The Return of Charizard in Premium Form
The flames are back with the Mega Charizard X ex Ultra Premium Collection (UPC), This upcoming release has quickly become one of the most anticipated Pokemon TCG products of the year, featuring two standout promo cards that blend competitive play with collector appeal.
The Ultra Premium Collection includes Mega Charizard X ex as an English exclusive promo alongside Oricorio ex Special Illustration Rare, illustrated by Shinji Kanda and adapted from the Japanese Inferno X set. This confirmation, first shared by PokeTCGAlerts, validates early rumours about a major art crossover between Japan’s Inferno X and the English Mega Evolution line.
What’s Inside the Mega Charizard X EX Ultra Premium Collection
Each UPC contains the two exclusive promo cards alongside the standard premium accessories collectors expect from Ultra Premium releases. The Mega Charizard X ex promo offers a fresh take on this iconic Pokemon, whilst the Oricorio ex SAR showcases Kanda’s signature artistic style that has made his cards highly sought-after in the collector community.
Collector and Player Response
The Pokemon community response has been overwhelmingly positive, with measured discussions around availability and market positioning. Collectors and art enthusiasts have praised the Kanda-illustrated Oricorio ex as an unexpectedly elegant pairing with the powerful Charizard. The combination of strength and artistry elevates this release beyond typical premium products.
Competitive players note that Oricorio’s Excite Turbo ability pairs smoothly with Charizard decks, offering genuine energy synergy that makes these promos more than just display pieces. The gameplay value adds another dimension to an already attractive collector product.
Key Themes and Market Impact
The pairing of a fire-type powerhouse with an elegant, dancing partner Pokemon demonstrates a clear design philosophy that blends competitive strength with artistic appeal. This approach has resonated strongly with collectors who appreciate both gameplay value and visual design.
The extended print run marks a welcome shift toward fairer distribution, signalling Pokemon’s intent to counter scalping and keep premium releases accessible to genuine fans. The community has celebrated this approach, with improved availability becoming a running theme in collector discussions.
Shinji Kanda’s artistic influence continues to shape collector behaviour significantly. His signature style has driven interest not only in the Oricorio ex promo but also caused a 15-25% surge in Inferno X pricing since the UPC reveal. For collectors interested in the source material, the Inferno X booster box remains highly sought-after, demonstrating how artist recognition and cross-market appeal impact the broader Pokemon TCG landscape.
Fire Spin Hobby’s Perspective for NZ Collectors
At Fire Spin Hobby, we’re following the Mega Charizard X ex Ultra Premium Collection announcement closely for New Zealand’s Pokemon community. This release represents a significant moment for collectors – iconic cards with stunning artwork by a celebrated illustrator, and improved availability that gives more fans a fair chance at premium products globally.
The combination of Mega Charizard X ex and Oricorio ex SAR creates immediate appeal for both sealed collectors and players interested in competitive decks. For New Zealand fans who’ve been following the Japanese Inferno X release, this UPC offers English-language versions of some of that set’s most desirable artwork.
Whether you’re a longtime Charizard collector, appreciate Shinji Kanda’s artistic contributions to the Pokemon TCG, or follow sealed premium product trends, this October announcement is worth noting. We’ll continue tracking developments as the release date approaches.
Sources
PokeTCGAlerts on X (Twitter)
Pokemon Alerts & News (2025)
Pokenotify Reports (2025)
