Chaos Rising, the fourth main expansion in the Mega Evolution block (set code ME04/CRI), is set for a worldwide retail launch on Friday, May 22, 2026, with prerelease events running from May 9–17 and Pokémon TCG Live (PTCGL) integration on May 21. This positions it just two months after Perfect Order (March 27), maintaining the block’s aggressive pace and building on the ninja/shadow chaos theme from Japan’s Ninja Spinner (March 13, 2026 release). Preorders are already live in select regions, with booster boxes, ETBs, and bundles expected to sell out fast amid Greninja SIR hype and Mega Greninja ex rumors. The set is predicted to feature ~86 main cards + 40+ secrets (11+ SIRs/IRs/HRs/MHRs), focusing on disruptive ninja mechanics, water shurikens, and shadow tools—perfect for aggro/midrange decks flipping the meta.
Leaked Cards & Chase Predictions
Leaks from local shops and insider photos have confirmed several high-end cards, emphasizing the ninja theme:
- Greninja SIR (#116/86): The first leaked card (~December 2024), showing a dynamic ninja frog hurling water shurikens—poised as a meta disruptor with evasion Abilities; raw predictions $300–$600+.
- Roxie Performance SIR (#121/86): Poison Trainer with stage flair artwork; emotional synergy for chaos decks.
- AZ’s Tranquility (#120/86): Full-art support Trainer balancing the set’s anarchy theme.
Speculation points to Mega Greninja ex as mascot, with 6+ SIRs total and gold MHRs for premium pulls—expect 1/60 SIR any, god packs 1/900–1,000.
Theme & Potential Impact
Chaos Rising contrasts Perfect Order’s balance with ninja disruption—stealth attacks, hand disruption, and shadow evasion via Greninja family. Playable for Water/Dark aggro, tying into Legends: Z-A hype. Art leans dark/dynamic (swirling shadows, shurikens), appealing to ninja collectors.
Expected Products & Preorder Strategy
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.
ETB art leaked (dark Greninja silhouette)—preorders late March. Stack ETBs/boxes for 50–150% ROI.
Chaos Rising Pokémon TCG Set: 10 Confirmed Leaks Expanded
1. Official English Set Name & Date Reveal (Early February)
The bombshell leak hit early February, confirming Chaos Rising as ME04 with a May 22 release—tying directly to Ninja Spinner JP. Sourced from production insiders, it sparked immediate preorder speculation and “print space secured” chatter. Reddit r/PokeInvesting crossposted with 391k weekly visitors debating “big year for Pokémon,” while X trends exploded. Verification came via matching JP timelines; community consensus: 100% legit, preorders late March.
2. Reddit “Insider Leaks Confirmed! Greninja SIR Real?” (December 10 Leak, February Verified)
r/TCG’s viral thread (1qufs5j) leaked Greninja SIR #116/86 December 10—ninja frog mid-shuriken toss—15 days before name confirmation. February updates verified via shop scans; 500+ comments hailed it “next Gengar,” with dataminer noting “Pokemon secured more print space.” Reactions: “Haters wrong—real deal,” 1k+ upvotes; tied to CRI codename.
3. Instagram LEAK UPDATE (February 3, Greninja SIR Shop Photo)
@chrispytcg’s “LEAK UPDATE” (DURtcJCkoC-) posted high-res Greninja SIR from local shop ~3 weeks prior, confirming May 22. 10k+ views, comments “English Ninja Spinner locked”; cross-verified with Reddit. Expanded: Texture/artist match JP Ninja Spinner, fueling “Mega Greninja ex mascot” theories.
4. Facebook TradingCardWorld SIR Leaks (February 5, Multiple Cards)
TradingCardWorld FB group (25960518373564516) shared “Chaos Rising SIR leaks” photos: Roxie Performance SIR #121/86 (Poison stage flair) and AZ’s Tranquility #120/86 (support art). “Unconfirmed but real chances”—500+ likes; expanded with “May 22, Ninja Spinner equivalent.” Community: “Shop stock, not fakes.”
5. YouTube “New Pokemon Card Set REVEALED! Chaos Rising!” (February 3)
Pokenotify YT (54k views) revealed Chaos Rising post-Perfect Order, Ninja Spinner tie—teased 40+ secrets, Greninja SIR. Comments: “May 22 preorder hype!” Expanded: Speculated set list (86 mains, 11 IRs), matching CRI leaks; “biggest leak yet.”
6. Reddit r/PokeInvesting “New English Set After Perfect Order Leaked” (January 11)
r/PokeInvesting (1q9rd6u) leaked CRI set post-Perfect Order, Ninja Spinner basis—Mega Greninja. “Texture/artist real”—200+ upvotes; expanded with “print space for demand,” verified Feb.
7. Forums “Chaos Rising Speculative Set List” (January 11)
Forum thread (156621) built CRI list from leaks: 86 mains, 11 IRs, 20+ Trainers—Roxie/AZ included. 50+ replies; “shop fakes unlikely,” expanded with numbering predictions.
8. Instagram @chrispytcg “Pokémon’s BIGGEST Leak Yet?! CRI Set” (January 13)
@chrispytcg (116 likes): CRI Chaos leaks—Mega Greninja, 40+ secrets. Ninja Spinner English confirmed; expanded scans fueled “set king” buzz.
9. X @pokemartalerts “Leaks from CRI Set” (January 12)
@pokemartalerts: CRI leaks confirm Chaos Rising—Greninja SIR scan; “potential name.” Expanded: “Guess official,” tying to Perfect Order follow-up.
10. TikTok SecretRareSociety “New Pokemon Card Set Revealed” (January 12)
TikTok: Chaos Rising rares, Perfect Order lists—Ninja Spinner leaks. Expanded: “May 22,” viral with Greninja focus.
Chaos Rising Top Chase Cards: Our Predictions
| Rank | Card Prediction | Rarity/Type | Est. Launch Raw | Why Top Chase? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mega Greninja ex SIR | SIR (Mascot) | $500–$800 | Leaked Mega ninja frog with shuriken attacks; evasion Ability meta-shaker like Ascended Gengar—hype king. |
| 2 | Greninja SIR (#116/86) | SIR | $300–$500 | First leaked card (Dec 10); dynamic shuriken art, Water disruptor—viral on Reddit/Instagram. |
| 3 | Roxie Performance SIR (#121/86) | SIR (Trainer) | $250–$400 | Leaked Poison stage flair; emotional synergy for chaos decks—Trainer art premium. |
| 4 | AZ’s Tranquility (#120/86) | SIR (Trainer) | $200–$350 | Leaked support for balance in chaos; full-art beauty, meta enabler. |
| 5 | Weavile ex SIR | SIR | $200–$350 | Ninja Dark expected; slashing attacks, shadow hype from JP Spinner. |
| 6 | Mega Weavile ex MHR | MHR (Gold) | $180–$300 | Premium gold etch; rare 1/1,260 odds, collector magnet. |
| 7 | Hisuian Zoroark ex SIR | SIR | $150–$250 | Illusion ninja; meta illusion Ability, art contrasts N’s Zoroark. |
| 8 | Bisharp ex SIR | SIR | $150–$250 | Steel ninja boss; blade attacks, Paradox tie-in potential. |
| 9 | Sneasel IR | IR | $100–$200 | Pre-evo ninja; frequent pulls, completist chase. |
| 10 | Ninja Trainer Supporter SIR | SIR | $100–$200 | Leaked tools like Roxie; disruption enablers, Trainer meta. |
Predictions Basis: Leaks (Greninja/Roxie/AZ), JP Ninja Spinner scans (ninja focus), patterns (mascot SIR tops, Trainers mid-tier). SIR 1/60 any; gods 1/900. ROI: Tops 50–100% post-crash.
Few Extra Bits
I have to say, Chaos Rising feels like the absolute perfect set to balance out Perfect Order—it’s like The Pokémon Company read my mind and crafted the ultimate yin-yang duo for the Mega Evolution block. Perfect Order, with its majestic Mega Zygarde ex mascot and themes of cosmic harmony, board control, and Nullifying Zero attacks, is all about stability and overwhelming equilibrium—those serene, crystalline arts and protective mechanics have me stacking ETBs already for that long-term control deck vibe. But Chaos Rising flips the script completely with its ninja chaos and shadow disruptions, led by the leaked Greninja SIR #116/86 hurling water shurikens and the teased Mega Greninja ex for evasion and board-flipping Mortal Shuriken plays. Where Perfect Order builds unbreakable defenses, Chaos tears them down with stealthy aggro and hand disruption—Roxie Performance SIR and AZ’s Tranquility leaks promise Poison flair and fleeting support that thrive in anarchy. The artwork contrast alone is chef’s kiss: Perfect Order’s symmetrical glow versus Chaos Rising’s swirling shadows and dynamic leaps. It’s going to create insane meta mirrors at Worlds 2026, and as a collector, I’m beyond excited to build both sides—Order for my display shelf, Chaos for ripping ninja gods.
This balance elevates the entire block: Perfect Order teaches patience and setup, Chaos rewards aggression and adaptability. I can already picture my locals turning into ninja vs guardian showdowns, and the chase cards will complement each other perfectly—Zygarde SIR for the majestic hold, Greninja SIR for the shadowy flex. May 22 can’t come soon enough; I’m preordering everything from ETBs to blisters the moment they drop late March.
That said, I’m genuinely worried Pokémon will struggle to meet demand again, just like with Ascended Heroes and Perfect Order. The staggered releases and high hype for Greninja/ninja chases mean ETBs and booster boxes will vanish in minutes on preorder day, with scalpers flipping at 50–100% markups before most fans even get a shot. We’ve seen it too many times—blisters gone Day 1, restocks sporadic—and with the 30th anniversary piling on, supply chains are stretched thin. I’m setting every alert possible and budgeting extra for secondary market, but it stresses me out knowing half the community might miss out on MSRP.
What do you think—does Chaos Rising perfectly counter Perfect Order for you too? Drop your deck ideas, leak hot takes, or supply worries in r/CardChill on Reddit—let’s build the meta together!
The overlap between Chaos Rising (May 22, 2026) and the heart of the 30th anniversary celebrations is going to create an incredible but chaotic perfect storm for collectors and investors throughout 2026. With the First Partner Illustration Collections, 30th anniversary booster boxes, special reprint sets, and limited-edition anniversary ETBs all expected to drop in waves from spring through fall, the timing of Chaos Rising right in the middle of May means the market will be flooded with high-hype demand from two massive narratives at once: the ongoing Mega Evolution revival and the once-in-a-lifetime milestone anniversary. This double pull on attention, shelf space, and production capacity is going to make supply even tighter than usual—Pokémon Center exclusives, ETBs, and anniversary starter promos will sell out in seconds, scalpers will feast, and restocks will be sporadic at best. The fear is real that the 30th anniversary products we’ve been dreaming about for years could end up overshadowed or undersupplied because Chaos Rising’s Greninja/ninja frenzy is going to dominate the spring meta and collector chatter right when those anniversary items need maximum visibility. It’s exciting because the whole year is shaping up to be legendary, but it also means we’re going to have to be more patient, more strategic, and more aggressive with preorder alerts than ever before if we want to secure MSRP copies of both the Chaos Rising chases and the anniversary grails. I’m already setting multiple alarms and budgeting extra—just hoping the supply chain can keep up with the hype we’re all feeling.
