Set Overview
Challenge from the Darkness, released June 25, 1999, completed the Japanese Gym pair. Its 98 cards cover the remaining Kanto Gym Leaders and Giovanni’s Team Rocket.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Japanese Name | 闇からの挑戦 (Yami kara no Chōsen) |
| Release Date | June 25, 1999 |
| Total Cards | 98 cards |
| Publisher | Media Factory |
| Card Types | 75 Pokémon · 23 Trainer |
| Holo Rares | 16 |
| Theme | Gym Leaders |
About the Set
The set continues the trainer-owned Pokémon of Leaders’ Stadium with Koga’s, Sabrina’s, Blaine’s, Giovanni’s and Erika’s cards. It also holds two oddities: Imakuni?’s Doduo, and a Chansey whose owner is left blank on the card.
The English counterpart is Gym Challenge, released October 16, 2000 with 132 cards.
How These Cards Are Numbered
Cards from this era carry no collector number. The number printed at the bottom right of the card is the Pokédex number of the Pokémon — the 25th card of Expansion Pack is Staryu, and it reads No. 120. Trainer and Energy cards have no number at all.
What the gallery shows: each tile is numbered by its position in the set (#1 to #98), which is the order the set is catalogued in, not a number printed on the card. Open a card and the lightbox gives both the position and the Pokédex number the card actually prints.
Rarity is shown on the card face instead, as a small symbol next to the Pokédex number: a circle for common, a diamond for uncommon and a star for rare.
Complete Card Gallery
All 98 cards from Challenge from the Darkness, in set order. Click any card to view it full size — use the arrow keys (or swipe) to move through the set.
Other Japanese Sets
English readers may also want the Gym Challenge set guide, and the Japanese to English set map for how the two release schedules line up.
| Set | Japanese Name | Released | Cards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expansion Pack | 拡張パック | October 20, 1996 | 102 cards |
| Pokémon Jungle | ポケモンジャングル | March 5, 1997 | 48 cards |
| Mystery of the Fossils | 化石の秘密 | June 21, 1997 | 48 cards |
| Rocket Gang | ロケット団 | November 21, 1997 | 65 cards |
| Leaders’ Stadium | リーダーズスタジアム | October 24, 1998 | 96 cards |
| Gold, Silver, to a New World... | 金、銀、新世界へ... | February 4, 2000 | 96 cards |
| Crossing the Ruins... | 遺跡をこえて... | July 7, 2000 | 56 cards |
| Awakening Legends | めざめる伝説 | November 23, 2000 | 57 cards |
Collecting & Where to Buy
Blaine’s Charizard is the set’s most in-demand card. The two novelty cards — Imakuni?’s Doduo and _____’s Chansey — are collected in their own right.
Collector tip: _____’s Chansey really does print a blank where the owner’s name goes. It is not a printing error.
Note: external links are provided for reference only. Always confirm a card’s printing, condition and authenticity before purchasing.