Pokemon TCG Pitch Black set reportedly coming in 2026: Mega Darkrai ex, Abyss Eye link, and new Dark-type cards

The Pokémon Trading Card Game may be preparing for another Mega Evolution-focused release this summer. According to recent reports, a set called Pitch Black is expected to arrive in English around mid-2026. The expansion has not been officially confirmed yet, but early information suggests it is closely tied to Japan’s upcoming Abyss Eye set.The timing of these releases fits the current pattern of staggered regional launches. Japan receives new expansions first, and Western versions usually follow with slight adjustments. In this case, Pitch Black appears to be the adapted version of Abyss Eye, which itself is scheduled for a May 2026 release in Japan as reported by Game Rant.The name Pitch Black is not random. It connects directly to Darkrai’s established identity in Pokémon lore, where it is often described as the “pitch-black Pokémon”. That link alone has already sparked interest among collectors and competitive players.At the centre of this reported expansion is Mega Darkrai ex. Early details suggest it could be one of the standout cards of the Mega Evolution era so far. The card is expected to feature an attack called Night Raid. It uses two Basic Darkness Energy and deals moderate damage at the base level. The interesting part comes from its scaling effect. If one of the player’s Benched Pokémon already has damage counters, the attack damage is said to double. That condition is not especially difficult to meet in active gameplay, which could make the card more threatening than it first appears.There is also a second ability tied to the card, called Abyss Eye. This move reportedly costs three Energy and has the potential to knock out an opposing Active Pokémon instantly, provided it is affected by a Special Condition. That requirement adds some setup, but the payoff is significant.Competitive players are already speculating about how this could affect deck-building strategies. Some believe it may encourage more aggressive bench damage setups, while others think it could shift how Special Conditions are used in battles.The Pitch Black set is expected to mirror Japan’s Abyss Eye expansion. That Japanese set has already been announced and is scheduled to be released in May 2026. Alongside Mega Darkrai ex, Abyss Eye includes a few additional cards that may carry over into the English version. One of them is Dark Bell, a Trainer card that applies confusion to both Active Pokémon unless they are Dark-type. It introduces a level of unpredictability into matches that could shift certain matchups.Another confirmed inclusion is Malamar, a new iteration of the Generation 6 Pokémon that evolves from Inkay. It continues the Dark and Psychic-type theme that runs through the set. Looking further ahead, the next likely expansion could be based on Japan’s Storm Emerald set. That release is expected to feature Mega Rayquaza ex, a card that typically draws strong attention due to the Pokemon’s popularity and competitive history.There are also several anniversary-related products planned in Japan for later in 2026. Some of those may eventually be adapted for Western markets as well, depending on how the current rollout performs. Still, the overall direction of the Pokémon TCG seems consistent. Mega Evolutions are returning in a structured wave, and Pitch Black looks like one of the key entries in that cycle.