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As Phantasmal Flames officially launches today, it brings with it, as all Pokemon sets do, a plethora of new Illustration and Special Illustration rares for collectors to get their hands on.
People collect IRs and SIRs for many reasons, whether it be to bling out your deck or just collect your favorite Pokemon, but the main reason is for the art on the cards themselves. We’ve had the IR and SIR system ever since the beginning of the Scarlet and Violet era and The Pokemon Company has realized that this system is popular and they’ve stuck with it. It is a nice way to give love to a bunch of Pokemon who otherwise wouldn’t get any.
The following are my personal favorite Illustration Rares in the set but the beauty of Illustration rares is that five different people could do a similar list and they could all be different. Phantasmal Flames, like pretty much every set before it over the last few years, gives us nothing but good stuff to look at.
- Flygon 101/94
Flygon is a weird example of a popular Pokemon that for some reason doesn’t get a lot of love. Many fans wanted Flygon to get a Mega Evolution back when X and Y, then Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, released in the mid-2010s. It of course did not get a Mega Evolution. It then did not get a Mega Evolution in the most recent game, Legends ZA, but it is at least represented here with its first Illustration Rare, and it doesn’t disappoint. Its previous evolution stages in the background of the art are a nice touch, and this one is a must have for any Flygon fan, which is a lot of people.
- Zacian 100/94
This Zacian is a case of the rich getting richer. The Generation VIII Box Legendary has a few awesome Trainer/Galarian Gallery arts already, on top of having an Illustration Rare as well, and this one adds another must have to any fan of the Legendary Pokemon or just anyone who appreciates good art.
Of all the arts it has already had, this one features Zacian the most prominently front and center, and also changes the tone a bit. The other Zacian full art cards feature it more imposing and menacing, while this one shows off a more cute, friendly dog like demeanor, making it a fun contrast to the other ones. The forest background also adds some really nice color to the background, which compliments Zacian’s color scheme well.
- Dewgong 97/94
Dewgong may be the most forgotten about Generation I Pokemon, and people write it off for being bland or boring. This IR, though, is anything but. As a general theme, ice types often have some of the best IRs because the art almost always displays a picturesque wintery scene. This blends the ice type IR buff with the other best type of IR, which is showing the Pokemon in a real life situation. In this case, the real life situation is Aurora Borealis, and it is very easy to visualize this ice-type living in the North Pole staring at the Northern Lights. As mentioned earlier, one of the strengths of IRs is that they serve as an opportunity to showcase less popular Pokemon in a popular way and this Dewgong is a prime example of that.
- Paldean Wooper 102/94
This Paldean Wooper evokes such a strong image to fans of the Scarlet and Violet video games, because those that did play the game know exactly what this art showcases.
Paldean Wooper first appears in one of the first areas of the game, on the path from Poco Lighthouse to Los Platos, and the art of this IR showcases that area so perfectly that you can’t help but transport yourself right into Paldea and picture that area yourself. Only adding to this feeling is that the art looks more like a photograph taken in Paldea than a piece of art, increasing the immersion.
The card game and video games are typically separate entities but cards like this that bridge the gap are some of the best ones.
- Meowth 106/94
And with that sentiment in mind, the Meowth IR takes it and amplifies it with the nostalgic Generation I tie-in that will appeal to old and new collectors alike. On top of utilizing a more classic Pokemon art style, the key here is the background. The Pokemon Center and the building next to it make it very clear that the specific setting of this card is not only the Kanto region, but specifically Route 5 Cerulean City. In the original games, Meowth can indeed be found on Route 5, albeit only in Blue version, but this imagery is still so iconic it can’t help but be appreciated.
Prior to this printing, this Meowth was a Japanese exclusive promo and was one of the most sought after cards in the months leading up to this release, meaning that this printing will make it more accessible to collectors everywhere and is a must-add to any collection binder.
