Storm Emeralda Launches Today in Japan — Secret Rares Revealed and What UK Collectors Need to Know

Storm Emeralda — the sixth set in the Japanese Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution series — releases in Japan today, 31 July 2026. With packs now opening at speed, collectors around the world are getting their first real look at the complete pull list, and there are some genuinely exciting cards surfacing.

The Secret Rares Are Here

Ahead of the official Japanese street date, fan photos began circulating on social media revealing the set's secret rares. The headline pull is the Special Illustration Rare of Mega Rayquaza ex, illustrated by Kazuki Minami — the winner of the 2024 Pokémon TCG Illustration Contest. It is only the second card Minami has ever illustrated for the Pokémon TCG, which makes it an instant collector target. The full secret rare count sits at roughly 35 to 40 cards on top of the 76-card main set, putting the total somewhere around 115 cards — consistent with previous Mega sets.

The main set itself was fully revealed on 23 July, confirming four Mega Evolution ex headliners: Mega Rayquaza ex, Mega Golisopod ex, Mega Golurk ex, and Mega Malamar ex. Also notable are Kyogre, Groudon, Heat Rotom ex, and the Incarnate Forces — Tornadus, Thundurus, Landorus, and Enamorus — rounding out a roster that leans hard into the Hoenn and wider Legends era.

A Brand-New Mechanic: Split Stadium Cards

One of Storm Emeralda's most talked-about introductions is its paired — or split — Stadium cards, each with "Legendary" in their names. The mechanic echoes the old LEGEND cards from the HeartGold & SoulSilver era, where Lugia LEGEND and Ho-Oh LEGEND each came in two halves. Here, both halves of a split Stadium share the same card name and, once played together, function as a single large Stadium. The rules mirror standard Stadium play, with the key consequence that you can only run two sets of any given pair in a deck. It is a fresh wrinkle for the Mega Evolution format and one that could open up interesting deck-building decisions when these cards reach English.

Today Also Brings Three MEGA Starter Set ex Decks

Alongside Storm Emeralda, Japan is receiving three new MEGA Starter Set ex Decks today — featuring Eevee ex, Zoroark ex, and Meowscarada ex. These ready-to-play decks are a common entry point for new players and collectors looking to get hands-on with the Mega Evolution format without committing to booster packs.

When Does This Reach the UK?

The English equivalent of Storm Emeralda has been confirmed as Pokémon TCG: Delta Reign, releasing on 6 November 2026. That is three months after today's Japanese launch — slightly longer than the two-month window that has been standard across the Mega Evolution block, with The Pokémon Company having pushed Delta Reign back a month due to the simultaneous worldwide launch of the 30th Celebration set on 16 September 2026 taking priority.

For UK collectors who do not want to wait until November, Japanese booster boxes are available from specialist importers right now. Each box contains 30 five-card packs. Secondary market prices for the Mega Rayquaza ex SIR are expected to be strong given Rayquaza's consistent performance as a collector favourite — older Rayquaza alternate-art cards have historically commanded significant premiums in Japan and internationally.

Looking Further Ahead

After Delta Reign, the Japanese roadmap already shows a Special Deck Set in November featuring Mega Feraligatr ex, Mega Dragonite ex, and Mega Gengar ex, followed by Aura Seeker starring Mega Lucario Z ex on 27 November. The Mega Evolution block shows no signs of slowing, and with the 30th Celebration set launching globally on 16 September 2026 as the first-ever worldwide simultaneous Pokémon TCG release, the rest of 2026 is shaping up to be one of the busiest years the game has ever seen.

If you are tracking Storm Emeralda cards or building a wish list ahead of Delta Reign, keep an eye on TCG Listing for singles and sealed products as they become available.