Team Rocket Takes the Spotlight in Upcoming Pokémon TCG Expansion

Japanese fans of the Pokémon Trading Card Game have leaked a first look at upcoming cards from the highly anticipated expansion, The Glory of Team Rocket. Known for their mischievous antics and iconic status in the Pokémon universe, Team Rocket remains one of the most recognizable villainous groups—particularly thanks to their memorable appearances in the anime. Now, they’re returning to the forefront in a new TCG set.

A Legacy of Darkness and Drama

Team Rocket has been a recurring theme throughout the history of the Pokémon TCG. Their first major appearance was in the 2000 “Team Rocket” set, which introduced the concept of Dark Pokémon, including standout cards like Dark Charizard and Dark Alakazam. Another fan-favorite set, EX Team Rocket Returns, followed in 2004, bringing with it 111 cards, including 20 Pokémon ex.

Now, Team Rocket returns once more with The Glory of Team Rocket, a Japanese-exclusive expansion set for the Scarlet and Violet series. Slated for release on April 18, this set will spotlight the notorious organization with a new batch of powerful and collectible cards.

Leaked Details from The Glory of Team Rocket

According to a report from PokeBeach, Japanese fans have shared leaked images of 34 cards from the expansion, which will feature over 98 cards in total. Out of these, 26 cards are directly themed around Team Rocket, highlighting their iconic members paired with Pokémon such as Moltres, Crobat, and Nidoking.

Giovanni, the fearsome leader of Team Rocket, appears on 10 different cards, including three with Mewtwo, one with Meowth, and another featuring Persian. The leaked list also reveals 14 Pokémon ex cards and the Jamming Tower Stadium card.

One notable absence from the leaks is the classic duo Jessie and James. Their exclusion may be due to their departure from the Pokémon anime, signaling a potential end to their presence in the TCG as well.

Complete List of Leaked Cards

Here are the cards that have been revealed so far:

• #099 Team Rocket’s Spidops
• #100 Team Rocket’s Houndoom
• #101 Blaziken
• #102 Clamperl
• #103 Team Rocket’s Wobbuffet
• #104 Team Rocket’s Orbeetle
• #105 Team Rocket’s Weezing
• #106 Team Rocket’s Murkrow
• #107 Zamazenta
• #108 Team Rocket’s Raticate
• #109 Team Rocket’s Meowth
• #110 Kangaskhan
• #111 Arboliva ex
• #112 Team Rocket’s Moltres ex
• #113 Cetitan ex
• #114 Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex
• #115 Regirock ex
• #116 Team Rocket’s Nidoking ex
• #117 Team Rocket’s Crobat ex
• #118 Team Rocket’s Persian ex
• #119 Team Rocket’s Ariana
• #120 Team Rocket’s Archer
• #121 Team Rocket’s Giovanni
• #122 Team Rocket’s Petrel
• #123 Team Rocket’s Proton
• #124 Team Rocket’s Moltres ex
• #125 Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex
• #126 Team Rocket’s Nidoking ex
• #127 Team Rocket’s Crobat ex
• #128 Team Rocket’s Ariana
• #129 Team Rocket’s Giovanni
• #130 Team Rocket’s Mewtwo ex
• #131 Team Rocket’s Crobat ex
• #132 Jamming Tower

Release Plans for the West

While The Glory of Team Rocket is exclusive to Japan, international fans won’t have to wait long. The cards will be adapted and included in the upcoming English expansion titled Destined Rivals, scheduled for release on May 30. This set will be the tenth English-language expansion in the Scarlet and Violet era and will boast over 240 new cards, including:

• 17 Pokémon ex
• 23 rare illustrations
• 11 special illustration rares

With Team Rocket front and center, Destined Rivals promises a thrilling return to the darker, more devious side of the Pokémon world.