Posted in: Card Games, Games, Pokémon TCG, Tabletop | Tagged: blastoise, pokemon, pokemon cards, Scarlet & Violet - 151

The Cards Of Pokémon TCG: 151 Part 4: Blastoise Ex

The first-ever Water-type Starter Pokémon Squirtle and its evolutionary line feature prominently in Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet - 151.

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 move to the original Water-type Starter, Squirtle.

I've said before that the Pokémon TCG needs some distance from Kanto and Base Set homages, but this set just works so well. Just a few cards into the spotlight, I think it's clear how it feels almost more like an anniversary set than Celebrations did. The idea of new images that connect to that series to tell a new story populating this set works so well. Artist kantaro draws this Squirtle and Wartortle here. They are new to the hobby as of Crown Zenith but have been delivering a ton of Scarlet & Violet-era cards, including major hits like Miraidon ex Special Illustration Rare and the Fuecoco / Crocalor / Skeledire line Illustration Rares.

The Blastoise ex is illustrated by PLANETA Yamashita. Yamashita is relatively new to the hobby compared to other V/VSTAR/ex-mainstay artists like 5ban Graphics, with their first set being Sword & Shield – Fusion Strike. Cards by Yamashita that you'd likely recognize are the Mimikyu ex SVP Black Star Promo from the first ex box of 2023, Mew V from Crown Zenith, and Regidrago VSTAR from Sword & Shield – Silver Tempest.

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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