The official Japanese Pokémon Card Game website has announced a new High-class pack set called VMAX Climax (VMAXクライマックス) which will be released on December 3rd, 2021. The set features full art CSR (Character Super Rare) remake cards which will certainly be popular with fans and collectors.

CSR (Character Super Rare) - Red:

Red, a trainer from the Kanto Region, is standing proudly in the middle of a battle. Even in the midst of battle, he never loses his cool, and his dignified appearance seems to indicate his strong will and pride.

CHR (Character Rare) - Kamitsure, Gym Leader of Raimon City

Kamitsure, the gym leader of Raimon City in the Isshu region, is reflected in the mirror with Mokoko. Perhaps she's getting dressed up for the mirror, but she's holding a brush in her hand, and Mokoko's expression looks happy.

CHR (Character Rare) - N

N, a trainer from the Isshu region, is riding on Zekrom's back. As they ride through the sky together, it looks as if they have a strong relationship of trust.

CHR (Character Rare) - Doctor

The Doctor is sitting at his desk behind Sirnight. The look in Sirnight's eyes is gentle, perhaps showing its appreciation for the doctor's hard work.

CHR (Character Rare) - Masaki

Masaki is scratching his head because of Eievui's behavior. His expression looks dumbfounded, but it's also smiling gently, showing that he loves Eievui's pranks.

Product Details:

Pokémon Card Game Sword & Shield High Class Pack VMAX Climax
ポケモンカードゲーム ソード＆シールド ハイクラスパック「VMAXクライマックス
Release date: December 3rd, 2021
Suggested Retail Price: 550 yen per pack (tax included)
Set includes: 11 cards per pack. Cards are included at random. A Basic Energy card is always included.

Source: https://www.pokemon-card.com/ex/s8b/

The Pokémon TCG: Single Strike Urshifu VMAX League Battle Deck and Pokémon TCG: Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX League Battle Deck will be available on November 12, 2021, at the Pokémon Center and where Pokémon TCG products are sold.

Pokémon TCG: Single Strike Urshifu VMAX and Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX League Battle Decks

Choose your moment, and strike with raw power! Or strike a thousand times—each hit bringing you one step closer to victory! Single Strike Urshifu VMAX or Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX is yours in a powerful, League-ready deck for skilled Trainers and Pokémon TCG players. With a slew of cards including premium foil cards, sought-after power cards, and a well-tuned set of Pokémon and Trainer cards, these League Battle Decks do more than feature one of the most popular Pokémon of the Galar region: they put together all the elements to support you in your next match against friends and neighbors, in person or online! This deck is ready to play and loaded with the potent combos of either Single Strike Urshifu VMAX or Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX!

Each Pokémon TCG: League Battle Deck includes:

• A full, playable 60-card deck loaded with power cards
• 2 foil cards featuring either Single Strike Urshifu V or Rapid Strike Urshifu V
• 2 foil cards featuring either Single Strike Urshifu VMAX or Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX
• 2 coin condition markers
• 6 damage-counter dice and 1 competition-legal coin-flip die
• 1 Pokémon TCG rulebook
• 1 Quick Guide to unlock the strategies within
• 1 code card to play this deck online

Source: https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-tcg/product-gallery/single-strike-urshifu-vmax-and-rapid-strike-urshifu-vmax-league-battle-decks/

Full details of the Pokémon TCG: Sword & Shield Fusion Strike Elite Trainer Box have been announced and it will be available on November 12, 2021, at the Pokémon Center and where Pokémon TCG products are sold.

Pokémon TCG: Sword & Shield—Fusion Strike Elite Trainer Box

Dive into the latest Pokémon Trading Card Game expansion, Sword & Shield—Fusion Strike, with an Elite Trainer Box. This convenient collection contains all sorts of useful goodies that will get you started. You'll get eight Sword & Shield—Fusion Strike booster packs, giving you loads of new cards to enhance your collection. There are also 45 Energy cards to power your Pokémon's many attacks. The 65 included card sleeves (which feature the Mythical Pokémon Mew) will keep your deck in tip-top shape, and items like damage-counter dice and acrylic condition markers let you play in style. There's even a player's guide to the new expansion that can help you fine-tune your strategies. It all comes packaged in a sturdy collector's box that's perfect for storing your cards.

The Pokémon TCG: Sword & Shield—Fusion Strike Elite Trainer Box includes:

• 8 Pokémon TCG: Sword & Shield—Fusion Strike booster packs
• 65 card sleeves featuring Mew
• 45 Pokémon TCG Energy cards
• A player's guide to the Sword & Shield—Fusion Strike expansion
• A Pokémon TCG rulebook
• 6 damage-counter dice
• 1 competition-legal coin-flip die
• 2 acrylic condition markers
• A collector's box to hold everything, with 4 dividers to keep it organized
• 1 code card to play this deck online

Source: https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-tcg/product-gallery/sword-shield-fusion-strike-elite-trainer-box/

The Pokémon TCG: Hoopa V Box will be available on November 12, 2021, at the Pokémon Center and where Pokémon TCG products are sold.

Pokémon TCG: Hoopa V Box

The Mythical Pokémon Hoopa has arrived as a powerful Pokémon V that's ready to juggle rings, reach across hyperspace, and find a place in your collection! The Pokémon TCG: Hoopa V Box includes the Fusion Strike Hoopa V whose Two-Faced Ability turns it into a Psychic- and Darkness-type Pokémon as long as it's in play (it's normally just a Darkness type). When the time comes for Hoopa V to unleash an attack, its Shadow Impact hits for 170 damage, but in return, you must place three damage counters on one of your Pokémon.

Just in case Hoopa V wasn't enough on its own, this set also includes an oversize version of Hoopa V that makes a great display piece. Plus, you'll get four Pokémon TCG booster packs to boost your deck. If you want to make a powerful impression, grab Hoopa V for your next deck, and put a little magic into your moves!

The Pokémon TCG: Hoopa V Box includes:

• 1 foil card featuring Hoopa V
• 1 oversize card featuring Hoopa V, suitable for display
• 4 Pokémon TCG booster packs
• 1 code card to play this deck online

Source: https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-tcg/product-gallery/hoopa-v-box/

This set allows you to enjoy playing with Zacian and Zamazenta as they battle Mugendina, recreating the experience of the games Pokémon Sword and Shield. With a full set of items to play the Pokémon Card Game, it's the perfect end-of-the-year gift!


Alternate-colored Zacian and Zamazenta are now available as Pokémon V! You can get them by purchasing this product! Zacian V is an offensive Pokémon V with the powerful move Brave Blade and the Ability Intrepid Sword while Zamazenta V is a defensive Pokémon V that fights with the trait Dauntless Shield and the move Assault Tackle!

Contents:

The contents include two Deck Cases, two Pokémon Coins, a sheet of Damage Markers, a Playmat, two Player's Guides, a Damage Case, and a Card Box. With these items, you can play more smoothly, carry your Pokémon cards more conveniently, and play more comfortably!

Product Details:

Pokémon Card Game Sword & Shield Special Deck Set: Zacian Zamazenta vs Mugendina
ポケモンカードゲーム ソード＆シールド スペシャルデッキセット ザシアン・ザマゼンタ vs ムゲンダイナ
Release date: November 5th, 2021
Suggested retail price: 5,500 yen (tax included)
1 x Zacian V and Zamazenta V deck (60 cards)
1 x Mugendina VMAX" deck (60 cards)
2 x Deck Cases (4 dividers)
2 x Pokémon Coins
1 sheet x Damage / Marker
1 x Playmat
2 x Player's Guide
1 x Damage case
1 x Card box

Source: https://www.pokemon-card.com/products/s/sj.html

Full details of the Pokémon TCG: Celebrations Elite Trainer Box have been announced and it will be available October 8th, 2021 in the Pokémon Center and where Pokémon TCG products are sold for $49.99 USD.

Pokémon TCG: Celebrations Elite Trainer Box

Celebrate 25 years of Pokémon battles, adventures, and memories with a festive parade of Pokémon including Mew, Ho-Oh, Lunala, and Zamazenta. With 10 Celebrations-themed booster packs and five additional TCG booster packs, there are plenty of opportunities to indulge your nostalgia while building a deck that celebrates everything the Pokémon TCG has to offer. And with a collector's box to keep your new cards safe, you'll be making new Pokémon TCG memories for years to come.

The Pokémon TCG: Celebrations Elite Trainer Box includes:

• 10 Pokémon TCG: Celebrations 4-card booster packs
• 5 additional Pokémon TCG booster packs
• 1 special foil card featuring Greninja ☆
• 65 card sleeves featuring the Pokémon 25 logo and lightning tail design
• 45 Pokémon TCG Energy cards
• A player's guide to the Celebrations expansion
• A Pokémon TCG rulebook
• 6 damage-counter dice
• 1 competition-legal coin-flip die
• 2 acrylic condition markers
• A collector's box to hold everything, with 4 dividers to keep it organized
• 1 code card to play this deck online

Source: https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-tcg/product-gallery/celebrations-elite-trainer-box/

The Pokémon Company International unveiled Pokémon TCG Live, a new app that allows Trainers to enjoy the Pokémon Trading Card Game in an updated digital format which will be playable on smartphones, tablets, PCs, and Macs. High resolution images and artwork from the press release have been added to an Imageboard thread.

The Pokémon Company International Reveals Latest Innovation for the Pokémon Trading Card Game with New Pokémon TCG Live App

Pokémon TCG Gameplay Comes to Smartphones for the First Time

Today, The Pokémon Company International unveiled Pokémon TCG Live, a new app that allows Trainers to enjoy the Pokémon Trading Card Game in an updated digital format. Releasing as a free-to-play game, Pokémon TCG Live also marks the first time that the Pokémon TCG will be playable on smartphones, in addition to tablets, PCs, and Macs.

The announcement comes as The Pokémon Company International continues its yearlong celebration of the brand’s 25th anniversary by engaging fans with innovative Pokémon experiences and products.

“As we look back on 25 wonderful years of Pokémon, we are once again reminded of how the Pokémon Trading Card Game has always been a strong pillar of the franchise and beloved by young and veteran Trainers alike,” said Barry Sams, vice president of the Pokémon TCG at The Pokémon Company International. “Pokémon TCG Live will go hand in hand with the tabletop version that fans know and love, and welcomes a new era of digital play where Trainers around the world can play together regardless of their preferred platform.”

Pokémon TCG Live is designed to be easy for beginners to learn how to play the game, while offering fresh challenges for existing players to improve and test their skills. Players will be able to enjoy some of their favorite Pokémon TCG activities, including building decks and battling other Trainers around the world. They will also be able to tailor their experience with customizable avatars and Pokémon TCG accessories, participate in daily quests, and more. In addition, Pokémon TCG Live will continue to be updated with new content and features following launch.

Pokémon TCG Live will be coming soon to supported iOS and Android devices, as well as PCs and Macs via Pokemon.com. Trainers looking to preview the game prior to broad availability will be able to participate in the mobile soft launch in Canada and the global open beta for PCs and Macs later this year.

Source: https://tcg.pokemon.com/en-us/tcgl/

YouTube Clip - Pokémon Trading Card Game Live [SNEAK PEEK] | Official Trailer

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ooBE5AQODY

Pokémon TCG Live FAQs

Do I need to link my Pokémon Trainer Club account to a Nintendo Account to participate in Pokémon TCG Live events?
No, Pokémon TCG Live does not require a Nintendo Account or Nintendo device, so it is not necessary to link your Pokémon Trainer Club account to a Nintendo Account to participate in Pokémon TCG Live events.
Please note: A Pokémon Trainer Club account is required to play Pokémon TCG Live on Windows or Mac.

Will I be able to transfer my Pokémon TCG Online avatar and items to Pokémon TCG Live?
No, Pokémon TCG Online avatars or avatar-related items will not be transferred to Pokémon TCG Live.

What if I do not want to migrate my account from the Pokémon TCG Online to the new Pokémon TCG Live?
All players will be migrated to Pokémon TCG Live, and the Pokémon TCG Online will eventually be retired.

What will happen to my Pokémon TCG Online friends list? Will I be able to transfer it to Pokémon TCG Live?
No, you will not be able to transfer your friends list from the Pokémon TCG Online to Pokémon TCG Live.

Do I need to have a Pokémon TCG Online account first, before I can play Pokémon TCG Live? A previous Pokémon TCG Online account is not necessary in order to play Pokémon TCG Live, but a Pokémon Trainer Club account is required. In addition, Pokémon TCG Live requires a Screen name to sign in, so please be sure to designate a Screen name if you are creating a new Pokémon Trainer Club account.

Will I be able to trade my cards to other players within Pokémon TCG Live?
Players will not be able to trade cards with other players within Pokémon TCG Live.

What will happen to the in-game chat feature in Pokémon TCG Live?
Pokémon TCG Live will not have an integrated chat feature.

Which items will not be able to migrate from the Pokémon TCG Online to Pokémon TCG Live?
Please find below a list of items that will not be migrated from the Pokémon TCG Online to Pokémon TCG Live.

• Any card from the HeartGold & SoulSilver Series or the Call of Legends expansion, including Black Star Promo cards
• McDonald’s Happy Meal cards
• Non-foil basic Energy cards from pre-constructed decks
• Cards from earlier Trainer Kit products that don’t appear in the Black & White, XY, or Sun & Moon Series

Deck Cosmetics
Deck cosmetics that are not associated with a product or promotion from Black & White or later

Unopened Products
Unopened booster packs from the HeartGold & SoulSilver Series or the Call of Legends expansion will not be migrated.

Player Account Data

• Friends list
• Avatar items
• User-created decks
• Currency

Also note that banned accounts will not be migrated.

What items will I be able to migrate from the Pokémon TCG Online to Pokémon TCG Live?
Cards

• All cards from the Black & White, XY, Sun & Moon, and Sword & Shield Series; however, please note that players will see unimplemented cards as owned in Deck Manager, but they will not be accessible to add to decks or play until implemented.

Deck Cosmetics

• Coins included with preconstructed decks. Note that several Pokémon TCG Online coins share the same art, so all owned Pokémon TCG Online coins will be mapped to a single Pokémon TCG Live coin with same art.

Organized Play

• 2013–2019 World Championships card sleeves, deck boxes, and coins
• XY, Sun & Moon, and Sword & Shield Series League card sleeves, deck boxes, and coins
• XY, Sun & Moon, and Sword & Shield Series incremental products
• Elite Trainer Box (ETB) card sleeves, deck boxes, and coins
• Premium Collection card sleeves, deck boxes, and coins. Example: Dragon Majesty Super-Premium Collection.

Unopened Products

• Unopened Black & White, XY, Sun & Moon, and Sword & Shield Series booster packs, preconstructed decks (expansion and incremental), Build & Battle Boxes, and League reward products will be converted to Pokémon TCG Live in-game currency on migration. Note that there will be a cap on the amount of in-game currency you can receive.
• Unopened XY and Sun & Moon Series tin products that unlock a 60-card deck in the Pokémon TCG Online will be converted to one copy of that tin's promo card on migration.

Source: https://support.pokemon.com/hc/en-us/sections/360011828611-FAQs

Creatures Inc. has announced the Pokémon Trading Card Game - Illustration Contest 2022 and this year it is open the the United States and Japan. The contest entry period is from October 13th, 2021 at 8 p.m. PT until January 31st, 2022 at 6:59 a.m. PT. Winners will be announced on the official Pokémon Trading Card Game Illustration Contest 2022 website early June, 2022.

Pokémon Trading Card Game - Illustration Contest 2022

Since the Pokémon Trading Card Game (developed by Creatures Inc.) debuted as Japan's first full-fledged trading card game, it has continued to be one of the most popular and best-selling trading card games in the world, and has been shipped in 13 languages and 76 countries and regions to date. The Pokémon TCG is celebrating 25 years this year, alongside the 25th anniversary of the beloved Pokémon brand.

Hosted by Creatures Inc., the Pokémon Card Game Illustration Grand Prix contest was held in Japan in 2019 and 2020, during which many beautiful illustrations were submitted and many talented artists were discovered. This year, the contest will be open to applicants from two countries, Japan and the United States, and centered around the theme of drawing a moment in a Pokémon’s daily life.

We look forward to seeing your exciting and wonderful illustrations.

Entry Period

October 13, 2021 (8 p.m. PT) – January 31, 2022 (6:59 a.m. PT)

Theme of Contest

“The Daily Life of Pokémon” - Choose 1 of the following 8 Pokémon and draw a moment in a Pokémon’s daily life. Draw an illustration that captures the Pokémon going about its day, or an illustration that shows the Pokémon going about its day while adventuring or enjoying a moment in its daily life.

Artwork Specifications

• Follow the theme and draw not only the Pokémon but also the background.
• Do not use alphanumeric text or text expressions in the background.
• Winners may be asked to resubmit their data to optimize printing quality for promo card print requirements.
• In principle, you should only draw one Pokémon per illustration so that it is easy to tell which Pokémon is the subject of a particular card. However, as long as it is clear who the main subject is, you may also draw additional Pokémon.

Limited to 3 unique entries per person (can be the same or different Pokémon)

Technical Specifications

• Size: 1080 pixels wide x 680 pixels high
• File Format: JPEG, PNG（RGB）
• File Size: must be 3 MB or under

Eligibility (Only those who meet the following qualifications may apply)

• Must be living in Japan or the United States at the time of entry.
• Eligible to work in the country where they reside.
• Legal residence (including permanent residents) of Japan or the United States and of legal age in the country where they reside.

Applicants may submit regardless of nationality or professional status.

• We do not accept submissions from minors.
• Legal age of an adult is based on the law of the country/state where you reside.

Selection Process

After the application period ends, the judges will select the winners according to the following criteria.

Interpretation and clarity of theme (40％)
Creativity and originality of the depicted theme (30％)
Overall design (30％)
Appropriate content that conforms to Pokémon brand

Awards

Grand Prize - One (1) Grand Prize Winner from either Japan or the United States will receive a cash value of $5,000 AND the winner’s illustration will be made into a promo card.
First Runner-Up (Japan / United States) - Two (2) total First Runners-Up, one (1) from Japan and one (1) from the United States, will receive a cash value of $3,000 AND each runner-up’s illustration will be made into a promo card.
Second Runner-Up - Two (2) Second Runners-Up from either Japan or the United States will receive a cash value of $1,000.
Judges’ Award - Fifteen (15) Judges’ Award Winners from either Japan or the United States will receive a cash value of $500.

Judges

Tsunekazu Ishihara - The Pokémon Company, President
Hirokazu Tanaka - Creatures, Inc. President
Kenji Okubo - The Pokémon Company International, President
Yuji Kitano - Creatures, Inc. Senior Executive Director
Atsuko Ujiie - Creatures, Inc. Executive Director, CG Studio Art Director
Satoru Nagaya - Creatures, Inc. Art Director
Kouki Saitou - Pokémon TCG Official Illustrator
Tomokazu Komiya - Pokémon TCG Official Illustrator
AKIRA EGAWA - Pokémon TCG Official Illustrator

Source: https://www.ptcgic-cr.com/2022/en/

Starting Tuesday, September 21th, 2021, you can get a Pochama promo card for the Pokémon Card Game in collaboration with Project Pochama at Pokémon Centers, LAWSON, and Bandai Namco Amusement Centers nationwide in Japan. In order to prevent the spread of COVID, stores may be closed temporarily or its hours of operation may be changed. Details of this card have been added to our TCG database.

Pokémon Center / Pokémon Store

Distribution start date: September 21st, 2021 ~ Distribution ends as soon as they are gone
Distribution Locations: All Pokémon Centers and Pokémon Stores nationwide
Distribution conditions: You will receive one card when you make a purchase. A maximum of one card per person will be given. It cannot be recieved in conjunction with other campaigns.

Pokémon Center Online

Distribution start date: September 21st, 2021 ~ Distribution ends as soon as they are gone
Distribution conditions: One card will be given when you make a purchase. There are some products that are not eligible for the gift (e.g., pre-ordered and made-to-order products).
When you purchase a product, the gift will be applied together with the product in the cart screen "STEP.4 Confirmation of Order Contents". Please note that if you do not see this message, you do not meet the conditions for this distribution.

LAWSON

Distribution start date: Tuesday, September 21st, 2021 at 7:00 a.m. JST until Monday, September 27th, 2021 at 7:00 a.m. The distribution will end when all cards are gone.
Distribution location: LAWSON stores nationwide (excluding Natural Lawson, LAWSON STORE100 and some non-participating stores)
Distribution conditions: Purchase of two qualifying products. Limited to one per person, per store, per purchase.

Bandai Namco Amusement Centers

Distribution start date: September 21st, 2021 ~ Distribution ends as soon as they are gone
Distribution Locations: Namco stores nationwide in Japan
Distribution conditions: Exchange one service ticket for every 300 yen spent on the crane game machines.

Source: https://www.pokemon.jp/special/project_pochama/campaign09_card/

YouTube Clip - Official Pokémon Card Channel - Promo Card Pochama

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGx1h5vicIk

The FA have teamed up with Pokémon for an awesome collaboration that is sure to score with both Futsal and Pokémon fans alike. They are excited to announce that the Exclusive Pokémon Trading Card Game cards are available at GAME! These highly collectible GAME Exclusive Pokémon cards, featuring fan-favourite Pokémon wearing the England national team football shirts.

The fourth and final Pokémon Futsal card to be revealed is Sobble. Add this goal saving Pokémon to your collection now. These rare cards will only be available with selected Pokémon Trading Card Game bundles online and a £15 minimum spend in stores.


Sources: https://www.game.co.uk and https://twitter.com/GAMEdigital/status/1436041809017323529