Everything You Need To Know – Mega Brave and Mega Symphonia

We’re officially in our MEGA era and say a very goodbye to Scarlet & Violet. We have previously seen Mega Evolutions back in 2016 during the XY era and welcome it back with open arms. For a lot of collectors, having a Mega EX card is an absolute staple in their collections, so this new Mega era has some very big shoes to fill – kind of like the kind Copperajah (Gigantamax form) might need. Fine! We’ll work on the jokes. Promise.

Mega Brave M1L release details

1. Name: Mega Brave M1L
2. Release date: 01 August 2025
3. Location: Japan
4. Language of cards: Japanese
5. Standard Booster Pack details:
   • 5 x cards in a pack

Mega Symphonia M1S release details

1. Name: Mega Symphonia M1S
2. Release date: 01 August 2025
3. Location: Japan
4. Language of cards: Japanese
5. Standard Booster Pack details:
   • 5 x cards in a pack

Booster Pack Details

Both artworks show fan favourite Pokémon (Lucario and Gardevoir) and their Mega EX form.

All the facts: What is a Mega EX Pokémon?

Mega EX Pokémon are a type of card in the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) that combine two features:

Mega Evolution. This is a powerful form of evolution based on the video games, giving a Pokémon increased stats and new abilities.

EX Cards> This is a classification in the TCG for stronger Pokémon that grant your opponent two Prize cards if defeated.

Collectors Tip: Mega EX cards are not part of the video games but instead are inspired by the Mega Evolution mechanic introduced in Generation 6.

NEW Rarity

A new rarity has been revealed!

Introducing the MUR (MEGA Ultra Rare). Unlike previous Ultra Rare designs (which was the SR design, but in gold). They have designed completely new illustrations for this rarity (making it MEGA cool).

Full Arts

There are now full arts for Trainer cards. Specifically, the Trainer Item cards and not the Trainer (Supporter) cards. These new full arts will fall under the Special Rare (SR) rarity. Previously full arts for item cards were only in UR rarity. Why is this important? Well on to the next point! ➡️

Guaranteed Hits

Previously in the S&V era, you were guaranteed 1 x Special Rare and 3 x Art Rares per box. Moving into the MEGA era, you are now guaranteed 2 x SRs and 3 x ARs per box. Your first SR slot will be the Pokémon/Supporter slot, and the second SR slot will be the Item SR (usually).

Mega Brave and Mega Symphonia Pokémon Center Set

Along with the launch of these 2 sets, Pokémon Center Sets were laucnhed alongside them.

Box Set Contents:

• 2 x Booster Boxes of the respective Mega set
• 64 x Themed Sleeves
• 1 x Card Deck Box
• 4 x Card Dividers

Collectors Tip: Traditional Chinese (Hong Kong and Taiwan) Pokémon will be releasing the same box set but will include a stamped promo card!

Everything You Need To Know – Black Bolt and White Flare

We’re headed into the Unova region – the setting for both Pokémon Black and White & Pokémon Black and White 2 games.

Black Bolt and White Flare will feature Zekrom and Reshiram on the booster boxes and pack arts which is a stunning tribute to both these legendary dragon Pokémon.

The two sets include all 156 Unova Pokémon, and every one of them will be extensively celebrated.

What does all that mean? Well… Each Pokémon will have their own AR (Art Rare), or SAR (Special Art Rare). Yup, you read that right.

Collectors Tip: This is an advance apology to all master set collectors – this one is going to break the piggy bank for sure. 😭

Black Bolt SV11B release details

1. Name: Black Bolt SV11B
2. Release date: 06 June 2025
3. Location: Japan
4. Language of cards: Japanese
5. Standard Booster Pack details:
   • 7 x cards in a pack
6. Deluxe Booster Pack details:
   • 35 x cards in a pack

White Flash SV11W release details

1. Name: White Flare SV11W
2. Release date: 06 June 2025
3. Location: Japan
4. Language of cards: Japanese
5. Standard Booster Pack details:
   • 7 x cards in a pack
6. Deluxe Booster Pack details:
   • 35 x cards in a pack

Booster Pack Details

For the first time in the Scarlet & Violet era, Pokémon Japan have launched with a “Deluxe Booster Pack”. These packs will contain 35 cards and have a guaranteed AR (Art Rare) in each pack.

The Deluxe Booster Pack will contain a total of 35 cards.

The Standard Booster Pack will contain a total of 7 cards.

NEW Rarity

A new rarity has been revealed!

Introducing the BWR (we’re guessing Black & White Rare). With only two cards revealed so far, can we expect the BWR to replace the UR (them gold cards) possibly? We’ll have to wait and see how this unfolds.

Black & white is always such a classic look, we’re sure these are going to be highly sought after.

EXCLUSIVE Tournament Cards!

Japan will be holding the “Victini BWR Battle” from 14 June to 31 August 31 2025, where players will only be able to play with cards from Black Bolt and White Flare in their decks.

There are two opportunities to obtain the Victini BWR card; 1) winning the Victini BWR Battle and 2) a lottery system to obtain the card. Participants of the tournament will receive a Victini BWR Battle Promo Card Pack which will contain event logo stamped cards as well as energy event logo stamped cards.

Cards, Cards and more Cards

Hopefully the news has sunk in now that every Pokémon in this set can be found as either an AR, SAR, or original artwork (we’re looking at over 350+ cards! Remember what we said about those piggy banks). This set is going to be huge, gargantuan, massive, stupendous, etc.. 

Holos

For those that aren’t a huge fan of the Scarlet & Violet holo era that we’re in – you’re in luck. For this set exclusively, Pokémon have changed the holo design back to what was previously used in the original Black & White series set.

Reverses

Fan favourite reverse holo Pokeballs and Masterballs will also feature in this set.

GOD PACKS

Yes, you read that right. God Packs are back. You have the chance of pulling a God Pack which contains a total of 6 cards which include ARs/SRs/SARs from the Standard booster box and 6x AR’s and 1xSAR from a Deluxe booster box.

Card File Set

Along with the launch of these 2 sets, A Black Bolt White Flare Card File will be released on the same date too.

Release details:

• 1 x Victini Promo card
• 3-Pocket card file (holds 156 cards)
• 3 x packs of White Flare
• 3 x packs of Black Bolt

Collectors Tip: The featured promo card will also be available in the Black Bolt set as an Art Rare. For those master set collectors it means you’ll need to collect two variants of this card.

Victini AR

Unova Starter Evolutions

To get you even more hyped up for this set launch, behold a sneak peek showcase of the beautiful Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott Evolution line cards that have been revealed.