Posted in: Card Games, Games, Pokémon TCG, Tabletop | Tagged: pokemon, pokemon cards, Scarlet & Violet – 151, Venusaur
Yuu Nishida and 5ban Graphics team up to illustrate the Bulbasaur evolutionary line culminating in Venusaur ex in Pokémon TCG: 151.
Article Summary
- The Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet era begins with a focus on Paldea.
- Special set Scarlet & Violet – 151 features Pokédex order numbering.
- Yuu Nishida’s art brings warmth to Bulbasaur & Ivysaur cards.
- 5ban Graphics illustrates first Venusaur ex of the new TCG era.
With Sword & Shield officially concluded, the Scarlet & Violet era of the Pokémon TCG kicked off in March 2023 with a focus on the ninth generation of Pokémon games and the new region: Paldea. It all began with the Scarlet & Violet base set, which introduced major, lasting changes to the hobby, including an art-driven Secret Rare section made up of Illustration Rares and Special Illustration Rares. On September 22, 2023, the Pokémon TCG released the first special set of this era, Scarlet & Violet – 151. This set is notable, as it is the first time we have seen a new Kadabra card in 21 years. Kadabra has been absent from the Pokémon TCG ever since magician Uri Geller sued the company for Kadabra’s design, which he felt was inspired by his spoon-bending technique. Just three years ago, Geller withdrew his complaint and publicly apologized to Pokémon fans for the limits that had been placed on the use of Kadabra due to this highly popularized lawsuit. Outside of the return of Kadabra, this expansion is notable because the card numbering is in Pokédex order, where normal sets are ordered by type first and foremost. As a special set, Scarlet & Violet – 151 was released in special products rather than booster boxes. This is the first special set to have the era name as part of the set’s title, which is another change introduced during the Scarlet & Violet era. In today’s installment of this Scarlet & Violet – 151 art spotlight, we check out the first three cards from this set featuring the Grass-type Starter, Bulbasaur, and its evolutionary line.
Bulbasaur & Ivysaur appear drawn by Yuu Nishida, who depicts the first two Pokémon in both this set and the overall Dex basking in warm rays of sun with a smile on their faces. Nishida began contributing to the hobby when she won the first-ever Pokémon TCG Illustration Grand Prix. A report from the official contest site says that Nishida wishes to “fill the viewer with warmth” with her cards, which this Bulbasaur certainly does.
The first Venusaur ex of the Scarlet & Violet era is illustrated by 5ban Graphics, who is one of the most prolific Ultra Rare (now Double Rare, or RR) card artists of the entire hobby. An interesting quirk of this set that is unlike others is that even the standard cards of this set see one artist, Nishida, in this case, draw the entire evolutionary family except if that family culminates in an ex, like Venusaur. I would’ve liked to see Nishida’s Venusaur ex, but this card is also cool as is.
Stay tuned for the journey through this special set as we continue to spotlight the cards and artwork of Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet – 151. Next time, the spotlight continues with the main section of the set. You can read more about this iconic trading card game right here at Bleeding Cool.
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