When a new expansion is released for the Pokémon Trading
Card Game, we like to take a moment to reflect on the cards’ beautiful artwork
and share some of our favorite pieces. With Sword
& Shield—Astral Radiance, we’re taking special note of cards
illustrated by AKIRA EGAWA and the brand-new Radiant Pokémon. This is also the
first expansion featuring Pokémon that were originally discovered in the Hisui
region, so don’t be surprised if you see a few of those as well.
Click image to enlarge
When looking at the cards of Sword & Shield—Astral
Radiance, it’s hard not to notice the works of AKIRA EGAWA, an artist who
delivers cards featuring expressive Pokémon amid detailed backgrounds. Take Luxray V for example. Its
dynamic pose and intense expression display loads of personality, and the
energy swirling around it hints at the Pokémon’s power. The darkened, sprawling
city in the background seems a bit intimidating with its huge towers, but
Luxray V appears ready to hold its own. Misdreavus
is floating past Jubilife Village’s Galaxy Hall, a much more welcoming location,
and the Pokémon’s cheerful smile reflects that feeling. Again, we see wisps of
color around the Pokémon, but here they seem to express flowing movement
instead of building power. On Hisuian Overqwil‘s
card, the water churns with what appears to be the poisonous results of one of the
Pokémon’s attacks. Given that angry look in Hisuian Overqwil’s eyes, we
wouldn’t want to be close to that action. AKIRA EGAWA certainly has a way of
putting us in touch with a Pokémon’s mood.
Click image to enlarge
As mentioned above, Sword & Shield—Astral Radiance
is the first Pokémon TCG expansion featuring Hisui, and it’s filled with both
Pokémon and prominent locations from the region. When it comes to the Hisui
region, there are no locations more prominent than Mount Coronet, the massive
mountain that proudly stands in the center of the land. Look carefully, and
you’ll see the mountain appear on several cards in this expansion. We love the
humorous contrast of diminutive Ralts framed against the looming mountain. Hippopotas keeps a watchful
eye on an approaching Trainer who doesn’t seem to notice that a space-time
distortion is beginning to open above the distant mountain. Thankfully, things
appear to have calmed down in this artwork of Stantler, and this herd of Pokémon is free to enjoy grazing in
peace while admiring Mount Coronet on the horizon.
Click image to enlarge
Also new to this expansion are Radiant Pokémon, special
Shiny Pokémon that tend to have powerful Abilities or attacks that can shake
things up during gameplay. They can prove so impactful that players are only
allowed one Radiant Pokémon in their deck—but of course, you can have as many
as you like in your collection! Radiant Heatran is looking bold
with its bright reddish-orange coloring and the complementary blue aura around
it. Its expression is likely meant to be fearsome, though we can’t help but
think the bulky Pokémon is flashing us a friendly grin. Radiant Greninja must be thinking
about how cool it looks, right? You don’t dramatically perch on a rocky
precipice at sunset without considering the coolness factor. Radiant Hawlucha is too busy
leaping into action to consider aesthetics, but we gotta say, it still looks
pretty rad(iant). Its Shiny coloring is wild, and the swooping lines in the
background give the image a sense of speed.
Click image to enlarge
Artists can use the contrast between the size of their
subject and its environment to add a sense of scale to their illustrations. We
see this often on Pokémon TCG cards, but a few examples in Sword &
Shield—Astral Radiance really stood out. For example, Hisuian Avalugg is a large
Pokémon, but when it’s shown with other large objects like more Hisuian Avalugg,
a cliff face, and Snowpoint Temple in the background, it appears even bigger
(and more menacing). The same trick is used to a different effect with Chatot. Instead of
emphasizing the Pokémon’s size, seeing Chatot so large against Firespit
Island’s giant volcano tells us that the little Pokémon has flown extremely
high. Anything to get away from that heat, we suppose! The alternate-art card
for Origin Forme Palkia V
recalls the reality-warping works of noted Dutch artist M.C. Escher. Given that
Origin Forme Palkia (who stands an impressive 20’8″) looks so tiny amidst
this background, this mind-bending setting must be incredibly vast. It almost
makes us dizzy thinking about it!
Click image to enlarge
Have you ever run through a field of flowers? It’s a
treat—the fresh air, the bright colors, the sweet smell, a recipe for an
instant good mood. Then if you add a Pokémon into the mix? It’s just the best.
If you need proof, check out these cheerful cards. Petite Shaymin almost gets lost among
the foliage on its card, but look at that overjoyed expression. We’d love to
wander through a forest of flowers taller than us, too. Hisuian Lilligant has
a very different view of the flowery landscape, but it seems no less overjoyed.
Its powerful legs are kicking up petals, resulting in a fabulous, multicolored
display. Is it any surprise that a seemingly endless floral meadow would
attract a swarm of Beedrill V? We probably wouldn’t stick around with that
many stingers on display, but this seems like the perfect place for them to
play.
There’s certainly a lot of great artwork to admire in the Pokémon
TCG: Sword & Shield—Astral Radiance expansion. With over 180
cards, there are plenty of other wonderful pieces to discover, too. Pay close attention
when you’re opening your booster packs—you never know when you might find a new
favorite work of art.
Source: Pokemon
