Set Overview
Japanese Source: Abyss Eye — Pitch Black is a near 1:1 English adaptation of Japan's Abyss Eye, which releases May 22, 2026. As there are no Japanese subsets to draw additional cards from, the English set is expected to closely mirror its source — similar to Phantasmal Flames, Perfect Order, and Chaos Rising before it.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Release Date | July 17, 2026 |
| Prerelease Dates | July 4–12, 2026 |
| Total Cards | 115+ cards, including 20+ Trainers and 35+ special illustration cards |
| Set Number | ME05 (Fifth English Mega Evolution set) |
| Set Type | English Booster Expansion |
| Featured Pokémon | Mega Darkrai ex (Set Mascot) · Mega Zeraora ex · Mega Chandelure ex · Mega Excadrill ex |
| Card Rarities | Illustration Rare (IR) • Special Illustration Rare (SIR) Ultra Rare (UR) • Hyper Rare (HR) |
| Japanese Source | Abyss Eye — releases May 22, 2026 |
| Theme | Darkness and the void · Abyss and nightmares · Pokémon Legends: Z-A |
🌑 Officially Announced — Full Card List Coming
Pitch Black has been officially announced for July 17, 2026, featuring 115+ cards including Mega Darkrai ex, Mega Zeraora ex, Mega Chandelure ex, and Mega Excadrill ex. A full set guide — including the complete card list, SIR breakdowns, and collector analysis — will be published once cards are fully revealed.
Check back closer to release, or follow @Bills_Archive for updates as new cards are revealed.
About the Name
Darkrai is known in lore as the "Pitch-Black Pokémon" — a Mythical Darkness-type that haunts dreams and cloaks itself in an aura of pure shadow. The set name is a direct nod to this epithet, just as prior English sets in the Mega Evolution era have taken their names from the featured Pokémon's traits or lore.
The name also differentiates the English release from its Japanese counterpart, Abyss Eye, continuing a trend seen across this era — where Japanese sets tend toward evocative natural imagery while English equivalents lean into the Pokémon's character directly. Read our full Darkrai lore & TCG history →
Confirmed Cards
| Card Image | Card | Description |
|---|---|---|
|
Mega Darkrai ex 048/115+ |
Set mascot. Mega Darkrai ex makes its first TCG appearance as a Mega Evolution, continuing the Pokémon Legends: Z-A era. Marks the first Dark-type Mega in the TCG since Mega Gengar ex in Phantasmal Flames. |
|
Mega Zeraora ex TBC |
Officially confirmed. An Electric-type Mythical Pokémon receiving its Mega Evolution debut in Pitch Black. Described as striking back with electrifying power. |
|
Mega Chandelure ex TBC |
Officially confirmed. The Ghost/Fire-type chandelier Pokémon joins the Mega Evolution roster in Pitch Black. |
|
Mega Excadrill ex 065/115+ |
Officially confirmed. The Ground/Steel-type mole Pokémon makes its Mega Evolution TCG debut in this set. |
|
Zarude ETB Promo |
Elite Trainer Box exclusive promo card. Zarude is included as the featured promo in the Pitch Black ETB and is not found in standard booster packs. |
Four Mega Evolution Pokémon ex officially confirmed as of April 30, 2026, plus Zarude as the ETB promo. Further card reveals expected in May–June ahead of the July 17 launch.
Chase Cards
The Mega Darkrai ex Special Art Rare from Abyss Eye — the Japanese source set — is the standout chase card of the set. Revealed on 20 May 2026, the SAR was illustrated by Akira Egawa and is widely regarded as one of the most striking cards of the Mega Evolution era. An equivalent is expected to carry over into Pitch Black.
Mega Darkrai ex — SAR (114/081 · Abyss Eye)
Illustrated by Akira Egawa, the SAR depicts Mega Darkrai as an eldritch force — wreathed in shadow and crackling energy, rendered in Egawa's signature atmospheric style. The card generated significant collector interest on reveal and is expected to be one of the most-sought pulls when Pitch Black launches in July 2026.
Card shown is from the Japanese Abyss Eye set (114/081 SAR). English Pitch Black equivalent number TBC.
Card Rarities
As an English booster expansion, Pitch Black uses the standard English rarity structure for the Mega Evolution era:
| Rarity | Abbreviation | Description |
|---|---|---|
| IR Illustration Rare | IR | Full-art illustrated cards with scenic or atmospheric artwork |
| SIR Special Illustration Rare | SIR | Premium full-art cards featuring elaborate artwork — typically Pokémon ex or Supporter cards. The most sought-after pulls in the set |
| UR Ultra Rare | UR | Gold etched cards featuring Pokémon ex and Trainer cards with special foil treatment |
| HR Hyper Rare | HR | The rarest pulls — gold cards at the end of the set list, typically featuring the set mascot |
Products
The following products have been officially confirmed for Pitch Black, available at participating retailers worldwide from July 17, 2026.
| Image | Product Name | Contents | Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Booster Box | 36 booster packs • 10 cards per pack | Jul 17, 2026 |
 |
Elite Trainer Box | 9 booster packs • Promo card • Accessories | Jul 17, 2026 |
 |
Booster Bundle | 6 booster packs | Jul 17, 2026 |
 |
Booster Pack | 10 cards • Single pack | Jul 17, 2026 |
 |
Check Lane Blister | 1 booster pack • 1 promo card • 1 coin | Jul 17, 2026 |
 |
Premium Check Lane Blister | 1 booster pack • 3 promo cards • 1 coin | Jul 17, 2026 |
 |
Build & Battle Box | 4 booster packs • 40-card ready-to-play deck • Prerelease format | Jul 4–12, 2026 |
Pokémon TCG Live digital release: July 16, 2026 — one day before physical — on iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows, with in-game login bonuses at launch.
Japanese Source Set
Pitch Black is a near 1:1 adaptation of the Japanese expansion Abyss Eye, releasing May 22, 2026. Because there are no Japanese subsets available to supplement Pitch Black's card pool, the English set will be similarly small in scope — a pattern now established across Phantasmal Flames, Perfect Order, and Chaos Rising.
This trend reflects a broader shift in the English TCG release strategy, moving toward smaller, more frequent set releases that mirror Japan's output rather than combining multiple Japanese sets into a larger English expansion.
| Property | 🇯🇵 Abyss Eye | 🌍 Pitch Black |
|---|---|---|
| Release Date | May 22, 2026 | July 17, 2026 |
| Set Mascot | Mega Darkrai ex | Mega Darkrai ex |
| Card Count | 81+ cards | 115+ cards |
| Pack Size | 5 cards | 10 cards (expected) |
| Top Rarities | IR · UR · SAR | IR · SIR · UR · HR |
More Set Guides
Explore other Mega Evolution era set guides on Bill's Archive:
Where to Buy
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Available at major UK retailers, Pokémon Center UK, and local game stores from July 17, 2026.
🇺🇸 North America
Available at Pokémon Center US, Target, Walmart, and local game stores.
Prerelease events run July 4–12, 2026. Find your local prerelease event through the official Pokémon events page.
Pokémon TCG collector and archivist. Covering set releases, card market analysis, and collector guides. Master-setted Stellar Crown — currently working through 151, Black & White, and Prismatic Evolutions. Favourite game: Pokémon Emerald. Favourite Pokémon: Rayquaza.