Pokémon ex★ Series Revealed as Next TCG Era

The Mega Evolution era now has a successor. During the closing ceremony of the Pokémon World Championships, The Pokémon Company revealed that the next TCG series will be named Pokémon ex★, and it is set to replace the current Mega Evolution series.

Details are thin for now. The reveal came with a teaser featuring the Legendary Beasts Raikou, Suicune, and Entei, and the official line is that “more details will be shared in the future.” A Johto-flavored teaser is a strong opening move, and collectors are already reading into it.

Mega Evolution Isn’t Done Yet

Before the series wraps up, there is still plenty in the pipeline. Alongside the ex★ announcement, a batch of new Mega Attack Rare cards was revealed:

• Mega Rayquaza ex
• Mega Darkrai ex
• Mega Greninja ex
• Mega Zygarde ex
• Mega Lucario Z ex

That last one is the headline. Mega Lucario Z ex marks the debut of Z Mega Evolution Pokémon in the game, a whole new wrinkle for the Mega Evolution mechanic before the era winds down. There is also the MEGA x MEGA Parade trademark we covered back in July, which points to more Mega-focused product still to come.

Mega Lucario Z ex Breakdown

The revealed card gives us a proper look at what a Z Mega Evolution plays like. Mega Lucario Z ex is a Metal-type Stage 1 that evolves from Riolu and carries a huge 330 HP.

Its Aura Seeker ability lets you search your deck for a Supporter card once during your turn, as long as this Pokémon is in the Active Spot. Free Supporter search every turn is the kind of consistency engine that competitive players build entire decks around.

The attack is aggressive too. Dancing Fist does 120+ damage for two Metal Energy, with 120 more if your opponent’s Active Pokémon is a Pokémon ex. In a format full of ex attackers, that bonus will be live most of the time.

When Can You Get It?

Mega Lucario Z ex is expected to appear in the upcoming Japanese set Aura Seeker, which is expected to release on November 27, 2026 in Japan. The English release is further out, expected sometime in early 2027.

That gap matches the current release rhythm. Storm Emeralda released in Japan in July but isn’t slated for English release until November, a set we’ve already covered through leaked Illustration Rares and the Delta Reign SIR leaks. If you want Aura Seeker cards early, Japanese product will be the way in this winter.

What This Means for Collectors

Series transitions are historically great windows for collectors. Late-era sets tend to be loaded, and the first sets of a new series produce cards people chase for years. With Z Mega Evolutions debuting now and the ex★ series teased with the Legendary Beasts, both ends of this transition look worth watching.

My advice: keep an eye on the tail end of Mega Evolution rather than sleeping on it while waiting for ex★. Debut mechanics like Z Mega Evolution usually produce the memorable chase cards.

If you’re building toward what’s coming, you can browse upcoming Pokémon TCG singles without gambling on packs.