Posted in: Card Games, Games, Pokémon TCG, Tabletop | Tagged: Bulbasaur, pokemon, pokemon cards, Scarlet & Violet

Pokémon TCG Japan Previews A Bulbasaur Illustration Rare

Pokémon TCG Japan completes the promo card trilogy of Kanto Starters on Illustration Rares with this newly revealed Bulbasaur card.

The third and final new Kanto Starter Illustration Rare has been revealed. First, we saw the Charmander Illustration Rare revealed in English as a promo card in the Scarlet & Violet – Obsidian Flames Elite Trainer Box. Then, just this week, we saw that Squirtle was getting its Illustration Rare in Japan first. Japan has released a product called Special Deck Set ex Venusaur & Charizard & Blastoise, which comes with new ex cards for each of the Pokémon mentioned in the title, as well as new Illustration Rares for Squirtle, Charmander, and the Pokémon we reveal today: Bulbasaur. Bulbasaur Illustration Rare is illustrated by Orca, who depicts Pidgey in the card just as MINAMINAMI Take did Charmander's and Saboteri did Squirtle's. This is the first card credited to Orca, and it's quite beautiful. There is no word yet on when we will get the Squirtle and Bulbasaur Illustration Rares in English.

In addition to this news, here is the upcoming slate of Pokémon TCG releases for the first quarter of 2024:

• Scarlet & Violet—Paldean Fates Pokémon Center Elite Trainer Box (only available through preorder at Pokémon Center in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K.): Includes 11 Scarlet & Violet—Paldean Fates booster packs; two copies of an illustration rare-style promo card featuring Mimikyu, with one showcasing the Pokémon Center logo; and various gameplay accessories.
• Pawmot Enhanced Two-Pack Blister (available January 5, 2024): Includes two booster packs and a reprint of Pawmot from Scarlet & Violet – Paldea Evolved with galaxy foil as the holographic pattern.
• Scarlet & Violet—Paldean Fates Elite Trainer Box (available January 26, 2024): Includes nine Scarlet & Violet—Paldean Fates booster packs, one Shiny illustration rare promo card featuring Mimikyu and various gameplay accessories.
• Scarlet & Violet—Paldean Fates Tech Sticker Collection (available January 26, 2024): Includes three Scarlet & Violet—Paldean Fates booster packs; one Shiny promo card featuring Fidough, Maschiff, or Greavard; and one large corresponding sticker for personalizing laptops, tablets and other tech devices.
• Scarlet & Violet—Paldean Fates Mini Tin (available February 9, 2024): Includes two Scarlet & Violet—Paldean Fates booster packs, one sticker sheet, and one art card matching the tin, featuring Maushold, Smoliv, Tinkatink, Finizen, or Flamigo.
• Scarlet & Violet—Paldean Fates Tin (available February 9, 2024): Includes four Scarlet & Violet—Paldean Fates booster packs and one Shiny Pokémon ex promo card featuring Tera Charizard ex, Great Tusk ex or Iron Treads ex.
• Scarlet & Violet—Paldean Fates Premium Collection (available February 9, 2024): Includes eight Scarlet & Violet—Paldean Fates booster packs; two Shiny promo cards; one Shiny Pokémon ex promo card featuring Meowscarada ex, Skeledirge ex or Quaquaval ex; one corresponding oversize Shiny Pokémon ex card; and one three-card display.
• Scarlet & Violet—Paldean Fates Booster Bundle (available February 23, 2024): Includes six Scarlet & Violet—Paldean Fates booster packs.
• Melmetal ex Battle Deck (available February 23, 2024): Includes a ready-to-lay 60-card deck led by a reprint of Melmetal ex. This is a direct reprint of Melmetal ex from Scarlet & Violet – Obsidian Flames with no SVP Black Star Promo included.
• Houndoom ex Battle Deck (available February 23, 2024): Includes a ready-to-lay 60-card deck led by a reprint of Houndoom ex. This is a direct reprint of Houndoom ex from Scarlet & Violet – Obsidian Flames with no SVP Black Star Promo included.
• Mabosstiff ex Box (available February 23, 2024): Includes four booster packs, a Mabosstiff ex SVP Black Star Promo, a jumbo version of the Mabosstiff ex, and a holographic version of Masciff from Scarlet & Violet – Paldea Evolved.
• Combined Powers Premium Collection (available February 23, 2024): Includes eleven booster packs and an array of cards from Pokémon Trading Card Game Classic, including Ho-Oh ex, Suicune ex, Lugia ex, Mr. Mine foil, and three Pokémon Tool cards as foils. It also features a jumbo Lugia ex.
• Pokémon TCG Gift Box (available March 1, 2024): Includes six booster packs, seven as-of-yet unannounced promo cards, six vinyl stickers, a squishie, and a mini-portfolio. Nothing else is known at this point about this mysterious product.
• Paldea Adventures Chest (available March 1, 2024): Includes six booster packs, seven foil promo cards, one sheet of stickers, one mini portfolio, and one squishy Pikachu toy. Five of the promo cards are reprints from Scarlet & Violet sets, while two of them are new SV Black Star Promos. The two new SVP Black Star Promos exclusive to this product are a Pikachu Illustration Rare drawn by saino misaki and a Sprigatito ex.

Be sure to check Bleeding Cool every day to follow our in-depth Pokémon TCG coverage as we explore the hobby's past, present, and even future with upcoming set reveals.

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