Pokémon Abyss Eye Set Overview (Release Date, Theme & What We Know So Far)
The Pokémon Abyss Eye set is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated Japanese Pokémon TCG releases of 2026. Officially scheduled for release on May 22, 2026 in Japan, this booster box expansion introduces the long-awaited debut of Mega Darkrai ex, a Darkness-type Pokémon that’s already generating hype across both collectors and competitive players.
As part of the broader Pokémon TCG roadmap tied to Pokémon Legends: Z-A and the Mega Evolution-focused DLC era, Abyss Eye is expected to feature a darker, more aggressive playstyle. Early leaks suggest strong mechanics centered around special conditions, damage counters, and bench management, setting up a high-risk, high-reward strategy that could impact the competitive meta.
For collectors, this set is especially notable as the first appearance of Mega Darkrai in the TCG, making early reveals — particularly alternate art or high-rarity cards — extremely important to track. The Abyss Eye set will contain 118 cards, with Mega Darkrai ex as the set mascot and thematic focus.
Here is a summary of all the cards that have been leaked on Pokebeach.com.
All Abyss Eye Secret Rare Cards - Revealed on May 20, 2026
Fomantis 82/81, Armarouge 83/81, and Goldeen 84/81
Primarina AR 85/81, Manectric AR 86/81, and Slowbro AR 87/81
Dhelmise AR 88/81, Thievul AR 89/81, and Zarude AR 90/81
Bastiodon AR 91/81, Toucannon AR 92/81, and Silvally AR 93/81
Lurantis ex SR 94/81, Wailord ex SR 95/81, and Mega Zeraora ex SR 96/81
Mega Chandelure ex SR 97/81, Rampardos ex SR 98/81, and Mega Darkrai ex SR 99/81
Morpeko ex SR 100/81, Mega Excadrill ex SR 101/81, and Iron Defender SR 102/81
Energy Switch SR 103/81, Crushing Hammer SR 104/81, and Dark Bell SR 105/81
Heroic Bomb SR 106/81, Brave Bangle SR 107/81, and Misty’s Energy SR 108/81
Gladion’s Fighting Spirit SR 109/81, Rust Syndicate Grunts SR 110/81, and Gwynn SR 111/81
Mega Zeraora ex SAR 112/81, Mega Chandelure ex SAR 113/81, and Mega Darkrai ex SAR 114/81
Morpeko ex SAR 115/81, Gladion’s Fighting Spirit SAR 116/81, and Gwynn SAR 117/81
Mega Darkrai ex GOLD MUR 115/81
Thanks to this article from Pokebeach.com for the images.
Goldeen Art Rare, Fomantis Art Rare, and Armarouge Art Rare (AR) from Abyss Eye - Revealed on May 16, 2026
Goldeen AR Art Rare 84/81 from Abyss Eye
Underwater cards are always stunning, and Goldeen is a Pokemon that has an iconic voice in the original Pokemon Anime, so can't go wrong with this choice. Beautifully done! Goldeen looks like she may have some Goldeen guppies soon? More details on this Pokebeach article.
Armarouge AR Art Rare 83/81 from Abyss Eye
Lovely Armarouge artwork, very fiery and fierce.
Fomantis AR Art Rare 82/81 from Abyss Eye
What a beautiful Spring scene, right on que for the Spring weather. Fomantis looking right at home lost in a bouquet of flowers.
All 81 Abyss Eye Main Set Card List
Revealed on May 14, 2026
 Tropius |
 Grubbin |
|
Fomantis |
Lurantis ex |
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Poltchageist |
Sinistcha |
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Heatran |
Sizzlipede |
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Centiskorch |
Charcadet |
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Armarouge |
Goldeen |
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Seaking |
Wailmer |
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Wailord ex |
Relicanth |
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Popplio |
Brionne |
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Primarina |
Finizen |
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Palafin |
Electrike |
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Manectric |
Charjabug |
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Vikavolt |
Mega Zeraora ex |
|
Miraidon |
Slowpoke |
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Slowbro |
Jynx |
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Shuppet |
Banette |
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Spiritomb |
Litwick |
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Lampent |
Mega Chandelure ex |
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Dhelmise |
Marshadow |
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Annihilape |
Mankey |
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Primeape |
Cranidos |
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Rampardos ex |
Drilbur |
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Koraidon |
Mega Darkrai ex |
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Vullaby |
Mandibuzz |
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Inkay |
Malamar |
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Nickit |
Thievul |
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Morpeko |
Zarude |
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Maschiff |
Mabosstiff |
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Chi-Yu |
Skarmory |
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Miraidon |
Bastiodon |
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Bronzor |
Bronzong |
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Mega Excadrill ex |
Pikipek |
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Trumbeak |
Toucannon |
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Unknown |
Silvally |
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Bombirdier |
Dark Bell |
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Antique Skull Fossil |
Antique Armor Fossil |
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Exciting Bomb |
Retry Badge |
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Misty's Cheerfulness |
Gladion's Decisive Match |
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Rust Syndicate Grunts |
Gwynn |
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Fossil Excavation Site |
Bolt Lightning Energy |
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Shadow Darkness Energy |
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Wailord ex and Misty’s Energy from Abyss Eye - Revealed on May 13, 2026
Wailmer and Wailord ex from Abyss Eye
Yarn artwork! Very interesting concept; card artwork by Asako Ito. Wailmer is doing that expression like when your boss tells you what they did on the weekend, and you have to act overly interested. Also a classic whale style ex, not sure what else you can do with the artwork. You can find that card translations on this Pokebeach article.
Misty's Energy from Abyss Eye
Apparently if you play this card, your turn ends. You can search your deck for up to 4 basic water energy cards, and then attach them to your Pokemon. Then, shuffle 'em up. Thanks to this Pokebeach article for the translations.
Mega Chandelure ex SAR, Ghost Pokemon, and Gwynn SAR from Abyss Eye - Revealed on May 9, 2026
Mega Chandelure ex SAR and Mega Chandelure ex from Abyss Eye
We've got our first SAR officially revealed from Abyss Eye. The palette is beautiful, great looking card. I like the direction this is going so far. For card translations and to see how you may be able to play this card, visit this Pokebeach article.
Gwynn SAR and Gwynn Trainer Card from Abyss Eye
What a lovely trainer SAR. This artwork reminds me of Mask of Change / Twilight Masquerade style. Very festival like. What do you think? See the card translations here on this Pokebeach.com article.
Poltchageist and Sinistcha from Abyss Eye
Beautiful greens, purples, yellows, and dark violets in these two. I love the consistency and the style of the artworks. See more details on this Pokebeach article.
Shuppet and Banette from Abyss Eye
These two also have that style of greens, blues, etc., despite having different artists from Poltchageist and Sinistcha. I'm digging the theme; it creates a nice style for this set. Here are the card translations from Pokebeach.
Spiritomb from Abyss Eye
I'm not really sure what to say about Spiritomb, but it feels like I see this Pokemon and the same exact artwork every single time it's in a new set. Perhaps you can't do much else with this Pokemon because of what it looks like. Either way, not a fan. Maybe it's useful to play though, so check out the translations here on this Pokebeach article.
Litwick and Lampent from Abyss Eye
Litwick is chillin among his colleagues, looks lit!! Lampent going for a garden stroll. See translations on this Pokebeach article.
Dhelmise from Abyss Eye
The turquoise theme in this Pokemon card artwork is really nice. I like it. See the translations here on this article.
Marshadow from Abyss Eye
I don't know about you, guys, but this is pure nightmare fuel. Let's just move on, more details on this Pokebeach article.
Rampardos ex, Bastiodon, Relicanth, and More from “Abyss Eye” - Revealed on May 1, 2026
Rampardos ex and Cranidos from Abyss Eye
This looks like a father-son moment, where both Pokemon are doing the exact same action in the exact same way. Really cool artwork and energy in these designs. For translations on the moves, check out this article from Pokebeach.com.
Bastiodon and Shieldon from Abyss Eye
I would definitely retreat if I ran into this Bastiodon in the wild. Looks aggressive and not a character you want to mess with. See the card translations in this Pokebeach article.
Relicanth from Abyss Eye
What a beautiful artwork this is, I really like the colours, the style; it's so clean and peaceful. Great card. According to this Pokebeach article, its attack translates to "Fossil Beatdown: 10+ damage. This attack does 30 more damage for each of your Benched Pokemon with "Antique" in its name."
Antique Skull Fossil and Antique Shield Fossil from Abyss Eye
Speaking of Pokemon with "Antique" in its name, here are two fossil cards. I've always liked fossil cards, dating all the way back to the original Fossil set. See this Pokebeach article for the card translations.
Fossil Excavation Site from Abyss Eye
A fossil stadium card, some players will be excited for this one. One person in the comments on this Pokebeach article exclaimed, "Fossil stadium!!! Finallyyy (my Tyrantrum deck crying tears of joy)". Maybe there is some good use for this one?
Slowbro and Thievul from Abyss Eye- Revealed on April 26, 2026
Slowpoke and Slowbro from Abyss Eye
The forever confused Pokemon!! Slowpoke and Slowbro, looking as dopey as ever, but always a fan favourite. I have got to admit, this Slowbro artwork is amazing, really cool and psychedelic. See the translations to these cards in this Pokebeach article.
Nickit and Thievul from Abyss Eye
Very strange artwork and facial expressions from these two. Not sure how I feel about it. They seem useful though, according to this Pokebeach article, the Thievul translation is "Skill Thief: If you have no cards in your hand, choose 1 of your opponent's Pokemon's attacks and use it as this attack."
Mega Excadrill ex and Drilbur from Abyss Eye- Revealed on April 22, 2026
Extremely happy Drilbur artwork! And then he evolves into a pretty angry guy in Stage 1. Here are the translations for the cards in this Pokebeach article.
Mega Darkrai ex from Abyss Eye- Revealed on April 17, 2026
This was the first card leak from Abyss Eye that we got to see, featured on this Pokebeach.com article. Mega Darkrai ex is the face of this set, as it is also featured on the booster box and booster pack artwork.
Abyss Eye is linked to the Pokémon Legends: Z-A video game universe and introduces new Mega Evolutions specifically featured in the Mega Dimension DLC. Mega Darkrai ex is a Darkness-type Pokémon with 280 HP and features two attacks: 'Night Raid' and 'Abyss Eye'. The 'Night Raid' attack does 110 damage plus an additional 110 damage if any of your Benched Pokémon have damage counters on them. The 'Abyss Eye' attack can Knock Out the opponent's Active Pokémon if it is affected by any Special Condition.
Mega Darkrai ex is expected to have a significant impact on the competitive meta, particularly in the Expanded format, due to its powerful attacks and synergy with special condition support.
Inkay & Malamar from Abyss Eye - Revealed on April 17, 2026
These were also revealed the same day, with lovely Inkay artwork. I honestly think if that Inkay card was a full art, it would be specular with the texturing and colours. See the information about attack's damage and info on the card's mechanics, visit this Pokebeach article that breaks it down.
Zarude from Abyss Eye - Revealed on April 17, 2026
Another Zarude! Personally not a huge fan of this character or its cards, but always a cool addition to a set. More details on attacks in this Pokebeach article.
Chi-Yu from Abyss Eye - Revealed on April 17, 2026
Always a welcome addition to any set is this beautiful Dark Chi-Yu Pokemon.
Abyss Eye Leaks & Card Reveal Tracker (Updated Daily)
This article is a live Abyss Eye card list tracker, compiling all officially revealed cards and leaks as they surface from sources like PokéBeach and other Japanese outlets.
Each time a new Pokémon card is revealed, we’ll break it down with:
- Card artwork and first impressions
- Attack mechanics and gameplay potential
- Collector and investor insights from High Value Hobby
Whether you're tracking chase cards, grading candidates, or competitive staples, this page is designed to give you an early edge as the set unfolds. This TCG set is considered significant for being part of a broader 2026 roadmap that focuses on Mega Evolution Pokémon.
Where to Buy Abyss Eye Booster Boxes (Japan & International)
Upon release, Abyss Eye booster boxes will be available at Pokémon Centers across Japan and major retailers. International collectors can also import Japanese Pokémon cards through specialty shops and online sellers, though it’s important to factor in import fees, shipping times, and availability.
For many collectors, securing boxes early — especially for a set featuring Mega Darkrai ex — can be key if demand spikes post-release. The English equivalent of Abyss Eye, titled Pitch Black, is expected to be released shortly after the Japanese version, allowing for broader availability.
Abyss Eye English Set: “Pitch Black” Release Expectations
The English version of Abyss Eye, expected to be titled “Pitch Black,” is anticipated to release shortly after the Japanese set. Historically, English sets closely mirror their Japanese counterparts, meaning the card list, mechanics, and chase cards should remain largely consistent.
This makes early Japanese leaks especially valuable for collectors planning ahead for the English release.