Abyss Eye (M5) — Release Date, Chase Cards, and Global Buying Guide

Image source: https://www.pokemon-card.com/ex/m5/

The Pokémon TCG world is buzzing. On May 22, 2026, the latest expansion pack, Abyss Eye (M5), officially hits the shelves. As a cornerstone of the 2026 “Mega Evolution ex” era, this set dives deep into the mysterious Darkness-type theme, drawing intense interest from collectors and competitive players worldwide.

With the iconic Mega Darkrai ex leading the charge, this set features hauntingly beautiful artwork and game-changing mechanics. In this guide, we’ll break down the latest release details, projected pull values, and the safest ways to secure Japanese boxes from overseas.

Further Reading
Want to see all the latest 2026 Pokémon Card release dates, 30th Anniversary sets, retail prices, and card lists in one place?
Pokémon TCG Release Calendar 2026 (Japan): New Sets, Release Dates, Prices & Contents

Quick Overview: Abyss Eye (M5)

Image source: https://www.pokemon-card.com/ex/m5/

Planning your pre-orders? Here is the essential data you need for your buying strategy.

Category | Details
Set Name | Expansion Pack: Abyss Eye
Set Code | M5
Release Date | Friday, May 22, 2026
MSRP | 6,000 JPY (Inc. Tax) / 1 Box
Contents | 5 cards per pack / 30 packs per box
Featured Pokémon | Mega Darkrai ex, Chi-Yu, Zarude

This set is closely tied to the lore of Pokémon Legends: Z-A, featuring “Abyssal” aesthetics and dark, atmospheric designs throughout the collection.

If you’d like to compare the release date of M5 with other new Pokémon Card sets released in 2026, you can also check our “2026 Pokémon Card Release Date Calendar.”

Why “Abyss Eye” is a Must-Have

Image source: magi

What is driving the massive hype for M5? It boils down to three “Dark Powers”:

The Impact of Mega Darkrai ex: Making its series debut, Mega Darkrai ex features the devastating “Abyss Eye” attack, which can instantly Knock Out an opponent’s Active Pokémon if they are affected by a Special Condition. Beyond its power, the Special Art Rare (SAR) is already being hailed as a masterpiece.

The “Dark Bell” Item Card: This tricky new Tool confuses both Active Pokémon. It’s sparking intense theory-crafting among competitive players looking to buff Darkness-type archetypes.

Z-A Character Synergy: Expect high-end Trainer cards featuring characters from the Kalos region, celebrating the lore of Mega Evolution with stunning full-art illustrations.

Top Chase Cards & Market Price Predictions

The following data is based on actual market transactions, current selling prices, and buylist prices in Japan as of August 2026.

Mega Darkrai ex (MUR)

Market Price: Approx. ¥58,000–¥80,000 (US$360–$500)

Buylist Price: Approx. ¥40,000 (US$250)

Highlights: The premier chase card of the set, featuring its highest rarity, MUR (Mega Ultra Rare). With an extremely low pull rate rumored to be around 1 in 50 booster boxes, combined with Darkrai’s enduring popularity and the card’s striking premium design, Mega Darkrai ex has become a grail-level chase card for many collectors in both Japan and overseas.

Mega Darkrai ex (SAR)

Market Price: Approx. ¥36,000–¥54,000 (US$225–$340)

Buylist Price: Approx. ¥25,000–¥30,000 (US$155–$190)

Highlights: A highly sought-after SAR (Special Art Rare) featuring beautiful yet ominous artwork by acclaimed illustrator Akira Egawa.
Beyond its collector appeal, Mega Darkrai ex also features the powerful attack “Abyss Eye,” which Knocks Out the opponent’s Active Pokémon if it is affected by a Special Condition, regardless of how much HP it has.
Deck builds pairing Mega Darkrai ex with Dark Bell have also attracted considerable attention. Dark Bell can leave the opponent’s Active Pokémon Confused, creating strong synergy with Abyss Eye and making the card appealing to both competitive players and collectors.

Gwynn (SAR)

Market Price: Approx. ¥4,000–¥5,000 (US$25–$30)

Buylist Price: Approx. ¥3,000–¥3,500 (US$20–$22)

Highlights: A popular Supporter SAR illustrated by renowned artist Naoki Saito. Its artwork has received particularly strong praise from collectors, making it one of the top Trainer chase cards in the set.

Morpeko ex (SAR)

Market Price: Approx. ¥4,000–¥5,000 (US$25–$30)

Buylist Price: Approx. ¥3,000 (US$20)

Highlights: A popular SAR that combines charming artwork with practical utility in Darkness-type decks. With appeal to both competitive players and collectors, Morpeko ex continues to see steady demand on the secondary market.

Mega Zeraora ex (SAR)

Market Price: Approx. ¥2,500–¥3,500 (US$15–$22)

Buylist Price: Approx. ¥2,000 (US$13)

Highlights: A popular SAR featuring Mega Zeraora ex in a dynamic, action-packed illustration. Despite being available at a relatively accessible price point, the card continues to attract steady collector interest thanks to Zeraora’s dedicated fan base.

Card Name | Rare | Estimated Price (August 2026) | Highlights

Mega Darkrai ex

MUR

Market: ¥58,000 〜 80,000
Buylist: Approx. ¥40,000

Premier grail chase card. Extremely low pull rate (~1/50 boxes).

Mega Darkrai ex

SAR

Market: ¥36,000 〜 54,000
Buylist: ¥25,000 〜 30,000

Akira Egawa art. Competitive staple with Dark Bell for OHKO plays.

Gwynn

SAR

Market: ¥4,000 〜 5,000
Buylist: ¥3,000 〜 3,500

Top Trainer chase card with stunning art by Naoki Saito.

Morpeko ex

SAR

Market: ¥4,000 〜 5,000
Buylist: Approx. ¥3,000

Cute artwork with high competitive utility in Darkness decks.

Mega Zeraora ex

SAR

Market: ¥2,500 〜 3,500
Buylist: Approx. ¥2,000

Dynamic action illustration; budget-friendly SAR with strong fan appeal.

Check Market Prices for “Abyss Eye (M5)”

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The Mega Darkrai ex SAR is expected to see massive global demand, particularly from PSA grading enthusiasts. This is due to the exquisite relief etching and superior texture quality exclusive to Japanese prints, making it a top-tier target for high-end collectors.

Additional Notes: Cards to Watch for Competitive Play
Regardless of rarity, key staples for Darkness-type decks, such as Dark Bell and Shadowy Darkness Energy (including regular and SR versions), continue to see steady market activity driven by player demand.

Securing “Abyss Eye (M5)” in Japan

Demand for Abyss Eye (M5) is unprecedented, and supply in Japan will be tight.

Lottery-Based Sales: Major retailers like the Pokémon Center (which often stocks OP cards), Mugiwara Stores, and electronics giants use a lottery system starting a month before release.

Strict Purchase Limits: Even on release day, physical stores usually limit customers to 10 packs or a single box.

Restock Outlook: While restocks usually happen within 1–2 months, demand is expected to far outstrip supply for the foreseeable future.

How to Buy “Abyss Eye (M5)” from Overseas

For collectors outside of Japan, joining the physical “war” for boxes is impossible. Your best bet is to secure your pre-orders through trusted Japanese EC stores that specialize in international shipping.

To help you skip the middleman markups and avoid “resealed” scams, we’ve curated a list of the best hobby shops that offer guaranteed authentic products and international shipping. If you’re planning to pre-order or buy Abyss Eye (M5), make sure to check out our vetted list below to ensure you’re getting 100% authentic, unsearched products.