Pokémon TCG Announces New Expansion: Journey Together

The Pokémon Company has officially revealed the highly anticipated Pokémon TCG: Journey Together set, slated for release in early 2025. This expansion is a tribute to the deep bonds between Trainers and their Pokémon, reintroducing a beloved mechanic from the franchise’s history: Trainer’s Pokémon—formerly known as Owner’s Pokémon.

Highlights of Journey Together

• Trainer’s Pokémon Make a Triumphant Return
  Trainer’s Pokémon are cards tied to specific Trainers, such as N’s Zoroark ex or Hop’s Zacian ex. These cards emphasize the unique connection between Pokémon and their Trainers, both in theme and gameplay.
• Exclusive Promos and Box Toppers
  • The Elite Trainer Box will include an N’s Zorua promo, with the Pokémon Center-exclusive version offering a stamped copy.
  • Each Enhanced Booster Box will feature an N’s Reshiram promo as a box topper with the set’s logo, marking the return of this popular feature.

• Expanded Language Support
  For the first time, the Pokémon TCG will print cards in Latin American Spanish, ensuring better localization for fans in the region. This includes tailored translations of set names, attack names, and Pokédex entries to reflect cultural nuances.

Set Details

• Card Pool:
  • Over 180 cards (159 before secret rares)
  • 4 Trainer’s Pokémon ex
  • 16 Pokémon ex
  • 40+ Trainer’s Pokémon cards
  • 11 illustration rare Pokémon
  • 6 special illustration rare Pokémon
  • 3 hyper rare gold etched cards
  • 30+ Pokémon and Trainer cards with special illustrations
• Main Art Themes:
  The set highlights the trust and synergy between Trainers and their Pokémon, featuring characters like N, Lillie, Iono, and Hop, paired with iconic Pokémon such as Reshiram, Clefairy, Bellibolt, and Zacian.
• Items available:
  Booster Box, ETB (not yet announced in Australia), Pokemon Center ETB (which sold out in 5 minutes online), Booster Bundles and Blisters packs with 1 or 3 booser packets.

Historical Context

Trainer’s Pokémon first appeared in the 2000 Gym Heroes and Gym Challenge expansions, with iconic cards like Misty’s Starmie and Blaine’s Charizard. The mechanic evolved over time, inspiring later innovations like Pokémon SP in Generation IV and Team Plasma cards in Generation V.

Japanese Origins

The Journey Together set draws from two Japanese sources:

1. SV9 Battle Partners (January 2025), featuring Trainer’s Pokémon like Iono’s Bellibolt ex and N’s Zoroark ex.
2. Remaining cards from ex Starter Deck Generations, such as Blaziken ex and Mimikyu ex.

Thoughts

With its nostalgic reintroduction of Trainer’s Pokémon and an expanded card lineup, Journey Together promises to captivate both seasoned players and newcomers. Whether you’re collecting exclusive promos, delving into the strategy of Trainer’s Pokémon, or celebrating the bond between Trainers and their Pokémon, get in quick with this set as its already sold our for Pre Order for the Pokemon Center US ETB and in Australia EB Games pre order of Booster Box cases.