Pokémon Center Japan Announces “Pokémon Taruka” – A New Twist on a Classic Card Game

The Pokémon Company has revealed a brand-new playing card game exclusively for the Japanese market: “Pokémon Taruka” – a creative spin on the traditional Japanese game Karuta.

Following their previously released Pokémon-themed take on Old Maid, this latest product combines the charm of Pokémon with a cultural classic. In standard Karuta, players race to grab matching cards spread out on the floor after a dealer reads a clue from a separate set of “reading” cards. Pokémon Taruka ups the difficulty by presenting the “reading” text backwards, challenging both the dealer and players to think fast and decode on the fly.

With adorable artwork and a fresh gameplay twist, Pokémon Taruka promises to be a fun and brain-teasing game for families, friends, and Pokémon fans of all ages.

Release Date:
Pokémon Taruka sets will be available starting July 19, 2025, exclusively at Pokémon Center stores across Japan.

Watch It In Action:
Check out some demo videos below to see how the game is played and start brushing up on your backwards reading skills!

Whether you’re a fan of Japanese card games or just love collecting Pokémon-themed products, Pokémon Taruka is set to be a unique addition to your collection.