Pokémon TCG Sun & Moon Series (2017–2019)

The Sun & Moon Series introduced Generation VII (Alola) Pokémon and ushered in the era of GX mechanics, Prism Stars, and TAG TEAM GX cards. It also debuted Full Art Supporters as a collector staple.


1) Sun & Moon Base Set

  • Japanese release: December 2016
  • English release: February 2017
  • Highlights:
    • Introduced Pokémon-GX and GX attacks (one per game)
    • Featured Solgaleo-GX, Lunala-GX
    • Set symbol: stylized sun & moon

2) Guardians Rising

  • Japanese release: March 2017 (Islands Await You / Alolan Moonlight)
  • English release: May 2017
  • Highlights:
    • Introduced Tapu Koko, Tapu Lele (hugely competitive)
    • GX cards: Metagross-GX, Sylveon-GX
    • Set symbol: mountain peak

3) Burning Shadows

  • Japanese release: June 2017 (Facing a New Trial / Darkness that Consumes Light)
  • English release: August 2017
  • Highlights:
    • Featured Necrozma-GX, Ho-Oh-GX
    • Iconic Rainbow Rare Charizard-GX
    • Set symbol: blazing sunburst

4) Crimson Invasion

  • Japanese release: September 2017 (Awoken Hero / Ultradimensional Beasts)
  • English release: November 2017
  • Highlights:
    • Introduced Ultra Beasts (Guzzlord-GX, Nihilego-GX)
    • Set symbol: crimson shield

5) Ultra Prism

  • Japanese release: December 2017 (Ultra Sun / Ultra Moon)
  • English release: February 2018
  • Highlights:
    • Introduced Prism Star cards (limited to 1 per deck)
    • Featured Dawn Wings Necrozma-GX, Dusk Mane Necrozma-GX
    • Set symbol: crystal prism

6) Forbidden Light

  • Japanese release: March 2018 (Dragon Storm / Expansion Pack)
  • English release: May 2018
  • Highlights:
    • Featured Ultra Necrozma-GX, Greninja-GX
    • Expanded Kalos & Alola Pokémon
    • Set symbol: radiant sun

7) Celestial Storm

  • Japanese release: May 2018 (Sky-Splitting Charisma)
  • English release: August 2018
  • Highlights:
    • Featured Rayquaza-GX, Articuno-GX, Banette-GX
    • Included reprints from older eras
    • Set symbol: celestial swirl

8) Dragon Majesty (Special Set)

  • Japanese release: August 2018 (Dragon Storm subset)
  • English release: September 2018
  • Highlights:
    • Mini-set (similar to Generations/Shining Legends)
    • Featured Dragon-type focus (Dragonite-GX, Salamence-GX)
    • Set symbol: dragon crest

9) Lost Thunder

  • Japanese release: September 2018 (Super-Burst Impact)
  • English release: November 2018
  • Highlights:
    • Largest set at the time (236 cards)
    • Featured Lugia-GX, Blacephalon-GX, Zeraora-GX
    • Set symbol: electric bolt

10) Team Up

  • Japanese release: December 2018 (Tag Bolt)
  • English release: February 2019
  • Highlights:
    • Introduced TAG TEAM GX cards (Pikachu & Zekrom-GX, Eevee & Snorlax-GX)
    • Hugely impactful competitive set
    • Set symbol: linked hands

11) Unbroken Bonds

  • Japanese release: March 2019 (Double Blaze)
  • English release: May 2019
  • Highlights:
    • Expanded TAG TEAM GX (Reshiram & Charizard-GX, Lucario & Melmetal-GX)
    • Notable card: Dedenne-GX (competitive staple)
    • Set symbol: flaming chain

12) Unified Minds

  • Japanese release: May 2019 (Miracle Twin)
  • English release: August 2019
  • Highlights:
    • Featured Mewtwo & Mew-GX TAG TEAM
    • Introduced Espion & Deoxys-GX
    • Set symbol: psychic crest

13) Hidden Fates (Special Set)

  • Japanese release: May 2019 (GX Ultra Shiny)
  • English release: August 2019
  • Highlights:
    • Collector-focused mini-set with Shiny Vault subset
    • Included shiny Charizard-GX, shiny Eeveelutions
    • Set symbol: winged star

14) Cosmic Eclipse

  • Japanese release: September 2019 (Alter Genesis)
  • English release: November 2019
  • Highlights:
    • Largest Sun & Moon expansion (271 cards)
    • Expanded TAG TEAM GX with 3-character combos (Arceus & Dialga & Palkia-GX)
    • Introduced Character Rares (Trainer + Pokémon art cards)
    • Set symbol: eclipse swirl

Summary Timeline

  • 2017 — Sun & Moon, Guardians Rising, Burning Shadows, Crimson Invasion
  • 2018 — Ultra Prism, Forbidden Light, Celestial Storm, Dragon Majesty, Lost Thunder
  • 2019 — Team Up, Unbroken Bonds, Unified Minds, Hidden Fates, Cosmic Eclipse

The Sun & Moon Series ended with Cosmic Eclipse, making way for the Sword & Shield Series and new mechanics like Pokémon V, VMAX, and VSTAR.