Pokemon has officially announced a new spin-off game that is slated for a November 2026 release. Are You, Perhaps, a Rocket Grunt? is a new tabletop game from Pokemon and Yoka Games that centers on the infamous criminal organization from the Kanto Region. While the game is only planned for a Japanese release at the moment, it may see a worldwide release in the future.

Despite Pokemon's Gen 10 games, Pokemon Winds and Waves, not launching until late 2027, the series has had a strong showing this year for its 30th anniversary. Pokemon Pokopia quickly became the highest-rated Pokemon game ever upon release back in March, and Pokemon Champions brought competitive battling to a broad audience of Nintendo Switch and mobile users. In terms of tabletop content, the Pokemon TCG saw the release of the Ascended Heroes, Perfect Order, and Chaos Rising sets, with a special 30th Celebration set coming in September. Now, the tabletop fun continues with this new Team Rocket-themed board game.

Pokemon Reveals New Team Rocket-Themed Tabletop Game Coming November 2026

The official Japanese Pokemon news account on X posted the announcement of Are You, Perhaps, a Rocket Grunt? which included its scheduled Japanese release window of November 2026. Details on the game are sparse at the moment, with the post telling fans to stay tuned for more details. The announcement teaser image shows a hooded Pokemon trainer with their face obscured next to a Pikachu and Koffing, one of Team Rocket's signature Pokemon.

Who’s That Character?

Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.

The image also shows artwork of two different cards included in the game, both of which feature Pikachu and what appears to be the trainer sending them into battle. While it's not clear exactly what type of game Are You, Perhaps, a Rocket Grunt? will be, the name implies some sort of social deduction game like Among Us or the classic Werewolf tabletop game. Pokemon has yet to dip its toes into the social deduction genre, so this would be a big step for the series.

Team Rocket is an infamous criminal organization native to the Kanto Region in the Gen 1 Pokemon games, but appears as antagonists in Gen 2's Johto Region as well. Typically, Team Rocket grunts aim to steal unsuspecting trainers' strong Pokemon for their boss, Giovanni, but the Team Rocket leader has grander plans in place involving the Legendary Pokemon Mewtwo. After defeating trainers on the Nugget Bridge in the Kanto Region games, a Team Rocket Grunt will try to recruit the player to their organization. In the Pokemon anime, Team Rocket's Jessie, James, and Meowth pursue Ash and his Pikachu.

Test your knowledge.

This board game is just the latest in Team Rocket-themed Pokemon content released in recent years. Last year, Japan saw the release of the Glory of Team Rocket Pokemon TCG set, featuring cards from the Destined Rivals English set. Team Rocket also played a prominent role in the Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen Nintendo Switch re-releases on Pokemon Day earlier this year, and players can find references to Team Rocket in Pokemon Pokopia as well.