The winners of the second Pokémon Card Game Illustration Grand Prix have been announced by Creatures. This year's theme was "Cool Pokémon Moments". The grand prize winner is Jiro and his Lizardon illustration will be made into a promo card which will be released in Japan.

Jiro (次郎 さん) - Grand Prize Winner's comments

I am so happy to receive such a wonderful award! I'm sure many of you have the same memories, but Lizardon was the first Pokémon I chose when I was a child, and it's my favorite Pokémon and I'm very attached to it. I had a lot of fun drawing it, wondering how I could express the coolness of the Lizardon that I imagined as a child, looking up at it and the tension of the battle, while remembering how dependable it always was.

Judges Comments:
The air around Lizardon, the way the flames flow through the air around Lizardon, the way the flames flow at the end of its tail, and the way the dust dances around its feet is amazing. I love the shadows that fall on the stadium, the color choices of the clouds, and the space and air that can be felt in the illustration. Lizardon's are often depicted in intense illustrations, but this one is still and gives us a sense of the intense battle to come.

The massive volume of the Lizardon and the tension just before the battle is beautifully expressed. While there were many dynamic entries, this work stands out for its elegant atmosphere. The way the composition is drawn and the detailing is also wonderful.

The scene of the Lizardon going into battle is depicted in a very cool manner. There is a high level of artistry in this illustration, with a variety of touches such as lighting, coloration, and the details.

San Kusunoki (楠木 燦) - 2D Illustration Award of Excellence - Winner's comment

Thank you very much for your selection. It's a great honor for me. I'm so happy that my favorite, Yowashi, was selected as one of the "Coolest Pokémon Moments". I will never forget this award, it's a lifetime memory and a treasure. I'll continue to work hard and strive to draw pictures that everyone can enjoy. Thank you again for the award.

Judges Comments:
Among the many entries of Yowashi, I thought this one was the most dramatic. The wall of water and the bottom of the water are painted with a rough touch, but I thought they matched the situation the Yowashi was in.

From the scratched appearance and facial expressions of Yowashi, it is a work that invites emotions and a story from a single image. I want to see what develops, perhaps it saves its friends in a pinch. The background is rough, but I think it captures the three-dimensional effect and transparency of the water.

The tears pouring out of its eyes and the wounds all over its body show how it overcame various hardships and it is depicted very well.

takuyoa - 3D Illustration Award of Excellence - Winner's comment

I love the illustrations of Pokémon that look alive on the cards and I thought that it would be fun if I could draw such a picture. I am very honored that the results have come to fruition and received this award. I have achieved one big goal, but I would like to continue to work hard.

Judges Comments:
I think this is one of those drawings that feels very much in motion, thanks to the staging of the torn cords and debris and the pose of the Genesect.

The creation of the picture with its depth caught my attention. The details of the Genesect itself is also made in a well-balanced scale. The shape is simple, but I felt that the texture is well expressed without looking off.

The blue lighting of the research facility in the background and the yellow light of the beam from Genesect really have contrasting color, and it is very cool.

Rianti Hidayat (ヒダヤト　リアンティ) - Zacian - Judges Comment

The boldly placed slash trajectory and unique touches are stylish and very cool. It looks simple at first glance, but it captures its characteristics and has a solid level of perfection that can only be achieved by the way it's drawn to place less emphasis on the paws.

Kani Shirasu (白砂かに) - Milokaross - Judges Comment

Milokaross staring at its opponent in a beautiful blue landscape is a fascinating image. By carefully framing the scene and painting the background, the viewer is able to feel the size and presence of Milokaross.

Suzuki Iori (スズキイオリ) - Bangiras - Judges Comment

It is an illustration with a unique taste. There is a skillful way of not making it look rough while still retaining the powerful touch of the brushstrokes.

Nozuru (ノズル) - Pikachu - Judges Comment

The red color is used effectively as an accent color, which is not common in a Pikachu image, and the illustration is very stylish.

Yuhi Hukumoto (雉本　ユーヒ) - Lizardon - Judges Comment

The three-dimensional feel and charming expression makes you want to touch the soles of its feet. There are interesting touches that shows off its personality, with details such as the shading effect of Lizardon's wings, and more.

Source: https://www.creatures.co.jp/igp2/prize-winners/

The Pokémon Trading Card Game Raid Battle is a fun and exciting game that lets you experience the Pokémon TCG in a new way. By using your Pokémon TCG collection and either the Digital Raid Battle Assistant or printable materials from this site, you and your friends can work together to take on a powerful Dynamax or Gigantamax Boss Pokémon!

Digital Raid Battle Assistant

The Digital Raid Battle Assistant will help track important information as you play. Gather 4 players, and make sure each player has 2 Pokémon cards. Choose 1 of those players to run the game. Then, use the Battle Assistant to track the Boss Pokémon and its attacks, your Cheer cards, and player turns. Playing the game will be much easier with the Digital Raid Battle Assistant!

What you need

In order to play Pokémon TCG Raid Battles, you'll need 4 players, each with two Pokémon cards (Pokémon only; no Trainer or Energy cards).

You will also need the following materials:

• 1 Boss Pokémon card
• 1 deck of 20 Boss Attack cards
• 1 deck of 5 Cheer cards
• 4 Knock Out counters
• 1 playmat
• Damage counters
• 1 coin

These materials can be downloaded and printed out, or you can use the Digital Raid Battle Assistant on the official website.

Game Components

If you want to play Pokémon TCG Raid Battle away from your computer, just download and print out these materials.

Backgrounds

Want some Raid Battle backgrounds? You can use them to keep track of each player’s position while playing online.


Source: https://tcg.pokemon.com/en-us/raid-battle/

YouTube Clip - Pokémon Trading Card Game Raid Battle

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiPnJFgyx40

Denny's Japan has announced a nationwide campaign in Japan called "Pokémon Card Goods" which takes place from Friday, July 10th, 2020 until Monday, August 31st, 2020. To celebrate the summer season at Denny's, they are offering a special promotion to their customers with the purchase of a qualifying menu item. They will give away "Pokémon Card Goods". The target menus items are " Rice Omelet and Hamburger Plate" and "Okosama Shrimp Fried Curry".


Two Denny's Original A5 Clear Files will be distributed along with the purchase of one of the meals: a V Starter Deck clear card and a Pikachu and Eievui clear card. In addition, all nine Pokémon Card Game V Starter Decks, which will go on sale nationwide on the same day as the campaign, will be sold at Denny's stores. Also, a Denny's Select Card Pack will be given out which includes 1 of 5 different cards which are a selection from existing products. A Pikachu, Sarunori, Hibanny, Messon and Morpeko are the cards that will be available.



Sources: https://www.dennys.jp/entertainment/pokemon/ and https://www.atpress.ne.jp/news/217873

The Pokémon Company has announced the Pokémon TCG: Trainer’s Toolkit, a set of TCG items that will be very helpful for TCG players to make new decks. It will be released on June 26th, 2020 and sold where Pokémon TCG products are available.

Pokémon TCG: Trainer’s Toolkit

You can turn your Pokémon Trading Card Game collection into playable, fun, and winning decks with the Pokémon TCG: Trainer's Toolkit. Inside this box, you'll find a plethora of cards that will expand and boost the strength of your deck—cards like the powerful Dedenne-GX, which has proven to be quite formidable in competitive play, as well as strategic Trainer cards and useful Energy cards. There's also a Deck Builder's Guide that will help you assemble a deck that showcases your best Pokémon.

After all, Pokémon TCG players must make all sorts of decisions when building a deck: More big Pokémon? More strategic Trainer cards? How much Energy is too much? The Pokémon TCG: Trainer's Toolkit can help! You'll even get some accessories to use when you play, such as card sleeves, dice, and condition markers. Steer a course for completely new decks, original combos, and all the fun of head-to-head competition with the Pokémon TCG: Trainer's Toolkit.

The Pokémon TCG: Trainer's Toolkit includes:

• More than 50 useful cards to power up your decks, including dozens of Trainer cards and 2 Dedenne-GX
• Special versions of Pokégear 3.0, Pokémon Communication, and Reset Stamp with all-new art
• More than 100 Energy cards, including Special Energy
• 4 Pokémon TCG booster packs
• 65 card sleeves to protect your deck
• A Deck Builder's Guide
• A complete Pokémon TCG rulebook
• A set of 7 tournament-legal dice
• 2 condition markers
• A code card for the Pokémon TCG Online

The Pokémon TCG: Trainer's Toolkit is available in the Pokémon Center and where Pokémon TCG products are sold.

Source: https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-tcg/product-gallery/trainers-toolkit/

The Pokémon Company has officially announced that the Pokémon TCG: Galar Challengers Tin will be available starting on August 6th, 2020, at Walmart stores.

Pokémon TCG: Galar Challengers Tin

Launch: August 06, 2020

If you want to add a little more Pokémon V power to your Pokémon Trading Card Game collection, look no further than the Pokémon TCG: Galar Challengers Tin, coming to Walmart stores. There are three different tins to choose from, each with a different Pokémon V. Will you select the spectral chill of Polteageist V, the metallic might of Copperajah V, or the rebellious sneer of Toxtricity V? Or maybe all three to really boost your ranks! Each Galar Challengers Tin also includes four Pokémon TCG booster packs. No matter which you choose, you'll have some mighty Pokémon on your side in your next battle.

The Pokémon TCG: Galar Challengers Tin includes:

• 1 of 3 foil Pokémon V: Polteageist V, Copperajah V, or Toxtricity V
• 4 Pokémon TCG booster packs
• A code card to unlock a promo card in the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online

The Pokémon TCG: Galar Challengers Tin will be available August 6, 2020, at Walmart stores.

Source: https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-tcg/product-gallery/galar-challengers-tin

Starting on Monday, June 1st, 2020, specially marked boxes of Adult size Garigari-kun Golden Pineapple (大人なガリガリ君 ゴールデンパイン) popsicles sold in Japan will have a special promotion with the 2020 Pokémon The Movie Coco where marked popsicle sticks have a chance to win a Gari-kun Pokémon TCG Card.


Made with 33% golden pineapple juice, you can enjoy the authentic taste of pineapple juice. By making the ice finer than the conventional Garigari-kun, it has a crispy texture like frozen pineapple. The suggested retail price of a box of 6 popsicles is 350 yen (excluding tax).


Although the release of the movie has been postponed, Gari-kun is looking forward to the annual Pokémon movie and believes we are all waiting for it too!

Source: https://www.akagi.com/news/2020/200521.html

Zarude Promo Card Revealed

Details of the collaboration card were announced on Friday, June 12th, 2020 on the official Akagi Twitter.


Source: https://twitter.com/akagi_cp/status/1271322676544458753

The official Pokémon website has announce the streaming information and schedule for the Pokémon Players Cup 2020.

Pokémon Players Cup: Stream Information

The Pokémon Players Cup will include broadcasts from June through August 2020. Matches from each competition—the Pokémon TCG Players Cup, the Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield Players Cup, and the Pokkén Tournament DX Players Cup—will be streamed. In addition to here on Pokemon.com, you can catch every broadcast on Twitch.tv/Pokemon and on Youtube.com/Pokemon, with commentary from our team of Pokémon experts.

VG commentators: Aaron Zheng, Rosemary Kelly, Adam Dorricott, Lou Cromie

Pokémon TCG commentators: Josue Rojano, Kyle Sabelhaus, Kenny Wisdom, Jeremy Jallen

Pokkén Tournament commentators: Michael “H2” Graf, Evan “WonderChef” Hashimoto, Brendan “Burnside” Hansen

Pokémon Players Cup Broadcast Schedule

All times Pacific. Times approximate and subject to change.

Event	Date	Time
Pokémon TCG Invitational—Day 1	June 13	11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Pokémon TCG Invitational—Day 2	June 14	11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
VG Invitational—Day 1	June 20	11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
VG Invitational—Day 2	June 21	11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Pokkén Tournament Invitational—Day 1	June 27	11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Pokkén Tournament Invitational—Day 2	June 28	11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Pokkén Tournament Region Qualifiers Week 1	July 16	3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
VG Region Qualifiers Week 1	July 16	5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Pokémon TCG Region Qualifiers Week 1	July 17	3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Pokkén Tournament Region Qualifiers Week 2	July 23	3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
VG Region Qualifiers Week 2	July 23	5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Pokémon TCG Region Qualifiers Week 2	July 24	3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Pokkén Tournament Region Qualifiers Week 3	July 30	3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
VG Region Qualifiers Week 3	July 30	5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Pokémon TCG Region Qualifiers Week 3	July 31	3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Pokkén Tournament Finals—Day 1	August 15	11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Pokkén Tournament Finals—Day 2	August 16	11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
VG Finals Preshow	August 21	11 a.m. – noon
VG Finals—Day 1	August 22	11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
VG Finals—Day 2	August 23	11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Pokémon TCG Finals Preshow	August 28	11 a.m. – noon
Pokémon TCG Finals—Day 1	August 29	11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Pokémon TCG Finals—Day 2	August 30	11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Source: https://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/pokemon-players-cup/streaming/

The Pokémon Company International has announced the Pokémon Trading Card Game Battle Academy, the first-ever board game adaptation of the Pokémon TCG, one of the most beloved and best-selling trading card games in the world. High resolution images from the press release have been added to an Imageboard thread.

Pokémon Debuts New Board Game with Pokémon Trading Card Game Battle Academy

Iconic Pokémon Trading Card Game from The Pokémon Company International Reimagined as First-Ever Easy-to-Learn and Fun-to-Play Family Game, Releasing Worldwide on July 31, 2020


Today, The Pokémon Company International has announced the Pokémon Trading Card Game Battle Academy, the first-ever board game adaptation of the Pokémon TCG, one of the most beloved and best-selling trading card games in the world. Providing everything a “Trainer” needs to master the basics of the Pokémon TCG, Battle Academy offers fun family entertainment, combining strategic Pokémon TCG gameplay within a classic, easy-to-learn family game experience.


Known for its beautifully illustrated cards that are fun to collect, trade, and play with, the Pokémon TCG features a vast assortment of product offerings with something for every Trainer—from casual collector to avid competitor. Now, with the introduction of Battle Academy, there are even more accessible options for aspiring players.

“Battle Academy is designed to be easy to learn and fun to play for all types of Trainers, including children and parents that may be new to the Pokémon TCG,” said J.C. Smith, senior director of consumer marketing at The Pokémon Company International. “Pokémon has a unique ability to bring people together, and we look forward to seeing families enjoy Battle Academy at their next game night, as parents bond with their kids over one of their favorite entertainment brands and collectible Pokémon TCG cards.”


Each Battle Academy box comes with a two-player game board, three 60-card decks, tutorial guides, and gameplay accessories. It also comes with a code card that allows Trainers to enjoy the Pokémon TCG digitally through the free-to-play Pokémon Trading Card Game Online app on iOS and Android, as well as on Pokemon.com.


Launching around the world on July 31, 2020, Battle Academy will be available widely at participating mass and hobby retailers, as well as online retailers including PokemonCenter.com, the premier destination for official, high-quality Pokémon merchandise in the US. In addition, Trainers in the US will be able to grab Battle Academy early on June 21, 2020, exclusively at Target stores and online at Target.com.

Source: https://tcg.pokemon.com/en-us/battle-academy/

The Pokémon Company International unveiled the newest expansion for the Pokémon Trading Card Game, Sword & Shield Darkness Ablaze on May 29th, 2020 and it was released around the world on August 14th, 2020. High resolution press release images have been added to an Imageboard thread.

Charizard and Eternatus Make Their Pokémon VMAX Debut in the New Pokémon Trading Card Game: Sword & Shield—Darkness Ablaze Expansion

​​​​​​​Sword & Shield—Darkness Ablaze introduces highly collectible cards including Charizard VMAX, as the fan favorite Charizard makes its Gigantamax form debut in the Pokémon TCG—just like in the Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield video games. In addition, Trainers will be able to pull more Pokémon from the Galar region as Pokémon VMAX, such as Centiskorch VMAX and Grimmsnarl VMAX in their Gigantamax forms, and the Legendary Pokémon Eternatus VMAX in its unique Eternamax form.


The full expansion includes the following:

• Seven Pokémon VMAX
• 14 powerful Pokémon V—plus nine full-art Pokémon V
• 17 Trainer cards and four full-art Supporter cards
• Three new Special Energy cards

Fans interested in playing with cards from the expansion before launch can do so by picking up the Sword & Shield—Darkness Ablaze Build & Battle Box, available through their local participating Pokémon TCG retailer starting August 1. Each box contains four Sword & Shield—Darkness Ablaze booster packs; a 23-card Evolution pack featuring key cards from current and prior sets, including one of four alternate-art promo cards; and a deck-building tip sheet.

Darkness Ablaze Elite Trainer Box

Get ready for all new V and V-MAX Pokemon to join your roster! This all new set from The Pokemon Company introduces new cards such as Eternatus V and the highly anticipated Charizard V-MAX!

Each Elite Trainer Box comes with:

• 8 Pokémon TCG: Sword & Shield—Darkness Ablaze booster packs
• 65 card sleeves
• 45 Pokémon TCG Energy cards
• A player’s guide to the Sword & Shield—Darkness Ablaze Expansion
• A Pokémon TCG rulebook

Source: https://press.pokemon.com/en/releases/MEDIA-ALERT-Charizard-and-Eternatus-Make-Their-Pokemon-VMAX-Debut-in-t

Pokémon TCG: Sword & Shield—Darkness Ablaze Build & Battle Box

The Pokémon TCG: Sword & Shield—Darkness Ablaze Build & Battle Box was available in the Pokémon Center and where Pokémon TCG products are sold starting on August 28th, 2020.

If you’re burning to play a quick Pokémon TCG battle, then the Pokémon TCG: Sword & Shield—Darkness Ablaze Build & Battle Box will get you started. Each box contains a selection of cards to let you easily build a playable deck in the fast-paced Prerelease format, where each player has a 40-card deck and sets aside four Prize cards at the start of play. The Build & Battle Box contains a 23-card Evolution pack, which includes a red-hot alternative-art promo card. This selection of cards is designed to give you a strong foundation for building a new deck. To fill out the rest of your deck, there are also four 10-card booster packs from the Sword & Shield—Darkness Ablaze expansion.

The Pokémon TCG: Sword & Shield—Darkness Ablaze Build & Battle Box includes:

• A 23-card Evolution pack featuring key cards from current and prior sets, including 1 of 4 alternate-art promo cards
• 4 Pokémon TCG: Sword & Shield—Darkness Ablaze booster packs
• 1 deck-building tip sheet

Source: https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-tcg/product-gallery/sword-shield-darkness-ablaze-build-battle-box

Pokémon TCG: Sword & Shield-Darkness Ablaze Galarian Darmanitan and Galarian Sirfetch'd Theme Deck

Galarian Darmanitan Puts Foes on Ice! Cold as the north wind—or blazing with fiery determination—Galarian Darmanitan shows off deep composure and immense strength in battle! Professor’s Research keeps your hand full of options, and Pelipper keeps an eye out from the sky. Suicune, Kangaskhan, and Beartic add strong offense to keep the Galarian Darmanitan theme deck extra frosty!

The Smashing Power of Galarian Sirfetch’d! Brave and strong, the chivalrous Galarian Sirfetch’d fights fair and fights hard! With Stonjourner throwing rocky kicks and Professor’s Research keeping your options open, you can follow the knight’s path to an honorable victory. Hippowdon and Passimian add extra muscle to keep the Galarian Sirfetch’d theme deck steadfast and ready to strike!

The Pokémon TCG: Sword & Shield—Darkness Ablaze Galarian Darmanitan and Galarian Sirfetch'd Theme Decks include:

• 60-card deck
• 1 metallic coin
• Single-player playmat
• 1 deck box
• Damage counters
• 1 rules booklet
• 3 reference cards
• 1 code card to play this deck online

The offical Pokémon website has announced the details for the Pokémon Players Cup which will be taking place from June through August 2020 for the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online, Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield and Pokkén Tournament DX. The streaming schedule was announced on June 4th, 2020.

Pokémon Players Cup

The Pokémon Players Cup is an online tournament taking place from June through August in which players from around the world will compete to prove they're the best and win Travel Awards to a future Pokémon International Championship. In the Pokémon Players Cup, there will be separate competitions for the Pokémon TCG, Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield, and Pokkén Tournament DX. The Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield competition will use the standard Pokémon Video Game Championships (VGC) rules. The Pokémon Players Cup is limited to Masters Division players only. Additional eligibility rules may apply.

The Pokémon Players Cup will take place over several phases. Be sure to check out the Pokémon TCG Pokémon Players Cup, Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield Pokémon Players Cup, and Pokkén Tournament DX Pokémon Players Cup pages for schedule information and more.

The players who come out on top in the qualification stages will be eligible to compete in the final stage of the Pokémon Players Cup in August. Matches will also be broadcast on the official Pokémon Twitch and YouTube channels. Learn more on the Pokémon Players Cup Stream Information page.

Qualifying for the Pokémon Players Cup Finals

From the Pokémon Players Cup's three competitions, the following numbers of players will be selected to compete in the finals.

Pokémon Trading Card Game Online

• 4 players from the Pokémon Players Cup North America Online Qualifier
• 4 players from the Pokémon Players Cup Europe Online Qualifier
• 4 players from the Pokémon Players Cup Latin America Online Qualifier
• 3 players from the Pokémon Players Cup Oceania Online Qualifier
• 1 player from the Pokémon Players Cup Kickoff Invitational

Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield

• 4 players from the Pokémon Players Cup North America Online Qualifier
• 4 players from the Pokémon Players Cup Europe Online Qualifier
• 4 players from the Pokémon Players Cup Latin America Online Qualifier
• 3 players from the Pokémon Players Cup Oceania Online Qualifier
• 1 player from the Pokémon Players Cup Kickoff Invitational

Pokkén Tournament DX

• 4 players from the Pokémon Players Cup North America Online Qualifier
• 2 players from the Pokémon Players Cup Europe Online Qualifier
• 1 players from the Pokémon Players Cup Oceania Online Qualifier
• 1 player from the Pokémon Players Cup Kickoff Invitational

Prizes

• Pokémon Trading Card Game Online: Top 4 players will receive a Travel Award to a future International Championship of their choosing
• Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield: Top 4 players will receive a Travel Award to a future International Championship of their choosing
• Pokkén Tournament DX: Champion will receive a Travel Award to a future International Championship of their choosing
• Eligible Pokémon TCG players who participate in the Regional Online Qualifiers receive a special in-game deck box and sleeves

Source: https://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/pokemon-players-cup/about/