Information regarding a new Japanese Pokémon Trading Card set called 'Dragon Selection' 「ドラゴンセレクション」 has been posted on various retailers sites. The new set will feature Dragon Pokémon and will be released in Japan on January 27th, 2012. A Yahoo Japan posting has further indicated that the cards in the set will all be holographic which is confirmed on the card packaging image and a new 'Dragon Type' will be introduced. (全部キラカード！ドラゴンタイプ新登場!!). The card packaging features Rayquaza, Druddigon and Ononokus and each pack will contain 5 cards.

Source: http://store.shopping.yahoo.co.jp/bigbe/59920.html and http://www.amiami.jp/shop/ProductInfo/product_id/235652

The official Japanese Pokémon Card Game blog has revealed a picture of a Fushigibana (フシギバナ) card (003/069 BW4) from the upcoming Dark Rush (ダークラッシュ) set. Dark Rush is the 4th Black and White expansion in Japan and it features 69 cards. The set will be released on December 16th, 2011. The Fushigibana has 140HP, is a Grass type, 2x Weakness to Fire, -20 Water Resistance, has a retreat cost of 4, is Illustrated by Masakazu Fukuda and knows the attack Poisonpowder.

It was also announced that October 20th, 2011 was the 15th anniversary of the Pokémon TCG in Japan. The blog posted an advertisement poster for the first set in commemoration.


Source: http://pcgn.pokemon-card.com/blog/

The official Pokémon website has announced that players who just participate in the upcoming Pokémon TCG Regional Championships taking place on November 12th and 13th, 2011 will receive 5 Play! Points and a Pokémon Regional Championships promo card. The Shelmet promo is a Grass type card, with 60 HP and knows the move 'Mysterious Evolution' which states: "If Karrablast is in play, search your deck for a card that evolves from this Pokémon and put it onto this Pokémon. (This counts as evolving this Pokémon.) Shuffle your deck afterwards.

Press Release

The Pokémon TCG Regional Championships divide the U.S. and Canada into large regions, giving players TWO opportunities to earn a Travel Award to their respective National Championships! Held in cities across the U.S. and Canada, each Regional Championship is part of a title event series where players compete for the title of Regional Champion! Results of the Regional Championships can give a serious boost to a player’s Championship Points and chances of getting into the 2012 World Championships in Waikoloa, Hawaii.


The Official Pokemon website has also posted a notice that players who attend a Noble Victories Prerelease tournament can also receive a Victini promo card. The new 101 card set Black & White Noble Victories is scheduled for release on November 16th, 2011.

Source: http://www.pokemon.com/us/organized-play/championship-series/tcg-autumn-regional-championships/

The Pokémon TCG: Black & White Noble Victories TCG expansion was released on November 16th, 2011. Pictures from this set have been added to an Imageboard thread.

Black & White Noble Victories

Prepare for an all-new Pokémon Trading Card Game expansion featuring advanced powers and new strategies with the release of the Pokémon TCG: Black & White—Noble Victories expansion. Debuting in November, the third expansion in the Black & White series breaks new ground with exciting firsts, including Restored Pokémon—which can be put into play only with the effects of certain Item cards—and N, the Pokémon TCG’s first Rare Ultra Trainer Card!


With the Black & White—Noble Victories expansion, players can choose from more than 100 amazing Pokémon from the Unova region, including more than 50 never-before-seen Pokémon—and the TCG debut of the Victory Pokémon, Victini! The two Black & White—Noble Victories theme decks arrive in retail stores nationwide on November 2nd. Booster packs debut in stores November 16th, featuring powerful Pokémon like Kyurem, Druddigon, and Hydreigon for the first time!

Each new theme deck and booster pack includes an in-pack code card that unlocks virtual cards for play in the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online. Build your own deck and battle against others from around the world any time from your computer! For players new to the Pokémon TCG, practice with your virtual theme decks against the computer to improve your skills for future player-vs.-player matches. Battles are taking place today at Pokemon.com/TCGO.

Key features of the new Pokémon TCG: Black & White—Noble Victories expansion include:

• More than 100 amazing Pokémon from the Unova region
• More than 50 never-before-seen Pokémon
• The TCG debut of Victini, the Victory Pokémon
• N, the first Trainer Rare Ultra Card
• Introduction of Restored Pokémon
• Full Art Cards of the Legendary Trio of Unova—Cobalion, Terrakion, and Virizion
• In-pack codes that unlock virtual cards for the Pokémon TCG Online

Source: https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-tcg/black-white-noble-victories

Fast Daze / Furious Knights Theme Decks

Dazzle your opponents with the Fast Daze theme deck! With its low-cost attacks and no Retreat Cost, Accelgor can get in and out of battle in the blink of an eye! Volcarona's Fiery Dance powers up your best attacks with blazing speed, and Lilligant's healing touch can get your quickest fighters back into the fray! You could be on the fast track to success!

Send in the cavalry with the Furious Knights theme deck! Quick hitters like Emolga give you time to marshal your forces, and the slow and sturdy Escavalier can dish out the damage while protecting itself. Plus, Druddigon's Rough Skin Ability will make your opponent think twice about attacking! In a furious battle, victory could be yours!

The official Japanese Pokémon Trading Card Game website has released information on the upcoming Reshiram EX and Zekrom EX Battle Strengthening Decks (バトル強化デッキ60「レシラムEX」「ゼクロムEX」). Both decks will feature 60 cards, as well as a special hologram card featuring Reshiram and Zekrom in their respective decks. The decks also contain: damage counters, a coin, a playmat and a product guide. The decks will go on sale in Japan on October 21th, 2011 for 1,680yen.


Click on image for higher resolution
Source: http://www.pokemon-card.com/info/110909_1.html

The Pokémon TCG Online closed beta is now over and all users accounts have been reset for the Open Beta. The Open Beta is open to any player that signs up. Below is the press release.

Press Release

BELLEVUE, WA – August 25, 2011 – The highly anticipated player-versus-player Pokémon™ Trading Card Game Online is now in open beta, and seasoned and new Pokémon TCG players can learn, practice, and play the popular trading card game anytime, anywhere at no cost, simply by turning on their computers and creating a Pokémon Trainer Club account. Coming on the heels of the game’s open beta, the newest Pokémon TCG expansion, Pokémon TCG: Black & White-Emerging Powers features in-pack codes in its theme decks and booster packs that unlock playable virtual cards for Pokémon TCG Online. The two English version theme decks are in stores now and booster packs hit shelves nationwide August 31st. This is the first Pokémon TCG expansion to feature booster packs broadly available with in-pack codes for the Pokémon TCG Online.

Pokémon TCG players who log into www.pokemon.com/tcgo have the freedom to learn, practice, and battle against opponents from around the world that features on-demand player matching whenever you want. The competition intensifies when players purchase Pokémon TCG: Black & White-Emerging Powers theme decks and booster packs and begin building customized decks online with virtual cards. Packs include codes that when entered into the online game unlock virtual cards players can use to enhance their decks for battle. The new expansion is one of seven that are now accessible in Pokémon TCG Online, including one complementary deck when players join and up to three decks players can earn at no additional cost to mix and match to create their own play experience without having to purchase cards right away.

“Fans of Pokémon TCG now have the freedom to battle against one another regardless of location, and that’s exciting for the entire Pokémon community,” said J.C. Smith, director of Consumer Marketing for The Pokémon Company International. “Everything Pokémon TCG players love about the game is replicated in a rich, customizable online environment, and our hope is that Pokémon TCG Online makes the game even more accessible to anyone who wants to play.”

Pokémon TCG Online makes it simple and fun to organize cards and trade with others quickly and easily. A unique Collection Management Tool provides players easy point-and-click access to their ever-growing virtual card collection. You will never have to search long for a card to put into battle. Additionally, for players just learning how to build their decks, Pokémon TCG Online features deck-building tools, including an innovative deck-building wizard, to help construct personalized decks that players of all skill levels can call into battle. Trading of virtual TCG cards and items is a breeze as players can trade directly with one another or offer public trades on the spot. Players can expect the introduction of new items and features frequently.

For more information about Pokémon TCG Online and the new Pokémon TCG: Black & White-Emerging Powers expansion, please visit www.pokemon.com/tcg.

The Pokémon Company International posted a press release announcing the 2011 Pokémon World Champions. Below is the press release.

Press Release

WORLD’S BEST POKÉMON PLAYERS CROWNED AT 2011 POKÉMON WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Elite Players from More Than 27 Countries Battled in San Diego for the Ultimate Titles of Pokémon Trading Card Game and Video Game World Champions

San Diego, California — August 15th, 2011 — The dreams of competitive Pokémon™ Trading Card Game (TCG) and video game players around the world came true for a select few this weekend at the 2011 Pokémon World Championships in San Diego, CA.

Thousands of the world’s top Pokémon Trading Card Game and video game players, family, friends, and fans attended the most anticipated event of The Pokémon Company International’s Play! Pokémon season. The 2011 Pokémon World Championships featured the world’s best Pokémon players competing for the title of World Champion after advancing through nearly a year of regional and national tournaments around the globe.

Once the dust settled after three days of intense Pokémon Trading Card Game and video game battles, six skilled individuals were crowned World Champions, proudly representing their family, supporters, and home countries.

The Pokémon Company International announced today its 2011 Pokémon World Champions:

2011 Pokémon TCG Junior Division World Champion, Gustavo Wada from Brazil.
2011 Pokémon Video Game Junior Division World Champion, Brian Hough from the USA.
2011 Pokémon TCG Senior Division World Champion, Christopher Kan from Australia.
2011 Pokémon Video Game Senior Division World Champion, Kamran Jahadi from the USA.
2011 Pokémon TCG Masters Division World Champion, David Cohen from the USA.
2011 Pokémon Video Game Masters Division World Champion, Ray Rizzo from the USA.

More than 400 players from over 27 countries competed in the annual event. Winners of the invite-only tournament received medals, trips, Pokémon merchandise, and collectively more than $100,000 in scholarships. The event showcased the chief qualities of Pokémon Trading Card Game and video game players: skill, strategy, creativity, sportsmanship, and fun.

“The Pokémon World Championships is more than a tournament; it’s a global event for our entire community to compete, have fun, and create lifelong friendships,” said J.C. Smith, director of Consumer Marketing for The Pokémon Company International. “It’s been an incredible weekend, and we couldn’t be happier to congratulate this year’s World Champions for their dedication, their unbelievable talent, and most importantly, their sportsmanship during the entire Play! Pokémon season.”

Pokémon is celebrating a blockbuster year in 2011 with the launch of the best-selling Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version video games; a brand-new trading card game expansion, Pokémon TCG: Black & White; an all-new season of animation, Pokémon: Black and White; and the debut of the hit movie, Pokémon—Zoroark: Master of Illusions.

2011 Pokémon Trading Card Game World Finalists

2011 Pokémon Trading Card Game World Finalists — Junior Division (born in 2000 or later)
World Champion: Gustavo Wada (Brazil)
Second Place: Kohei Takenaka (Japan)

2011 Pokémon Trading Card Game World Finalists — Senior Division (born in 1996–1999)
World Champion: Christopher Kan (Australia)
Second Place: Marco Facchin (Italy)

2011 Pokémon Trading Card Game World Finalists — Masters Division (born in 1995 or earlier)
World Champion: David Cohen (USA)
Second Place: Ross Cawthon (USA)

2011 Pokémon Video Game World Finalists — Junior Division (born in 2000 or later)
World Champion: Brian Hough (USA)
Second Place: Ian McLaughlin (USA)

2011 Pokémon Video Game World Finalists — Senior Division (born in 1996–1999)
World Champion: Kamran Jahadi (USA)
Second Place: Sejun Park (South Korea)

2011 Pokémon Video Game World Finalists — Masters Division (born in 1995 or earlier)
World Champion: Ray Rizzo (USA)
Second Place: Matteo Gini (Italy)

Source: http://www.championmedia.competitiverankings.com/Pokemon2011/2011-Pokemon-Worlds-Release.pdf

The 2011 Pokémon World Championships website has launched in anticipation of the event which will be taking place in San Diego California from August 12th until August 14th, 2011. The site features news, standings, photos, C-Gear code and desktop wallpapers. Below is the press release.

Press Release

The World Championships Are About to Begin!

Once every year, the best Pokemon Trading Card Game and video game players from around the world get together to determine who is the best player in the world at the Pokemon World Championships! This year, the incredible three-day event takes place in sunny San Diego, California, and features players from over 20 countries.

The competitors for both the Pokemon TCG and video game competitions will share the floor at the Hilton Bayfront Hotel in San Diego. And once all tournaments have concluded, the winners will take home more than $100,000 in scholarships! What's more, players will enjoy some great Pokemon fun with fans from around the world.

You don't have to compete to join the fun of the Pokemon World Championships. All events are free to watch and open to the public!

Source: http://www.pokemonworldchampionships.com/

Information about the Pokémon TCG Black & White Character Boxes that feature the starter Pokémon have been revealed and will be released in the fall of 2011.

Press Release

It's the More the Merrier in the Pokemon TCG: B&W Starter Figure Box! Make the most of the great grass snake Pokemon Snivy in this box! Inside, you'll find a special foil promo card, an amazing 3D oversized card, and an awesome figure! But that's not all! Also included are 3 Black & White - Emerging Powers booster packs, and a special supplemental code card that will unlock all of this and more in the Pokemon TCG Online!

Each box contains:

• 1 x BW Character Starter Figure
• 1 Character Promo Card
• 1 3D Oversized Character Card
• 3 BW Series Boosters
• 1 TCGO Unlock Code Card

The Pokémon Company International has released the promotional material to wholesalers and shops for their next wave of Pokémon TCG: Black & White products. Below are the details for those products.

Pokémon Trading Card Game: Reshiram Box or Zekrom Box

You Can Choose the Vast White Pokémon as Your Legendary Ally or Summon the Legendary Power of the Deep Black Pokémon in the Pokémon TCG: Reshiram Box or Zekrom Box!

The depth of black, the vastness of white…the skills of YOU! In the Pokémon Trading Card Game: Reshiram Box or Zekrom Box, you’ll find either the amazing Reshiram or the outstanding Zekrom as a spectacular collectible figure that brings legendary force to your training! Plus, you’ll get four booster packs from the Pokémon TCG: Black & White Series expansions and a specially selected foil promo card of Reshiram or Zekrom to add depth to your vast collection!

Each Pokémon TCG: Reshiram Box or Zekrom Box includes:

• The Vast White Pokémon Reshiram or the Deep Black Pokémon Zekrom as a fantastic figure!
• 4 Pokémon TCG: Black & White Series booster packs
• A cool Pokémon TCG Black & White foil card of Reshiram or Zekrom!
• Special code cards that unlock boosters for the Pokémon TCG Online

Pokémon TCG: Reshiram Box/Zekrom Box
Product code: 290-10627
EAN: 0-820650-10627-9
Dimensions: 9 3/32” H x 12 1/8” W x 2 3/4” D, 1.66 lbs.
MSRP: $19.99 USD each. In stores October 2011

Pokémon Trading Card Game: Black & White Trainer Kit

The Pokémon Trading Card Game: Black & White Trainer Kit— Your Step-by-Step Guide to Learning and Playing! Your favorite Pokémon will show you how to battle—one card at a time! The Pokémon TCG: Black & White Trainer Kit gets you playing from the very first card you draw. And with powerful Pokémon like Excadrill and Zoroark at your side, you’ll be a Pokémon Trainer in no time!

The Pokémon TCG: Black & White Trainer Kit contains everything you need to learn, train, and win! Play each deck against the other, then combine them to build one powerful deck. Then test your deck at a Pokémon League near you or online in the Pokémon TCG Online: Trainer Challenge for free!

Each step-by-step Trainer Kit includes:

• Two 30-card decks, each with a specially selected holographic foil card
• Two guided game booklets to teach you how to play card by card, battle by battle!
• 2-player playmat with great game tips and rules on the reverse side!
• Damage counters and Special Condition markers
• Game coin with cool Pokémon design
• Illustrated deck box to keep your new cards in
• One special code card for the Pokémon TCG Online!
• BONUS booster pack with even more cards!

Pokémon TCG: Black& White Trainer Kit
Product code: 290-10655
UPC: 0-820650-106552
Dimensions: 7" H x 7 1/2" W x 1 ¹⁄₃" D, .54 lbs.
MSRP: $12.99 USD each. In stores August 3rd, 2011