The Mega Evolution era began in Japan on 1 August 2025 with Mega Brave and Mega Symphonia, bringing Mega Evolution back to the card game as Mega Evolution Pokémon ex. These are some of the hardest hitting Pokémon in the game with very high HP to match. The catch is that your opponent takes 3 Prize cards when one is Knocked Out, compared with 2 for a regular Pokémon ex.
Every Japanese set of the Mega era
| Set | Code | Out in Japan | English set | Headline card |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mega Brave | M1L | 1 August 2025 | Mega Evolution | Mega Lucario ex |
| Mega Symphonia | M1S | 1 August 2025 | Mega Evolution | Mega Gardevoir ex |
| Inferno X | M2 | 26 September 2025 | Phantasmal Flames | Mega Charizard X ex |
| Mega Dream ex | M2a | 28 November 2025 | Ascended Heroes | Mega Dragonite ex, a high class set |
| Nihil Zero | M3 | 23 January 2026 | Perfect Order | Mega Zygarde ex |
| Ninja Spinner | M4 | 13 March 2026 | Chaos Rising | Mega Greninja ex |
| Abyss Eye | M5 | 22 May 2026 | Pitch Black | Mega Darkrai ex |
| Storm Emeralda | M6 | 31 July 2026 | Delta Reign | Mega Rayquaza ex |
| 30th Celebration | M6a | 16 September 2026 | 30th Celebration | Thirty Pikachu illustrations, every card foil |
The 30th Celebration set broke the usual pattern of Japan first and English later, because it was released on the same day in every language. The full Japanese set list covers the Scarlet & Violet and Sword & Shield sets as well.
New rarities in the Mega era
The era brought two new rarities. MUR, the Mega Ultra Rare, is a gold version of a Mega Pokémon ex and the top card of its set, with exactly one in each main set so far. English calls it a Mega Hyper Rare. MA, the Mega Attack Rare, arrived with Mega Dream ex: a full art Mega Pokémon ex with its signature attack written across the art in big text.
The rest of the ladder carries on from Scarlet & Violet, with Art Rares, Super Rares and Special Art Rares. The rarity guide has the full list with English names.
What comes in a Mega era box?
Each main Mega set comes as 30 packs of 5 cards. Collectors record a very steady pattern inside: three Art Rares, a Trainer SR and one card of SR or better as the box's hit. The pull rates guide covers that structure and how often the Special Art Rares and the MUR turn up.
Ready to open one?
Every box here is sealed Japanese stock on the shelf in Sydney, dispatched in 1 to 3 business days with flat $14 tracked shipping.
Storm Emeralda
Mega Dream ex
Inferno XKai Chai is a Pokémon card collector in Sydney and the founder of WOOPR, a shop that sells only sealed Japanese product. More about WOOPR.
Sources
- Pokémon.com, Mega Evolution product showcase
- TCGplayer, everything we know about Mega Evolution Pokémon ex
- Video Games Chronicle, Mega Evolution to debut Mega Ultra Rare gold cards
- Screen Rant, Mega Evolution set release date
- Pokémon Card Game 30th anniversary site, 30th CELEBRATION (Japanese)
More guides
- Japanese Pokémon set list with English namesSet codes, Japanese release dates, English names and box contents in one table.
- The Scarlet & Violet era: every Japanese set we carryEvery Scarlet & Violet set we carry with its English name, release date and headline Pokémon.
- The Sword & Shield era: the Japanese sets we carryShiny Star V to VSTAR Universe, with rarities, box formats and top cards.
- Japanese Pokémon pull rates and box guaranteesThe typical box structure, collector pull rates for SAR, UR and MUR plus what that means for bundles.
- Japanese Pokémon card rarities explainedEvery rarity code from C to MUR with its English name, plus the older Sword & Shield codes.
- Master Ball mirror cards explainedWhat Poké Ball and Master Ball mirrors are, how to spot one and which sets have them.