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Pokémon TCG Japan's Shiny Treasure Ex: Shiny Slowpoke

The Shiny Slowpoke line appears for the first time in the Pokémon TCG in Japan's Shiny Treasures ex, the recently released high class set.



Article Summary

  • Japan's Pokémon TCG releases a 'high class' set, Shiny Treasure ex.
  • Shiny Slowpoke debuts in the TCG, illustrated by Taira Akitsu.
  • Secret Rares in the set focus on Shiny Pokémon cards.
  • Shiny Treasure ex to inspire English expansion in early 2024.

At the end of every calendar year, the Pokémon TCG Japan releases what is called a "high class" set. These sets are characterized by featuring mostly reprinted cards in the main numbered section of the set, allowing those who may have missed important cards from previous sets that year to catch up. These sets are also known for featuring a large number of Secret Rares, which are generally all-new cards. These high-class sets are usually the most anticipated sets of the year for fans of the Japanese Pokémon TCG. English fans are often keyed in as well because these are sometimes the source material for our "special" expansions. In other cases, they are integrated into main expansions or sometimes never released in English. Examples in the past are GX Ultra Shiny, which was adapted into Hidden Fates, Tag Team GX All-Stars, which was never adapted, Shiny Star V, which was adapted into Shining FatesVMAX Climax, which was adapted into the Trainer Gallery subsets in main-line Sword & Shield-era sets, and VSTAR Universe which was adapted into Crown Zenith. Now, the Pokémon TCG Japan has released its next high-class set: Shiny Treasure ex. This expansion is like GX Ultra Shiny and Shiny Star V, in that its expansive Secret Rare section will focus on Shiny Pokémon. Like those previous sets, it features "Baby" Shinies (a popular fan phrase for non-Full Art Shiny cards) and Full Art ex Shinies. It has already been confirmed that the English-language Pokémon TCG will adapt this high-class Japanese set into an early 2024 special expansion titled Scarlet & Violet – Paldean Fates. Today, let's take a look at some more Shiny Pokémon from Shiny Treasure ex.

Shiny Treasure ex cards. Credit: Pokémon TCG
Shiny Treasure ex cards. Credit: Pokémon TCG

Slowpoke can appear in many forms and evolutions. There is the standard Slowpoke and its split evolutionary path Slowbro and Slowking. Then, there is Galarian Slowpoke, who can also evolve into either Galarian Slowbro or Galarian Slowking. Then, all six of those have Shiny forms. This is the first time any of the Slowpoke line appears Shiny in the Pokémon TCG, with Taira Akitsu illustrating Shiny Slowpoke and Souchirou Gunjima taking on Shiny Slowbro.

Japanese sets often give us early ideas of what the English-language sets may include, so be sure to keep an eye on our coverage. You can stay tuned for previews of Scarlet & Violet cards as well as updates on everything Pokémon TCG right here at Bleeding Cool.


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Theo DwyerAbout Theo Dwyer

Theo Dwyer writes about comics, film, and games.
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