The Pokémon Trading Card Game is releasing the VSTAR Universe set in Japan, and many of its Secret Rare cards have already been revealed in retail listings. Following the release of the Pokémon Silver Tempest TCG expansion in November, Japan is going to get one final Sword and Shield set called VSTAR Universe. Although the collection isn't set to hit stores until December, many of its rare Full Art cards have been leaked online months before its launch.
In August, Nintendo confirmed that the Sword and Shield TCG series would be coming to an end with the Silver Tempest expansion. Many fans were shocked, then, when it was revealed that the Galar era would actually be extended with one final mini-set in December called VSTAR Universe. The limited collection is going to get a North American release on January 20, 2023, in a set called Crown Zenith. Below is a list of every Secret Rare card that has been revealed for the Japanese Pokémon VSTAR Universe TCG set.
Diamond & Pearl Mythical Manaphy Art Rare VSTAR Universe Card
The Pokémon Company is introducing two new card variants in VSTAR Universe that are called "Art Rare" and "Super Art Rare". The new collectible is similar to the popular Trainer Gallery cards, and feature Full Art illustrations of popular Pokémon in nature or in battle. The first Art Rare that players will be able to pull from the set stars Sinnoh Mythical Manaphy. In an illustration by artist Taira Akitsu, the Gen 2 Legendary can be seen swimming in a rainbow-colored pool of water with other Pokémon such as Pincurchin and Mareanie.
Pokémon VSTAR Universe Kanto Mythical Mew Art Rare Card
Popular Kanto Mythical Mew also makes an appearance in VSTAR Universe, and is featured on a gorgeous Art Rare card that is drawn by Ryota Murayama. The veteran artist has a history of creating cards of Gen 1 Pokémon, such as the recently released Alternate Art Charizard V from February's Pokémon Brilliant Stars TCG expansion. The VSTAR Universe Mew card is packed with adorable details, such as the Galarian Ponyta and Nidoran that are watching the Mythical Pokémon curling up for a nap in the Galar forest.
Kalos Mythical Diance VSTAR Universe Art Rare Card
Another Mythical Pokémon that is included in the VSTAR Universe set, is Kalos Rock/Fairy-type Diance. The X and Y Legendary makes an appearance on an Art Rare card that is drawn by Haruko Ichikawa. The rare holographic is bursting with colors, as Diance is depicted with floating red gems swirling around it. The VSTAR Universe collectible will be a big deal for many fans of the Kalos Region games, as the Gen 5 Mythical hasn't actually been featured as a Secret Rare in the TCG since the release of the XY Fates Collide expansion in 2016.
Ruby & Sapphire Absol Art Rare VSTAR Universe Card
The first non-Legendary in the VSTAR Universe Art Rare set is popular Hoenn Pokémon Absol. The Ruby & Sapphire favorite is featured in a stunning Full Art card which portrays the Dark-type standing in front of a river that is tucked away in a Hoenn region valley. The Secret Rare was illustrated by Uta, who recently created a handful of cards in the Pokémon Astral Radiance TCG expansion. Absol's inclusion in the VSTAR Universe Art Rare set will be a big hit with Gen 3 fans, as the Dark-type has surprisingly not been featured as Full Art rare during the entire run of the Sword and Shield TCG series.
Hoenn Altaria Pokémon VSTAR Universe Art Rare Card
One of VSTAR Universe's most adorable collectibles is the Altaria Art Rare card. The holographic features a cute illustration of the Dragon/Fairy-type, which depicts the Pokémon as knitted crochet plushy. The one-of-a-kind artwork is strikingly stylized, as the bed, rug and pillows in the artwork are also drawn to look like as if they were knitted. While not the rarest collectible in VSTAR Universe, the Altaria Art Rare stands out from the rest.
Pokémon VSTAR Universe Hisuian Goodra Art Rare Card
The first Legends: Arceus Pokémon to be in the VSTAR Universe set is the Hisuian Goodra Art Rare. The Full Art features an adorable illustration of Goodra's Hisuian form curled up into its giant shell. The beautiful artwork was created by artist You Iribi, who recently drew the popular Trainer Gallery Hisuian Arcanine card, which was featured in the Pokémon Lost Origin TCG expansion.
Pokémon VSTAR Universe Charizard VSTAR Super Art Rare Card
The first Super Art Rare revealed in VSTAR Universe, is the Alternate Art Charizard VSTAR card. The collectible features a stunning artwork by KIYOTAKA OSHIYAMA, who illustrated the Kanto Fire-type locked into a fierce battle with Mewtwo. The explosive artwork almost jumps off the card, as the textured foil brings every detail of the fierce showdown to life. Considering the Secret Rare includes two of Red and Blue's most popular Pokémon of all time, this will likely be one of VSTAR Universe's most valuable collectibles when the set launches in December.
Mewtwo VSTAR Super Art Rare Pokémon VSTAR Universe Card
As if the VSTAR Charizard wasn't impressive enough, the Secret Rares artwork is actually continued in the Super Art Rare VSTAR Mewtwo card. The Alternate Art Mewtwo is actually a sequel to the VSTAR Charizard promo that was recently released in the October Pokémon TCG Charizard Ultra Premium Collection. The VSTAR Universe Mewtwo picks up where the battle was last left off, and now shows the point of view of Mewtwo who is readying its own attack. The illustration by GOSSAN is filled to the brim with action, such as the explosive Psychic-energy that surrounds Mewtwo, or the upside down Tangela in the background who accidentally got caught in the fight's crosshairs.
Super Art Rare Hisuian Samurott VSTAR Universe Card
The second Pokémon: Legends Arceus form that will be featured in VSTAR Universe is the Hisuian Samurott VSTAR card. The Super Art Rare features an illustration of the Unova Starter's Hisuian form as it readies to attack. Artist Shibuzoh stylishly re-creates Hisuian Samurott's signature move Ceaseless Edge by using wavy black and red lines to depict its blade slashes and Dark-type energy. The Secret Rare's bold, minimalistic artstyle has become a staple of Shibuzoh, who created a similar design for the rare Galarian Moltres V card in the Pokémon Chilling Reign TCG expansion.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus Hisuian Zoroark VSTAR Super Rare Art Card
The final card revealed in VSTAR Universe is the Hisuian Zoroark VSTAR Super Rare card, illustrated by SIE NANAHARA. The beautiful Full Art shows Hisuian Zoroark surrounded by spectral Ghost-type energy, as it stands in the snowy fields of the Hisui Region's Alabaster Icelands. The rare holographic is going to be a must-have for many collectors, as its stylish illustration perfectly captures the ancient art style that was featured in Pokémon Legends: Arceus.
Although the new Art Rare variants are the only new cards to be revealed so far for VSTAR Universe, retail listings have confirmed the special set will also include re-prints from previous Pokémon Sword and Shield TCG sets as well. While the first Scarlet and Violet Pokémon cards will arrive early next year, the Galar era of the Pokémon Trading Card Game will extend into 2023 with the release of the final Crown Zenith set on January 20.