Deoxys' Mysterious Temple (デオキシスとナゾのしんでん) mission was announced and it will be available from March 6th, 2010 to May 17th, 2010. The Deoxys can be transferred to Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold and SoulSilver. Deoxys is level 50 and knows the following moves: Psycho Boost (サイコブースト), Meteor Mash (コメットパンチ), Superpower (ばかぢから) and Hyper Beam (はかいこうせん).


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Pictures and episode guide. You can can also comment and discuss this episode. Also be sure to rate this and other episodes in the episode guide.

Various Japanese online shops have added a new Pokémon Trading Card Game expansion to their databases. Pokémon Card Game - Lost Link - (ポケモンカードゲーム ロストリンク) will be available April 16th, 2010 for 200yen per pack including tax. The cards can also be bought in box of 20 packs. Each pack contains 7 cards from the new 40 card set.

Mew, Gangar, Absol and Jibacoil are the Pokémon Prime cards available in this new set. Pokémon Prime cards are one of the replacements for the Pokémon LV.X. cards. Darkrai & Crecelia are the LEGEND cards.

The official Pokémon website has released information about the upcoming Noctowl card for the Pokémon TCG: HeartGold & SoulSilver expansion! Below is information about the card.

The Owl Pokémon Noctowl (8/123) stares out into the night sky, pondering its next move. And you'll be all the wiser with this Stage 1 Pokémon in your deck, too! Noctowl can use its Night Sight Poké-Power to let you draw an extra card every turn, giving you an additional opportunity to get just that card you're looking for. And in battle, Noctowl’s Extrasensory attack does 40 damage plus 40 more damage if you and your opponent have the same number of cards in your hand. So, rely on Night Sight to match your opponent's hand, and then let Noctowl deliver an 80-damage blow!

Source: http://www.pokemon.com/us/news/tcg_hgss1_featured_noctowl-2010-01-26/