Nihil Zero: Your First Look at Perfect Order's Japanese Release

The Pokémon TCG kicks off 2026 with a bang - Nihil Zero, the Japanese expansion launching January 23rd, 2026. If that name sounds unfamiliar, here's what you need to know: this set will form the basis of the English Perfect Order expansion arriving in late March 2026.

For collectors and players who want to get ahead of the curve, the Japanese release offers a unique opportunity to experience this set two full months before the rest of the world.

What Makes Nihil Zero Special?

Nihil Zero is the first Pokémon TCG set fully based on Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the upcoming video game that brings Mega Evolution back into the spotlight. The set's Japanese name references Mega Zygarde's signature move, "Nihil Light" (Munikisu Hikari in Japanese), and the abbreviation "MZ" cleverly hints at both Mega Zygarde and Team MZ from the game.

At the heart of this expansion is Mega Zygarde ex, a monstrous Basic Pokémon with 310 HP and a devastating signature attack. Its "Nihil Zero" attack flips coins for each of your opponent's Pokémon, dealing 150 damage per heads result. That's potential board-wipe damage that could reshape the competitive meta overnight.

The Standout Cards

Beyond Mega Zygarde, several cards are already generating serious buzz:

Meowth ex features the "Trump Card Catch" ability, letting you search your deck for any Supporter card when played from hand. Competitive players are drawing comparisons to Lumineon V, and if you remember how that card warped deck construction, you'll understand why Meowth ex has people excited.

New Mega Evolution Pokémon ex include Mega Starmie ex, Mega Skarmory ex, and Mega Gallade ex (available in the companion Special Card Set). Each brings unique strategies to the table, from Mega Starmie's dual-attack versatility to Mega Skarmory's defensive capabilities.

Fossil Pokémon make a comeback with Tyrunt, Tyrantrum, Amaura, and Aurorus all receiving new cards, complete with Antique Jaw Fossil and Antique Sail Fossil trainer cards. Fossil strategies haven't been relevant in competitive play for some time. Could this be their moment?

New Supporter cards, Tarragon and Naveen, introduce fresh deck manipulation options. Tarragon retrieves up to four Fighting Pokemon or Energy from your discard pile, while Naveen forces both players to shuffle and redraw based on remaining Prizes, a potentially powerful disruption in the right matchup.

Stadium card Lumiose City allows both players to put a Basic Pokémon from their deck onto their Bench once per turn (ending their turn when they do). While symmetrical effects are always risky, the ability to bypass evolution lines or grab key setup Pokémon could prove invaluable.

Box Economics and Pull Rates

Japanese Nihil Zero boxes contain 30 packs (compared to the typical 20-pack format), with each pack containing 5 cards. Crucially, Japanese boxes guarantee specific pulls. Japanese Pokémon TCG products are subject to stricter gambling regulations, which require them to guarantee minimum pull rates. Based on established patterns from previous Mega Evolution sets, each box is likely to contain:

• 3 Illustration Rares

• 4 Pokémon ex cards

• 1 Special Illustration Rare or Secret Rare

Mega Hyper Rares appear approximately once per 62 packs. For context, comparable cards like Mega Lucario ex and Mega Gardevoir ex from previous sets currently trade around £380-430 in the UK (or $600-650 USD in the US secondary market).

Why Consider the Japanese Release?

You'll have cards in hand towards the end of January - a full two months before the English Perfect Order release in late March. That's two months to evaluate the set, identify chase cards, and make informed decisions about the English version.

Japanese releases show us pull rates, competitive viability, and secondary market trends before English allocation begins. If Mega Zygarde becomes format-defining, you'll know it before pre-release week.

Japanese cards maintain strong collector demand, particularly for Mega Evolution era sets. The superior cardstock and print quality are well-documented, and certain chase cards in Japanese often command premiums over their English counterparts.

English allocation for Perfect Order is expected to be challenging. Perfect Order will be a smaller set (88 main set cards, 120+ total including secret rares), one of the smallest English main sets in years. Smaller sets historically mean tighter print runs and allocation challenges at retail.

The English Connection

Perfect Order will draw primarily from Nihil Zero, though it may also incorporate cards from other Japanese releases like the Mega Gallade ex Special Set or potentially even the Ninja Spinner set (which releases in Japan on March 13th, just two weeks before Perfect Order's March 27th English release).

What this means: Japanese buyers get a pure, focused set, while English buyers will get a slightly larger combined set. Both have their advantages, but the Japanese version offers a clearer picture of what makes Nihil Zero special on its own merits.

Should You Wait for English or Go Japanese?

There's no wrong answer—it depends on your goals:

Choose Japanese if you want early access, appreciate Japanese card quality, or need competitive intelligence before English drops. The two-month head start is invaluable for serious players and investors.

Choose English if you primarily collect English cards, want the slightly expanded set with additional content, or prefer wider compatibility with your local player base.

Or do both—use the Japanese release as research for English investment decisions. Many savvy collectors buy Japanese to gauge demand, then make informed English purchasing choices based on real market data rather than speculation.

Final Thoughts

Whether you're a competitive player, a Mega Evolution enthusiast, or simply someone who appreciates being ahead of the curve, Nihil Zero deserves your attention. The combination of powerful Mega Evolution Pokémon ex, strong Supporter cards, and the Legends: Z-A tie-in positions this as one of the most significant releases of early 2026.

The January 23rd Japanese release date is fast approaching. If you're interested in securing Japanese Nihil Zero product, now's the time to make that decision—Japanese Pokémon TCG releases often see rapid sell-outs, particularly for sets with this much competitive potential.

Topaz Cards will have limited Nihil Zero booster boxes available - check our shop for availability and pre-order information.