The coolest Zacian art card for the Pokémon TCG was created specially for the game's Online Illustration Exhibition, but the mock-up will likely never become a physical card to collect. Created as an exhibition exclusive, the collaboration between Japanese illustrator Takumi Wada and Pokémon has only revealed one card thus far, with three more to come. Though the collaboration is exciting, the cards illustrated by Takumi Wada will only exist online, meaning that one of the best Zacian cards will only ever be an online promo.
In continuing the celebration of its 25th anniversary, Pokémon TCG announced an online card illustration exhibit from August 10 to October 22, 2022. The exhibition’s central focus is to highlight some of the most iconic artwork featured in the TCG over the past 25 years. The first ever Pokémon TCG set, now known as Base Set, was released in Japan in 1996, and later in the U.S. in 1999. Based on the Gen 1 Pokémon from the video games, Pokémon Red and Blue, the Base Set was a huge success for the franchise, expanding the Pocket Monsters into a household name everywhere, as the TCG was a perfect supplement to the video games and anime series. The success of the Base Set also set off what is now a Pokémon tradition - multiple TCG expansions and boosters released in tandem with the respective generation’s video games.
With the end of Gen 8 and the rise of Gen 9 rapidly approaching, when Pokémon TCG Scarlet and Violet cards release could be very soon, making this exhibit especially timely. The Pokémon TCG Online Illustration Exhibition has three different areas: Life, featuring Pokémon in their natural habitats; History, featuring the TCG’s evolution from 1996 to today; and Artist, featuring the diverse illustrations from various artists. After viewing an area in its entirety, viewers are offered a chance to visit a special area. There are a few different rooms in the special area to visit, but the most exciting one is the room where exhibition exclusive Pokémon cards designed by The Legend of Zelda illustrator, Takumi Wada, are featured.
Takumi Wada's Zacian Pokémon Card Deserves To Be Printed
Zacian is the very first Pokémon card Wada has ever illustrated. Zacian is the mascot for the Gen 8 game, Pokémon Sword. Wada's illustration shows Zacian in his second form, which is achieved in-game by giving the Pokémon a Rusted Sword to hold. Throughout every Pokémon TCG set for Sword and Shield, thus far, there have been only a handful of Zacian cards, exemplifying the Pokémon’s status as a special mascot. Wada's art for Zacian is unlike any other Zacian TCG card, making it perfect for a printed release to bid farewell to the eighth generation. In the illustrator's own words from the Pokémon TCG Online Illustration Exhibition, “It would make me happy if my illustrations could make you feel even a little bit closer to Pokémon.” His official comment is full of admiration and respect for Pokémon, and such an important collaboration deserves at least a limited printed run.
In total, Takumi Wada will illustrate three cards as promotional features for the Pokémon TCG Online Illustration Exhibition. The other two cards he has illustrated will remain a mystery until they are shared publicly on September 7 and September 22 respectively. Since the Pokémon TCG isn’t done with Sword and Shield sets yet, with the upcoming Silver Tempest set info and cards revealed, releasing Takumi Wada's illustrated cards, seems like a perfect farewell to the Eighth Gen.