First Chingling’s Card in the Pokémon TCG After 15-Year Hiatus

Some Pokémon are fan favorites, others are legends—and then there’s Chingling, who’s just happy to be remembered at all. But in a surprise that no one really saw coming, this tiny bell-shaped Psychic-type is finally making its return to the Pokémon Trading Card Game after being completely absent for more than 15 years.

Yep, the last time Chingling got any cardboard love was in 2009, and even then, it was just the third card ever printed for it. First introduced in Diamond and Pearl back in 2006, Chingling’s TCG debut came a year later in the Mysterious Treasures expansion. But after a short run of appearances, the Pokémon sort of faded into obscurity, never really breaking through in terms of popularity—or apparently TCG viability.

That all changes soon. As part of the upcoming Japanese set “The Glory of Team Rocket,” Chingling is set to return with a brand-new card. It’s expected that this new card will also appear in the English-language counterpart set “Destined Rivals,” which is scheduled for a worldwide release at the end of May.

While the card itself hasn’t been officially detailed in terms of mechanics, the image circulating online via Serebii shows that it’s branded as “Team Rocket’s Chingling,” suggesting that the little guy might be joining the ranks of villain-affiliated Pokémon—a fun and unusual twist for a Pokémon not typically associated with battle-hardened baddies.

It’s not often that we get a deep-cut Pokémon like this brought back into the spotlight. With over 1000 Pokémon in the modern roster, it’s no wonder some slip through the cracks. But for longtime fans, especially those nostalgic for the Gen 4 era, this comeback feels like a weirdly wholesome win.

Of course, Chingling isn’t the only thing on the horizon for the TCG. The next major Japanese release after The Glory of Team Rocket is set to celebrate the Black and White era with a special set called “Black Bolt” and “White Flare,” launching in Japan on July 18. According to early info, this expansion might not follow the standard retail format—instead, it could be part of a special set, meaning no booster packs or boxes at typical retailers. Think promo packs, limited runs, or exclusive box sets.

All this comes during a time when Pokémon cards are once again in high demand, with The Pokémon Company recently addressing ongoing stock issues. In a public statement, they acknowledged the frustration some fans are feeling over product shortages, adding:

“We understand this inconvenience can be disappointing for fans, and we are actively working to print more of the impacted Pokémon TCG products as quickly as possible and at maximum capacity…”

So yeah, it’s a strange time to be a Pokémon TCG fan. On one hand, your favorite sets are constantly sold out. On the other hand, a Pokémon you probably forgot even existed is getting a brand-new card. Whether you're a collector, a casual fan, or just here for the weird nostalgia hits, Team Rocket’s Chingling is a small but charming reminder that in the world of Pokémon, anything can make a comeback—even the jingling forgotten ones.