Pokémon
Welcome to our Pokémon card collecting guide. Directly translated from Japanese as “Pocket Monsters”, Pokémon is considered one of the most successful anime, video game, and collectible franchises in the world. It started as a video game in 1996, part of the Pokémon series, and rapidly grew into a trading card game (TCG), TV series, films, Pokémon figurines, merchandise, and other related media. As of October 2025, the rarest Pokémon card was still the 1998 Pikachu Illustrator Card. The most expensive Pokémon collectible was the Pokémon 2000 film frame. Surprisingly, the most valuable Funko Pop! was one never officially released: the #843 Charizard (Metallic). For Pokémon collectors in Australia and around the world, the most valuable cards are highly sought-after items, especially those featuring Pikachu, Charizard and Umbreon, as well as rare holo cards, first edition cards, limited edition Pokémon cards, graded cards (PSA / BGS), and promo cards.
Poké Highlight
30 YEARS OF POKEMON
The highlight of 2026 is definitely the 30th anniversary of Pokémon, which will likely last the whole year! While the 27th of February has come and gone, the Pokemon Co. is only getting started
Following a high-profile kick-off during Super Bowl LX, the festivities continue with exclusive Trading Card Game releases, such as the 30th-anniversary stamped Pikachu promo card and the First Partner Illustration Collection.
The celebration extends beyond cards into a dedicated merchandise hub and significant brand collaborations, ensuring a steady stream of commemorative products and activations for fans worldwide through the remainder of the year.
What will not be a part of this year’s celebrations is the 10th generation. It might be a while until it hits the TCG
GEN X COMING IN 2027
Word is that the 10th generation of Pokémon will be delayed until 2027, when the Nintendo Game Winds & Waves is launched exclusively for the Switch 2. The starters were revealed on the 27th of February and now we might have to potentially wait past a year for the others.
What exactly is Pokémon Co. planning for 2026 and its 30th anniversary? Theme parks and merch are all good, but what about the TCG?
Poké News
PATIENTLY, WE WAIT
The Pokémon Company has officially confirmed the release date for its major milestone 30th anniversary expansion, titled “30th Celebration,” with the Japanese set scheduled to debut on September 16, 2026. This set is speculated to be different – 6 holofoil cards per booster pack.
Furthermore, the set will lean heavily into nostalgia by featuring reprints of fan-favorite cards from previous eras of the game, including the notable Pikachu & Zekrom GX and the classic Lugia from the Aquapolis expansion.
More information here
NEW BOXES
On April 24th, collectors will get some Mega Boxes to add to their Ascended Heroes collection. Players can choose from three distinct Mega ex Boxes featuring Mega Meganium ex, Mega Emboar ex, or Mega Feraligatr ex, each offering powerful attacks designed to be supported by their respective evolution chains.
These releases arrive just as the competitive community adapts to the 2026 Standard format rotation, which officially takes effect on April 10 and retires cards with the “G” regulation mark to make room for these newer “Mega Evolution” strategies.
More information here
Pokémon of the Week
With Generation X set to add over 100 Pokémon in the next couple of years, I’ve realised that if I maintain the ratio of introducing just one a week to newcomers, finishing the list would take me way over 20 years!
So, let’s go! Introducing #0050 Diglet, in Japanese Digda.
Diglett is a small, subterranean Ground-type Pokémon characterized by its simple, brown cylindrical body and a prominent pink nose.
While its appearance above the surface is modest, its true form remains one of the great mysteries of the Pokémon world, as it is never seen fully emerging from the ground.
This Pokémon is vital to agricultural health within its ecosystem, as its constant tunneling through the earth naturally tills the soil and leaves it rich for planting.
Diglett possesses a unique sensitivity to sunlight, which keeps it predominantly underground or in dark caves during the day, where it can move its head up and down to scan its surroundings. Despite its timid nature, it is surprisingly fast and capable of pulling its head back into the safety of the earth in an instant if threatened.
HOW MUCH WAS IT AGAIN?
If 2025 taught us anything, it was to stay alert when checking the value of our cards. eBay sold items remain one of the most reliable sources when checking real-world secondary market values on Pokémon cards.
You can, however, count on other websites to help with that, like:
Poké-Gallery
My imagination brought to life by Code. Metapod to Venomoth? How did that happen?
How I expected the LEGO-Pokémon to be
Browt hasn’t even started its reign yet and it’s already a meme!
Pokémon TCG Checklists
The Pokémon TCG has been around for decades now, which can both overwhelm new collectors and make it somewhat hard for hobbyists to complete sets. Intrigued by the development of terms such as “Grandmaster,” “Master Pokémon,” and “Pokémon Master,” I set out to find helpful checklists. While tracking down every single appearance of a Pokémon across all variations, trainer sets and country-exclusive releases has proven to be incredibly challenging, I’m optimistic that my findings will be genuinely helpful. Just follow the links and good luck!
National Pokédex
The National Pokédex serves as the definitive Pokémon encyclopedia, containing a complete list of every known species across all generations. For players, collectors, and trainers, it’s the key resource for Pokédex completion, offering detailed information such as base stats, evolution paths, abilities, and type advantages. Whether you’re researching your next team or tracking rare Pokémon, the National Pokédex remains the ultimate guide for understanding and mastering the world of Pokémon:
TCC’s Collection
Our journey doesn’t stop here. Explore the other corners of our digital library where we dive deep into the specific worlds of Funko, AFL, and more.