The Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution era is accelerating at breakneck speed, and Chaos Rising (set code ME04/CRI) is the latest bombshell: the fourth main expansion, officially confirmed for release on Friday, May 22, 2026. Prereleases kick off May 9–17, with Pokémon TCG Live integration on May 21—just two months after Perfect Order (March 27). This ninja-themed powerhouse is the English adaptation of Japan’s Ninja Spinner (March 13, 2026 JP release), promising ~86 main cards + 40+ secret rares (11+ SIRs/IRs/HRs/MHRs), shadow disruptions, and Mega Greninja ex as the star. Leaks exploded in late January (CRI shop cards), verified by PokeBeach on February 2—Greninja SIR leads the hype. Preorders expected late March; here’s what to expect from theme, cards, size, products, and ROI.
Release Timeline & Structure
- Prereleases: May 9–17, 2026 (LGS events).
- PTCGL: May 21, 2026.
- Retail Launch: May 22, 2026 (booster boxes, ETBs, etc.).
- Build & Battle: Likely June 2026.
PokeBeach’s reveal tied it to Ninja Spinner JP, with “CRI” leaks confirming English parallels. Small set like Perfect Order (~120–150 total cards).
Full Release Timeline Breakdown
Here’s the expected step-by-step rollout, based on standard Pokémon TCG patterns and confirmed details:
| Phase | Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Japanese Ninja Spinner Launch | March 13, 2026 | JP retail; scans/leaks flood English community (Greninja SIR, Roxie SIR confirmed). |
| Preorders Open (English) | Late March 2026 (post-Perfect Order) | Pokémon Center, TCGPlayer, GameStop; booster boxes/ETBs first. |
| Prereleases | May 9–17, 2026 | LGS events; 6-pack kits + promo for early testing (ninja decks hyped). |
| PTCGL Release | May 21, 2026 | Digital cards live; meta testing ramps up. |
| Full Retail Launch | Friday, May 22, 2026 | Booster boxes, ETBs, bundles, blisters everywhere. |
| Build & Battle Box | Early June 2026 | 4 packs + deck kit for events (~$20–$25 MSRP). |
| Restocks/Reprints | June–July 2026 | Limited waves; scalping peaks early. |
Theme: Ninja Chaos & Shadow Disruptions
Chaos Rising flips Perfect Order’s balance with ninja anarchy—stealthy Water/Dark attackers, shurikens, and board-flipping tools. Greninja family dominates, with Mega Greninja ex teased for Mortal Shuriken (shuffle self into deck for evasion). Expect Weavile ex, shadow Megas, and Trainers like Roxie for Poison synergy.
Leaked Cards & Expected Chases
Leaks (shop photos, verified) spotlight SIRs:
- Greninja SIR (#116/86): Ninja frog shurikens; meta disruptor (first leaked Dec 10).
- Roxie Performance SIR (#121/86): Poison Trainer flair.
- AZ’s Tranquility (#120/86): Chaos-balance support.
- 6+ SIRs: Ninja/shadow focus, 40+ secrets.
Predictions: Mega Greninja ex mascot SIR ($400–$800 raw), ninja HRs/MHRs.
Set Size Predictions
~86 main cards (small like Perfect Order/Nihil Zero), 40+ secrets: 11 SIRs, 20 IRs, HRs/MHRs. High secret rate for chases.
Products Predictions
Standard Mega lineup:
- Booster Display Box (36 packs): $144–$160 MSRP.
- ETB (9–11 packs + promo): $50–$60.
- Pokémon Center ETB: $60–$70 (stamped).
- Booster Bundle (6 packs): $30.
- 3-Pack Blister: $12–$15.
- Build & Battle: June.
Preorders March; scalping expected.
Expected Products: Standard Mega Lineup with Ninja Twists
Chaos Rising follows the Mega Evolution template—no surprises, but ninja-themed packaging/art (e.g., shuriken sleeves, Greninja mascot). MSRP estimates based on recent sets; preorders lock MSRP.
| Product | MSRP | Contents | Investment Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Booster Display Box | $144–$160 | 36 packs | Core rip/hold; 50–150% ROI 12–24 months (like Perfect Order boxes). |
| Elite Trainer Box (ETB) | $50–$60 | 9 packs + promo + sleeves/dice/box | Greninja promo; $90–$140 sealed in 6 months. |
| Pokémon Center ETB | $60–$70 | 11 packs + stamped exclusives | Premium chase; 100–200% upside. |
| Booster Bundle | $28–$30 | 6 packs + mini binder | Value stack; quick 50–100% flips. |
| 3-Pack Blister | $12–$15 | 3 packs + promo/coin | Impulse; god pack lottery. |
| Sleeved Booster Packs | $4–$5/pack | 1 pack + sleeve (4 arts) | Art variants for completists. |
| Build & Battle Box | $20–$25 | 4 packs + deck kit | Event play; modest sealed hold. |
Investment & Collecting Expectations
Greninja hype = Prismatic-level sealed moon (50–150% ROI 12 months); ninja meta-shakers boost singles. Stack ETBs/boxes at MSRP.
Leaks daily—JP scans incoming. Hyped? r/CardChill!
Greninja – A New Hero
Greninja has been one of the most beloved and consistently chase-worthy Pokémon in TCG history since its debut in the XY era, captivating collectors with its sleek ninja frog design, versatile Water/Dark typing, and meta-shifting abilities that blend speed, disruption, and raw power. The original Greninja-EX from Roaring Skies (2015) kicked off the legend, featuring Water Shuriken for multi-prize damage and moon-blasting art that made it a staple in early expanded decks—raw copies now fetch $50–$100 PSA 10s for nostalgia alone. Over the years, Greninja evolved through iconic variants like Greninja BREAK (Phantom Forces, 2015) with its Phantom Gate Ability for hand refresh, Greninja GX (Sun & Moon Hidden Fates, 2018) with massive Vicious Moon (210 damage), and Greninja VMAX (Champion’s Path, 2020) for explosive plays. Each iteration built the hype, turning Greninja into a symbol of agile, shadowy dominance that fans still chase in vintage binders.
The modern resurgence hit peak artistry with Greninja ex SIR #214/167 from Twilight Masquerade (May 24, 2024), a breathtaking Special Illustration Rare by 5ban Graphics that depicts the ninja frog mid-leap amid swirling shadows and cherry blossoms—raw values soared to $150–$250 at launch, holding $100–$200 PSA 10s today thanks to its ethereal glow and meta-relevant Moonlight Shuriken (discard Energy for 200+ damage). This card redefined Greninja for Scarlet & Violet, powering control decks with its Ability to snipe bench threats, and it remains a top seller on TCGPlayer for its emotional, dynamic pose that captures the Pokémon’s elusive grace. Twilight Masquerade’s Greninja ex proved the frog’s enduring appeal, bridging old-school fans with new art chasers.
Now, with Chaos Rising leaks teasing Greninja SIR #116/86 and potentially Mega Greninja ex as the mascot (May 22, 2026), the ninja legend is set for another renaissance. From Roaring Skies origins to Twilight Masquerade’s masterpiece, Greninja’s card legacy is one of evolution—literally—and I’m beyond excited to see how Chaos Rising elevates it further.
Prediction: Pokémon Will Struggle to Fully Supply Chaos Rising – Expect Shortages, But Better Than Past Peaks
No, The Pokémon Company will likely not be able to fully supply the market with Chaos Rising (ME04, May 22, 2026), especially during the initial launch window and for premium products like Pokémon Center ETBs and Booster Bundles—mirroring the ongoing Ascended Heroes rollout chaos where ETBs were delayed to February 2026, blisters sold out in minutes, and scalpers flipped stock at 60–150% markups. While Pokémon announced plans to “saturate the market” starting 2026 to combat scalpers (e.g., more reprints, better allocations), high-hype sets like this Ninja Spinner adaptation—with Greninja SIR leaks and Mega Greninja ex mascot—will overwhelm initial print runs, leading to LGS sell-outs within hours and secondary market premiums of 50–100% on Day 1.
The tight schedule exacerbates this: Just 2 months after Perfect Order (March 27), Chaos Rising’s production must ramp amid Ascended Heroes restocks and 30th anniversary demands, straining global supply chains as seen in recent videos warning of “bumpy” 2026 with ongoing droughts. Booster boxes may fare better with higher volumes later (June–July reprints), but ETBs/PC exclusives and blisters will vanish fast—Ninja Spinner JP’s March 13 launch already shows scalping in Asia. Overall, expect early shortages (80% sell-outs Week 1) like Ascended Heroes, improving mid-year but never “fully supplied” for hype chases—patience and MSRP preorders key.
Best Preorder Strategy for Chaos Rising Pokémon TCG
Chaos Rising (ME04/CRI), the highly anticipated fourth Mega Evolution main set and English adaptation of Japan’s Ninja Spinner (March 13, 2026), launches on Friday, May 22, 2026—with prereleases from May 9–17 and PTCGL on May 21.
Preorder Timeline: When & Where to Act
- Late March 2026: Preorders open (Pokémon Center first, then TCGPlayer/GameStop/Walmart).
- April–Early May: Restocks; LGS allocations announced.
- May 9–17: Prerelease kits (6 packs + promo; LGS sign-ups now).
- May 22: Full retail; Build & Battle ~June.
Key Sites:
- Pokémon Center (exclusives, 1-per-customer limits).
- TCGPlayer/GameStop (bulk cases).
- Walmart/Target (blisters/bundles).
Set alerts/emails now—drops sell out in minutes.
Top Products to Preorder: Prioritize These for ROI
Standard Mega lineup confirmed via patterns/leaks (ETB art by FaZeMyles: dark Greninja).
| Product | MSRP | Why Preorder? (Projected ROI) | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pokémon Center ETB | $60–$70 | Stamped promo + 11 packs; 100–200% in 12 months (exclusivity). | Highest |
| Standard ETB | $50–$60 | 9 packs + Greninja promo; 50–100% sealed hold. | High |
| Booster Display Box | $144–$160 | 36 packs; volume rip/hold (80–150% long-term). | High |
| Booster Bundle (6 Packs) | $28–$30 | Value + binder; quick 50–100% flips. | Medium |
| 3-Pack Blister | $12–$15 | Impulse/god packs; stack for 40–80% short-term. | Low-Medium |
Cases (e.g., 10 ETBs) for bulk; avoid singles pre-launch.
Best Preorder Strategy: Step-by-Step
- Prep Now (Feb): Sign up Pokémon Center account, TCGPlayer alerts, Reddit/Discord restock bots.
- Budget: $500–$2k; 50% PC ETBs, 30% boxes, 20% bundles/blisters.
- Day 1 (Late March): Pokémon Center drop (1-per-customer); TCGPlayer 10 mins later.
- Follow-Up: Walmart/Target for blisters; LGS prereleases.
- Hold/Flip: Sealed 70% (12–24 months), flip 30% on launch spikes.
- Risks: Scalping (ignore >20% premiums), reprints (mid-tier safe).
Projected ROI: 60–150% sealed in 12 months (Greninja hype like Ascended Gengar).
