In January 2026, the Japanese Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) shifted its Standard format to Regulations “H, I, and J.” Right now, the spotlight is entirely on the “Regulation I” era. This highly dramatic generational transition marks the end of the three-year Scarlet & Violet block and the highly anticipated dawn of the “MEGA” series, bringing Mega Evolutions back to the tabletop.

This new era has also introduced some mind-blowing new rarities: the “BWR” (Black/White Rare), which pays homage to the legendary dragons of the Unova region; the “MA” (MEGA Attack Rare), highlighting Mega Evolutions with comic-book-style action art; and the gleaming, gold-embossed “MUR” (MEGA Ultra Rare).

Based on transaction volumes from SNKRDUNK—Japan’s leading secondary marketplace app for streetwear and trading cards—we’ve ranked the most popular Regulation I sets. Read on to discover the defining features of each expansion and the top three chase cards you need for your collection.

Note:The provided text is a disclaimer in Japanese. Here is the English translation.
Note:All dates and times mentioned are in Japan Standard Time (JST).

High Class Pack: “MEGA Dream ex”

Release Date: Friday, November 28, 2025

Price: JPY 180 / pack (5 cards) | JPY 5,400 / booster box

Japan’s annual year-end “High Class” sets are always loaded with bangers, and this one didn’t disappoint. It debuted the new “MA” rarity, featuring dynamic, American comic-book-inspired artwork with attack names written in English. The inclusion of mirror-foil variants drove the overall market price up. However, it’s the Special Art Rare (SAR) versions of franchise mascots Gengar and Pikachu that are holding incredibly strong market values, even amidst ongoing reprints.

Additionally, the ultra-exclusive Mega Dragonite ex “MUR”—the set’s cover star—has seen its price skyrocket due to extremely low pull rates.

Top 3 Chase Cards in MEGA Dream ex:

• MEGA Gengar ex SAR [M2a 240/193] – From JPY 33,000

• MEGA Dragonite ex MUR [M2a 250/193] – From JPY 23,000

• Pikachu ex SAR [M2a 234/193] – From JPY 29,000

Expansion Pack: “Battle Partners”

Release Date: Friday, January 24, 2025

Price: JPY 180 / pack (5 cards) | JPY 5,400 / booster box

This set kicked off the Regulation I era. As the name suggests, “Battle Partners” focuses heavily on the bond between trainers and their signature Pokémon. SAR cards featuring fan-favorite trainers like Iono and N saw immediate price spikes.

The absolute grail of the set is “Lillie’s Clefairy ex SAR.” It features Lillie in an outfit reminiscent of her legendary “Extra Battle Day” promo—one of the most expensive modern cards in existence—posing alongside her Clefairy. This card is a massive hit among competitive players and hardcore collectors alike.

Top 3 Chase Cards in Battle Partners:

• Lillie’s Clefairy ex SAR [SV9 126/100] – From JPY 30,000

• Iono’s Bellibolt ex SAR [SV9 125/100] – From JPY 9,500

• N’s Zoroark ex SAR [SV9 127/100] – From JPY 7,000

Expansion Pack: “Inferno X”

Release Date: Friday, September 26, 2025

Price: JPY 180 / pack (5 cards) | JPY 5,400 / booster box

When Charizard graces a booster box as a MEGA Evolution ex, you know the hype will be unreal. The “MEGA Charizard X ex” has dominated the market. Not only is the incredibly rare “MUR” version highly sought after, but the “SAR” version, featuring breathtakingly fierce artwork, has pushed its PSA 10 graded value well over the JPY 100,000 mark. Furthermore, the “Oricorio ex SAR,” illustrated by the legendary Shinji Kanda, went viral on social media the moment it was revealed and continues to see high trading volume.

Top 3 Chase Cards in Inferno X:

• MEGA Charizard X ex MUR [M2 116/080] – From JPY 89,999

• MEGA Charizard X ex SAR [M2 110/080] – From JPY 59,000

• Oricorio ex SAR [M2 111/080] – From JPY 4,200

Expansion Pack: “Glory of Team Rocket”

Release Date: Friday, April 18, 2025

Price: JPY 180 / pack (5 cards) | JPY 5,400 / booster box

For the first time since the original “Team Rocket” expansion in 1997, the iconic villainous team takes center stage. The “Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex SAR,” featuring Mewtwo alongside the mob boss Giovanni, is a massive nostalgia trip. Its insane popularity has pushed PSA 10 slabs to around JPY 70,000. Classic Gen 1 favorites like Moltres and Nidoking also received stunning SAR treatments, maintaining a very steady demand from old-school fans.

Top 3 Chase Cards in Glory of Team Rocket:

• Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex SAR [SV10 125/098] – From JPY 46,000

• Team Rocket’s Moltres ex SAR [SV10 124/098] – From JPY 13,000

• Team Rocket’s Nidoking ex SAR [SV10 126/098] – From JPY 5,500

Enhanced Expansion Pack: “Hot-Air Arena”

Release Date: Friday, March 14, 2025

Price: JPY 180 / pack (5 cards) | JPY 5,400 / booster box

Similar to “Battle Partners,” this set highlights iconic Trainer-Pokémon duos. The undeniable highlight is the Gen 4 dream team: Cynthia and Garchomp. Their SAR is currently trading for around JPY 50,000 in a PSA 10 grade. Ho-Oh, the box mascot, also made its first high-rarity appearance in nearly three years (since Incandescent Arcana), causing a massive surge in collector demand.

Top 3 Chase Cards in Hot-Air Arena:

• Cynthia’s Garchomp ex SAR [SV9a 087/063] – From JPY 32,999

• Ethan’s Ho-Oh ex SAR [SV9a 086/063] – From JPY 15,999

• Ethan’s Adventure SAR [SV9a 089/063] – From JPY 4,800

Expansion Pack: “Black Bolt”

Release Date: Friday, June 6, 2025

Price: JPY 290 / pack (7 cards) | JPY 5,800 / booster box

This was the final expansion pack of the three-year Scarlet & Violet block. It introduced the exclusive “BWR” rarity, featuring the legendary Zekrom in a sleek, black-themed design. Due to brutal pull rates and the sheer aesthetic beauty of the card, it instantly became a top-tier collector’s item. The “Zekrom ex SAR,” depicting the dragon amidst violent blue lightning, and “N’s Plot SAR,” featuring deeply narrative-driven art, are also massive hits.

Top 3 Chase Cards in Black Bolt:

• Zekrom ex BWR [SV11B 174/086] – From JPY 44,800

• Zekrom ex SAR [SV11B 169/086] – From JPY 14,500

• N’s Plot SAR [SV11B 173/086] – From JPY 4,680

Expansion Pack: “White Flare”

Release Date: Friday, June 6, 2025

Price: JPY 290 / pack (7 cards) | JPY 5,800 / booster box

Released simultaneously with Black Bolt, this set stars Reshiram. Its “BWR” features a clean, white-themed design, while the SAR shows the dragon engulfed in breathtaking flames—both are commanding premium prices. Additionally, the “Hilda SAR,” illustrated by Naoki Saito—the legendary artist behind grails like “Extra Battle Day Lillie” and “Shiny Star V Marnie”—has spiked in value due to the combined popularity of the character and the artist.

Top 3 Chase Cards in White Flare:

• Reshiram ex BWR [SV11W 174/086] – From JPY 42,000

• Reshiram ex SAR [SV11W 168/086] – From JPY 16,500

• Hilda SAR [SV11W 173/086] – From JPY 7,000

Start Deck 100: “Battle Collection”

Release Date: Friday, December 19, 2025

Price: JPY 891

This product features 100 different randomized pre-constructed decks. The legendary “Deck No. 001” contains an exclusive “Mega Charizard Y ex MUR.” Because of Charizard’s immense popularity and the near-impossible odds of pulling this specific deck, the card’s value has gone to the moon. A PSA 10 recently sold for over JPY 1,300,000! With no major reprints since launch, the set’s overall scarcity has driven up the prices of other chase cards inside, like the “Pikachu ex SAR” and the Naoki Saito-illustrated “Lillie’s Clefairy ex SAR.”

Top 3 Chase Cards in Start Deck 100 “Battle Collection”:

• Mega Charizard Y ex MUR [MC 766/742] – From JPY 310,000

• Lillie’s Clefairy ex SAR [MC 765/742] – From JPY 72,000

• Pikachu ex SAR [MC 764/742] – From JPY 90,000

Expansion Pack: “MEGA Brave”

Release Date: Friday, August 1, 2025

Price: JPY 180 / pack (5 cards) | JPY 5,400 / booster box

MEGA Brave officially kicked off the “MEGA” series block. MEGA Lucario serves as the box mascot, appearing as a dazzling, gold-foiled “MUR.” Its abysmal pull rate instantly made it a top target for hardcore collectors. Meanwhile, Lillie—arguably the most popular female Trainer in the TCG—appears as the Supporter card “Lillie’s Resolve.” Boasting an incredibly powerful in-game effect alongside its waifu-tax appeal, the card has seen explosive demand from both players and collectors.

Top 3 Chase Cards in Mega Brave:

• MEGA Lucario ex MUR [M1L 092/063] – From JPY 37,000

• Lillie’s Resolve SAR [M1L 091/063] – From JPY 32,500

• Lillie’s Resolve SR [M1L 086/063] – From JPY 8,000

Expansion Pack: “MEGA Symphonia”

Release Date: Friday, August 1, 2025

Price: JPY 180 / pack (5 cards) | JPY 5,500 / booster box

Released alongside Mega Brave, this expansion focuses on Mega Gardevoir ex. Its high-rarity variants (MUR and SAR) are exceptionally popular due to their stunningly elegant artwork and rarity. Another major hit from this set is “Acerola’s Premonition SAR.” Acerola is a massive fan favorite, and the card’s beautiful, eerie aesthetic has resulted in high trading volumes.

Top 3 Chase Cards in Mega Symphonia:

• MEGA Gardevoir ex MUR [M1S 092/063] – From JPY 34,000

• MEGA Gardevoir ex SAR [M1S 087/063] – From JPY 12,100

• Acerola’s Premonition SAR [M1S 090/063] – From JPY 5,500

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