We are thrilled to announce that a special 30th Anniversary Celebration set will debut in Japan on Wednesday, September 16th! This highly anticipated release was first teased on Pokémon Day back in February.

This exclusive set will introduce a brand new card rarity, highlighted by iconic Pokémon like Pikachu, Mewtwo, and Mew featured on the promotional materials. Fans speculate that this new rarity may be closely tied to the opalescent designs teased earlier during Pokémon Day.

Each booster pack from the 30th Anniversary Celebration will contain six foiled cards, rather than the usual five—making each pack a guaranteed foil experience! The price for a single pack will be 360 yen, up from the standard 200 yen. A booster box containing 20 packs will retail for 7,200 yen.

Additionally, on the same day, a “30th Celebration Premium Deck Set featuring Espeon & Umbreon” will also launch. While details remain limited, it is speculated that these cards will showcase the new rarity.

Interestingly, while most Japanese sets are released on Fridays, the 30th Anniversary Celebration is set for a Wednesday release. This date notably mirrors the release of Japan’s 20th Anniversary set, which launched on September 16th, 2016. This mid-week launch may enhance the celebratory atmosphere for fans across Japan.

This release marks a shift in expectations, as Pokémon previously indicated that the 30th Anniversary set would roll out globally in October. However, current information suggests that we might see the 30th Collection in TPCi territories by September 18th, shortly after Japan’s launch. The time zone differences may explain Japan’s earlier release.

We look forward to learning more about the English version of the set, including its official name, expected to be announced during early summer—similar to the simultaneous revelations seen with Mask of Change and Twilight Masquerade.

Looking ahead, Japan is also set to release nine different “30th Celebration Card Sets” on October 16th, each spotlighting the iconic Starter Pokémon trios—from Bulbasaur to the latest trio: Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly.

And here’s a snapshot of the upcoming TCG release schedule in Japan:

• May 22nd: Abyss Eye featuring Mega Darkrai ex.
• July 31st: Storm Emeralda featuring Mega Rayquaza ex.
• July 31st: Three MEGA Starter Set ex Decks featuring Eevee ex, Zoroark ex, and Meowscarada ex.
• September 16th: 30th Celebration set and “30th Celebration Premium Deck Set Espeon & Umbreon.”
• October 16th: Nine “30th Celebration Card Sets” featuring the 27 Starter Pokémon.
• (?): Aura Seeker, possibly featuring Mega Lucario Z.

(Note: This information was received yesterday, but to avoid confusion with April Fools’ Day, we waited to share it.)