Set Overview
Japanese Source: Abyss Eye — Pitch Black is a near 1:1 English adaptation of Japan's Abyss Eye set, 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 | TBC — expected small set (near 1:1 with Abyss Eye) |
| Set Number | ME05 (Fifth English Mega Evolution set) |
| Set Type | English Booster Expansion |
| Featured Pokémon | Mega Darkrai ex (Set Mascot) |
| 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 |
🌑 Full Coverage Coming Soon
Pitch Black releases July 17, 2026. Bill's Archive will publish a full set guide — including confirmed card lists, SIR breakdowns, product details, and collector analysis — once the set is officially revealed and released.
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.
Confirmed Cards
| Card Image | Card Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
|
Mega Darkrai ex | Expected set mascot. Mega Darkrai ex makes its first TCG appearance as a Mega Evolution, continuing the Pokémon Legends: Z-A era of Mega Evolution-focused expansions. Marks the first Dark-type Mega in the TCG since Mega Gengar ex in Phantasmal Flames. |
Pitch Black releases July 17, 2026. This section will be updated if and when cards are officially revealed ahead of launch.
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 set mascots |
Expected Products
No products have been officially announced for Pitch Black. Based on the English Mega Evolution era release pattern, the following product types are expected:
| Product | Expected Contents |
|---|---|
| Booster Box | 36 booster packs (10 cards each) · Standard English booster box |
| Booster Packs | 10 cards per pack · Available individually or in multi-pack blisters |
| Elite Trainer Box | Likely to feature Mega Darkrai ex · Promo card + accessories |
| Collection / Build & Battle Box | Standard prerelease format · 4 packs + 40-card deck |
Product lineup is speculative based on prior English Mega Evolution releases. This section will be updated when officially announced.
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 | TBC | TBC (near 1:1) |
| Pack Size | 5 cards | 10 cards (expected) |
| Top Rarities | IR · UR · SAR | IR · SIR · UR · HR |
Where to Buy
🇬🇧 UK
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.