Pokémon Journey Together — Trainer's Pokémon return and the chase SIRs to know

Journey Together hit shelves on March 28, 2025 as the ninth Scarlet & Violet expansion, and it brings back one of the most beloved concepts in the game's history: Trainer's Pokémon. Cards that pair a beloved character alongside their signature partner haven't been in the main product line since the Gym Heroes set in 2000. Twenty-five years later, they're back — and the market noticed immediately. Here's what the set offers and which cards are driving demand.

What Trainer's Pokémon are

Trainer's Pokémon are cards that feature a specific Trainer character alongside their iconic partner Pokémon. Think N with Zoroark, Lillie with Clefairy, Iono with Bellibolt. In Gym Heroes, these were straightforward cards attached to Gym Leaders. In Journey Together, they return as fully modern designs with ex mechanics, Special Illustration Rare art, and — in some cases — competitive implications. The nostalgia factor is significant. Players who grew up with those classic sets are now adults with money to spend on premium pulls.

Chase cards and Special Illustration Rares

The set includes 16 Pokémon ex, 11 Illustration Rares, 6 Special Illustration Rares, and 3 Hyper Rare gold cards. The top-tier SIRs pre-ordering at premium before release:

• N's Zoroark ex (SIR) — the headliner. N is one of the most beloved Trainer characters in the franchise; paired with Zoroark's dark, fox-eared aesthetic, the art is stunning. Pre-orders immediately spiked.
• Lillie's Clefairy ex (SIR) — Lillie from Sun and Moon is hugely popular. Her Clefairy SIR is one of the most emotional pieces of art in recent sets.
• Iono's Bellibolt ex — Iono is a newer character but already has a dedicated fan base; Bellibolt's goofy design makes this an oddly endearing pull.
• Hop's Zacian ex — a Sword and Shield callback. Zacian has Pokémon Go and competitive crossover appeal.
• Shiny Pikachu & Red (Secret Rare) — Red is the OG protagonist. A shiny Pikachu paired with him is the kind of card that gets listed on eBay within hours of opening.

Sealed product and what to expect

Journey Together uses the standard Scarlet & Violet product structure: Booster boxes, Elite Trainer Boxes, and Build & Battle Stadiums. Prices below are approximate U.S. street at launch; check TCGPlayer and your LGS for current availability.

Product	Approx. price (USD)	Notes
Booster box	~$115–140	36 packs. Main cracking product. Guarantee at least one Ultra Rare or better per box.
Elite Trainer Box	~$50–60	9 packs plus accessories. Good entry for players wanting the dice and damage counters.
Build & Battle Stadium	~$35–45	Four prerelease kits bundled. Good for prereleases and sealed league nights.

Sealed vs singles

If you're after a specific SIR for your binder or a competitive ex for your deck, singles are almost always cheaper than cracking to find it. Booster boxes make sense if you enjoy the experience or are speculating on sealed long-term. The Trainer's Pokémon hook has genuine nostalgic staying power — this isn't a mechanic that will feel stale in five years. Whether that translates into durable secondary market value depends on how broadly the set is printed. We're not telling you to buy or sell. We're laying out the cards and the context. May your pulls be illustrated and your Trainers iconic.