Do I even need to say it? TPCI has slammed the ball out of the park AGAIN with the SRs! I'll dish on some personal highlights for me...
1. FA Blaziken V: I love how the fire trail contrasts with the bluish-green background, which gives the piece an almost tie-dye look to it!
2. Alt. Art Galarian Birds: It goes without saying, but the Alt Arts are truly where the SRs have been shining as of late. These three cards are stunning and unexpected for regular old FA cards. This is the kind of art you would expect to see on Japan's card sleeves! My favorite is the Galarian Moltres AA FA; Shibuzoh. managed to create a composition and image that could just as easily be found on a stained glass window! Beautiful stuff!
3. Alt. Art Galalrian Slowking: Tomokazu Komiya has always been one of my favorite illustrators for the TCG. His works make extensive use of primitivism, which results in works that look pretty bizarre and unorthodox when compared to the works of other illustrators. He really does have a way with paintings, though, and his works are always beautiful in their own way! His take on G. Slowking, for instance, exhibits great attention to shading and colors. The surrounding botany and river really pop off the card! I really hope Komiya-san is able to open up an exhibit of his works somewhere in the future, because he's certainly a resident Norman Rockwell in the Pokemon TCG. Godspeed!
4. ALL of the FA Supporters: FA Supporters will never not be my favorite kind of card to collect in the TCG. They showcase our favorite Trainers in stunning compositions! The only repeat offender here is Karen, who's getting her second FA in this set courtesy of Hideshi Ishikawa. To say that this will literally be a hot card to get is an understatement. Consumers beware! Making their TCG and FA debuts are everyone's favorite Galarian a-holes, Klara and Avery. Klara is given treatment by Naoki Saito, who I fondly remember for creating dynamic, in-your-face pieces that nonetheless have a degree of cuteness to them! Meanwhile, kirisAki tackles Avery with a rather standard-looking piece that captures the character's smug essence nicely. Finally, there's Brawly with his first FA, and he's really popping off with those multiple fists flying at the viewer! Fantastic work by Sanosuke Sakuma!
5. Alt. Art Blaziken VMAX: Once again, the AAs are exceptional among the many SRs of recent sets. The colors and shading of this piece are exemplary, and the perspective is very much dynamic and in character for Blaziken - it's been known to leap over buildings in a single bound! The addition of the other Pokemon watching from the rooftop adds further charm to an already charming piece from the board of Shigenori Negrishi!
6. SR Shiny Snorlax: I'm so glad that these gold SR Pokemon have expanded to more than Legendary and Ultra Rare Pokemon. This is a guilty favorite of mine; who's gonna argue with Snorlax?!? Once again, this will be a card that will result in the usual scalping chaos, so be aware of what prices you're paying for with this set!
1. FA Blaziken V: I love how the fire trail contrasts with the bluish-green background, which gives the piece an almost tie-dye look to it!
2. Alt. Art Galarian Birds: It goes without saying, but the Alt Arts are truly where the SRs have been shining as of late. These three cards are stunning and unexpected for regular old FA cards. This is the kind of art you would expect to see on Japan's card sleeves! My favorite is the Galarian Moltres AA FA; Shibuzoh. managed to create a composition and image that could just as easily be found on a stained glass window! Beautiful stuff!
3. Alt. Art Galalrian Slowking: Tomokazu Komiya has always been one of my favorite illustrators for the TCG. His works make extensive use of primitivism, which results in works that look pretty bizarre and unorthodox when compared to the works of other illustrators. He really does have a way with paintings, though, and his works are always beautiful in their own way! His take on G. Slowking, for instance, exhibits great attention to shading and colors. The surrounding botany and river really pop off the card! I really hope Komiya-san is able to open up an exhibit of his works somewhere in the future, because he's certainly a resident Norman Rockwell in the Pokemon TCG. Godspeed!
4. ALL of the FA Supporters: FA Supporters will never not be my favorite kind of card to collect in the TCG. They showcase our favorite Trainers in stunning compositions! The only repeat offender here is Karen, who's getting her second FA in this set courtesy of Hideshi Ishikawa. To say that this will literally be a hot card to get is an understatement. Consumers beware! Making their TCG and FA debuts are everyone's favorite Galarian a-holes, Klara and Avery. Klara is given treatment by Naoki Saito, who I fondly remember for creating dynamic, in-your-face pieces that nonetheless have a degree of cuteness to them! Meanwhile, kirisAki tackles Avery with a rather standard-looking piece that captures the character's smug essence nicely. Finally, there's Brawly with his first FA, and he's really popping off with those multiple fists flying at the viewer! Fantastic work by Sanosuke Sakuma!
5. Alt. Art Blaziken VMAX: Once again, the AAs are exceptional among the many SRs of recent sets. The colors and shading of this piece are exemplary, and the perspective is very much dynamic and in character for Blaziken - it's been known to leap over buildings in a single bound! The addition of the other Pokemon watching from the rooftop adds further charm to an already charming piece from the board of Shigenori Negrishi!
6. SR Shiny Snorlax: I'm so glad that these gold SR Pokemon have expanded to more than Legendary and Ultra Rare Pokemon. This is a guilty favorite of mine; who's gonna argue with Snorlax?!? Once again, this will be a card that will result in the usual scalping chaos, so be aware of what prices you're paying for with this set!
