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Updated 6/2/2025
Releasing in Japan on June 6, 2025, Black Bolt and White Flare will be dual eleventh main expansion sets from the Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet era. They will be the Japanese counterpart of the upcoming English special sets of the same names (releasing in July 18, 2025).
Black Bolt and White Flare is Gen V’s answer to 151, but with an even bigger twist. Every Pokémon in the Unova Pokédex will get an Art Rare or Special Art Rare! That means that between the two sets there will be at least 156 illustration cards.
In addition, each Unova Pokémon will also be featured in a regular card, a reverse holo card, a Poké Ball reverse holo card, and a Master Ball reverse holo card. Combined, Black Bolt and White Flare will be huge sets to master!
There’s also a new card rarity being introduced called BWR (Black White Rare), which features a monochromatic, holographic color scheme complementary to the Pokémon featured. Some collectors have theorized that this card type may be replacing gold cards in the upcoming set due to the similarities in card appearance, but no one knows just yet.
Black Bolt and White Flare will be the first Japanese dual set (related sets released on the same day) since Wild Force and Cyber Judge, and the first English dual set released ever. Each set will have its own discrete card list with no overlap.
As special sets, it’s reported there will also be new unique product offerings for Black Bolt and White Flare (JP), such as a “Deluxe Booster Pack” that contains 35 cards with 1 guaranteed AR or better and a “Card File Set” that will include a Victini promo card.
In English, Black Bolt and White Flare will follow previous special set releases with products offerings such as Binder Collections, Illustrations Collections, etc. and no booster boxes. The Tornadus, Thundurus, and Victini Art Rares in Japanese have already been reported to be promo cards in the English sets.
The full card lists for Black Bolt and White Flare aren't available yet, but here are the Secret Rares that have been revealed so far. We'll continue to update as more cards come out!
A Chinese promo card featuring Zorua has also been released, which collectors assume will be an Art Rare/Illustrated Rare in the Japanese/English sets in keeping with what we've seen from previous Chinese promos.
A Victini promo card in a similar BWR style as the Zekrom and Reshiram has also been revealed as a prize for winners of "Victini BWR Battle" tournaments held in Japan. No word yet on if/how this card will be available in English.
Info/images from Bulbapedia and PokeBeach.
Get notified when available at The Poké Court! Prefer English cards? The English versions of Black Bolt and White Flare (JP) will be in Black Bolt and White Flare (EN).
