Japan’s next Pokémon TCG MEGA expansion has officially been revealed: 拡張パック「ムニキスゼロ」 (Munikisu Zero), launching January 23, 2026 in Japan. Booster packs will be ¥180 and contain 5 cards.
Quick details
- Japanese set name: ムニキスゼロ (Munikisu Zero) Pokemon Card
- Release date (JP): January 23, 2026 Pokemon Card
- Pack contents: 5 random cards / pack Pokemon Card
- Main headliner: Mega Zygarde ex (Fighting, 310 HP) Bulbagarden
- Set size: 80 cards before Secret Rares Bulbagarden
Why we’re calling it “Nihil Zero”
You’ll see the set name written as Munikisu Zero in Japanese (ムニキスゼロ). For our site, we’re using “Nihil Zero” as an editorial name because the phrase “ムニキス” ties directly into Mega Zygarde’s signature move “Nihil Light” (Japanese: 無に帰す光, “light that returns to nothing”). Bulbapedia+2Bulbapedia+2
Important: This doesn’t guarantee what the official English set name will be (TPCi will confirm that later). We’re using “Nihil Zero” as a clean, readable shorthand that matches the move’s established English name. Bulbapedia+1
Newly revealed cards so far
Below are the standout reveals and what they actually do in plain English. (Card text translations are based on early reporting; expect minor wording changes as more official material drops.) PokéBeach+1
Mega Zygarde ex (Fighting) — the set’s centerpiece
Mega Zygarde ex arrives as a big Basic with two attacks that push both bulk and board pressure:
- A 200-damage attack that also reduces incoming damage next turn (great for forcing awkward KOs). Bulbagarden
- “Nihil Zero”: a spread-style attack that flips for each opposing Pokémon, dealing 150 to each one that hits heads. That’s the kind of move that can instantly swing games if the flips cooperate. Bulbagarden
And yes—Mega Evolution ex in this era comes with the bigger downside: when it’s KO’d, your opponent takes 3 Prizes.
Meowth ex (Colorless) — the “Supporter finder” engine
Meowth ex is one of the most interesting utility Basics revealed:
- When you bench it from hand, it can search your deck for a Supporter (with a restriction so you can’t chain multiple “Trump Card” abilities in the same turn).
- It also has an attack that hits and then returns itself (and attachments) to your hand, setting up repeat value loops in the right shells.
Binacle / Barbaracle — acceleration for Fighting
This line looks built specifically to feed Mega Zygarde’s heavy costs:
- Binacle has a simple “draw 2” style attack to keep cards flowing early.
- Barbaracle has an ability that lets you attach a Basic Fighting Energy from hand to one of your Fighting Pokémon once per turn, which is exactly the type of ramp Mega decks love.
New Trainers, Stadium, and Special Energy
A few of these are quietly huge because they shape how turns work.
Lumiose City (Stadium)
Once per player’s turn, you can bench a Basic Pokémon from your deck… but your turn ends if you use it. That’s a fascinating tempo trade—perfect for stabilizing or setting up, but risky if you’re behind.
Rock Fighting Energy (Special Energy)
Provides Fighting Energy, and while attached to a Fighting Pokémon it prevents effects of your opponent’s attacks done to that Pokémon (damage isn’t an “effect”, so damage still applies). Protection like this often becomes format-defining depending on what the meta looks like.
Notable Supporters & Items
- Tarragon (Supporter): recovers up to 4 total of (Fighting Pokémon + Basic Fighting Energy) from discard to hand—excellent for grind games.
- Naveen (Supporter): discard any number of cards, then draw until you have 5—a flexible “hand fixer.”
- PokePad (Item): searches a Pokémon without a Rule Box—great for finding utility Basics and evolution pieces.
Core Memory (Tool)
A Mega Zygarde-focused tool that grants access to a massive 350-damage “all-in” style attack that discards all Energy afterward—very “push the red button” design.
Mega Gallade ex Special Set revealed (also January 23)
Alongside the set, Japan is also getting a boxed product: スペシャルカードセット メガエルレイドex (Special Card Set: Mega Gallade ex) on the same date. It retails for ¥1,980 and includes promo cards plus 8 packs of Munikis Zero.
What about English?
Per PokéBeach, the next English MEGA set is “Perfect Order”, releasing March 27, 2026 (with prereleases in mid-March). Since Munikis/Nihil Zero is only 80 cards before secrets, there’s a decent chance English could combine content (potentially including cards from Japan’s Ninja Spinner and the Mega Gallade ex product). Treat this as an informed expectation, not a guarantee, until TPCi confirms the final set composition.