204. Japan, NAIC, and Too Many Pikachu

This week on Special Conditions, Adam and Justin keep things lighter with a Pokémon life catch-up. Between travel plans, podcast chaos, collecting fatigue, and the constant stream of Pokémon news, this episode is more conversation than deep dive.

We talk through the current Pokémon TCG vibes, the 30th Celebration reveal, NAIC 2026, reported changes around graded slabs and high-dollar vendor items at official events, and whether the hobby still feels fun when everything turns into a chase.

Plus, we check in on Pokémon GO Fest Global, Justin going to Japan, promos, and the eternal question: what Pokémon thing is giving us joy right now, and what Pokémon thing is exhausting us?

Pokémon 30th Anniversary Hub:https://30.pokemon.com/en-us/

Pokémon TCG: 30th Celebration coverage:https://www.pokebeach.com/2026/06/30th-celebration-set-revealed

NAIC 2026 TCG Results / Decks:https://limitlesstcg.com/tournaments/518

Current Limitless TCG deck trends:https://limitlesstcg.com/

Reported TPCi graded slab / vendor restriction story:https://www.pokebeach.com/2026/05/tpci-has-banned-sales-of-graded-slabs-and-pokemon-center-products-at-events

Pokémon GO Fest Global 2026:https://pokemongolive.com/gofest/global

Pokémon Mid-Year Celebrations:https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/mid-year-celebrations-return-to-play-pokemon-stores-on-june-15

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Intro Music

Trapped In A Pokéball

Dj CUTMAN and Belthesar

GameChops - Ultraball

http://gamechops.com/ultraball/

http://soundcloud.com/DjCUTMAN

http://soundcloud.com/belthesar

Break Music

He Walk - Furret / Accumula Town Remix

Dj Cutman

http://soundcloud.com/djcutman

http://twitter.com/videogamedj

http://youtube.com/djcutman

Outro Music

Kanto Trainer Battle

Mykah

GameChops - Ultraball

http://gamechops.com/ultraball/

https://soundcloud.com/mykah

Hosts

Adam Tuttle

Justin Keller

Executive Producer

Tish Smith

Pokémon And All Respective Names are Trademark and © of Nintendo 1996-2024Pokémon Professor and Special Conditions are not affiliated with Niantic Inc., The Pokémon Company, Game Freak or Nintendo

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Links Mentioned / Reference Links

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