30 years of Pokémon is almost over. In many ways, the Pokémon 30th Celebration set isn’t just another massive milestone and expansion for the Pokémon TCG; it’s the start of the trading card game’s next five-year cycle. If anything, the hobby remains stronger than ever, and if 2027 is anything to go by, The Pokémon Company is planning an even bigger year for 2027.
From the new Pokémon set reveals to its own movie, there’s been no shortage of exciting Pokémon TCG reveals at Pokémon Worlds 2026. With Pokémon 30th Celebration pre-orders almost arriving at our door, the announcements were primarily focused on 2027, meaning we’re looking beyond the big three-zero anniversary. So, the bigger three-one era.
New Pokémon TCG expansions and Mega Attack Rares
Everyone wants new cards. So, The Pokémon Company gave us a look at some upcoming ones, including Mega Lucario ex and a whole bunch of fresh Mega Attack Rares. If you haven’t been able to buy any Pokémon Ascended Heroes, they debuted with the expansion's release earlier this year.
Mega Lucario is likely coming with ‘Aura Seeker’, Japan’s November set. If the release cycle follows the usual pattern, that will be January or February 2027 for the English version. For reference, both Ascended Heroes and Prismatic Evolutions launched in January following Japan’s November releases.
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However, what may be more exciting is the MEGA x MEGA Parade set that’s due to be released in Japan in February 2027. This is said to be a high-class set (the Japanese special sets), and with the news of a new mechanic (hint, hint), it could signal the end of the Mega Evolutions era. Especially with the Wind and Waves games set to launch next year, too, where new videogame entries typically bring in new mechanics or ties directly to the trading card game.
Neither Aura Seeker nor MEGA x MEGA Parade have been officially revealed yet. This comes from previous news and information shared by PokéBeach, but considering the site’s reliability, we’re looking at two very exciting expansions coming up in the next few months.
Pokémon ex★ could be the upcoming TCG mechanic
Headlined by the iconic trio Suicune, Raikou, and Entei, the Pokémon TCG is potentially getting a new mechanic in the form of ex★. This could begin following the end of the Mega Evolution era, bringing in an intriguing new gameplay element with the next generation of Pokémon.
This would tie in well with a potential Wind and Waves base set, much like the introduction of Terastal Pokémon with Scarlet & Violet’s base set - and which introduced the return of the standard ex mechanic.
Details are limited right now. In fact, that’s pretty much all we know. But considering how new mechanics usually bookend eras, it could be the first sign of the Pokémon TCG’s next series.
Forget the Yu-Gi-Oh anime, Pokémon TCG is getting a movie
Finally, the Pokémon TCG is getting an animated movie, which isn’t only the debut feature film for the card game, but is also the first animated Pokémon movie in seven years, with Secrets of the Jungle’s release in 2020. Being released in 2027, the movie follows a Pokémon TCG player and a Mimikyu, teasing a more grounded aesthetic compared to Pokémon’s typical world-breaking threats.
Considering how much I loved the Yu-Gi-Oh anime as a kid (and how I had nightmares in the graveyard scenes, thanks for that), it’s surprising that The Pokémon Company hasn’t done a TCG-led adaptation until now. Well, better late than never, and I will definitely be seated and watching when it finally releases.
Being a Pokémon TCG collector in 2026 is a challenge. Cards fly off shelves at a rate that has left most of us pretty frustrated. It’s possibly the worst time to start being a collector, yet 2027 is one of promise. Not the promise of better stock allocation, sadly, but one of new cards, new mechanics, and a fresh movie - some things that fans can truly appreciate.
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As someone who has spent the last 20 years of his life enjoying, the Pokémon TCG feels more special than it ever has. Every expansion feels like a focused celebration of some of the franchise’s greatest characters, and the artwork for Illustration Rares and those elusive SIRs have been the best in the TCG’s history. In shorter words, The Pokémon Company is cooking, and I’m here for it.
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