China's Newest Set Just Hit Stores
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Pokémon Chinese Gem Pack Vol. 5 Is Finally Here — And Collectors Are Going Crazy
The newest Simplified Chinese Pokémon release has officially landed, and Gem Pack Vol. 5 might be the strongest entry in the series yet.
Between stunning exclusive art rares, massive Pokémon Horizons hype, and one of the hottest Pikachu chase cards we’ve seen in years, collectors are already scrambling to secure boxes before prices climb.
If you’ve been curious about the Chinese Pokémon market, this set is the perfect example of why demand keeps exploding.
What Is Gem Pack Vol. 5?
Gem Pack Vol. 5 is the latest release in the wildly popular Chinese-exclusive Gem Pack series.
Unlike standard Pokémon sets, Gem Packs focus heavily on:
- Premium holo presentation
- Compact pack formats
- Exclusive artwork unavailable in English or Japanese
- Highly collectible character-driven cards
Vol. 5 continues the Pokémon Horizons theme and revisits the Paldea starters in their evolved forms alongside fan-favorite anime characters.
The set released in mainland China on April 24, 2026 and contains:
- 196 total cards
- 24 Art Rares
- 4 Exclusive Art Rares
- Guaranteed holo cards in every pack
The Biggest Chase Card: Captain Pikachu
Let’s be honest — this is the card everyone wants.
The Exclusive Art Rare featuring Friede and Captain Pikachu is already being called the standout hit of the set, and collectors immediately compared it to the iconic Gem Pack Vol. 1 Pikachu chase.
Why collectors love it:
- China-exclusive artwork
- Pokémon Horizons popularity
- Pikachu collector demand
- Extremely display-worthy art
Early community reactions are already predicting this could become one of the long-term grail cards from the Gem Pack era.
Other Massive Hits In The Set
While Captain Pikachu is stealing headlines, the rest of the set is loaded with incredible cards.
Liko & Floragato
One of the cleanest artworks in the entire release. The color palette and character composition make this an instant collector favorite.
Roy & Crocalor
A fiery, action-heavy card that looks amazing in person thanks to the Gem Pack holo treatment.
Dot & Quaxwell
This card has quickly become a sleeper favorite among Horizons fans and may become one of the underrated long-term pickups.
Friede & Captain Pikachu
The flagship chase and likely the most expensive card in the set.
Why Collectors Love The Gem Pack Series
The Gem Pack line has quietly become one of the most exciting modern Pokémon products.
A huge reason is exclusivity.
Many of these illustration rares are:
- Only available in Simplified Chinese
- Printed with high-quality Japanese production standards
- Significantly harder for Western collectors to access
Collectors on Reddit have repeatedly pointed out how unique the Gem Pack exclusives feel compared to standard global releases.
Another big factor:
Every pack contains holo cards, making openings feel much more exciting than traditional booster products.
Could Gem Pack Vol. 5 Become A Long-Term Chase Set?
There’s a real possibility.
Earlier Gem Pack releases — especially Vol. 1 — saw massive growth once collectors realized how limited and desirable the exclusive cards were. Many collectors now believe Vol. 5 could follow the same trajectory because of the Captain Pikachu artwork.
Some reasons people are bullish on the set:
- Pikachu always performs well long term
- Pokémon Horizons is growing globally
- Chinese-exclusive arts are gaining more mainstream attention
- Sealed product demand keeps increasing
While nobody can predict the future perfectly, this definitely feels like one of the most collectible modern Chinese Pokémon releases so far.
Is Gem Pack Vol. 5 Worth Opening?
If you enjoy:
- Beautiful modern artwork
- Affordable ripping compared to English Pokémon
- Chasing exclusive cards
- Pokémon Horizons characters
- Pikachu collecting
…then absolutely.
The set has a fun opening experience, gorgeous cards, and enough chase potential to keep collectors interested for a long time.
And if history repeats itself, sealed boxes may not stay cheap forever.
Final Thoughts
Gem Pack Vol. 5 feels like another major win for Chinese Pokémon collectors.
The artwork is fantastic.
The chase cards are legitimate.
And Captain Pikachu is already shaping up to be one of the defining cards of the year.
Whether you’re ripping packs, collecting exclusive arts, or holding sealed product long term, this is a set worth paying attention to.
Because once the market fully catches on to these Chinese-exclusive releases… finding them at today’s prices may become a lot harder.