The Pokémon TCG: 30th Celebration expansion is adding two Special Illustration Rare Pikachu ex cards built around one shared idea: a parade of Pokémon that changes when day turns to night. Both cards are illustrated by kantaro and place Pikachu at the center of a crowded anniversary scene.
One Parade, Two Ways to Set Up
The paired artwork makes the cards a visual day-and-night set, while their attacks cover two different setup needs: building a Bench and accelerating Energy from the hand.
The September 16 launch date is confirmed, but availability and pull outcomes are not guaranteed. Check official local product listings before buying.
Pikachu ex Parade Cards FAQ
When does Pokémon TCG: 30th Celebration release?
The tabletop expansion is scheduled for September 16, 2026, in participating markets. Pokémon TCG Live is scheduled to add it on September 15 at 10:00 a.m. PDT.
Who illustrated the two Pikachu ex cards?
Both the daytime 149/128 card and nighttime 150/128 card credit kantaro as the illustrator.
How are Pika-Pika Parade and Zip-Zap Frenzy different?
Pika-Pika Parade searches the deck for Basic Pokémon and places them on the Bench. Zip-Zap Frenzy attaches Basic Energy already in the player's hand to their Pokémon.
The supplied card images show the English cards as 149/128 and 150/128. Their artwork is connected, but their setup attacks and 200-damage follow-up attacks create two different play patterns.
Pikachu ex Card Comparison
The cards share HP, type, illustrator, weakness, retreat cost, and the Pokémon ex rule. Their attacks separate a Bench-building route from an Energy-acceleration route.
| Card | Setup attack | Damage attack | Cost of the 200-damage attack |
|---|---|---|---|
| 149/128, daytime | Pika-Pika Parade | Thunderbolt 200; discard all Energy from this Pokémon | 2 Lightning, 1 Colorless |
| 150/128, nighttime | Zip-Zap Frenzy | Thunder 200; this Pokémon also takes 30 damage | 2 Lightning, 1 Colorless |
Daytime Pikachu ex: Pika-Pika Parade
The daytime illustration surrounds Pikachu with Pokémon moving through a bright celebratory scene. Sylveon, Oshawott, Crocalor, and many other Pokémon turn the card into a group portrait rather than a conventional one-on-one battle image.
For one Colorless Energy, Pika-Pika Parade searches the deck for any number of Basic Pokémon, puts them onto the Bench, and then shuffles the deck. Thunderbolt deals 200 damage for two Lightning and one Colorless Energy, then discards all Energy from this Pikachu ex.
What the Two Setup Attacks Actually Do
Pika-Pika Parade can place Basic Pokémon directly onto open Bench spaces, but it is still an attack: it uses the turn's attack and cannot exceed the available Bench capacity. It also does not search for Evolution Pokémon.
Zip-Zap Frenzy can move as much Basic Energy as the player currently holds, divided among their Pokémon as desired. It does not search the deck for Energy, so the amount attached depends on the cards already in hand.
Both 200-damage attacks have a clear tradeoff. Thunderbolt removes the attacker's Energy, while Thunder leaves the Energy attached but places 30 damage on Pikachu ex. The supplied cards also show Fighting Weakness ×2, no listed Resistance, a one-Colorless retreat cost, and the standard two-Prize Pokémon ex rule.
Nighttime Pikachu ex: Zip-Zap Frenzy
The second illustration moves the parade into a fireworks-lit night. The official reveal highlights Gengar, Umbreon, and Midnight Form Lycanroc among the Pokémon gathered around Pikachu, while the darker palette distinguishes the scene from the daytime card.
Zip-Zap Frenzy costs one Lightning Energy and lets the player attach any number of Basic Energy cards from their hand to their Pokémon in any way they choose. Thunder deals 200 damage for two Lightning and one Colorless Energy, and Pikachu ex takes 30 damage itself.
The Reveal at a Glance
- Both cards are 190 HP Basic Lightning-type Pokémon ex illustrated by kantaro.
- Pikachu ex 149/128 uses Pika-Pika Parade to fill the Bench with Basic Pokémon.
- Pikachu ex 150/128 uses Zip-Zap Frenzy to distribute Basic Energy from the hand.
- Pokémon TCG: 30th Celebration launches on September 16, 2026, in participating markets.
30th Celebration Release and Availability
Pokémon TCG: 30th Celebration is scheduled to release on September 16, 2026, at participating retailers worldwide. The official product announcement describes an all-foil expansion with one of 30 Pikachu rare cards in each booster pack and 30 returning classic cards.
Pokémon TCG Live is scheduled to receive the expansion on September 15, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. PDT. Product selection, release-day timing, and stock can differ by market and retailer, so local official channels remain the final reference.
Sources
- Get Ready for a Pikachu Parade in Pokémon TCG: 30th CelebrationPokémon · Primary source
- Day and Night Pikachu ex Special Illustration Rares from "30th Celebration" Revealed!PokéBeach
- The Pokémon Company International Reveals Product Lineup for Pokémon TCG: 30th CelebrationThe Pokémon Company International