After the incredible success of Ascended Heroes, many collectors expected the following releases, Perfect Order, Chaos Rising, and Pitch Black to continue that momentum.

Why Perfect Order, Chaos Rising and Pitch Black Haven't Reached the Hype of Ascended Heroes

If you've spent any time in Pokémon Facebook groups, Reddit, YouTube or your local card shop over the last few months, you've probably noticed the same conversation.

"These new sets just don't feel the same."

After the incredible success of Ascended Heroes, many collectors expected the following releases, Perfect Order, Chaos Rising, and Pitch Black to continue that momentum.

Instead, many fans feel the excitement has cooled.

But has it?

The answer is actually more complicated than simply calling these sets "flops."

Ascended Heroes Set an Almost Impossible Standard

The biggest reason the later sets feel quieter is because Ascended Heroes wasn't an average Pokémon release, it was an exceptional one.

It arrived with:

• Massive nostalgia
• Highly desirable Mega Evolutions
• Multiple expensive chase cards
• Huge social media coverage
• Shortages across retailers
• Strong secondary market prices

It created genuine Fear Of Missing Out (FOMO).

When a set sells out everywhere, everyone wants it.

Once collectors experienced that level of excitement, every following release was inevitably compared against it rather than judged on its own merits. Several market commentators point to Ascended Heroes' unusually strong chase lineup and sustained post-launch demand as the benchmark that made subsequent releases feel quieter by comparison.

Collector Budgets Are Being Stretched

One factor that's often overlooked is simple economics.

2026 has been packed with Pokémon products.

Collectors have had to choose between:

• Ascended Heroes
• Perfect Order
• Chaos Rising
• Pitch Black
• Japanese releases
• Pokémon Center exclusives
• 30th Anniversary products

Instead of buying six booster boxes from one release, many collectors are now buying one or two from several different releases.

That naturally spreads excitement across the year rather than concentrating it around a single launch. Analysts have noted that collector spending has become more spread out across the Mega Evolution block and anniversary products, reducing the urgency around individual releases.

Perfect Order Didn't Have a "Must Own" Chase Card

Historically, the biggest Pokémon sets usually have one defining card.

Think:

• Moonbreon
• Giratina V
• Magikarp Illustration Rare
• Greninja ex
• Charizard ex

Perfect Order featured attractive artwork and a balanced card list, but many collectors struggled to identify a single card that justified opening case after case of product.

Without that headline chase, hype naturally slowed.

That doesn't necessarily make it a bad set, it simply makes it a slower-burning one. Several commentators specifically cite the lack of one dominant chase card as a major reason Perfect Order generated less launch excitement despite positive artwork and accessibility.

Chaos Rising Was Actually More Popular Than Many People Think

Chaos Rising is perhaps the most misunderstood release.

While social media may have suggested enthusiasm was fading, several indicators showed strong demand:

• Pre-orders sold extremely quickly with many retailers.
• Mega Greninja ex became one of the hottest chase cards of the year.
• Secondary-market attention shifted heavily toward Greninja, drawing collector spending away from cards in Perfect Order

In other words, Chaos Rising wasn't necessarily lacking hype, it was simply more focused around one standout Pokémon rather than broad excitement across the whole set.

Pitch Black Arrived With Expectation Fatigue

By the time Pitch Black released, many collectors had already opened:

• Ascended Heroes
• Perfect Order
• Chaos Rising

Four major releases in a relatively short period naturally create fatigue.

Collectors begin asking:

"Should I wait for the anniversary set instead?"

Rather than rushing to buy immediately, many became more selective.

This creates the appearance of weaker demand even when overall sales remain healthy.

Pokémon Is Printing More Product

Another important change is supply.

Over the past few years The Pokémon Company has worked hard to reduce scalping by increasing print runs and keeping products available for longer.

Ironically, this makes launches feel less exciting.

When shelves remain stocked for weeks instead of hours:

• People feel less urgency.
• YouTube openings slow down.
• Resellers lose interest.
• Social media becomes quieter.

From a collector's perspective it can feel like a set has failed when, in reality, it has simply become easier to buy.

Social Media Has Changed Expectations

YouTube and TikTok have fundamentally altered how collectors judge new sets.

Every release is immediately compared with:

• Evolving Skies
• 151
• Prismatic Evolutions
• Destined Rivals
• Ascended Heroes

If a set doesn't immediately produce £500+ cards or instant sell-outs, many creators label it "mid."

That narrative spreads quickly, even when actual demand remains solid.

The Secondary Market Isn't Everything

Many collectors now judge a set almost entirely by:

• Booster box prices
• Chase card value
• PSA 10 prices

But Pokémon sets aren't designed solely for investors.

Perfect Order, Chaos Rising and Pitch Black all include:

• Strong artwork
• Playable cards
• Master set appeal
• Long-term collectability

History has repeatedly shown that many sets initially dismissed by the community later become highly regarded once they leave print.

Tags

2026 Pokémon releases Ascended Heroes Chaos Rising Perfect Order Pitch Black

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