Nihil Zero (M3): Japan's First 2026 Set with Mega Zygarde ex — Release Date, Cards & Guide
Nihil Zero (ムニキスゼロ) released January 23, 2026 in Japan with Mega Zygarde ex as flagship. 80 cards + secret rares, Decidueye ex, Tyrantrum, Luxray, and Mega Gallade ex promo. Complete set guide with structure, key cards, and market outlook.
Nihil Zero: Japan's First Major Set of 2026 Brings Mega Zygarde to the Spotlight
✅ NOW AVAILABLE: Nihil Zero (ムニキスゼロ) officially released January 23, 2026 in Japan as the third mainline expansion in the Mega Evolution era. Mega Zygarde ex confirmed as flagship card with control-focused gameplay mechanics tied to Pokémon Legends: Z-A.
Quick Answer: Nihil Zero (M3) launched January 23, 2026 in Japan as the third Mega Evolution era expansion, featuring Mega Zygarde ex with the ability "Nullifying Zero" as the flagship card. The set contains 80 main cards + secret rares with 5 cards per pack and 30 packs per booster box, guaranteeing one secret rare per box. Key cards include Decidueye ex, Tyrantrum, and Luxray alongside new support cards. A simultaneous Mega Gallade ex Special Card Set offers exclusive promos. Taiwan & Hong Kong release follows February 6, 2026, with English integration into Perfect Order later this year.
Key Takeaways
- 🗓️ Release Date: January 23, 2026 (Japan) / February 6, 2026 (Taiwan & Hong Kong)
- 🐉 Flagship Card: Mega Zygarde ex with "Nullifying Zero" ability
- 📦 Set Structure: 80 main set cards + secret rares, 5 cards/pack, 30 packs/box
- 💎 Guaranteed Hit: One secret rare per booster box
- 🎯 Set Code: M3 (third Mega Evolution expansion)
- 🦉 Key Cards: Decidueye ex, Tyrantrum, Luxray, Lumiose City Stadium
- 🎁 Special Product: Mega Gallade ex Special Card Set with 8 packs + exclusive promos
- 💰 Import Price:
€119.90 ($130 USD) for international sealed boxes
⚡ Quick Navigation
Table of Contents
- The Name and the Lore
- Set Details and Structure
- Mega Zygarde ex: The Flagship Card
- Key Cards in the Set
- Special Products
- Market Expectations
- Frequently Asked Questions
The name and the lore
📌 TL;DR: "Munikisu Zero" (ムニキスゼロ) derives from munikisuru (無に帰する), meaning "return to nothing." The name references Mega Zygarde's signature move Nihil Light and the initialism "MZ" alludes to both Team MZ and Mega Zygarde from Pokémon Legends: Z-A.
The Japanese title "Munikisu Zero" (ムニキスゼロ) is a play on the phrase munikisuru (無に帰する), meaning "return to nothing" or "return to zero." This concept aligns with Zygarde's role as the guardian of balance and order in the Pokémon ecosystem. The name also references Mega Zygarde's signature move, Nihil Light (Munikisu Hikari in Japanese), reinforcing the thematic identity of the set.
The initialism "MZ" alludes to two major elements from Pokémon Legends: Z-A: Team MZ (the antagonistic organization) and Mega Zygarde itself—tying the TCG expansion directly to the upcoming video game's narrative.
Set details and structure
📌 TL;DR: Standard Japanese booster set (M3) with 80 main cards + secret rares. 5 cards per pack, 30 packs per box, one guaranteed secret rare per box. Releasing in Taiwan & Hong Kong on February 6, 2026. English integration via Perfect Order later in 2026.
Nihil Zero (M3) is a standard Japanese booster set marking the third expansion in the Mega series. Here are the confirmed specs:
Set Specifications
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Set Name | Nihil Zero (ムニキスゼロ) |
| Set Code | M3 |
| Release Date (Japan) | January 23, 2026 |
| Release Date (Taiwan/HK) | February 6, 2026 |
| Card Count | 80 main set + secret rares |
| Pack Configuration | 5 cards per pack |
| Box Configuration | 30 packs per booster box |
| Guaranteed Hits | 1 secret rare per booster box |
| English Equivalent | Perfect Order (2026) |
Mega Zygarde ex: the flagship card
📌 TL;DR: Mega Zygarde ex is a Dragon-type attacker with "Nullifying Zero" ability focused on negating opposing effects or resetting board states. Expected in multiple premium rarities including Special Illustration Rare (SIR) and Ultra Rare (UR) variants.
The centerpiece of Nihil Zero is Mega Zygarde ex, a massive Dragon-type attacker with the ability "Nullifying Zero". Early translations suggest this ability focuses on negating opposing effects or resetting board states—perfectly thematic for a Pokémon associated with balance and control.
Premium Rarity Variants
Mega Zygarde ex is expected to appear in multiple premium rarities:
- Standard ex: Base version for competitive play
- Special Illustration Rare (SIR): Premium artwork variant, primary chase card
- Ultra Rare (UR): Gold-etched premium variant
This positions Mega Zygarde ex as the first Legendary flagship of 2026 and the primary chase card of the set for both collectors and competitive players.
Key cards in the set
📌 TL;DR: Decidueye ex with "Eye of the Sniper" removes Colorless Energy costs conditionally. Tyrantrum gains +150 HP with Special Energy. Luxray's "Onslaught" scales with Prize cards taken. New Stadium and Special Energy support control strategies.
Beyond Mega Zygarde, the set introduces several competitively viable cards:
Decidueye ex
Features the Ability "Eye of the Sniper" which removes all Colorless Energy requirements from its attacks if your opponent has exactly 4 cards in hand. This unique conditional effect rewards strategic hand disruption plays.
Tyrantrum
Boasts the Ability "Tyrano Grit" granting it +150 HP if it has a Special Energy attached. This transforms Tyrantrum into a durable tank capable of absorbing multiple attacks.
Luxray
Its attack "Onslaught" does 70 damage for each Prize card taken, making it a dangerous late-game finisher that scales in power as the game progresses.
Support Cards
| Card | Type | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Lumiose City Stadium | Stadium | Supports positioning and consistency strategies |
| Rock Fighting Energy | Special Energy | Caters to the set's Fighting and Rock-type focus |
Special products
📌 TL;DR: Mega Gallade ex Special Card Set releases simultaneously with 8 Nihil Zero packs, exclusive Mega Gallade ex promo, additional Trainer/Pokémon promos, and a themed coin.
Alongside standard booster boxes, a Mega Gallade ex Special Card Set releases simultaneously, making the launch particularly attractive for collectors chasing exclusive promo cards.
Mega Gallade ex Special Card Set Contents
- 8 Nihil Zero booster packs
- Guaranteed promo Mega Gallade ex
- Additional Trainer and Pokémon promo cards
- Themed Pokémon coin
This product offers both opening value (8 packs from the new set) and exclusive collectible content unavailable in standard booster boxes.
Market expectations
📌 TL;DR: Strong pre-orders driven by Mega Evolution nostalgia, first Legendary flagship of 2026, and Japanese exclusivity window. Sealed boxes priced
€119.90 ($130 USD) for international import with mid-February arrival for European collectors.
Early pre-orders for Nihil Zero have been strong, driven by several market factors:
Demand Drivers
- Mega Evolution mechanics continue to drive nostalgia and gameplay interest
- Mega Zygarde ex is the first Legendary flagship of 2026, positioning it as a long-term collectible
- Japanese exclusivity before international releases typically drives higher early demand
- Pokémon Legends: Z-A tie-in creates cross-media collector interest
International Import Pricing
Sealed booster boxes are currently priced around €119.90 (~$130 USD) for international import, with expected arrival in mid-February for European collectors. This represents typical Japanese import premiums for early-access sealed product.
Frequently asked questions
What is Nihil Zero in Pokémon TCG?
Nihil Zero (ムニキスゼロ) is a Japanese Pokémon TCG expansion released January 23, 2026 as the third mainline set (M3) in the Mega Evolution era. It features Mega Zygarde ex as the flagship card with control-focused mechanics tied to Pokémon Legends: Z-A.
When did Nihil Zero release?
Nihil Zero released January 23, 2026 in Japan and follows with a Taiwan & Hong Kong release on February 6, 2026. The set's content will be integrated into the English Perfect Order expansion later in 2026.
What does "Nihil Zero" mean?
The name derives from the Japanese phrase munikisuru (無に帰する), meaning "return to nothing." It references Mega Zygarde's signature move Nihil Light and the initialism "MZ" connects to both Team MZ and Mega Zygarde from Pokémon Legends: Z-A.
How many cards are in Nihil Zero?
Nihil Zero contains 80 main set cards plus numerous secret rares. Each booster box contains 30 packs with 5 cards per pack, guaranteeing one secret rare per box.
What is the best card in Nihil Zero?
Mega Zygarde ex is the flagship chase card with its "Nullifying Zero" ability and expected availability in multiple premium rarities including Special Illustration Rare (SIR) and Ultra Rare (UR) variants.
How much does a Nihil Zero booster box cost?
Sealed booster boxes are priced around €119.90 (~$130 USD) for international import, with expected mid-February arrival for European collectors. Japanese retail MSRP is lower, but international demand drives import premiums.
What is the Mega Gallade ex Special Card Set?
A simultaneous release product containing 8 Nihil Zero booster packs, a guaranteed promo Mega Gallade ex, additional Trainer and Pokémon promo cards, and a themed Pokémon coin. This is the primary exclusive product alongside standard booster boxes.
Will Nihil Zero cards be available in English?
Yes, Nihil Zero content will be integrated into the English Perfect Order expansion scheduled for later in 2026. Collectors can import Japanese boxes now or wait for the English release with identical card content in a different set structure.
Track Nihil Zero with PokéWallet
Japanese-exclusive sets require dedicated tracking infrastructure to monitor import availability, secondary market pricing, and card values before English releases arrive. Whether you're tracking Mega Zygarde ex's premium rarity variants, monitoring sealed box import pricing, or comparing Japanese singles against future English equivalents, PokéWallet provides the tools serious collectors need.
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