Pokemon TCG May Be Hinting at a Later 2025 Release for “Legends: Z-A”

Japan’s Pokemon TCG sets always release around the same time as new Pokemon games. This is to market each other.

Sword & Shield released on November 15th, 2019 for the Nintendo Switch. Two weeks later the Sword and Shield sets hit store shelves in Japan. They introduced Pokemon V to the TCG, with VMAX cards referencing Dynamax Pokemon.

Star Birth featuring Arceus VSTAR released on January 14th, 2022 as the first set of the year. Two weeks later Legends: Arceus released for the Nintendo Switch. (A rare case of the set coming before the game.)

Star Birth introduced Pokemon VSTAR to the TCG. Pokemon VSTAR were loosely inspired by the frenzied Pokemon in the game that were blessed by Arceus’s power. The mechanic lasted until VSTAR Universe in December — a year.

The following sets, Time Gazer & Space Juggler, featured the first Pokemon, humans, and settings from the game. They released on April 8th, 2022.

Scarlet & Violet hit the Nintendo Switch on November 18th, 2022. Scarlet ex and Violet ex released two months later on January 20th as the first sets of the year. They reintroduced Pokemon ex to the TCG, with Tera Pokemon ex representing Terastallized Pokemon.

For most Pokemon games, a TCG set is always within two months of the video game it’s based on. They also introduce new mechanics that are (at least) loosely inspired by the games.

With all of this in mind, what can we glean from the upcoming TCG schedule about the release of Legends: Z-A? We only know the game will release in 2025, takes place in Lumiose City, and will feature the return of Mega Evolutions.

We know Battle Partners will release in Japan on January 24th. It’s the first set of 2025, which usually introduces the year’s new mechanic. The official sell sheet tells us it will feature characters like Iono, N, and Lillie. None of these characters are associated with Kalos as we know it. The name of the set also makes no obvious reference to Kalos as we know it.

On February 21st two preconstructed decks will release named “Starter Set ex Steven’s Beldum & Metagross ex” and “Marnie’s Morpeko & Grimmsnarl ex.” Again, none of these characters are associated with Kalos as we know it. The existence of these decks also implies the TCG will be reintroducing Owner’s Pokemon in Battle Partners.

We also know from trademark listings that a set called The Glory of Team Rocket is in the works. The soonest this set can release is March. We don’t know anything about the set, but presumably it will see the return of Rocket’s Pokemon.

These 2025 releases hint the TCG will be focusing on Owner’s Pokemon. While we don’t know much about Z-A, it doesn’t seem the mechanic relates to Kalos in a significant way. Not like VMAX for Galar, VSTAR for Hisui, or Tera ex for Paldea.

Rather, it’s as if the TCG is “stalling” for 2025; reviving a beloved mechanic only because there isn’t new video game content to work with. Using a variety of popular humans from differing games, including Team Rocket, also indicates this.

The TCG features new mechanics for a handful of sets. This means the Owner’s mechanic won’t be dropped quickly.

A defining feature of Z-A will presumably be its Mega Evolutions. There’s no doubt the TCG will market this, as it’s done in the past. Especially if there’s new Mega Evolutions.

Therefore, it seems the TCG is hinting a Legends: Z-A set won’t come out until at least April. But the TCG will likely feature the Owner’s mechanic for a few sets beyond Rocket — or even longer — implying a later 2025 release for Legends: Z-A.

Of course, all of this is speculation and linear thinking based on current precedent. It can’t account for any curve balls.

We should get a better idea of 2025’s release schedule during this year’s Worlds, which will be held from August 16th to 18th. I will be at the event to cover any news. We’re expecting Owner’s Pokemon to be revealed for the TCG.

We will discuss this news story on this week’s episode of the PokeBeach podcast. Stay tuned!

Update (3 PM): Revised the headline to “Pokemon TCG May Be Hinting at a Later 2025 Release for Legends: Z-A,” which is a more accurate conclusion of the article’s evidence.