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Learn which cards from the upcoming Pokemon TCG: Black Bolt/White Flare expansion were used at a high-level in Japan.
The recently concluded Japan Championships 2025 saw several cards from the Black Bolt/White Flare expansion being used. Interestingly, there weren’t any meta-shattering cards around whom players made new decks, like Marnie’s Grimmsnarl ex from Destined Rivals. However, there were several that did end up finding their way into established decks.
Almost all these cards were part of decks that made Top Cut and served a key role for these players. As such, these are very likely to be useful to players worldwide when they are finally released globally. So, let’s take a look at which cards have earned a solid reputation amongst Japanese players and why.
4 Cards From Pokemon TCG Black Bolt/White Flare That Were Great at the Japan Championships 2025
These cards in the Black Bolt/White Flare expansion did well at the Japan Championships 2025:
- Brave Bangle
- Air Balloon
- Genesect ex
- Jellicent ex
1) Brave Bangle
One of the cards to look out for from the Black Bolt/White Flare expansion, Brave Bangle, saw success in competitive Pokemon TCG. Mahiro Kato reached third place at the Japan Championships 2025 with Brave Bangle as part of their Joltik Box deck.
Brave Bangle is a Pokemon Tool that gives its user the ability to deal 30 more damage to the Defending Pokemon ex. The only requirement is that the Pokemon not have a Rule Box, i.e., not be a Pokemon ex themselves. As part of this Joltik Box deck, Brave Bangle could be attached to Galvantula after Joltik had set up the other Pokemon ex on the Bench. This could let Galvantula deal up to 210 damage potentially.
2) Air Balloon
Air Balloon is a card getting reprinted in Black Bolt/White Flare. Not only was it widely utilized by the players at the Japan Championships 2025, but five out of the top eight players had it in their decks. This card drops the Retreat Cost of the Pokemon attached to it by two Colorless Energy.
At Japan Championships 2025, this card removed the Retreat Cost of cards like Marnie’s Grimmsnarl ex, Dragapult ex, Miraidon ex, Pikachu ex, Charizard ex, and Gholdengo ex. As such, it can be expected to play this role once it gets reintroduced globally as part of Black Bolt/White Flare.
3) Genesect ex
Only a single player — Kazuki Kasahara — used Genesect ex and reached 10th. While they may have failed to reach the top eight, the strategy involving Genesect ex was intriguing. This card synergizes well with Metal decks utilizing Evolution Pokemon, like Kazuki’s Gholdengo ex. Genesect ex’s ability, Metal Signal, lets players search for two Metal-type Evolution cards and put them in their hand.
This card isn’t a slouch when it comes to damage either. Its move Protect Charge deals 150 damage and lowers any damage done to Genesect ex on the next turn by 30. While this may not be enough damage to act as a core attacker, Genesect ex can serve as a late game cleaner.
4) Jellicent ex (and Frillish)
While this entry is mainly about Jelliecent ex, Frillish deserves a bit of a mention as well. Frillish’s move Shadow of the Sea deals 20 damage and prevents the opponent from using Items similar to Budew. This lets the Basic Pokemon maintain momentum in the game without acting like a passive wall.
However, the star is Jellicent ex, who Reiji Nishiguchi took to sixth place at the Japanese Championships 2025. Jellicent ex’s ability, Curse of the Sea, will prevent your opponent from using any Item Cards but from attaching any Pokemon Tools as well, as long as it is in the Active Spot. This ability has made Jellicent ex a staple of Gardevoir ex decks.
However, it also has amazing synergy with Flygon ex’s Reversing Storm, which would let it switch in after your turn has ended. The ability Curse of the Sea opens up so many avenues, making it very likely to become a staple of Pokemon TCG when Black Bolt/White Flare is eventually released.
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