As part of the official reveal of the Pokémon TCG collectible card game, a special set dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the series was unveiled and its release date in September was announced.
As an avid collector of the Pokémon TCG trading card game, I'm eagerly awaiting the release of the new Anniversary Set. Today, Pokémon TCG celebrates its 30th anniversary with a special Anniversary Set, scheduled for release worldwide on Wednesday, September 16th. Yes, you heard that right! For the first time in franchise history, the set will be released in all regions on September 16th, not just Japan. The set will also debut a new rarity called Futuristic Rarity (FUR). Mew and Mewtwo will be the first two Pokémon to receive this new rarity as part of the Anniversary Set.
Two new futuristic rare cards, Mew and Mewtwo, were created by renowned Japanese artist Yoshirotten, who brought a fresh, new visual style to each card. The official Pokémon TCG website describes the cards as follows: "Each futuristic rare card will feature Pokémon in vibrant illustrations that inspire hope for an unknown future." Since these two legendary monsters are classics, it's only logical to give them the attention they deserve. For collectors, this also means that prices for these cards will skyrocket once they hit the market.
Also on sale is a Charizard card from the base set, reissued as part of the series' 30th anniversary celebration. This will be a great opportunity for new, younger Pokémon TCG collectors to finally get their hands on a Charizard, just like they did back in 1996. Among the iconic reissues, the Pikachu & Zekrom Tag Team GX card, released in 2019 in the Sun & Moon-Team Up set, is also worth noting.
The Pokémon 30th Anniversary Trading Card Set will be released on September 16th, featuring 30 new Pikachu cards.
As with the 2021 Celebrations set, this set will feature multiple reprints. There will be a total of 30 different Pikachu cards to collect. Each card will be illustrated by a different artist, meaning they will each feature a unique art style, a "30" stamp, and a special foil finish. These cards will not be tournament-legal. Each booster pack will contain a Pikachu card.
Speaking of rare illustrations, the teaser featured several new cards that will be included in the 30th Anniversary Set, including Lapras, Drifloon, Lycanroc, and Hisuian Zorua. Legendary Pokémon such as Xerneas, Ho-Oh, Kyogre, and Dialga are also expected to appear in the set. "Additional New Cards in the 30th Anniversary Set"« «"They will feature various Pokémon at different moments of the day and night," states the official website for the collectible card game. "Fans will be able to discover 30 classic Pokémon cards from across the game's history, returning as part of the 30th anniversary celebration. Each of these classic cards will feature stunning foil artwork.".
While Mew and Mewtwo will be the main characters, expect new EX cards for popular Pokémon like Sylveon and Greninja, as well as cards for a host of other fan favorites, including Slowpoke, Espeon, and Umbreon. Even though the entire Pokémon TCG community is in a dire state, this is still a great opportunity for modern kids to experience something special. Again, the TCG 30th Anniversary Set will release worldwide on September 16.