The Glory of Team Rocket: A Complete Guide to the New Japanese Pokémon TCG Set (April 2025)
Team Rocket is ready to take center stage in the new Japanese Pokémon Trading Card Game set, titled "The Glory of Team Rocket" (ロケット団の栄光). Officially available in Japan on April 18, 2025 , this set celebrates the aesthetics, philosophy, and characters associated with the legendary team of "villains" from the Pokémon world.
With the set finally available, this guide has been updated with all the official information : complete card list, rarities, secret cards and purchasing strategies for collectors.
General Overview
- Official name: The Glory of Team Rocket
- Language: Japanese
- Release date: April 18, 2025
- Number of cards (main set): 98
- Secret cards: 34 (including SAR and SR)
- Total cards in the complete set: 132
- Availability: Japanese exclusive - available in Italy through specialized stores
- Theme: Team Rocket, Trainers, Affiliated Pokémon, and Vintage Style
What's New on the Set
"Team Rocket's" labeling
The set introduces the new "Team Rocket's [Pokémon Name]" tag , which evokes the atmosphere of Dark Pokémon but with a modern and strategic twist. These cards feature aggressive designs and synergistic Abilities, built around the Rocket theme.
No Dark Pokémon
Despite numerous visual references and mechanics related to the dark side of Pokémon, the set does not formally include cards classified as “Dark Pokémon” .
The return of historic coaches
The set also marks the return of Giovanni and the four Team Rocket Executives (Ariana, Archer, Proton, Petrel) with full-art and SAR cards of extremely high collectible value.
The Key Cards of the Set
Team Rocket's Mewtwo ex
- Type: Psychic – ex card
- Ability that scales in power if there are other Rocket Pokémon on the field
Team Rocket's Persian ex
- Copies attacks from Pokémon into the opponent's deck: a unique mechanic
Team Rocket's Ampharos
- “Darkest Impulse” Ability: Extra damage based on opponent's Prize cards
Team Rocket's Wobbuffet
- AR (Art Rare) among the most appreciated: setting in the Rocket lair and cinematic illustration style
Team Rocket's Moltres ex
- Available in regular, SR and SAR versions – double-page illustration with Articuno and Zapdos
Coaches & Supporters
John SAR
- Spectacular full-art illustration – one of the most sought-after cards in the set
- Strategically useful in Rocket-themed decks
Team Rocket Executive
- Ariana, Archer, Proton and Petrel appear with distinct illustrations and poster-like poses
- Each card has a synergistic effect with Pokémon Rocket cards
Rocket Recruits
- Present both as supporters and as generic Trainers, enriched by AR and rare illustrations
Art Rare & Special Art Rare (AR and SAR)
The set contains:
- 12 AR (Art Rare) cards numbered from 102/098 to 114/098
- 13 SR (Super Rare) cards
- 6 SAR (Special Art Rare) cards
- 3 UR (Ultra Rare) cards
SAR cards include:
- Team Rocket's Mewtwo ex SAR
- Team Rocket's Moltres ex SAR
- Team Rocket's Crobat SAR
- Team Rocket's Nidoking SAR
The illustrations were done by some of the best artists of the franchise, including HYOGONOSUKE, Naoki Saito, Mitsuhiro Arita.
All AR Cards in the Set
The "The Glory of Team Rocket" set includes a total of 12 AR (Art Rare) cards, numbered 099/098 to 110/098. Each card features exclusive artwork depicting Pokémon in evocative, Rocket-themed settings. Here's the correct AR list:
- 099/098 Spidops AR
- 100/098 Houndoom AR
- 101/098 Blaziken AR
- 102/098 Clamperl AR
- 103/098 Wobbuffet AR
- 104/098 Orbeetle AR
- 105/098 Weezing AR
- 106/098 Murkrow AR
- 107/098 Zamazenta AR
- 108/098 Raticate AR
- 109/098 Meowth AR
- 110/098 Kangaskan AR
The Art Rares in this set stand out for their graphic style and strong thematic connection to Team Rocket. They are among the most sought-after cards due to their visual impact and rarity in the Japanese edition.
Where to Buy
What questions, about Mirabilia Store of course ;)
Why buy it?
- Unique set in style and theme
- High collector potential (many SARs already sold out)
- Ideal product for first generation and villain lovers
- Compatibility with other Team Rocket theme decks
Strategic Council
If you're building a Rocket-based theme deck, Supporter cards like Giovanni, Petrel, and Team Rocket's Meowth ex are crucial for consistency and combos.
Conclusion
"The Glory of Team Rocket" is one of the most iconic sets of 2025, destined to become a staple for Japanese card collectors and fans of the Dark Pokémon era. If you're looking to add power, artistry, and evil to your collection, now's the time to strike .
Get it before the prices go up – Team Rocket waits for no one!