Pokémon fans in Japan will soon be able to enjoy a brand-new card game experience with the introduction of Pokémon Taruka, launching July 19, 2025. This inventive new game offers a fresh take on the traditional Japanese card game Karuta, combining cultural heritage with the charm of beloved Pokémon characters.
A New Direction for Pokémon Card Games
Since its debut in the late 1990s, the Pokémon Trading Card Game has remained one of the franchise’s most enduring and popular spin-offs, with digital adaptations like Pokémon Trading Card Game Live and Pokémon TCG Pocket expanding its reach in recent years. Unlike these competitive strategy-based games, however, Pokémon Taruka is strictly a physical game designed around speed, reflexes, and a unique twist on a cultural classic.
The name Taruka itself is a playful inversion of Karuta (written backward in Japanese syllabary), and the game mechanics reflect this reversal as well. Instead of simply reading the cards as written, the dealer must read them backward, adding a layer of challenge and humor to the proceedings. The cards themselves feature Pokémon illustrations turned upside-down, some even drawn with amusing, grumpy expressions to match their unusual orientation.
How Pokémon Taruka Works
A match of Pokémon Taruka requires three players: two competitors and a dealer. The dealer holds a special “reading deck” while the remaining cards are laid out face-up on the table or floor. The dealer reads a card from their deck — backward — and the two players race to grab the matching card from the spread. The first to snatch the correct card wins the round, with the game continuing until one player claims victory.
The backward reading and flipped Pokémon illustrations are more than just gimmicks — they’re designed to increase the difficulty and fun of the game while offering a distinctly Pokémon-flavored spin on Karuta.
Japan-Exclusive for Now
The Pokémon Company has confirmed that Pokémon Taruka will release exclusively at Pokémon Center stores in Japan starting July 19, 2025. As the cards are written entirely in Japanese, featuring Japanese Pokémon names and kanji, a global release appears unlikely at this time. Fans and collectors outside Japan who wish to own or play Pokémon Taruka will likely need to purchase it through Japanese resellers or plan a trip to a Pokémon Center in Japan.
A demonstration video showcasing how to play has been shared by The Pokémon Company, though it too is only available in Japanese.
For those familiar with Karuta or simply looking to expand their Pokémon collection with a unique and culturally inspired item, Pokémon Taruka promises to be a delightful and challenging addition.
