It's been a busy week in Pokémon TCG: a new 30th-anniversary card, a set freshly landed in stores, and a registered trademark in Japan that hints at a collector's bombshell. Here's the complete rundown, from collector to collector, with everything that's happened these past few days and what's coming up on the calendar.
Click on any card to view it full size.
Jirachi ex joins the 30th anniversary
The Pokémon Company revealed Jirachi ex from the 30th Anniversary Celebration set, presented simultaneously in English and Japanese. And the date was no coincidence: it was shown on July 7th, Tanabata, the Japanese festival of wishes where people hang their written hopes on paper strips. Jirachi, the Wish Pokémon, has been associated with this festival since its inception: the streamers hanging from its head are inspired precisely by this. A beautiful nod for an anniversary card.
Jirachi ex in its English and Japanese versions, revealed simultaneously. Official image.
For the collector, the interesting part lies in the details: a nocturnal illustration by 5ban Graphics with Jirachi surrounded by wish trails, the golden 30th-anniversary stamp integrated with the artwork, and the numbering 102/128, which confirms that the set will have 128 cards before secret rares. Remember what makes this expansion special: all cards are holographic, and every pack guarantees one of 30 unique Pikachu illustrations.
The 30th-anniversary set booster pack: 5 guaranteed holographic cards in each.
Additionally, this week saw reservations open for additional products from the set through official channels after part of the first wave sold out. The full breakdown of products and waves can be found in our complete 30th-anniversary guide.
Absolute Darkness is now on sale
The Absolute Darkness booster pack featuring Mega Darkrai on the cover, now available.
On July 17th, Mega Evolution Absolute Darkness arrived in stores, the Mega-Darkrai ex set we thoroughly analyzed in this article. As a collector's curiosity, its store promos (Primarina, Zarude, and Armarouge in the American market) bear the 30th-anniversary commemorative stamp, the same one we'll see on many cards until the end of the year: 2026 will fully breathe anniversary. If you had your eye on the set, you know how this goes: the first stock waves are the good ones. Check out our Pokémon section.
MEGA x MEGA Parade: Japan registers a name that smells like a High Class Pack
The registration of the MEGA x MEGA Parade trademark in Japan.
And the most exciting news for those looking long-term: Pokémon has registered the trademark MEGA x MEGA Parade in Japan, under the same trademark categories used for TCG sets. Why is this important? Because the name fits perfectly with the High Class Pack series, the premium Japanese year-end sets loaded with secret rares and alternate art: Mega Dream ex, Terastal Festival ex, Shiny Treasure ex, VSTAR Universe, VMAX Climax, or Shiny Star V. Year after year, these are the most sought-after Japanese sets by collectors.
Previous High Class Packs: Mega Dream ex (2025) and Terastal Festival ex (2024).
Caution, though: trademarks are registered six months to a year before use, and this year's Japanese calendar is already quite full, so there's no official date or confirmation that it will be a set. But the historical pattern is clear, and if confirmed, it will be one of the most desired items of the season. Meanwhile, the current High Class Pack, the Booster Box Mega Dream EX (M2A), remains one of the most popular Japanese boxes in our catalog.
The Japanese calendar until the end of the year
With all that has been announced, here is the Japanese schedule (official dates except for the last one):
- July 31st: Storm Emeralda (M6) with Mega Rayquaza ex, plus three MEGA Starter Set ex featuring Eevee ex, Zoroark ex, and Meowscarada ex. We detail the set in this article.
- September 16th: worldwide release of 30th Anniversary Celebration, with two exclusive Japanese boxes (Premium Deck Set Espeon and Umbreon, and Futuristic Box with two Pikachu ex).
- October 16th: nine Card Sets for the 30th anniversary with the 27 starter Pokémon promos.
- November 13th: Special Deck Set of Mega Feraligatr ex, Mega Dragonite ex, and Mega Gengar ex.
- November 27th: Aura Seeker, the Mega Lucario Z ex set.
- No date: MEGA x MEGA Parade, the likely High Class Pack.
Our opinion at Collectowny
This week's picture offers two interpretations. The first: the 30th anniversary is going to be the event of the year and is already in high gear, with carefully planned reveals like Jirachi and reservations selling out in waves; if you want it at its release price, the pre-order list is not optional. The second: the registration of MEGA x MEGA Parade confirms that the Mega block will close the year on a high note, and High Class Packs are one of the few things that almost never disappoint Japanese product collectors. Our specific recommendation: prioritize the 30th anniversary now, and keep MEGA x MEGA Parade on your radar for when official confirmation arrives, without paying for speculative hype too early.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Jirachi ex revealed on July 7th?
Because it's Tanabata, the Japanese wish festival with which Jirachi has always been associated. The paper strips on its head are inspired by those hung on that day.
What is MEGA x MEGA Parade?
A trademark registered by Pokémon in Japan which, by its name and categories, points to the next High Class Pack, the line of premium Japanese sets like Mega Dream ex or Terastal Festival ex. There is no official confirmation or date yet.
How many cards will the 30th-anniversary set have?
Jirachi ex's numbering (102/128) confirms 128 cards before secret rares, all holographic and with one guaranteed Pikachu illustration in each pack.
Is Absolute Darkness already available for purchase?
Yes, the set has been on sale since July 17, 2026, in Spanish and English. As with all charismatic sets, the first wave of stock offers the best price.
Pre-order before it flies away
At Collectowny, we are preparing for the arrival of the most anticipated set of the year. Sign up for our mailing list to receive the 30th-anniversary pre-order notification as soon as we open reservations, check out the pre-order collection and everything available in our Pokémon section. And as always, protect your treasures with sleeves and toploaders from the accessories collection. From collector to collector: this anniversary year is not the time to be late.
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